UV Panel for Surgical Instruments and Air Sterilization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical infections remain a significant problem due to bacterial migration caused by air currents and dust during surgical procedures, despite the use of sterile covers on instrument tables.

Innovation Solution

An uncovered ultraviolet light emitting panel is used to support instruments in an operating room, which fits inside an autoclave for sterilization and continuously irradiates surgical instruments and nearby air with UV light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sterile covers are used on instrument tables, then instruments are protected from contamination, but air currents and dust can still migrate bacteria around the covers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument sterilizationVSAvoidbacterial migration through air currents

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A transparent barrier film is introduced as an intermediary between the instruments and the surrounding air environment. This film allows visual monitoring of instruments while physically blocking bacterial migration through air currents and dust, resolving the contradiction between instrument protection and air flow limitations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary sterilization and protection actions by creating a controlled sterile environment around instruments before surgical procedures begin. The transparent barrier and associated filtration systems are pre-configured to prevent bacterial contamination before it can occur during the procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If sterile covers are used on instrument tables, then instruments remain sterile, but the covers do not address dust and air movement issues in the operating room

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterile barrier protectionVSAvoidprotection against dust and air currents

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent barrier system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a sterile barrier, a dust filter, and an air flow management component. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive protection against multiple contamination sources through a single integrated system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs composite structures combining transparent barrier films with filtration materials and support frameworks. This composite approach enables the system to simultaneously provide optical transparency for monitoring, physical barrier properties for sterilization, and filtration capabilities for dust and particle removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If uncovered ultraviolet light emitting panels are used, then continuous sterilization of instruments and air is achieved, but the panel must fit inside an autoclave for sterilization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous sterilization capabilityVSAvoidautoclave compatibility constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sterilization system is divided into separable components: the ultraviolet light emitting panel can be removed from the instrument table and independently sterilized in an autoclave. This segmentation allows the panel to meet sterilization requirements while maintaining its UV functionality, resolving the contradiction between continuous sterilization capability and manufacturing constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The UV light emitting panel effectively reduces the risk of surgical infections by continuously sterilizing the instruments and surrounding air, addressing the issue of bacterial migration caused by air currents and dust.

Implementation Method 1

An uncovered ultraviolet light emitting panel is disclosed for use in supporting instruments in an operating room... the panel irradiates surgical instruments and the nearby air continuously

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet light sterilization: Photodissociation

Implementation Method 2

a first sheet of transparent material in thermal contact with the first plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20250065002A1Sterilizing surgical instrument table

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 MANSELL JOHN

AI summary

Embodiments of the disclosure include an uncovered ultraviolet light emitting panel for use in supporting instruments in an operating room. The panel fits inside an autoclave for sterilization and can be utilized without a sterile cover. In use, the panel irradiates surgical instruments and the nearby air continuously.