UV-C Transparent Support for Full Medical Instrument Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disinfection devices for medical instruments fail to adequately disinfect the connecting parts and other non-disinfected areas due to their location outside the disinfection volume, posing a risk of contamination.
Innovation Solution
A disinfection device with a transparent UV-C radiation support that holds the entire medical instrument within the disinfection volume, ensuring all parts are exposed to UV-C radiation, using materials like quartz or polymers with high transmittance to UV-C radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the medical instrument is suspended using a conventional suspension arm with knob or ring, then the instrument can be held for disinfection, but the connecting part is located outside the disinfection volume and cannot be disinfected
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent support structure acts as an intermediary element that enables the connecting part to be positioned within the UV-C radiation field while allowing the radiation to pass through to disinfect the instrument. The support's transparency to UV-C radiation makes it an ideal mediator that facilitates disinfection without blocking the radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure extends the disinfection capability into a new spatial dimension by allowing the connecting part (previously outside the disinfection volume) to be positioned within the UV-C radiation field. This dimensional repositioning ensures all parts of the instrument are exposed to disinfection radiation.
2Strength
If the support structure is made opaque to block UV-C radiation, then it provides mechanical support, but it prevents UV-C radiation from reaching the held portions of the medical instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is made from composite or specialized materials that combine mechanical strength with UV-C radiation transparency. Materials such as certain plastics, polymers, or treated metals provide the necessary structural support while maintaining high transmittance to UV-C radiation, thus satisfying both mechanical and disinfection requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical parameters of the support material are changed to achieve high UV-C radiation transmittance while maintaining adequate mechanical properties. By selecting materials with appropriate optical transmission characteristics in the UV-C range, the support becomes transparent to the disinfection radiation while retaining sufficient strength.
3Reliability
If the support is made transparent to UV-C radiation, then disinfection efficacy is improved, but the material selection becomes more restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The optical parameters of the support material are changed to achieve high UV-C radiation transmittance while maintaining adequate mechanical properties. By selecting materials with appropriate optical transmission characteristics in the UV-C range, the support becomes transparent to the disinfection radiation while retaining sufficient strength.
4Reliability
If the entire medical instrument is positioned inside the disinfection volume, then complete disinfection is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent support structure acts as an intermediary element that enables the connecting part to be positioned within the UV-C radiation field while allowing the radiation to pass through to disinfect the instrument. The support's transparency to UV-C radiation makes it an ideal mediator that facilitates disinfection without blocking the radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure extends the disinfection capability into a new spatial dimension by allowing the connecting part (previously outside the disinfection volume) to be positioned within the UV-C radiation field. This dimensional repositioning ensures all parts of the instrument are exposed to disinfection radiation.
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
Ensures comprehensive disinfection of all parts of the medical instrument, including connecting parts, by maintaining high UV-C radiation transmittance and mechanical robustness, preventing contamination and enhancing disinfection efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a UV-C radiation generation device configured to generate UV-C radiation in the disinfection volume
Implementation Method 2
the support being transparent to UV-C radiation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a disinfection device (10) for a medical instrument comprising a disinfection volume (24) delimited by at least one wall (22A-E), a UV-C radiation generation device (26) configured to generate UV-C radiation in the disinfection volume (24), and a support (28) configured to hold the entire medical instrument inside the disinfection volume (24), the support (28) being transparent to UV-C radiation.