Vacuum Storage System Seal Integrity for Medical Endoscopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible medical endoscopes require frequent reprocessing due to short storage duration of high-level disinfection status, leading to increased operational costs and reduced equipment lifetime, as existing vacuum storage systems face challenges in maintaining a consistent partial vacuum and sealing integrity.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum storage system comprising a rigid tray with a one-way valve and a flexible pouch, where the tray and lid engage to create a tight seal upon suction application, maintaining a closed environment with a gasket seal and optional oxygen scavenging agent to extend storage duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard vacuum storage bags with zip seals are used, then evacuation can be achieved, but the seal integrity fails or leaks after a period of time
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into a rigid tray portion and a flexible pouch portion, with the seal interface segmented into multiple engagement points around the perimeter. This segmentation distributes sealing stresses and prevents single-point failure, allowing the seal to maintain integrity over extended storage periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid tray portion includes pre-formed engagement structures that cushion and protect the seal interface from stress concentrations before sealing occurs. The tray's rigid structure anticipates and absorbs deformation forces, preventing seal failure during storage.
2Reliability
If frequent reprocessing is performed to maintain disinfection status, then high-level disinfection is maintained, but operational costs increase and equipment lifetime is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates an inert, evacuated environment that removes oxygen and prevents microbial growth, allowing processed endoscopes to maintain high-level disinfection status for extended periods without reprocessing. This inert atmosphere effectively pauses the degradation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum seal maintains continuous protection of the disinfection status throughout storage, eliminating interruptions or gaps where contamination could occur. This continuous protective action extends the effective storage duration between reprocessing cycles.
3Strength
If a rigid seal interface is used between tray and lid, then sealing strength is improved, but the system cannot accommodate vacuum pressure differential
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pouch portion forms a compliant seal interface that can deform to accommodate vacuum pressure differentials while maintaining seal integrity. This flexible membrane allows the rigid tray and lid to engage with high strength while the flexible portion absorbs pressure stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal system combines rigid tray engagement structures with flexible pouch sealing surfaces, creating a composite sealing interface that exhibits both high strength from the rigid portion and vacuum compatibility from the flexible portion.
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 system effectively maintains a high-level disinfection status for a longer period by ensuring a consistent vacuum environment, reducing the need for frequent reprocessing and extending the equipment's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
having a one-way valve in communication with the outer chamber, said one-way valve being adapted to open upon the application of suction to the outer chamber, thereby to enable evacuation of said inner chamber
Implementation Method 2
This deprives aerobic micro-organisms within the chamber of the oxygen they require in order to multiply
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum storage system (40) for storing an article, comprises a sealable outer chamber (30) and a sealable inner chamber (20). The sealable outer chamber (30) has an evacuation valve (21) for connection to a suction device (48) for evacuation of said outer chamber (30). The sealable inner chamber (20) is adapted to receive said article and has a one-way valve (13) in communication with the outer chamber (30). The one-way valve (13) is adapted to open upon the application of suction to the outer chamber (30), thereby to enable evacuation of said inner chamber (20), but to close upon discontinuation of said suction.