**5. Application of ARIZ to a sterilizer case study**

The AJC company runs its activity, since 1953, based on manufacturing medical and hospital material, being the main activity the conception, manufacture and assemblage of washer disinfectors of bed-pan and stainless steel utensils, vertical and horizontal steam sterilizers and steam generators.

The sterilization services implement in hospitals new philosophy which encompasses the traceability of equipment to use in the sterilization station, sterilized material, sterilization processes and handling operations with sterilized material and with material to be sterilized. The new sterilization philosophy leads to improvement of sterilizer capacity and sterilizer can be applied (Figure 18) [8].

In this case, the level of ideality is:

I= 11 / 30 0,367 Inline formula

features. Actually hospitals need centralized management software for all sterilization equipment (including washing and disinfection machines, sterilizers, medical sealers), as well as materials to be sterilized (surgical, orthopaedic, textile and another utensils) and the sequence of operations (separation of material, washing and disinfecting, sorting and packing, sealing, sterilization, distribution and collection of material to be sterilized in the hospital). sterilization station, sterilized material, sterilization processes and handling operations with sterilized material and with material to be sterilized. The new sterilization philosophy leads to improvement of sterilizer capacity and sterilizer features. Actually hospitals need centralized management software for all sterilization equipment (including washing and disinfection machines, sterilizers, medical sealers), as well as materials to be sterilized (surgical, orthopaedic, textile and another utensils) and the sequence of operations (separation of material, washing and disinfecting, sorting and packing, sealing, sterilization, distribution and collection

To increase the level of ideality it is necessary to move to the next phase, phase of solution of contradictions.

The AJC company runs its activity, since 1953, based on manufacturing medical and hospital material, being the main activity the conception, manufacture and assemblage of washer disinfectors of bed-pan and stainless steel utensils, vertical and horizontal

The sterilization services implement in hospitals new philosophy which encompasses the traceability of equipment to use in the

capacity. The new dimensions are: 70 centimeters in wide, 112 centimeters tall, 110 centimeters

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95

The sterilizer door performance can be questioned too. The two doors working vertically can

They detected a problem with difficult access to some mechanical and electrical components. The problem can be solved by modification of the component layout. The new sterilizers can have modular approach of the component layout; some mechanical and electrical components can be transferred to the lateral side of the sterilizer. Therefore, the maintenance operations

They carried out the study of component layout (including electric framework, power framework, vacuum pump, water pump, condensate pan, valves, filters, etc.) to make

As a result of all these changes, the structure that supports the sterilizer and its components

The sterilizer loading system can be undergone with important changes. The former loading system had an outside loading car that guided to the baskets load platform where the material to be sterilizes can be placed into the chamber. A similar outside loading car can be allowed to withdraw the load platform, baskets and utensils of the chamber in the clean area after

The loading system of the new sterilizer will be consists of a load car placed inside the chamber with the material to sterilize. There is a second outside loading car that transports the loading car from the sterilizer to the transportation board and vice-versa. The transportation board allows transport the sterilized material to outside and the material to be sterilized to the

(a) (b)

assembly, maintenance intervention or replacement of the components easier.

The guide system for the door movement can be changed too. The doors can be sliding.

of depth with 862 liters of capacity.

can be reformed and redesigned too.

sterilization (Figure 19a).

sterilization station (Figure 19b).

**Figure 19.** a) Former loading system; (b) New loading system

will be easier.

be replaced by two doors working horizontally.

Based on the Ideality Matrix, the level of ideality can be calculated as follows [10]:

Ideality = Number of Useful Functions / Number of Harmful Functions (1)

**5. Application of ARIZ to a sterilizer case study** 

The extant manufactured sterilizers are analyzed concerning its adaptation to the new tendencies of sterilization. ARIZ flowchart can be applied (Figure 18) [8]. of material to be sterilized in the hospital). The extant manufactured sterilizers are analyzed concerning its adaptation to the new tendencies of sterilization. ARIZ flowchart

Figure 18.Simplified ARIZ flowchart **Figure 18.** Simplified ARIZ flowchart

Several contradictions can be identified. It became clear that new sterilizers to be introduced on the market will have to undergo significant changes. Several contradictions can be identified. It became clear that new sterilizers to be introduced on the market will have to undergo significant changes.

Beyond another features, the sterilizer must undergo changes at the level of pressure vessel where the sterilization of materials is Beyond another features, the sterilizer must undergo changes at the level of pressure vessel where the sterilization of materials is performed.

performed. The pressure vessel is constituted by the chamber, jacket, doors and other components welded to the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel is constituted by the chamber, jacket, doors and other components welded to the pressure vessel.

The dimensions of the sterilization chamber can be modified. Former dimensions were: 70 centimeters of wide, 70 centimeters in height, 150 centimeters of depth with 735 liters of sterilization station, sterilized material, sterilization processes and handling operations with sterilized material and with material to be sterilized. The new sterilization philosophy leads to improvement of sterilizer capacity and sterilizer features. Actually hospitals capacity. The new dimensions are: 70 centimeters in wide, 112 centimeters tall, 110 centimeters of depth with 862 liters of capacity.

features. Actually hospitals need centralized management software for all sterilization equipment (including washing and disinfection machines, sterilizers, medical sealers), as well as materials to be sterilized (surgical, orthopaedic, textile and another utensils) and the sequence of operations (separation of material, washing and disinfecting, sorting and packing, sealing, sterilization, distribution and collection of material to be sterilized in the hospital).

To increase the level of ideality it is necessary to move to the next phase, phase of solution of contradictions.

The AJC company runs its activity, since 1953, based on manufacturing medical and hospital material, being the main activity the conception, manufacture and assemblage of washer disinfectors of bed-pan and stainless steel utensils, vertical and horizontal

The sterilization services implement in hospitals new philosophy which encompasses the traceability of equipment to use in the

Initial formulation of the physical contradiction

Analysis of the conflict domain & resources

Reformulation of the

problem statement NO SOLUTIONS

Several contradictions can be identified. It became clear that new sterilizers to be introduced on the market will have to undergo

Beyond another features, the sterilizer must undergo changes at the level of pressure vessel where the sterilization of materials is

The pressure vessel is constituted by the chamber, jacket, doors and other components welded to the pressure vessel.

Based on the Ideality Matrix, the level of ideality can be calculated as follows [10]:

Ideality = Number of Useful Functions / Number of Harmful Functions (1)

In this case, the level of ideality is:

I= 11 / 30 0,367 Inline formula

steam sterilizers and steam generators.

94 Advances in Industrial Design Engineering

of material to be sterilized in the hospital).

can be applied (Figure 18) [8].

Initial statement of the problem

Formulation of the most important physical contradictions

Methods of elimination of physical contradictions

Figure 18.Simplified ARIZ flowchart

on the market will have to undergo significant changes.

where the sterilization of materials is performed.

significant changes.

SOLUTION

**Figure 18.** Simplified ARIZ flowchart

performed.

to the pressure vessel.

The extant manufactured sterilizers are analyzed concerning its adaptation to the new

Formulation of technical contradiction

Formulation of the ideal solution

Database of effects

Several contradictions can be identified. It became clear that new sterilizers to be introduced

Beyond another features, the sterilizer must undergo changes at the level of pressure vessel

The pressure vessel is constituted by the chamber, jacket, doors and other components welded

The dimensions of the sterilization chamber can be modified. Former dimensions were: 70 centimeters of wide, 70 centimeters in height, 150 centimeters of depth with 735 liters of

tendencies of sterilization. ARIZ flowchart can be applied (Figure 18) [8].

**5. Application of ARIZ to a sterilizer case study** 

need centralized management software for all sterilization equipment (including washing and disinfection machines, sterilizers, medical sealers), as well as materials to be sterilized (surgical, orthopaedic, textile and another utensils) and the sequence of operations (separation of material, washing and disinfecting, sorting and packing, sealing, sterilization, distribution and collection The sterilizer door performance can be questioned too. The two doors working vertically can be replaced by two doors working horizontally.

The guide system for the door movement can be changed too. The doors can be sliding.

The extant manufactured sterilizers are analyzed concerning its adaptation to the new tendencies of sterilization. ARIZ flowchart They detected a problem with difficult access to some mechanical and electrical components. The problem can be solved by modification of the component layout. The new sterilizers can have modular approach of the component layout; some mechanical and electrical components can be transferred to the lateral side of the sterilizer. Therefore, the maintenance operations will be easier.

> They carried out the study of component layout (including electric framework, power framework, vacuum pump, water pump, condensate pan, valves, filters, etc.) to make assembly, maintenance intervention or replacement of the components easier.

> As a result of all these changes, the structure that supports the sterilizer and its components can be reformed and redesigned too.

> The sterilizer loading system can be undergone with important changes. The former loading system had an outside loading car that guided to the baskets load platform where the material to be sterilizes can be placed into the chamber. A similar outside loading car can be allowed to withdraw the load platform, baskets and utensils of the chamber in the clean area after sterilization (Figure 19a).

> The loading system of the new sterilizer will be consists of a load car placed inside the chamber with the material to sterilize. There is a second outside loading car that transports the loading car from the sterilizer to the transportation board and vice-versa. The transportation board allows transport the sterilized material to outside and the material to be sterilized to the sterilization station (Figure 19b).

**Figure 19.** a) Former loading system; (b) New loading system

The Figure 20 shows two sterilizers:

**•** Sterilizerwithslidingdoorvertically–before the applicationofTRIZmethodology(Fig. 20a).

through the Strategic Project no. PEst-OE/EME/UI0667/2011. Their support is helping to make

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97

UNIDEMI, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Science and

[1] Altshuller, G. S. Creativity as an Exact Science: The Theory of the Solution of Inven‐

[2] Savransky, Seymon D., Engineering of Creativity: Introduction to TRIZ Methodology

[3] Altshuller, G. S. Principles: TRIZ Keys to Technical Innovation, Technical Innovation

[4] Fey, V. R, & Rivin, E. I. The Science of Innovation: A Managerial Overview of the

[5] Radeka, K. TRIZ for Lean Innovation: Increase Your Ability to Leverage Innovation Across the Enterprise and Beyond, Whittier Consulting Group, Inc., (2007).

[6] Terninko, J, Zusman, A, & Zlotin, B. Systematic Innovation: An Introduction to TRIZ

[7] Mao, X, Zhang, X, & Rizk, S. Generalized Solutions for Su-Field Analysis, The TRIZ

[9] Terninko, J, Domb, E, & Miller, J. The Seventy-Six Standard Solutions, with Exam‐

[10] Domb, E. How to Help TRIZ Beginners Succeed, http://www.triz-journal.com/

[11] Coelho, D. A. Matching TRIZ Engineering Parameters to Human Factors Issues in Manufacturing, WSEAS Transactions on Business and Economics, November

of Inventive Problem Solving, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, (2000).

possible our research work.

Technology, New University of Lisbon, Portugal

tive Problems, Gordon and Breach Publishers., (1995).

TRIZ Methodology, TRIZ Group, Southfield, (1997).

(Theory of Inventing Problem Solving), St. Lucie Press, (1998).

[8] Altshuller, G. S. Tools of Classical TRIZ, Ideation International Inc., (1999).

ples, The TRIZ Journal, February, March, May, June and July (2007).

**Author details**

Helena V. G. Navas

**References**

Center, (2001).

Journal, August (2007).

(2009). , 6(11), 547-556.

archives/1997/04/a/index.html,(1997).

**•** Sterilizerwithslidingdoorhorizontally–aftertheapplicationofTRIZmethodology(Fig.20b).

**Figure 20.** a) Former sterilizer AMARO 5000 with the door vertically; (b) New sterilizer AMARO 5000 with the sliding door horizontally

This project aims to achieve significant improvements in the quality of the sterilization process, simplifying the maintenance of the equipment, the traceability of the processes and equipment, the quality of work of the operators of sterilization station, making easier the sterilizer manufacture and assembly processes, the improvement and introduction of a new concept of charging system of the sterilizer. The developments described will allow company to submit an innovative concept that will be introduced in hospitals of medium and large dimensions.
