TY - JOUR
T1 - Reprocessing Zamak laryngoscope blades into new instrument parts; an ‘all-in-one’ experimental study
AU - van Straten, Bart
AU - Tantuo, Brian
AU - Dankelman, Jenny
AU - Sperna Weiland, Nicolaas H.
AU - Boersma, Bendiks Jan
AU - Horeman, Tim
N1 - Funding Information: The authors want to thank the staffs of the Amsterdam University Medical Center and Spaarne Hospital for their dedication and assistance in supplying the blades. Ruud Hendrikx at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering of the Delft University of Technology is thanked for providing us with the XRF data. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s)
PY - 2022/11/1
Y1 - 2022/11/1
N2 - Introduction: Disposable instruments in healthcare have led to a significant increase of medical waste. The aim of this study is to validate the recycling of disposable Zamak laryngoscope blades into new medical components by using a new ‘all-in-one’ affordable reprocessing setup as alternative for die-casting. Methods: A n “all-in-one” casting set-up was designed and built. Laryngoscope blades, recovered from two hospitals, were disinfected, melted and cast into dog-bones and into new instrument parts. The quality of the cast material was evaluated using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The mechanical properties were obtained by assessing the Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) and tensile tests. Results: A recovery of 93 % Zamak was obtained using a melting temperature of 420 °C for 3 h. The XRF Spectro data showed higher Zinc and silicon concentrations when compared with Virgin Zamak. The dog-bones tests resulted in an average UTS, Yield Strength (YS) and Young's Modulus (YM) of 236 ± 61 (MPa), 70 ± 43 and 9 ± 3, respectively, representing 82 %, 103 % and 64 % of the UTS, YS and YM of standard Zamak. Functional instrument parts with extensions and inner chambers were cast with a maximal shrinkage percentage of 1 ± 1 %. Discussion: This study demonstrates that the created “all-in-one” reprocessing method can process contaminated disposable Zamak laryngoscope blades into new raw base material and new instrument parts. Although material and surface properties can deteriorate, reprocessed Zamak still has sufficient mechanical properties and can be used to cast complex parts with sufficient dimensional tolerances and minimal shrinkage. Conclusion: A micro reprocessing method was designed and used to turn disposed laryngoscope blades into new basis material and semi-finished components. Follow up studies are needed to scale and optimize this process towards a functional alternative for die casting. It should be further investigated how this process can contribute to further medical waste reduction and a circular healthcare economy.
AB - Introduction: Disposable instruments in healthcare have led to a significant increase of medical waste. The aim of this study is to validate the recycling of disposable Zamak laryngoscope blades into new medical components by using a new ‘all-in-one’ affordable reprocessing setup as alternative for die-casting. Methods: A n “all-in-one” casting set-up was designed and built. Laryngoscope blades, recovered from two hospitals, were disinfected, melted and cast into dog-bones and into new instrument parts. The quality of the cast material was evaluated using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The mechanical properties were obtained by assessing the Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) and tensile tests. Results: A recovery of 93 % Zamak was obtained using a melting temperature of 420 °C for 3 h. The XRF Spectro data showed higher Zinc and silicon concentrations when compared with Virgin Zamak. The dog-bones tests resulted in an average UTS, Yield Strength (YS) and Young's Modulus (YM) of 236 ± 61 (MPa), 70 ± 43 and 9 ± 3, respectively, representing 82 %, 103 % and 64 % of the UTS, YS and YM of standard Zamak. Functional instrument parts with extensions and inner chambers were cast with a maximal shrinkage percentage of 1 ± 1 %. Discussion: This study demonstrates that the created “all-in-one” reprocessing method can process contaminated disposable Zamak laryngoscope blades into new raw base material and new instrument parts. Although material and surface properties can deteriorate, reprocessed Zamak still has sufficient mechanical properties and can be used to cast complex parts with sufficient dimensional tolerances and minimal shrinkage. Conclusion: A micro reprocessing method was designed and used to turn disposed laryngoscope blades into new basis material and semi-finished components. Follow up studies are needed to scale and optimize this process towards a functional alternative for die casting. It should be further investigated how this process can contribute to further medical waste reduction and a circular healthcare economy.
KW - Circular economy
KW - Clean technology
KW - Cleaner production
KW - Recycle
KW - Sustainable business
KW - Sustainable production and consumption
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85142129683&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11711
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11711
M3 - Article
C2 - 36425420
SN - 2405-8440
VL - 8
JO - Heliyon
JF - Heliyon
IS - 11
M1 - e11711
ER -