An endoscope leak testing and sterilization pre-processing system

Abstract

This invention relates to an endoscope leak detection and disinfection pretreatment system, comprising a machine housing, an endoscope handle holder located on the front side of the housing, and a control module, a drive module, a pressure measurement module, and a recording module housed inside the housing. The drive module, pressure measurement module, and recording module are all connected to the control module. The advantages of this invention are: after each endoscope use, the leak detection system automatically completes the leak detection and pretreatment work before disinfection, with the entire process automated, significantly reducing the workload of medical staff. It can promptly detect whether the endoscope is damaged, reducing economic losses; it eliminates individual differences caused by manual operation by medical staff, standardizes the operating procedures, and establishes a higher quality work standard. Detailed records of the operation are automatically kept, eliminating the need for manual recording by medical staff, ensuring the traceability and objectivity of the entire endoscope cleaning process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an endoscope maintenance device, and more particularly to an endoscope leak detection and disinfection pretreatment system. Background Technology

[0002] An endoscope is a diagnostic and therapeutic instrument that integrates traditional optics, ergonomics, precision mechanics, modern electronics, mathematics, and software. It can be inserted into the stomach through the mouth or other orifices. Endoscopes can visualize lesions that are not visible on X-rays, allowing for the development of optimal treatment plans.

[0003] Because endoscopes come into direct contact with internal organs and are reusable medical devices, their disinfection management is subject to very strict regulations. However, due to a current lack of peripheral maintenance equipment for endoscopes, numerous problems arise in practice:

[0004] (1) The "Technical Specifications for Cleaning and Disinfection of Flexible Endoscopes" document stipulates that:

[0005] After use, the endoscope should be leak tested according to the following requirements: 1) It is advisable to test for leaks before each cleaning; 2) If conditions do not permit, leaks should be tested at least once a day.

[0006] In practice, when an endoscope is damaged during use, if a leak test is performed before disinfection, the damaged area can be identified promptly, allowing for direct repair or replacement and preventing further damage. However, in clinical practice, leak testing is a manual process performed by medical staff, which is not only complex but also time-consuming. Therefore, leak testing is typically done only once a day, making it difficult to detect endoscope damage promptly. If a damaged endoscope is disinfected directly, the disinfectant can easily corrode it, leading to serious damage. The disinfectant can corrode the endoscope and even cause short circuits, potentially damaging the entire endoscope and resulting in significant economic losses.

[0007] (2) The disinfection pretreatment process is specified in the "Technical Specifications for Cleaning and Disinfection of Flexible Endoscopes" document as follows:

[0008] a) After the endoscope is removed from the patient, before it is separated from the light source and video processor, the outer surface should be wiped clean with wet wipes or wet gauze containing medical cleaning solution. The wiping supplies should be for single use only.

[0009] b) Repeat the air and water supply for at least 10 seconds.

[0010] c) Place the tip of the endoscope into the container containing the cleaning solution, activate the suction function, and aspirate the cleaning solution until it flows into the suction tube.

[0011] The entire disinfection pretreatment process needs to be completed manually by medical staff. This not only involves complicated procedures, increasing the workload of medical staff and consuming a lot of time, but also affects the efficiency of surgical examinations and treatments. Furthermore, the different operating habits of each medical staff member can lead to different disinfection pretreatment effects, making it impossible to achieve a uniform quality standard.

[0012] (3) The "Technical Specifications for Cleaning and Disinfection of Flexible Endoscopes" stipulates that the use and cleaning and disinfection of each endoscope should be recorded, including: the date of treatment, the patient's identification and the endoscope's number (both of which should be unique), the start and end times of cleaning and disinfection, and the name of the operator, etc.

[0013] In clinical practice, all endoscopy-related records are kept manually. The bedside pretreatment stage of endoscope cleaning and disinfection is very fragmented and often lacks records, making it impossible to achieve full traceability and objectivity of the endoscope cleaning process. Summary of the Invention

[0014] The purpose of this invention is to provide an endoscopic leak detection and disinfection pretreatment system to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0015] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0016] An endoscope leak detection and disinfection pretreatment system includes a machine housing, an endoscope handle fixing seat is provided on the front side of the machine housing, and a control module, a drive module, a pressure measuring module, and a recording module are provided inside the machine housing; the drive module, pressure measuring module, and recording module are all connected to the control module.

[0017] The control module is used to control the operation of the system;

[0018] The drive module is used to control the air / water delivery valve and suction control valve on the endoscope handle;

[0019] The pressure measurement module is used to deliver pressurized gas to the endoscope and to test whether the endoscope is leaking by detecting the pressure of the endoscope.

[0020] The recording module 16 is used to record the system's operation process and operation time;

[0021] Preferably, the drive module includes a drive motor disposed inside the machine housing. The drive motor is connected to the air / water delivery valve pressing column and the suction control valve pressing column respectively through two transmission devices. The air / water delivery valve pressing column passes through the machine housing and is opposite to the air / water delivery valve position of the endoscope placed on the endoscope handle fixing seat. The suction control valve pressing column passes through the machine housing and is opposite to the suction control valve position of the endoscope placed on the endoscope handle fixing seat.

[0022] Preferably, the end of the gas / water delivery valve press column is an elastic material layer.

[0023] Preferably, a drive gear is provided at the output end of the drive motor, and the inner ends of the gas / water delivery valve pressing column and the suction control valve pressing column are both connected to a gear and rack transmission module. The gear and rack transmission module includes a horizontally arranged guide rail, a slider is slidably installed on the guide rail, and a rack is provided on the slider. The rack meshes with the drive gear.

[0024] Preferably, the pressure testing module includes a booster pump, a pressure reducing valve, a venting valve, a pressure holding valve, and a pressure sensor disposed inside the leak detection module housing; the air inlet of the booster pump is connected to the outside air, and the air outlet of the booster pump is connected to the pressure holding valve through a conduit after passing through the pressure reducing valve; the outlet of the pressure holding valve is connected to a four-way valve, and the three ports of the four-way valve are respectively connected to the venting valve, the pressure sensor, and the leak detection interface; the leak detection interface can be connected to the ventilation interface of the endoscope; the pressure sensor is connected to the control module.

[0025] Preferably, the recording module includes an information reading module, an operation recording module, and an information card disposed on the endoscope that cooperates with the information reading module.

[0026] Preferably, a photoelectric diffuse reflection sensor is provided at the endoscope handle holder to determine whether the endoscope handle is placed on the endoscope handle holder.

[0027] Preferably, it also includes a display module, which includes a display screen disposed on the machine housing, and the display module is used to display the leak detection results.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0029] (1) After each use of the endoscope, medical staff can directly place the endoscope on the leak detection system. The leak detection system will automatically complete the leak detection and pre-disinfection pretreatment. The whole process is automated and no longer requires manual operation by medical staff, which greatly reduces the workload of medical staff. It ensures that the endoscope is leak-tested after each use, and can detect whether the endoscope is damaged in time, so as to facilitate timely replacement and repair and reduce economic losses.

[0030] (2) The entire process of using a leak detection system to detect leaks in endoscopes and pre-treatment before disinfection is fully automated. There are no individual differences caused by manual operation by medical staff, the operation process is standardized, and a high-quality work standard is formed.

[0031] (3) Every time the leak detection system works, the operation is recorded in detail by the control system. The recording work is done automatically, eliminating the need for medical staff to record manually, thus avoiding the occurrence of missing records and ensuring the traceability and objectivity of the entire process of endoscope cleaning. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal mechanism of the present invention;

[0034] In the diagram: 1. Machine housing; 2. Endoscope handle holder; 3. Drive motor; 4. Air / water delivery valve press column; 5. Suction control valve press column; 6. Air / water delivery valve; 7. Suction control valve; 12. Booster pump; 13. Pressure reducing valve; 14. Vent valve; 15. Pressure holding valve; 16. Recording module; 17. Photoelectric diffuse reflection sensor; 18. Control module; 19. Display screen; 20. Leak detection interface; 21. Pressure sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] like Figure 1-3 As shown,

[0037] An endoscope leak detection and disinfection pretreatment system includes a machine housing 1, an endoscope handle fixing seat 2 is provided on the front side of the machine housing 1, and a control module 18, a drive module, a pressure measuring module, and a recording module 16 are provided inside the machine housing 1; the drive module, pressure measuring module, and recording module 16 are all connected to the control module 18.

[0038] Control module 18 is used to control the operation of the system;

[0039] The drive module is used to control the air / water delivery valve 6 and the suction control valve 7 on the endoscope handle;

[0040] The drive module includes a drive motor 3 housed inside the machine housing 1. The drive motor 3 is connected to the air / water delivery valve pressing column 4 and the suction control valve pressing column 5 via two transmission devices. The air / water delivery valve pressing column 4 passes through the machine housing 1 and is positioned opposite to the air / water delivery valve 6 of the endoscope placed on the endoscope handle holder 2. The suction control valve pressing column 5 passes through the machine housing 1 and is positioned opposite to the suction control valve 7 of the endoscope placed on the endoscope handle holder 2. The end of the air / water delivery valve pressing column 4 is made of an elastic material layer.

[0041] A drive gear 8 is provided at the output end of the drive motor 3. The drive motor is fixed on the motor mounting plate. The inner ends of the gas / water delivery valve pressing column 4 and the suction control valve pressing column 5 are both connected to a gear and rack transmission module. The gear and rack transmission module includes a horizontally arranged guide rail, a slider is slidably mounted on the guide rail, and a rack is provided on the slider. The rack meshes with the drive gear. A rack mounting plate is fixedly connected to the slider, and a rack is provided on the rack mounting plate. The drive module controlling the gas / water delivery valve pressing column 4 is fixedly connected to the motor mounting plate through the guide rail. The drive module controlling the suction control valve pressing column is fixedly connected to the bending plate through the same guide rail. The bending plate and the motor mounting plate are connected and fixed by screws. The rack meshes with the drive gear. The rotation of the drive motor 3 drives the two drive modules to perform reverse translational motion through the rack and gear. Limit screws are installed on both sides of the motor mounting plate and the right side of the bending plate. A limit switch is installed on the left side of the bending plate. When the equipment is started, the drive motor 3 automatically runs to the limit switch to confirm the zero position.

[0042] The pressure testing module is used to deliver pressurized gas to the endoscope and to test whether the endoscope is leaking by detecting the pressure in the endoscope;

[0043] The pressure testing module includes a booster pump 12, a pressure reducing valve 13, a venting valve 14, a pressure holding valve 15, and a pressure sensor 21, all housed inside the leak detection module housing. The inlet of the booster pump 12 is connected to the outside air, and the outlet of the booster pump 12 is connected to the pressure holding valve 15 via a conduit after passing through the pressure reducing valve 13. The outlet of the pressure holding valve 15 is connected to a four-way valve, and the three ports of the four-way valve are respectively connected to the venting valve 14, the pressure sensor 21, and the leak detection interface 20. The leak detection interface 20 can be connected to the ventilation interface of an endoscope. The pressure sensor is connected to the control module 18.

[0044] Recording module 16 is used to record the system's operation process and operation time;

[0045] The recording module 16 includes an information reading module, an operation recording module, and an information card set on the endoscope that works in conjunction with the information reading module.

[0046] A photoelectric diffuse reflection sensor 17 is provided at the endoscope handle fixing seat to determine whether the endoscope handle is placed on the endoscope handle fixing seat 2;

[0047] It also includes a display module, which includes a display screen 19 mounted on the machine housing, and is used to display the leak detection results.

[0048] In clinical practice:

[0049] After using the endoscope, first clean and wipe it with washing solution to remove all debris from the insertion tube; then perform disinfection pretreatment.

[0050] During disinfection pretreatment:

[0051] Medical staff can directly place the endoscope handle on the endoscope handle holder 2 to perform a fully automated disinfection pretreatment. Once the photoelectric diffuse reflection sensor 17 at the endoscope handle holder 2 detects that the handle has been placed, the control module 18 starts the drive motor 3. The drive motor 3 rotates forward and reverse, respectively driving the air / water delivery valve pressing column 4 and the suction control valve pressing column 5. When the air / water delivery valve pressing column 4 is positioned to block the air hole of the air / water delivery valve 6, it is in automatic air delivery mode; when the air / water delivery valve pressing column 4 is positioned to press the air / water delivery valve 6, it is in automatic water delivery mode, repeating the air / water delivery and water delivery cycle for at least 10 seconds. Then, by pressing the suction control valve 7 through the suction control valve pressing column 5, the automatic suction mode is activated, drawing up the cleaning fluid until it flows into the suction tube. The entire disinfection pretreatment is completed automatically, requiring no intervention from medical staff.

[0052] Leak testing should be performed before disinfection:

[0053] Connect the endoscope's ventilation port to the leak detection port 20. After the endoscope handle is placed on the endoscope handle mounting base 2, the control module 18 controls the pressure holding valve 15 to open, and the booster air pump 12 draws in outside air and pressurizes it. Then, it is connected to the leak detection port 20 through a conduit. The air enters the sealed cavity between the outer wall of the endoscope and the air / water delivery conduit. When a certain amount of air is filled into the sealed cavity, the pressure sensor detects the pressure and sends the detected pressure data to the control module. The control module 18 determines whether the endoscope is intact and undamaged if the pressure data does not change, or if the pressure data shows a decreasing trend, indicating that the endoscope is damaged and needs to be replaced and repaired in time.

[0054] During disinfection pretreatment and leak testing, the recording module 16 can record the entire process and time in real time. Each endoscope is equipped with an information card containing its model and serial number. After use, before placing the endoscope in the endoscope handle holder 2, the information card is swiped on the recording module 16. The information reading module reads the information from the card, and the recording module 16 records the subsequent disinfection pretreatment and leak testing procedures under the endoscope with that serial number. The recording module 16 can connect to a terminal device via data cable or wirelessly to transmit the recorded data.

[0055] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An endoscope leak testing and sterilization pre-processing system, characterized by: The machine shell is provided with an endoscope handle fixing seat on the front side, and a medical staff directly places the handle of the endoscope on the endoscope handle fixing seat, and the machine shell is internally provided with a control module, a driving module, a pressure measurement module and a recording module, and the driving module, the pressure measurement module and the recording module are connected with the control module; The control module is used for controlling the operation of the system; The driving module is used for controlling the air / water delivery valve and the suction control valve on the endoscope handle, and the driving module comprises a driving motor arranged in the machine shell, the driving motor is connected with the air / water delivery valve pressing column and the suction control valve pressing column through two transmission devices respectively, the driving motor drives the air / water delivery valve pressing column and the suction control valve pressing column to move through forward rotation and reverse rotation, when the air / water delivery valve pressing column is located at the position of blocking the air hole of the air / water delivery valve, it is the automatic air feeding mode, when the air / water delivery valve pressing column is located at the position of pressing the air / water delivery valve, it is the automatic water feeding mode, and the water feeding and air feeding are repeated for more than 10s; then the suction control valve is pressed by the suction control valve pressing column, and the automatic suction mode is started, and the cleaning liquid is sucked until it flows into the suction pipe; The pressure measurement module is used for delivering pressurized gas to the endoscope, and testing whether the endoscope leaks by detecting the pressure of the endoscope; The recording module is used for recording the operation process and operation time of the system; The air / water delivery valve pressing column penetrates through the machine shell and is opposite to the position of the air / water delivery valve of the endoscope placed on the endoscope handle fixing seat; the suction control valve pressing column penetrates through the machine shell and is opposite to the position of the suction control valve of the endoscope placed on the endoscope handle fixing seat; A driving gear is arranged at the output end of the driving motor, the inner ends of the air / water delivery valve pressing column and the suction control valve pressing column are connected with a gear rack transmission module, the gear rack transmission module comprises a guide rail arranged horizontally, a sliding block is slidingly installed on the guide rail, and a rack is arranged on the sliding block, and the rack is engaged with the driving gear.

2. An endoscope leak testing and sterilization pre-processing system as defined in claim 1, wherein: The end of the air / water delivery valve pressing column is an elastic material layer.

3. An endoscope leak testing and sterilization pre-processing system as defined in claim 1, wherein: The pressure measurement module comprises a booster air pump, a pressure reducing valve, a pressure relief valve, a pressure maintaining valve and a pressure sensor arranged in the leakage measurement module shell; the air inlet of the booster air pump is connected with the outside air, the air outlet of the booster air pump is connected with the pressure maintaining valve through a conduit after the pressure reducing valve, the outlet of the pressure maintaining valve is connected with a four-way joint, three interfaces of the four-way joint are connected with the pressure relief valve, the pressure sensor and a leakage measurement interface respectively, the leakage measurement interface is connected with the ventilation interface of the endoscope in cooperation, and the pressure sensor is connected with the control module.

4. The endoscope leak testing and sterilization pre-processing system of claim 1, wherein: The recording module comprises an information reading module, an operation recording module and an information card arranged on the endoscope and matched with the information reading module.

5. The endoscope leak testing and sterilization pre-processing system of claim 1, wherein: An optoelectronic diffuse reflection sensor is arranged at the endoscope handle fixing seat and is used for judging whether the endoscope handle is placed on the endoscope handle fixing seat.

6. An endoscope leak testing and sterilization pre-processing system according to claim 1, wherein: A display module is further arranged, the display module comprises a display screen arranged on the machine shell, and the display module is used for displaying the leakage measurement result.

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