Endoscope management device, transport container, endoscope management system, and endoscope management method

Abstract

To better assist a health care professional to keep processing time low in a first stage of an endoscope reprocessing procedure.SOLUTION: The endoscope manager 10 comprises a display device 12, an ID reader 14, a microprocessor 16, a countdown timer 18, and a communication interface 20 for wirelessly connecting the endoscope manager 10 to an external communication network 21, and is configured to detect an endoscope ID code of a recently pre-cleaned endoscope 22 by the ID reader 14, start the countdown timer 18, display current endoscope information on the display device 12, and make the current endoscope information available in the communication network 21, wherein the current endoscope information comprises a name and / or serial number associated with the detected endoscope ID code and a current remaining time indicated by the countdown timer 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to an endoscope management device (EMD), a transport container, an endoscope management system, and an endoscope management method. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, millions of endoscopic procedures are performed each year worldwide for a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

[0003] Endoscopic instruments are introduced into the patient's body and may come into contact with numerous potentially harmful substances and microorganisms. Therefore, infections caused by cross-contamination from improperly handled endoscopic instruments pose a serious health risk.

[0004] Therefore, it is extremely important to properly follow established guidelines for reprocessing each endoscopic instrument after each use; reprocessing procedures may include, for example, cleaning, disinfecting, inspecting, and / or storing the instrument after each use.

[0005] To comply with legal and / or hospital-specific requirements, each step in the reprocessing procedure must be carefully documented. Traditional paper-based documentation methods are time-consuming and error-prone. Therefore, digital information management and / or documentation systems, such as Hytrack™, have been established to manage the endoscope information associated with all endoscopes in a given endoscope pool, particularly to digitally track all the different steps in the reprocessing procedure. The information management system is connected or connectable to a communications network, linking the endoscope pool with all connected devices and users.

[0006] After any use of the endoscope in the procedure room, the endoscope is first manually pre-cleaned by a healthcare professional and then placed in a container for transport to a manual cleaning station where a more thorough manual cleaning procedure is performed, after which the endoscope is disinfected in an automated endoscope treatment disinfection machine (ETD machine).

[0007] However, the focus of the present invention is the first step in the reprocessing procedure, until the pre-cleaned endoscope arrives at the manual cleaning station.

[0008] The time interval between the end of the manual pre-wash step and the start of the first washing process in the manual washing station should be shorter than a predetermined time interval, currently 30 minutes, if this time interval is exceeded, additional measures are required before further processing of the instruments. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 2016886 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to better assist healthcare professionals to keep processing times low in the first stage of a reprocessing procedure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve this object, the present invention proposes an endoscope management device (EMD) having the features of claim 1, the device comprising a display device, an ID reader, a microprocessor, a countdown timer optionally integrated in the microprocessor, and a communication interface for wirelessly connecting the endoscope management device to an external communication network.

[0012] The term "countdown timer" should be understood as a functional component and does not necessarily refer to a physically separate element or hardware unit. This can be implemented, for example, using a real-time clock provided in the EMD, in particular embedded in a microprocessor, and using appropriate software. The use of a real-time clock makes it possible to provide an accurate timestamp that can be used to coordinate other activities involving the EMD. Furthermore, it helps to keep accurate time of events, can aid in energy conservation, and allows the microcontroller to shut down and start up after a certain period of time or at a specific later time.

[0013] The ID reader may be an NFC reader, an RFID reader, a barcode reader, or any other suitable mechanism for reading an ID code.

[0014] According to the present invention, an endoscope management device is configured to detect the endoscope ID code of an endoscope that has just been pre-cleaned using an ID reader, start a countdown timer that indicates or outputs the remaining time until a predetermined time interval ends or a predetermined target time is reached, display current endoscope information on a display device, and make the current endoscope information available within a communication network via a communication interface, the current endoscope information including the name and / or serial number associated with the detected endoscope ID code and the current remaining time indicated / output by the countdown timer.

[0015] Starting the countdown timer can be triggered in a variety of ways, as will be explained in more detail below with respect to the endoscope management method according to the present invention.

[0016] Optionally, an ID code or any other information for identifying the endoscope management device can be made available within the communication network via the communication interface along with the current endoscope information, thereby making it possible to track which endoscope management device is currently associated with a given endoscope.

[0017] The display device, which is typically an electronic display device, may be implemented in any suitable form, and in particular may be implemented as or comprise an e-paper tag, an LCD screen, a 7-segment display, an LED or LED array, or any combination thereof.

[0018] The current remaining time does not necessarily have to be indicated in numerical or textual form, but may also be indicated, for example, by the color and / or flashing frequency of the light or light arrangement.

[0019] It should be noted that the term e-paper or electronic paper refers to any electronic display device that, like paper, does not emit light but reflects ambient light, and is not limited to any particular technology for achieving this effect.

[0020] E-paper tags are well known and are widely used, for example as price tags in supermarkets. The wireless connectivity in these known tags is used to upload new information onto the e-paper tag, such as the name and current price of the product associated with the tag.

[0021] The present invention proposes the use of a display device, including, for example, e-paper tag technology, to better assist healthcare staff in the first stages of an endoscope reprocessing procedure. In particular, the display device described herein allows a user to quickly determine, ideally with a glance at the display, how much time remains before a particular endoscope must reach, for example, a manual cleaning station, even while in transit, and make this information available within a communications network to other users or devices linked to the network. This allows users to be informed of the status of their endoscope in other locations, such as on a dashboard on the endoscopy floor of a hospital.

[0022] The display device, microprocessor, countdown timer and communication interface, as well as further components such as a battery and, if desired, additional memory, can be housed in a single housing, preferably adapted to the hygienic requirements of the medical device. Since the size of the housing is primarily determined by the desired screen size of the display device, the entire device is also referred to as an "IoMT-enabled Endoscope Status Display Device" (IoMT ESDD), the abbreviation IoMT referring to the term "Internet of Medical Things."

[0023] This IoMT-enabled endoscope status indicator according to the present invention described herein can be attached to or integrated into a transport container configured to temporarily store pre-cleaned endoscopes, for example en route to a manual cleaning station, and protection of such transport containers having an IoMT-enabled endoscope status indicator is also claimed.

[0024] According to the present invention as described above, the ID reader is configured to read the endoscope ID code of the endoscope that has just been pre-cleaned. Furthermore, the ID reader may also be configured to read the operator ID code of the healthcare professional currently in charge of the reprocessing procedure, for example from a staff identification tag, and information related to the operator ID code may also be displayed on the display device and / or made available to the communication network via the communication interface of the endoscope management device.

[0025] Preferably, detection of the endoscope ID code, and optionally also the operator ID code or any other ID code described below, does not require active operator involvement, but the ID reader is configured and positioned such that detection occurs automatically during the pre-cleaning process or when the endoscope is placed in the transport container after pre-cleaning, for example by attaching the EMD, and therefore also the ID reader, to or integrating it with the transport container.

[0026] The device may further include a motion sensor to automatically detect what is currently happening with the endoscope, thus reducing the documentation effort of the healthcare professional responsible for reprocessing. The detected motion data is collected and optionally analyzed by a microprocessor, and the detected motion data and / or information derived therefrom may be made available within a communications network and / or displayed on a display device.

[0027] The motion sensor may be or comprise, for example, an accelerometer or a gyroscope.

[0028] Based on the motion data, the microprocessor preferably: an event in which an endoscope is placed inside a container having an endoscope management device attached; the event of the endoscope being removed from the container; An event in which a container containing an endoscope is transported; Events in which a container without an endoscope is transported The device is configured to recognize at least one, and preferably any one, of:

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the microprocessor can be configured to learn to recognize at least one, and preferably all, of the above-listed events based on motion data detected by the motion sensor. In particular, suitable machine learning algorithms (minimal ML) can be installed in the microprocessor of the endoscope management device, enabling the microprocessor to learn to recognize these events.

[0030] In either case, the device may be configured to make information related to the recognized event available within a communications network for further distribution and / or to display information related to the recognized event on a display device.

[0031] To enable the current location of the device to be quickly determined, it may be desirable for the endoscope management device to also be equipped with some additional location determination means, for example using Bluetooth or UWB, where the device is configured to make the determined current location of the device available within the communication network. Preferably, the additional location determination means is also housed within the display device housing. This allows for the quick tracking and locating of a specific endoscope when needed, and allows for an overview of all current locations of all endoscopes in the pool, facilitating resource management.

[0032] Additionally, the endoscope management device may be equipped with an acoustic and / or optical warning means, such as a flashing LED or a buzzer, which may also aid in rapid device detection. The optical warning means is also preferably contained within or attached to the housing of the display device.

[0033] In particular, the optical warning means can be adapted to emit a warning signal if the current remaining time indicated by the countdown timer falls below a predetermined threshold, the warning signal highlighting the urgent need for further processing. It is also possible to use an LED that changes color depending on the time remaining until the endoscope has to reach the next station in the reprocessing procedure.

[0034] As mentioned above, protection is also claimed for a transport container for an endoscope, the transport container comprising the above-mentioned endoscope management device (IoMT-enabled ESDD) attached to and / or integrated with the transport container. The transport container is preferably at least partially transparent and conforms to the requirements of medical devices. In particular, when attached to the transport container, the EMD can be prevented from changing its position relative to the transport container, which can be important in particular if the EMD is equipped with a motion sensor.

[0035] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the EMD may be removably or replaceably attached to the transport container, particularly if the EMD is not configured to withstand conditions, e.g., temperature and / or humidity, that may occur after processing, e.g., a cleaning or disinfection process, and if the endoscope is to be processed while contained in the transport container.

[0036] Alternatively, portions of the EMD may be integrated with the shipping container, with only those components of the EMD being removably attached to the remainder of the EMD and thus the shipping container that are particularly sensitive. For example, an e-paper tag forming a display device may be removably provided on the remainder of the EMD device and / or on a shipping container that is integrated with the remainder of the EMD device.

[0037] If the EMD can be removed from the transport container, the transport container also preferably has a unique container ID code that is preferably automatically read by the ID reader of the EMD device when the EMD is attached to the transport container, so that it is possible to identify which transport container, which EMD, and which endoscope are temporarily associated with each other, and to make this information available within the network.

[0038] Protection is also claimed for an endoscope management system for a pool of endoscopes, each endoscope having a unique ID code, the system comprising a plurality of endoscope management devices and / or transport containers as described above, the endoscope management devices all connected or connectable to the same communications network, and further the system comprising an information management system, the information management system configured to manage current endoscope information made available within the communications network by all the endoscope management devices.

[0039] In this way, it is possible to facilitate the management of an endoscope pool in a hospital, for example.The system may also comprise an endoscope pool.

[0040] Preferably, the system may also include a dashboard configured to display current endoscope information and optionally also the current location of all endoscopes in the pool.

[0041] All information can be managed via the cloud to allow updates to all connected systems and devices. For example, a list of endoscopes with associated ID codes can be sent from the information management system to the network / cloud and then pushed down from the network / cloud to each endoscope management device.

[0042] In the other direction, the endoscope management device can push events, such as the transport of an endoscope, to the network / cloud, which can then update the information management system and / or connected dashboards.

[0043] A planning system, for example as part of an information system, can be provided to schedule planned future uses of the pool endoscope at a set of predetermined locations.

[0044] When a given endoscope is placed in a container for transport, for example, to a manual cleaning station, and the associated endoscope management device makes this information available within the communication network, the planning system can be configured to send information regarding the next planned use of this particular endoscope to the corresponding endoscope management device, and this additional information, including, for example, the date, time, and location of the next use, can also be displayed on the display device.

[0045] According to a further aspect of the invention, the object is solved by an endoscope management method as defined in the independent method claim, which method uses an endoscope management system as described above and comprises: detecting an endoscope ID code of the just pre-cleaned endoscope by an ID reader of one of the endoscope management devices, so that the endoscope management device becomes temporarily associated with the endoscope; starting a countdown timer of the associated endoscope management device that indicates or outputs the time remaining until the predetermined time interval expires or a predetermined target time is reached; displaying the current endoscope information on a display device; making available within the communications network the current endoscope information, and preferably also information identifying the associated EMD; Including, Current endoscopy information is the name and / or serial number associated with the detected endoscope ID; The current remaining time output / indicated by the countdown timer Includes:

[0046] Regarding the advantages of this method and further advantages of preferred embodiments of the method described below, reference is made to the corresponding device or system claims.

[0047] There are various possibilities for starting the countdown timer.

[0048] For example, the start of the countdown timer can be triggered automatically by an ID reader on the EMD detecting the endoscope ID, or by the EMD recognizing that the endoscope has been placed inside a transport container, or can be triggered manually by a user operating a corresponding input element on the EMD, for example to confirm that the endoscope is ready for transport.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, any of the above "trigger events," particularly the detection of an endoscope ID by the EMD, may trigger the EMD to request a predetermined target time for this endoscope from the information management system, and the resulting receipt of the predetermined target time by the EMD from the information management system via the network may then trigger the start of the EMD's countdown timer.

[0050] The latter alternative is preferable if it is not the completion of the manual pre-cleaning step but an earlier event, such as the end of the actual diagnostic or therapeutic endoscopic procedure, that is considered to trigger the associated countdown until the endoscope must reach a particular position or stage in the reprocessing procedure.

[0051] In this case, for example, the information management system can be notified when the endoscope is separated from the video processor in the procedure room after the last procedure, and the resulting target time for the endoscope to reach, for example, a manual cleaning station can then be determined, for example, by the video processor or the information management system. The determined target time can be transmitted to the EMD on request, so that receipt of the target time can trigger an internal countdown by the EMD countdown timer.

[0052] Preferably, the endoscope management method includes: an information management system providing a list of the ID codes and associated names and / or serial numbers of all endoscopes in the pool and making the list available in a communication network (cloud); pushing down the list from the communications network to all endoscope management devices in the system; Further includes:

[0053] According to an exemplary embodiment, the endoscope management method includes: One of the endoscope management devices of the endoscope management system, with respect to one of the endoscopes in the pool, An event in which an endoscope is placed inside a container to which an endoscope management device is attached; the event of the endoscope being removed from the container; Events in which the container is transported together with the endoscope; Events in which the container is transported without an endoscope that an event among pushing up information relating to the recognized event to a communications network; updating an information management system or dashboard connected to the communications network with information related to the recognized event; Further includes:

[0054] Finally, the endoscope management method also includes: generating a list of future uses for at least one endoscope selected from the pool, the list including a time, date, and location of at least one future use of the selected endoscope; pushing up a list of future uses for the selected endoscope to a communications network; pushing down the list of future uses from the communications network to an endoscope management device currently associated with the selected endoscope; displaying the list of future uses or information derived from the list of future uses on a display device of the endoscope currently associated with the selected endoscope; may include:

[0055] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0056] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic simplified diagram of an endoscope management device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic simplified diagram of an endoscope management system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system comprising several endoscope management devices as shown in FIG. 1 . [Figure 3] 1 is a simplified flowchart illustrating an endoscope management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a simplified flowchart illustrating a method for endoscope management according to a further embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10 is a simplified flowchart illustrating a method for managing an endoscope according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0057] FIG. 1 illustrates, in block diagram form, relevant components of an endoscope management device 10 (hereinafter referred to as device 10) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Exemplary communication links between different components are indicated by dashed lines. It should be noted that the term "component" in this context should be understood to refer to functional components of an EMD and is not limited to hardware components. Thus, components may be implemented by hardware and / or software, and different components may be implemented by the same physical element (e.g., a microprocessor).

[0058] The device 10 comprises a display device 12, for example in the form of an e-paper tag, an ID reader 14, for example for an RFID ID code, a microprocessor 16 implementing a countdown timer 18, and a communication interface 20 for wirelessly connecting the device 10 to an external communication network, such as a hospital WLAN or a cloud network adapted to the specific requirements of healthcare, also called Internet of Medical Things (IoMT, see Figure 2).

[0059] In particular, the countdown timer 18 may be implemented using a real-time clock provided in, for example, a microprocessor (not shown).

[0060] Preferably, the communication interface 20 uses low-power wireless technologies such as Sub-GHz LPWAN, Bluetooth low energy, ANT, ZigBee, RF4CE, NFC, Nike+, Wi-Fi, etc.

[0061] Optionally, the device 10 may further comprise a motion sensor 26 (e.g., an accelerometer or gyroscope) and a location determination means 28, for example using LPWAN, Bluetooth or UWB, as well as an optical warning means 30 (hereinafter referred to as warning means 30).

[0062] All of the above components, as well as further components such as a battery and, if desired, additional memory, can be housed in a compact housing 19 that is compatible with the hygienic requirements of a medical device. Because the size of housing 19 is primarily determined by the desired screen size for display device 12, the entire device 10 can also be described as an "IoMT-enabled endoscope status display device."

[0063] After an initial manual pre-cleaning immediately after the endoscope has been used in a procedure room, the endoscope 22 is scanned by the ID reader 14 of the endoscope management device 10 and placed in a transport container 25 (see FIG. 2, hereafter referred to as container 25). The device 10 has a display device 12 attached to and / or integrated into the container 25, e.g., in a lid portion thereof, so that the display device 12 is easily visible.

[0064] Preferably, scanning the endoscope, or any other of the "trigger events" discussed in connection with Figures 3-5, can start a countdown timer 18, and the name and / or serial number (SN) of the scanned endoscope and the time remaining until the endoscope must arrive at the cleaning station for the next step in the reprocessing procedure will be displayed on the display device 12, which in the illustrated example of Figure 2 is 10 minutes.

[0065] Optional user input elements 11 may be provided on the EMD so that a user can, for example, manually start a countdown timer (as shown) or manually confirm that a particular event has occurred, such as that the endoscope has been placed in a container and is ready for transport and should be made available within the network. Although not shown, particularly if device 10 can be removed from container 25, container 25 may also have a unique container ID that is detected by an ID reader.

[0066] The motion sensor 26 can detect motion patterns that indicate that a particular event is occurring, is about to occur, or has just occurred, such as an endoscope 22 being placed in or removed from the container 25, or transport of the container 25 with or without the endoscope 22.

[0067] Information relating to the detected event may then be made available within a communications network and / or displayed on display device 12 .

[0068] Additionally, the current endoscope information is made available via a communications interface 20 to other users and devices linked to a communications network 21, as shown in FIG.

[0069] An endoscope management system 100 (hereinafter referred to as system 100) according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2 comprises a number of these devices 10, of which only two are shown, and an information management system 32 and a dashboard 34, all connected to the same communication network 21, as indicated by the double arrow in the figure.

[0070] The information management system 32 may comprise a planning system 36, which may refer to hardware and / or software for managing the current endoscope information made available in the network by all devices 10 of the system 100, as well as further information required to plan, manage and document all diagnostic, therapeutic and reprocessing procedures for all endoscopes 22 in the pool.

[0071] Of course, additional devices such as a cell phone or pager, a fixed computer in the procedure room, a notebook, etc., can be connected to the system 100 to assess, among other things, the current status of any given endoscope 22, including information such as the current location of any given endoscope 22 in the pool, its current reprocessing status, and / or information regarding its next planned use.

[0072] 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an endoscope management method in accordance with the present invention. Unless required by logic, the order of the steps illustrated may be varied from the particular order illustrated, and additional steps may occur between any two steps unless otherwise indicated.

[0073] In a first step S1, a first list may be obtained or created, for example by the information management system 32, which first list includes the unique ID codes of all endoscopes in a given endoscope pool, for example in a hospital, together with the name and / or serial number of each endoscope, optionally together with further relevant information about each endoscope.

[0074] In a second step S2, a second list can be obtained or created for each endoscope in the pool, the second list including information regarding at least one planned future use for the endoscope, such as date, time, and location, optionally also the type of procedure, the patient's name, and the name of the attending physician.

[0075] In a next step S3, these two lists can be pushed up to the network 21. The first list can then be pushed down to all devices (EMDs) 10 in the system 100 (step S4).

[0076] Once the diagnostic / therapeutic procedure is completed for the selected endoscope 22, in step S5, the endoscope is manually pre-cleaned and the selected endoscope is scanned (step S6) by an ID reader in the device 10 (EMD) which detects the unique ID code of the endoscope 22. This detection can trigger the starting of a countdown timer 18 in the device 10 (step S7), which indicates the time remaining until the endoscope 22 must reach the manual cleaning station.

[0077] The freshly pre-cleaned endoscope 22 is placed inside the container 25 with the device 10 attached (step S8). It should be noted that the scanning process (S6) can be performed automatically when the endoscope 22 is inserted into the container 25.

[0078] The movement of the container 25 can be measured by the motion sensor 26, and the characteristic motion pattern resulting from the insertion of the endoscope 22 into the container enables the device 10 to recognize this event in step S9.

[0079] The name and serial number of the endoscope 22, as well as the current remaining time until the endoscope 22 must undergo the next cleaning step at the manual cleaning station, are displayed on the display device (e-paper tag) 12 of the device (EMD) 10 attached to or integrated with the container 25 (step S10). In particular, the remaining time display is periodically updated, i.e., step S10 is repeated periodically (not shown). If the remaining time falls below a predetermined threshold, an additional warning signal, for example a flashing LED (not shown) highlighting the need for prompt processing, can optionally be emitted. As indicated by the dashed arrow, it is also possible for step S10 to occur before step S8.

[0080] In step S11, the current endoscope information (at least the remaining time and the name and / or serial number of the endoscope) and information (EMDID) for identifying the device (EMD) 10 currently associated with this endoscope 22 are pushed up to the network 21, and the recognized event ("endoscope with serial number xy has been pre-cleaned and is heading to the cleaning station") can also be pushed up to the network 21 (S12).

[0081] The new information can also be used to update the dashboard 34 (S13). In the example shown, this is triggered by the previous "push" steps (S11, S12), but it can also be triggered from other types of data sources, such as a reprocessing documentation system.

[0082] Since it is known within the network 21 which devices (EMDs) 10 are currently associated with the selected endoscope 22, a second list containing information regarding the planned future use of this endoscope can be pushed down to the associated devices (EMDs) 10 (S14), and this information can also be displayed on the display device (e-paper tag) 12 of this device (EMD) 10 (S15), thereby informing the healthcare professional responsible for transporting the endoscope to the cleaning station of when and where this endoscope will next be needed.

[0083] It should be noted that steps such as S5 or S8, which are performed by a user and in which the user does not directly interact with the EMD or endoscope management system, are shown for illustrative purposes but are not necessarily part of the claimed method.

[0084] Steps such as S11 and S12 can occur multiple times, triggered by manual steps such as S8. When and how often an event is communicated (S12) can depend on a variety of factors. Each communication consumes energy so that a balance is found between keeping the information up to date and energy consumption.

[0085] Figure 4 shows a variant of the method of Figure 3, which differs from the latter mainly in that the event of placing an endoscope in a transport container is not automatically recognized by the EMD, but is manually confirmed by a user (S9*), for example by operating a corresponding input element provided on the EMD, and this confirmed event is pushed up to the network in step S12*. In a further variant not shown here, instead of detecting the endoscope ID in step S6, the manual confirmation in step S9* can start a countdown timer (S7).

[0086] In the method shown in Figure 5, it is the end of the actual diagnostic or therapeutic endoscopic procedure that determines the target time by which the endoscope must reach a particular position or stage in the reprocessing procedure and correlates to calculating the "remaining time" displayed on the EMD's display. Thus, the method includes step S4.1, in which the end of the selected endoscope's procedure is detected, for example, by the video processor or a connected device recognizing that the endoscope has just been removed from the video processor, or confirmed, for example, by manual user input. Based on the time at which step S4.1 was performed, the target time for the selected endoscope is determined or calculated (e.g., by the video processor or a connected device, or by an information management system), in step S4.2, and the endoscope ID and the target time for this endoscope are made available within the network in step S4.3.

[0087] After or while the selected endoscope is pre-cleaned (S5), the endoscope ID is detected by the ID reader of the EMD (S6), which triggers the EMD to request a target time for the endoscope selected in step S6.1.

[0088] In response to this request, the EMD receives the target time in step S6.2, which triggers the start of a countdown timer (S7), and reference can be made to the description of Figures 3 and 4 for the remainder of the illustrated method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10 Endoscope management device 12 Display device 14 ID Reader 16 microprocessors 18 Countdown Timer 19 Housing 20 Communication Interface 21. Communication Networks 22 Endoscopy 25 Container 26 Motion Sensor 28 Location identification means 30 Optical warning means 32 Information Management System 34 Dashboard 36 Planning System

Claims

1. An endoscope management device, a display device; an ID reader; a microprocessor; a countdown timer optionally incorporated into said microprocessor; a communication interface for wirelessly connecting the endoscope management device to an external communication network, Detecting an endoscope ID code of the endoscope that has just been pre-cleaned by the ID reader; starting the countdown timer, which outputs the time remaining until a predetermined time interval expires or until a predetermined target time is reached; Displaying current endoscope information on the display device; and configured to make the current endoscope information available within the communications network via the communications interface; The current endoscope information is a name and / or serial number associated with the detected endoscope ID code; The current remaining time output by the countdown timer An endoscope management device comprising:

2. further comprising a housing that houses the display device, wherein the ID reader, the microprocessor, the countdown timer, and the communication interface are also housed within the housing. The endoscope management device according to claim 1 .

3. Further equipped with a motion sensor, the microprocessor is configured to collect motion data detected by the motion sensor and make the detected motion data and / or information derived from the detected motion data available within the communications network; the motion sensor is or comprises a gyroscope or an accelerometer; The endoscope management device according to claim 1 .

4. The microprocessor, based on the motion data detected by the motion sensor, an event in which the endoscope is placed inside a container to which the endoscope management device is attached; the event that the endoscope is removed from the container; the container is transported together with the endoscope; the container is transported without the endoscope and configured to recognize at least one of the endoscope management device is configured to make information related to the recognized event available within the communication network and / or to display information related to the recognized event on the display device. The endoscope management device according to claim 3 .

5. The microprocessor, based on the motion data detected by the motion sensor, an event in which the endoscope is placed inside a container to which the endoscope management device is attached; the event that the endoscope is removed from the container; the container is transported together with the endoscope; the container is transported without the endoscope configured to learn to recognize at least one of the microprocessor is configured to learn to recognize at least one of the events listed above through minimal machine learning; The endoscope management device according to claim 3 .

6. and a location determination means for determining a current location of the endoscope management device using Bluetooth or UWB technology; the endoscope management device is configured to make the determined current location of the endoscope management device available within the communication network. The endoscope management device according to claim 1 .

7. The device further includes an acoustic and / or optical warning means such as a flashing LED or a buzzer, which issues a warning signal when the current remaining time output by the countdown timer falls below a predetermined threshold. The endoscope management device according to claim 1 .

8. A transport container for transporting an endoscope, comprising an endoscope management device according to claim 1 that is integrated with or attached to the transport container and is removably or replaceably attached to the transport container.

9. 1. An endoscope management system for a pool of endoscopes, comprising: each endoscope in the pool has a unique endoscope ID code; A system including a plurality of endoscope management devices according to claim 1 and / or a plurality of transport containers according to claim 8, wherein all of the endoscope management devices are connected or connectable to the same communication network; further comprising an information management system connected to or connectable to the communication network; the information management system is configured to manage the current endoscope information made available to all of the endoscope management devices; Endoscope management system.

10. further comprising a dashboard configured to display the current endoscope information and, optionally, the current locations of all the endoscopes in the pool. The endoscope management system according to claim 9 .

11. a planning system for scheduling planned future uses of a plurality of said endoscopes at a set of predetermined locations; The endoscope management system according to claim 9 .

12. An endoscope management method using the endoscope management system according to claim 9, detecting an endoscope ID code of the endoscope that has just been pre-cleaned by the ID reader of one of the endoscope management devices, so that the endoscope management device becomes temporarily associated with the endoscope; starting the countdown timer of the associated endoscope management device, which indicates or outputs the time remaining until a predetermined time interval expires or a predetermined target time is reached; displaying current endoscope information on the display device; making the current endoscope information and information identifying the associated endoscope management device available within the communication network; The current endoscope information is a name and / or serial number associated with the detected endoscope ID code; The current remaining time output by the countdown timer An endoscope management method comprising:

13. the information management system providing a list of the endoscope ID codes and the associated names and / or serial numbers of all the endoscopes in the pool and making the list available within the communication network; pushing down the list from the communication network to all of the endoscope management devices in the endoscope management system; The endoscope management method according to claim 12, further comprising:

14. One of the endoscope management devices of the endoscope management system, with respect to one of the endoscopes in the pool, an event in which the endoscope is placed inside a container to which the endoscope management device is attached; the event that the endoscope is removed from the container; the container is transported together with the endoscope; the container is transported without the endoscope that an event among pushing up information related to the recognized event to the communications network; updating the information management system or dashboard connected to the communications network with the information related to the recognized event; The endoscope management method according to claim 12, further comprising:

15. generating a list of future uses for at least one selected endoscope from the pool, the list including a time, date, and location of at least one future use of the selected endoscope; pushing up the list of future uses for the selected endoscope to the communications network; pushing down the list of future uses from the communications network to the endoscope management device currently associated with the selected endoscope; displaying the list of future uses or information derived from the list of future uses on the display device of the endoscope management device currently associated with the selected endoscope; The endoscope management method according to claim 12, further comprising:

16. The step of starting the countdown timer comprises: a trigger event in which the ID reader of the endoscope management device detects the endoscope ID code of the endoscope that has just been pre-cleaned; a trigger event in which the endoscope management device recognizes that the endoscope has been placed inside a container; A trigger event occurs when a user operates an input element provided on the endoscope management device. or, one of the three trigger events triggers the endoscope management device to request the predetermined target time for the endoscope from the information management system, and the endoscope management device receiving the requested target time from the information management system triggers the starting of the countdown timer. The endoscope management method according to claim 12.

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