Directional Drying Nozzle for Medical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drying systems for medical instruments face limitations in effectively removing water residues from complex geometries, leading to potential damage and complicating the reuse of advanced medical instruments like endoscopes.
Innovation Solution
A drying system with a directional flow of drying gas, managed by valves configured to discharge gas in a main flow direction, enhancing evaporation and mechanical removal of residues without increasing overall gas intake, integrated with cleaning and disinfecting systems for comprehensive reprocessing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional drying systems discharge drying gas without directional control, then the system structure is simple, but the drying efficiency is insufficient for complex geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is configured to discharge drying gas in a specific main flow direction, creating localized high-velocity regions that target complex geometries of medical instruments. This directional discharge provides enhanced evaporation and mechanical removal of liquid residues precisely where needed, without requiring complex multi-valve systems throughout the chamber.
2Reliability
If the maximum intake of drying gas is limited, then the system operates within safety parameters, but water residues in complex geometries cannot be reliably removed
Solution Approach 1:
The valve configuration changes the flow parameters of drying gas by creating a directed main flow direction with increased flow velocity in specific regions. This parameter change allows the same quantity of drying gas to achieve better drying results by concentrating its effect on complex geometries through directional control rather than increasing overall gas intake.
3Reliability
If drying time is increased to remove water residues, then more residues can be removed, but the scheduling for reuse of instruments is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic or controlled discharge of drying gas through the valve to create intermittent high-velocity flows that effectively remove residues from complex geometries. This controlled periodic action achieves reliable drying within standard timeframes by concentrating gas flow effects rather than requiring continuous low-velocity flow over extended periods.
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 achieves improved drying efficiency by directing gas flow to critical areas, ensuring thorough removal of residues and facilitating the reuse of medical instruments while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
The drying process involves the application of a gas, usually air, conditioned to be of increased temperature, reduced humidity, higher pressure or the like. The drying gas is discharged into the cleaning and drying chamber to absorb remaining moisture.
Implementation Method 2
the valve is configured to apply a directed flow having a main flow direction of drying gas to the drying chamber and the instrument to be dried. Such a directional flow can be characterized by regions of increased flow velocity which, with all other properties of the drying gas remaining unchanged, provides improved evaporation in the areas affected by the increased flow speed. Further, the increased flow velocity of the drying gas can mechanically move liquid residues from complicated geometric surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A drying system for drying medical instruments including: a drying chamber configured to receive a medical instrument, a drying gas generation system for providing drying gas, a hose system including a hose through which the drying gas is discharged from the drying gas generation system, and a valve arranged in a wall of the drying chamber, the hose system is connected to the valve for the valve to provide the drying gas into the drying chamber. Wherein the valve is configured to discharge the drying gas exiting the valve into the drying chamber in a main flow direction.