Disposable Endoscope Cleaning Adapter with Safety Tag

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current endoscope cleaning processes are costly and time-consuming due to the need for repeated cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of reusable cleaning adapters, and there is a risk of patient contamination from these adapters, as well as the potential for using the wrong valves during procedures.

Innovation Solution

The development of disposable cleaning adapters with a main stem featuring a channel to fluidly couple through holes, allowing for air and water flow modes, and a safety tag to prevent incorrect usage, reducing the need for tracking and reprocessing of adapters and minimizing contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If reusable cleaning adapters are used, then cost is reduced, but cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidcleaning and disinfection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements disposable cleaning adapters made from inexpensive materials that are used once and then discarded, eliminating the need for repeated cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization cycles while maintaining low cost per use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Loss of substance

If reusable cleaning adapters are used, then cost is reduced, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The disposable nature of the cleaning adapter eliminates contamination risk by ensuring each adapter is used only once and then discarded, preventing any possibility of cross-contamination between patients while remaining cost-effective

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If cleaning adapters are made from metal, plastic, and rubber, then durability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adopts a disposable approach where simple, inexpensive materials are used for single-use adapters, eliminating the need for durable multi-material construction while reducing manufacturing costs through simpler production processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter from reusable to single-use, allowing simplification of material composition and manufacturing processes while maintaining adequate performance for the intended single application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If no safety tag is used, then device complexity is reduced, but user error risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiduser error prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses color-coded safety tags attached to cleaning adapters to provide visual identification and prevent misuse, using simple color differentiation rather than complex mechanical or electronic identification systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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 disposable cleaning adapters streamline the endoscope reprocessing cycle by eliminating the need for repeated cleaning and disinfection, reducing contamination risks, and preventing user errors during procedures, while being cost-effective and easy to use.

Implementation Method 1

a channel within the main stem fluidly coupling the first through hole to the second through hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS20240324855A1Cleaning adapter with and without safety tag

Publication Date: 2024.10.03 MEDIVATORS INC

AI summary

A cleaning adapter for an endoscope is provided. The cleaning adapter comprises a main stem comprising a first through hole extending transversely through the main stem, a second through hole extending transversely through the main stem, and a channel within the main stem fluidly coupling the first through hole to the second through hole. In some embodiments, a tag for an endoscope valve is provided. Methods and kits are also provided.