Disposable Endoscope Control System for Infection Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reusable gastrointestinal endoscopes pose a public health risk due to inadequate sterilization, leading to potential infections and pathogen spread, as they are not easily made disposable and may be reused improperly.
Innovation Solution
A control method and device that includes an endoscope with a circuit module, image capturing module, and illuminating module, connected to a work station which determines the usage state and prohibits reuse after a single use, using a recognition marker and timer to ensure the endoscope is used only once and then disabled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If endoscope is made reusable, then cost efficiency is improved, but risk of infection and pathogen spread increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a disposable endoscope system where the endoscope is designed for single-use only. The work station includes a timer that tracks usage duration and automatically disables the endoscope after a predetermined time limit, ensuring it cannot be reused. This eliminates infection risks associated with reusable endoscopes while maintaining cost efficiency through controlled disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms through the work station that monitors and records the usage state of the endoscope. The timer provides continuous feedback on usage duration, and the system automatically provides feedback by disabling the endoscope when the time limit is reached, preventing any possibility of reuse and thereby eliminating infection risks.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If endoscope is made disposable, then infection risk is reduced, but difficulty in preventing improper reuse increases
Solution Approach 1:
The work station implements a feedback system that automatically tracks the endoscope usage through a timer and provides real-time monitoring. When the predetermined time limit is reached, the system automatically disables the endoscope, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex control procedures by medical staff.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope system performs self-service by automatically tracking its own usage time and disabling itself after the predetermined period. The work station's timer automatically manages the endoscope's operational status without requiring external monitoring or complex control mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while ensuring proper disposal.
3Reliability
If endoscope usage is monitored, then reuse prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The work station implements a simple feedback mechanism using a timer to monitor endoscope usage duration. The system automatically compares the elapsed time against a predetermined time limit and provides feedback by disabling the endoscope when the limit is reached, ensuring reliable reuse prevention without requiring complex monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring systems with an electronic timer-based solution. The work station uses software-controlled timing and automatic disabling mechanisms rather than physical or mechanical monitoring devices, simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliable reuse prevention.
Data Source
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AI summary
A gastrointestinal tract diagnosis device, comprising: an endoscope (10) having a substrate (122) and a control unit (1220) and a recognition marker (1220') therein; an image capturing module (13)including a first lens (131) and an image sensor (131a) that are disposed on the substrate (122); an illuminating module (14) including a first light source (141) disposed on the substrate (122); an enclosure body (15) assembled to a connection device (17) to waterproofingly enclose the image capturing module (13)and the illuminating module (14); and a work station (30) connecting to the endoscope (10) to access the recognition marker (1220') to add a machine identity into the recognition marker (1220') to match with the endoscope (10), wherein the work station (30) determines if a usage state of the endoscope (10) is overdue; the work station (30) determines if the endoscope (10) has connected to an another work station (30) different from the work station (30) by the recognition marker (1220') and the machine identity. A control method based on the above device is also provided.