Endoscope Reprocessor Bottle Connecting Instrument Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope reprocessors face challenges in preventing leakage of residual medicinal solutions during the connection and disconnection of bottle connecting instruments, and maintaining an open state for inspection purposes without requiring complex jigs or additional steps.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope reprocessor incorporates a bottle connecting instrument with a first advancing and retracting member and a nozzle with a second advancing and retracting member, featuring fitting members and retaining mechanisms that allow for easy connection, open state maintenance, and automatic closure to prevent solution leakage, utilizing resistance members and packings to manage insertion and extraction resistances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bottle connecting instrument is designed with automatic closure to prevent leakage when disconnected, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional valve mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the closure function with the connection structure itself. The female connector's valve element is integrated into the connector body, and the male connector's engagement with the female connector automatically actuates the valve. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate, complex valve mechanisms while maintaining reliable automatic closure and leakage prevention.
2Ease of operation
If a bottle connecting instrument is designed to maintain open state for inspection without additional tools, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability worsens due to potential accidental opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic elements including a spring-loaded valve element that can be easily actuated to the open position for inspection, then automatically returns to the closed position. The advancing and retracting members provide controlled movement that allows intentional opening while the spring force ensures automatic closure upon release, balancing ease of inspection with closure stability.
3Reliability
If advancing and retracting members are used to control flow paths, then reliability is improved through precise flow control, but device complexity increases due to additional moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The advancing and retracting members serve multiple functions: they control the flow path opening and closing, actuate the valve element, and provide mechanical coupling between the male and female connectors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms, thereby improving flow control precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
4Ease of operation
If fitting members with resistance control are implemented, then ease of operation is improved through smooth connection, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls insertion resistance by optimizing geometric parameters of the fitting members, including the shape and dimensions of engagement surfaces, the profile of advancing and retracting members, and the clearance between components. By carefully selecting these geometric parameters within manufacturing tolerances, smooth connection is achieved without requiring excessive manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope reprocessor includes a bottle connecting instrument and a nozzle. The bottle connecting instrument includes a first advancing and retracting member which shuts off a first flow path at a first position and opens the first flow path at a second position; a first fitting member; and a first retaining member which retains the first advancing and retracting member. The nozzle includes a second advancing and retracting member which shuts off the nozzle at a third position and opens the nozzle at a forth position, a second fitting member to be fitted with the first fitting member, and a second retaining member which retains the second advancing and retracting member.