Endoscope Cart Coupling Member for Fluid Reservoir Hanging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscopy suites often lack space for an IV pole to hang solution bags, making it difficult to manage fluid reservoirs during procedures.

Innovation Solution

A coupling member designed to hang a fluid reservoir relative to an endoscope cart, featuring a body portion that engages the cart's mounting feature and a securement member to couple with the reservoir, allowing for secure and space-efficient hanging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If solution bags are used instead of bottles, then fluid volume flexibility is improved, but space requirements for hanging increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid volume flexibilityVSAvoidspace for hanging

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the solution bag hanging function with the endoscope cart structure. The coupling member integrates a mounting feature that attaches directly to the cart frame, merging the hanging function into the existing cart rather than requiring a separate IV pole or hanging space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The endoscope cart is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating a coupling member that can hang solution bags in addition to its primary function of holding endoscope equipment. This allows the cart to serve dual purposes: equipment storage and fluid reservoir support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a separate IV pole is used to hang solution bags, then hanging capability is improved, but device complexity and clutter increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehanging capabilityVSAvoidequipment clutter

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member merges the hanging capability directly into the endoscope cart structure. Instead of using a separate IV pole, the mounting feature is integrated onto the cart frame, eliminating the need for additional hanging equipment and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If traditional bottle systems are used, then space requirements are reduced, but fluid volume flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace requirementsVSAvoidfluid volume flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member provides universal support for different fluid reservoir types and volumes. It can accommodate various solution bag sizes (one-, two-, or three-liter bags) while maintaining the same compact footprint on the endoscope cart, enabling volume flexibility without increasing space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250177075A1Devices, systems, and methods for hanging fluid reservoirs in systems to supply fluids to an endoscope

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

Coupling members and systems for hanging a fluid reservoir relative to an endoscope cart. An illustrative coupling member may include a body portion configured to engage a mounting feature of an endoscope cart and a securement member extending from the body portion. The securement member configured to be coupled to a reservoir.