Endoscope Cleaning Apparatus Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope cleaning and disinfecting technologies face challenges in effectively using diluted chemicals within a specified temperature range, which is crucial for efficient disinfection without damaging the endoscope or the cleaning apparatus.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus that controls the temperature of hot water within a predetermined range, using a system with conduits, valves, and a control section to dilute chemicals in a dilution tank, ensuring the temperature of the cleaning solution is suitable for disinfection while preventing damage to the endoscope and apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hot water is used to dilute chemical for endoscope disinfection, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but temperature control difficulty increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats water in a water tank before it is needed for dilution. The heating element heats water in advance, and the temperature is maintained within the required range (20-40°C) using insulation and control mechanisms, so that when disinfection is needed, the water is already at the correct temperature without requiring complex real-time heating control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a water tank as an intermediary storage medium between the hot water supply and the chemical dilution process. This tank acts as a buffer that receives, stores, and regulates water temperature, decoupling the heating process from the dilution process and simplifying overall temperature control while ensuring consistent temperature for effective disinfection
2Reliability
If hot water is used to dilute chemical for endoscope disinfection, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Water is heated in advance and stored in an insulated tank, so that the energy input occurs once rather than continuously. The insulation layer prevents heat loss during storage, reducing ongoing energy consumption while maintaining the water at the required temperature for effective chemical dilution and disinfection
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous availability of pre-heated water through insulation and storage, eliminating the need for repeated heating cycles. This continuous supply at optimal temperature ensures consistent disinfection effectiveness while reducing total energy consumption compared to on-demand heating
3Productivity
If high temperature water is used for disinfection, then disinfection speed is improved, but risk of damage to endoscope and apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the water temperature parameter to a specific range (20-40°C) rather than using high temperatures. This parameter optimization enables effective chemical dilution and disinfection while staying below the damage threshold for endoscope components and apparatus, achieving a balance between disinfection speed and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensing and control mechanisms that monitor the water temperature in real-time. When the temperature approaches the upper limit of the safe range, the control system adjusts heating or cooling to maintain the temperature within 20-40°C, ensuring effective disinfection while preventing damage to the endoscope and apparatus
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
This solution allows for efficient disinfection of endoscopes using a diluted chemical within a specified temperature range, reducing waiting times for heating and saving energy, while ensuring the apparatus and endoscope components are not damaged, thus shortening the disinfection process and maintaining effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a dilution tank that mixes the hot water and the chemical
Implementation Method 2
a first temperature measuring section that measures a temperature of the liquid introduced into the cleaning tank via the second conduit
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus for processing an endoscope in a cleaning tank using a diluted chemical obtained by diluting a chemical with hot water in a dilution tank of the present invention introduces the hot water into the cleaning tank immediately before processing, introduces the hot water into the dilution tank after the temperature of the hot water introduced into the cleaning tank falls within a specified temperature range, generates the diluted chemical, introduces the diluted chemical into the cleaning tank and processes the endoscope.