Test Device for Endoscope Cleaning Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test devices for hollow medical devices, such as endoscopes, often provide inaccurate cleaning effect assessments due to differences in flow characteristics caused by widening the channels to accommodate plate-shaped indicators, leading to incorrect approval or disapproval of cleaning devices.
Innovation Solution
A test device with multiple test channels that can accommodate a single plate-shaped indicator with test samples, ensuring the indicator is arranged to maintain the same structure and flow characteristics as the actual endoscope channels, allowing for reliable cleaning effect determination by using the same indicator across multiple channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the test channel is widened to accommodate plate-shaped indicators, then the indicator can be mounted and cleaning effect can be tested, but the flow characteristics change leading to inaccurate cleaning effect assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The plate-shaped indicator is nested within a holder that has the same outer dimensions as the actual endoscope channel. The holder contains the indicator while maintaining the original channel geometry, allowing the indicator to be mounted and tested without altering the flow characteristics of the test channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder acts as an intermediary between the indicator and the test channel. It provides a mounting structure for the indicator while preserving the original channel dimensions and flow characteristics, thus mediating between the need for indicator placement and the requirement for accurate flow simulation.
2Reliability
If multiple indicators are used for multiple test channels, then each channel can be tested separately, but the risk of mixing up test results increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A single plate-shaped indicator with multiple test surfaces is designed to function across multiple test channels simultaneously. Each test surface can be placed in a different test channel, allowing one indicator to serve multiple testing purposes and eliminate the need for separate indicators for each channel.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple test surfaces that would traditionally require separate indicators are merged into a single plate-shaped indicator. This consolidation allows all test surfaces to be mounted on one holder and placed in the test device together, reducing the risk of mixing up results and improving testing efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard size indicators are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but they do not always fit into the respective channel of the endoscope
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator is segmented into multiple test surfaces on a single plate, where each test surface can be independently positioned and sized to fit different channel dimensions. This segmentation allows standard manufacturing processes to be used while achieving adaptability to various channel sizes through selective placement of test surfaces.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a test device for confirmation of a cleaning effect of a cleaning device for a hollow medical device, in particular an endoscope, comprising a housing defining at least one test channel to be connected to a cleaning fluid feed line of the cleaning device, wherein said housing defines a location for mounting a plate shaped indicator in the test channel, characterized in that the test device comprises multiple test channels, and in that the indicator comprises a test surface having one or more test samples, wherein the one or more test samples on the test surface of the indicator, when mounted on the mounting location, are arranged in the multiple test channels.