Endoscope Cleaning Apparatus Wireless Identification Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatuses face inefficiencies in cleaning and disinfecting endoscopes of varying sizes, leading to excessive chemical consumption and prolonged processing times, and risk operational errors due to manual handling and incorrect apparatus selection, compromising hygiene.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus with a wireless identification system that uses a tray-mounted wireless transmitter to identify the endoscope type and size, controlling the cover opening mechanism to prevent incorrect usage and ensure appropriate chemical usage and processing times, while maintaining hygiene by allowing hands-free handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cleaning tank size is adjusted to accommodate the largest endoscope, then all endoscope sizes can be cleaned, but chemical consumption and processing time increase excessively for smaller endoscopes
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters of cleaning based on endoscope size identification. The control unit receives identification information from the wireless transmitter and automatically adjusts cleaning parameters including chemical dosage, water flow rate, and processing time to match the specific endoscope size, thereby optimizing resource consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope tray automatically transmits its identification information via wireless transmitter to the receiver unit, enabling the system to self-identify the endoscope type and automatically configure appropriate cleaning parameters without manual intervention, achieving adaptive cleaning optimization
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cleaning tank size is adjusted to accommodate the largest endoscope, then all endoscope sizes can be cleaned, but processing time increases excessively for smaller endoscopes
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit adjusts processing time parameters based on the identified endoscope size. Smaller endoscopes receive proportionally reduced cleaning and disinfection time settings, while larger endoscopes receive adequate time for thorough cleaning, thereby optimizing overall processing efficiency without compromising cleaning quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines the appropriate processing time by receiving identification information from the endoscope tray's wireless transmitter and configuring the cleaning cycle duration accordingly, eliminating manual time setting and ensuring optimal processing time for each endoscope type
3Ease of operation
If manual handling is used to carry and set the endoscope, then the operator can directly control the process, but hygiene is compromised and operational errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical handling with automated identification and control mechanisms. The wireless transmitter and receiver unit automatically identify the endoscope type and transmit this information to the control unit, which then automatically configures cleaning parameters, eliminating the need for manual size assessment and reducing human error and contamination risk
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope tray performs self-identification by transmitting its type information via wireless transmitter to the receiver unit, enabling the system to automatically configure appropriate cleaning settings without requiring the operator to manually determine endoscope specifications, thereby improving both hygiene and operational accuracy
4Ease of operation
If the cover body opening/closing mechanism is manually operated, then the operator can control access, but hygiene is compromised due to contact with unclean hands
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical operation of the cover body is replaced with an automated control system. The control unit receives identification information from the wireless transmitter and automatically controls the cover body opening/closing mechanism unit to open or close the cover, eliminating the need for the operator to physically contact the cover with unclean hands while maintaining secure access control
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 according to the prevent invention includes an apparatus body 2 including a cleaning tank 6 for storing an endoscope retaining tray 4 in which an endoscope 5 is stored, a top cover 3 provided to the apparatus body 2 and caused by a cover body opening/closing mechanism unit to rotationally move between an open-state stop position and a closed-state stop position, a wireless tag 14 provided to either one of the endoscope retaining tray 4 and the endoscope 5 stored in the endoscope retaining tray 4 and transmitting information for identifying the type of the endoscope 5, a wireless receiver unit 22 provided to the apparatus body 2 and receiving the information of the wireless tag 14, and a control unit 10 provided to the apparatus body 2 and determining whether or not to cause an opening movement of the top cover 3 on the basis of the information obtained by the wireless receiver unit 22 to thereby control the rotational movement by the cover body opening/closing mechanism unit. Accordingly, cleaning and disinfection of the used endoscope can be hygienically and effectively performed.