Endoscope Dewatering via Segmented Gas Flow and Dynamic Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope reprocessors face challenges in efficiently removing residual fluids from endoscope conduits, leading to prolonged dewatering times and increased conduit resistance.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope reprocessor with a first connector receptacle and switching device that alternates between sealed and unsealed states to control gas flow, utilizing a gas feeding device to introduce gas and remove residual fluids through air/water and suction cylinders, thereby facilitating efficient dewatering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If air is introduced from the scope connector to remove water in the conduit, then water removal is achieved, but the distance residual fluids need to be pushed is long and dewatering time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is divided into two segments: the proximal portion from the scope connector to the cylinder, and the distal portion from the cylinder to the distal end. Gas introduction is segmented into two phases: first through the scope connector, then through the cylinder. This segmentation allows residual fluids to be pushed only the shorter distal portion distance during the second phase, reducing overall dewatering time.
Solution Approach 2:
Gas is first introduced from the scope connector to perform preliminary dewatering of the proximal conduit portion. This preliminary action prepares the system by removing initial residual fluids, creating favorable conditions for the subsequent gas introduction through the cylinder, which then only needs to push residual fluids through the shorter distal portion.
2Productivity
If the connector is kept in the sealed state for gas introduction, then gas feeding efficiency is improved, but residual fluids cannot be discharged from the cylinder
Solution Approach 1:
The connector's sealing state is made dynamic rather than static. The connector switches between sealed and unsealed states at different phases of the dewatering process. During gas introduction, the connector is sealed to maintain pressure and improve gas feeding efficiency. During discharge phases, the connector is unsealed to allow residual fluids to escape, ensuring both efficient gas feeding and proper fluid discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector alternates between sealed and unsealed states in a periodic manner synchronized with the gas introduction and discharge cycles. This periodic action ensures that gas is fed efficiently during sealed phases while residual fluids are discharged during unsealed phases, resolving the contradiction between gas feeding efficiency and fluid discharge capability.
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 significantly reduces the time required to remove water from the endoscope by shortening the distance residual fluids need to be pushed, lowering conduit resistance and dewatering time.
Implementation Method 1
a first gas feeding device configured to introduce gas by being connected to a gas introduction port provided in a scope connector in the endoscope and feed gas to a distal end of the endoscope via the cylinder
Implementation Method 2
a suction device configured to apply suction to the inner periphery of the suction plug
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope reprocessor includes a first connector receptacle configured to connect a first connector connected to a cylinder in an endoscope, a first switching device configured to switch the first connector to one of a sealed state and an unsealed state, a first gas feeding device connected to an air introduction port to introduce gas, and a processor configured to perform control such that first driving for driving the first gas feeding device by bringing the first connector into the unsealed state is performed and second driving for driving the first gas feeding device by bringing the first connector into the sealed state is then performed.