Endoscope Washer Drying Circuits for Internal Channel Fume Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope washing machines do not effectively remove toxic fumes produced by disinfectants during the drying process, requiring external ventilation systems and limiting installation flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An integrated drying system within the endoscope washing machine uses two aeraulic circuits: one utilizing air from the washing tank for purging and another using filtered ambient air to dry the endoscope channels, eliminating the need for external compressors or medical air connections and safely disposing of toxic fumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a compressor is used to dry the internal channels of endoscopes, then the drying function is achieved, but the machine becomes noisy and requires additional installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the compressor function from the endoscope washing machine by using a blower that draws air from the external environment through a dedicated inlet, eliminating the need for a noisy compressor inside the machine while maintaining the drying function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary air handling system that uses a blower to draw ambient air through a filter and deliver it to the drying system, mediating between the external environment and the internal drying channels to avoid direct compressor noise
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a compressor is positioned externally to dry the internal channels, then the machine interior remains quiet, but the overall instrumentation footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air supply function with the existing endoscope washing machine structure by integrating the blower, filter, and air distribution system into the machine's housing, eliminating the need for separate external compressors and reducing overall footprint
3Reliability
If external medical air is used to dry the internal channels, then the drying function is achieved efficiently, but the machine becomes dependent on external connections and installation constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the endoscope washing machine to be self-sufficient by incorporating an integrated air handling system with a blower and filter that draws air from the external environment, eliminating dependency on external medical air supplies and allowing installation in any room without special ventilation infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal air supply system that can function in any healthcare facility location by using a self-contained blower and filter assembly that doesn't require connection to external medical gas systems, providing installation flexibility across different environments
4Device complexity
If no fume removal system is installed, then the machine structure remains simple, but toxic fumes from disinfectant remain in the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful toxic fumes into a controlled flow by using a blower to draw air through the disinfectant treatment area, directing the fumes through a filter, and exhausting them controlledly, transforming an uncontrolled harmful emission into a managed process
5Object-generated harmful factors
If ventilation systems or exhaust hoods are added externally, then toxic fumes are removed, but the installation requires specific ventilation conditions and external infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fume removal function with the air supply system by using the same blower and filter assembly to both provide drying air and control fume exhaust, combining two functions into one integrated system that eliminates the need for separate external ventilation infrastructure
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
Ensures safe working conditions by completely eliminating toxic fumes and allowing installation in any room without specific ventilation requirements, providing efficient and independent drying of endoscope channels.
Implementation Method 1
The solution according to the invention allows the air coming from the environment inside the machine, including the toxic fumes produced by the disinfectant and suitably filtered
Implementation Method 2
a blower device I of internal air collected from the internal circuit of the machine
Implementation Method 3
a first aeraulic circuit which utilizes the air coming from the washing tank of the endoscope washing machine as purge air, which is pushed into the channels of the endoscope
Data Source
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AI summary
Endoscope washer machine (10) for drying the internal channels of reprocessed endoscopes, characterized in that it comprises a drying system integrated and inside the machine, comprising two different aeraulic circuits: - a first aeraulic circuit (A, B, C, L1, D, E, F, L2, G), in which the air coming from the washing tank (A) of the endoscope washer machine (10) is pushed into the channels of the endoscope to purge the channels of the treated endoscope internally, removing water to allow the drying air to pass through; - a second aeraulic circuit (I, H, L, M, L3, F, D, G), in which the air coming from the internal environment of the endoscope washer machine (10), also contaminated with fumes generated by the use of peracetic acid, is first filtered (H) and is then pushed into the internal channels of the endoscope to be used as drying air and allow drying of the channels of the endoscope treated.