Endoscope Flow Restrictor for Uniform Sterilant Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elongate medical devices with lumens, such as endoscopes, face challenges in sterilization due to pressure drops and debris accumulation, which hinder the effective passage of sterilants through their lumens, especially when using low-pressure sterilization techniques like hydrogen peroxide vaporization.
Innovation Solution
A dry booster system combined with a flow restrictor, comprising two tubes of specific lengths and radii, is used to equalize the flow rates through different lumens by connecting them to a dry booster, ensuring that sterilants reach all surfaces of the endoscope during sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If low-pressure sterilization techniques are used, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but pressure drop through lumens worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization system is segmented into multiple pressure zones using dry boosters connected to individual lumens. Each lumen receives pressurized sterilant independently, overcoming the pressure drop that occurs in low-pressure sterilization systems and ensuring effective sterilization throughout the lumen length.
Solution Approach 2:
Dry boosters act as intermediary devices between the sterilant source and the lumens. These boosters receive sterilant and actively pressurize it before delivering to individual lumens, mediating the pressure differential and ensuring sufficient flow through long lumens despite low overall system pressure.
2Quantity of substance
If sterilant flow rate is increased, then sterilization coverage is improved, but flow distribution uniformity across different lumens worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Each lumen is equipped with its own dry booster and flow control mechanism, allowing independent adjustment of sterilant flow rates. This local control ensures that each lumen receives the appropriate quantity of sterilant based on its specific dimensions and requirements, achieving both high flow rates and uniform distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic flow control where dry boosters can adjust sterilant delivery in real-time based on lumen characteristics. This dynamic adjustment ensures optimal flow distribution across lumens of varying sizes and lengths, maintaining uniformity while achieving sufficient flow rates for effective sterilization.
3Ease of operation
If lumen diameter is increased, then debris passage is improved, but flow rate control precision worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Dry boosters serve as intermediary pressure control devices that decouple lumen diameter from flow rate control. By actively pressurizing sterilant at the booster level, the system can maintain precise flow control regardless of lumen size variations, while larger lumens naturally facilitate debris passage.
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
The system ensures that sterilants flow at similar rates through all lumens, overcoming pressure differentials and debris-related issues, thereby ensuring comprehensive sterilization of endoscopes.
Implementation Method 1
pressure differentials between the inside of a dry booster at one end of the lumen and a pressure chamber at the other end of a lumen help pass a sterilant through the lumen
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus that assists in sterilizing an endoscope inside a sterilizer employing a gaseous sterilant, e.g., hydrogen peroxide, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a dry booster and a flow restrictor that includes two tubes, which are connected to channels of an endoscope and the dry booster. The flow restrictor is used to change the flow rates through the channels to assist in delivering sterilant throughout the channels.