Endoscope Fluid Supply Manifold with Segmented Sterile Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope fluid containers and tube sets have a limited capacity of 1 liter and are not designed for refilling, leading to frequent replacements and potential contamination risks during endoscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
A container and tube set system that includes a pressure vessel system with a manifold housing, diaphragm, and flow control members to manage fluid and gas supply efficiently, allowing for extended use without frequent replacements and reducing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a 1-liter water bottle is used, then the device is simple and easy to operate, but frequent replacements are required and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water bottle is divided into a sterile distal portion (inside the sterile drape) and a non-sterile proximal portion (outside the drape). The tube set connects to the distal portion through a sealed interface, allowing the proximal portion to be replaced without breaking sterility of the distal portion. This segmentation enables bottle replacement without contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
A sterile adapter or connection interface acts as an intermediary between the sterile and non-sterile environments. This intermediary maintains the sterile barrier while allowing fluid transfer and bottle replacement, preventing contamination during the replacement process.
2Productivity
If a 1-liter water bottle is used, then the device structure is simple, but multiple replacements per day are required
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bottle into replaceable proximal and continuous distal portions, the system allows rapid replacement of only the proximal portion without disrupting the sterile distal portion, reducing replacement time and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterile distal portion is prepared and sealed in advance within the sterile drape, so when bottle replacement is needed, only the pre-prepared proximal portion needs to be swapped, eliminating time-consuming sterilization steps during replacement.
3Ease of operation
If compressed gas is used to pressurize the water bottle, then fluid delivery is effective, but additional equipment and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the weight of the water bottle itself to generate the pressure needed for fluid delivery. By positioning the bottle vertically, gravity creates sufficient pressure to drive fluid through the tube set, eliminating the need for external compression devices and reducing overall system complexity.
4Reliability
If the tube set is disconnected for bottle replacement, then bottle changes can be made, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tube set connection is segmented into a sterile distal connection point and a non-sterile proximal connection point. Replacement occurs at the proximal point outside the sterile field, while the distal connection remains sealed and undisturbed, maintaining sterility while enabling replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
A sterile adapter or connector is pre-installed in the sterile field before draping. This preliminary action creates a permanent sterile interface, allowing multiple bottle replacements at the proximal end without ever breaking the sterile seal at the distal end.
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 enables continuous and efficient supply of fluid and gas to the endoscope, reducing the need for frequent bottle changes, minimizing contamination risks, and improving procedural efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a diaphragm disposed within the cavity of the manifold housing that fluidly isolates the first chamber of the cavity from a second chamber of the cavity
Implementation Method 2
a first flow control member positioned within the first fluid inlet
Implementation Method 3
compressed gasses from either the processor or an alternative source are used to increase the pressure within a fluid bottle which either insufflates the working lumen or washes the lens of the endoscope
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for providing a flow of fluid to an endoscope. An illustrative container and tube set arranged and configured to couple to an endoscope may comprise a first container configured to contain a fluid and having a first port in fluid communication with a bottom portion thereof. A pressure vessel system may be in selective fluid communication with the first container. The pressure vessel system may include a manifold housing defining a cavity and including a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a first fluid outlet. A first water supply tube may be in selective fluid communication with the cavity of the manifold housing and a first gas supply tube may be in operative fluid communication with the cavity of the manifold housing. A first flow control member may be positioned within the first fluid inlet.