Endoscope Fluid Pathway Retainer for Biofilm Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reusable endoscopes have difficult-to-clean fluid pathways that lead to biofilm formation and increased health hazards, while single-use endoscopes are costly and not environmentally friendly, and there is a need to improve their performance, versatility, and reduce costs.
Innovation Solution
A single-use endoscope with a fluid pathway system made of low-cost materials, featuring a retainer with annular sealing protrusions for secure and adhesive-free assembly, allowing for easy disassembly and recycling, which ensures high flow performance and low pressure loss, facilitating efficient suction and clear visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If reusable endoscopes are used, then cost is reduced and environmental impact is minimized, but fluid pathways become difficult to clean leading to biofilm formation and health hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into modular components with standardized connectors that can be easily disassembled. The fluid pathways are segmented into separate sections that can be individually accessed and cleaned, eliminating dead ends where biofilm could form. This segmentation enables thorough cleaning while maintaining the reusable nature of the endoscope.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a system where the entire endoscope or specific modules can be quickly disassembled and discarded after use, or selectively recovered for cleaning and reuse. This approach eliminates the risk of biofilm persistence by enabling complete disposal when necessary, while allowing cost-effective reuse of durable components when appropriate.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If single-use endoscopes are used, then health safety is improved and cleaning complexity is eliminated, but manufacturing cost increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is designed as a modular system where only critical single-use components (such as the distal tip with sensors and fluid pathways) are disposable, while expensive reusable components (handle, power supply, processing units) can be reused. This segmentation significantly reduces per-procedure cost compared to complete single-use endoscopes while maintaining health safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal standardized connectors and interfaces that allow a single reusable platform to accommodate multiple single-use modules. This multi-functionality enables the same expensive reusable components to serve multiple procedures and different module types, amortizing the manufacturing cost over many uses and reducing the overall cost per procedure.
3Productivity
If complex fluid pathway systems are used, then flow performance and suction capability are improved, but assembly complexity and pressure loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fluid pathways are merged into a single integrated fluid pathway system with standardized connectors. This consolidation maintains the necessary flow performance and suction capability by optimizing the unified pathway design, while reducing assembly complexity by eliminating the need to connect multiple separate pathways. The merged design minimizes the number of connection points, thereby reducing potential pressure losses at junctions.
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 endoscope achieves reliable and efficient fluid flow with low pressure loss, easy assembly, and efficient recycling, reducing environmental impact and costs, while maintaining high performance and safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
the retainer being sized and configured to fluidly sealingly secure the second flow-through part to the first flow-through part
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope and a system including the endoscope and a monitor. The endoscope includes a handle or interface; an insertion cord extending distally from the handle or interface; and a fluid pathway system having a first flow-through part having a fluid conduit formed therein and including a receiver portion; a second flow-through part having a fluid conduit formed therein and including a tubular connector portion; a retainer having an insertion end and a reception end, the insertion end of the retainer inserted in the receiver portion of the first flow-through part, the tubular connector portion of the second flow-through part inserted in the reception end of the retainer, and the retainer being sized and configured to fluidly sealingly secure the second flow-through part to the first flow-through part.