Endoscope System with Automated Fluid Delivery and Specimen Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope systems for procedures like bronchial lavage and bronchoalveolar lavage are complex and pose a risk of contamination for medical personnel due to the handling of syringes and Lukens traps, which require multiple caregivers and can expose them to contagious materials.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope system with a user-selectable state for both fluid delivery and specimen retrieval, featuring a connected fluid container, specimen container, and suction device, allowing for automated fluid delivery and specimen collection with reduced manual handling and enhanced safety through a specimen dock and multi-lumen connection cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual handling of syringes and Lukens traps is used for fluid delivery and specimen retrieval, then the procedure can be performed with existing equipment, but the complexity of the procedure increases and the risk of contamination to medical personnel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (fluid delivery, specimen retrieval, and specimen containment) into a single integrated endoscope system. The specimen container is directly coupled to the endoscope handle, and the fluid container is also connectable to the handle, eliminating the need for separate syringes and Lukens traps. This integration reduces procedural complexity while maintaining safety by automating fluid delivery and specimen collection through the endoscope's own channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope system performs fluid delivery and specimen retrieval using its own built-in channels and connected containers, without requiring external manual intervention with separate devices. The system uses its working channel and suction channel to automatically deliver fluid and retrieve specimens, reducing the need for medical personnel to manually handle potentially contaminated materials.
2Productivity
If multiple caregivers are used to handle syringes and Lukens traps, then the procedure can be completed, but the time required for the procedure increases and the exposure risk to contagious material increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope system performs fluid delivery and specimen retrieval using its own built-in channels and connected containers, without requiring external manual intervention with separate devices. The system uses its working channel and suction channel to automatically deliver fluid and retrieve specimens, reducing the need for medical personnel to manually handle potentially contaminated materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specimen container that acts as an intermediary between the endoscope and the specimen collection process. This container is directly coupled to the endoscope handle and receives specimens through the endoscope's suction channel, eliminating the need for manual transfer of specimens from Lukens traps and reducing exposure risk to medical personnel.
3Ease of operation
If automated fluid delivery and specimen retrieval is implemented, then the safety and simplicity of the procedure is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (fluid delivery, specimen retrieval, and specimen containment) into a single integrated endoscope system. The specimen container is directly coupled to the endoscope handle, and the fluid container is also connectable to the handle, eliminating the need for separate syringes and Lukens traps. This integration reduces procedural complexity while maintaining safety by automating fluid delivery and specimen collection through the endoscope's own channels.
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 simplifies and safeguards the medical procedure by automating fluid delivery and specimen retrieval, reducing the risk of contamination and the need for multiple caregivers, while allowing for secure handling and efficient specimen collection.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device, wherein said endoscope system in said first user selectable state is configured to automatically deliver the fluid from said fluid container to the patient through said internal working channel and in said second user selectable state is configured to automatically retrieve a specimen through said insertion tube from the patient and provide the specimen to said first specimen container
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope system for delivering a fluid to a patient and retrieving for diagnostic purposes from the patient a specimen. The system includes an endoscope, a fluid container containing a fluid, and a first specimen container for receiving a specimen. The endoscope system has a first user selectable state and a second user selectable state, where the endoscope system in the first user selectable state is configured to automatically deliver the fluid from the fluid container to the patient and in the second user selectable state is configured to automatically retrieve a specimen from the patient and provide the specimen to the first specimen container.