Endoscope Fluid Supply System with Segmented Containers
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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 increased risk of contamination during endoscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
A container and tube set system that includes a first container with a partition dividing it into two chambers, a second container, and flexible water supply tubes, allowing for selective fluid communication and reducing the need for frequent bottle changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional 1-liter non-refillable containers are used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity decreases due to frequent bottle replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into a first container and a second container that can be separately filled and connected. This segmentation allows the system to continue operating when one container is depleted, eliminating the need for complete bottle replacement and improving productivity without requiring a completely new system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The first container can be nested within or coupled to the second container, with the first container serving as an extension or supplement to the second container. This nested arrangement allows one container to be positioned inside or alongside another, enabling continuous fluid supply while maintaining a compact overall structure.
2Reliability
If frequent bottle replacements are performed, then the device complexity remains low, but the reliability decreases due to contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous fluid supply by having a primary container (second container) and a supplementary container (first container) that can be connected in sequence. When the primary container is depleted, the supplementary container automatically or manually connects to maintain uninterrupted fluid flow to the endoscope, eliminating the need to disconnect and replace bottles which creates contamination risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The first container can be pre-filled and prepared in advance, then connected to the second container before the second container is depleted. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for emergency bottle changes during procedures, reducing contamination opportunities while maintaining a relatively simple container system.
3Productivity
If large capacity containers are used, then the productivity improves with continuous operation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large container that would be difficult to handle and sterilize, the system segments the total fluid capacity into multiple smaller containers (first and second containers) of manageable sizes. These segmented containers can be independently filled, sterilized, and connected in series to achieve the same total operational duration as a large container, maintaining productivity while reducing handling complexity.
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, the first container having a first port in fluid communication with a bottom portion thereof, a second container configured to contain a fluid, the second container having a first fluid inlet, wherein a first end of the first fluid inlet is coupled to the first port of the first container and a second end of the first fluid inlet is coupled to the second container, a first water supply tube, and a first gas supply tube. The first water supply tube and the first gas supply tube may each have a lumen in selective fluid communication with the second container and a second end external to the second container.