Fluid Supply System for Endoscope Water Volume Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope systems face challenges with limited water reservoir capacity, requiring frequent refills and increasing the risk of contamination during procedures, as they are not designed to be refilled and lack modular or optional tubing configurations for efficient fluid management.
Innovation Solution
A fluid supply system that fluidly couples multiple water reservoirs, using a cap with ports for tubing subsets to provide a sufficient water volume, allowing for supplemental water to be added to a primary reservoir, ensuring continuous pressurization and reducing the need for frequent refills, and incorporating manifold systems to manage fluid distribution efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single water reservoir is used in current endoscope systems, then the device complexity is low, but the water volume is limited requiring frequent refills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple water reservoirs (primary reservoir and secondary reservoirs) into a single integrated fluid supply system. The reservoirs are connected through a common fluid pathway that allows water from multiple sources to be supplied to the endoscope simultaneously, thereby increasing the total water volume without significantly increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid supply system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can supply water from a single primary reservoir, from multiple secondary reservoirs, or from both simultaneously. The system universally handles different water volume requirements and can adapt to various procedural needs, making it versatile for different endoscopic procedures.
2Productivity
If frequent reservoir refills are required, then the device complexity remains low, but the procedure time increases and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous water supply by connecting multiple reservoirs to the endoscope system. When the primary reservoir is depleted, secondary reservoirs can immediately supplement the water supply without interrupting the procedure. This continuous action eliminates the need to stop the procedure for refills, maintaining procedural efficiency and saving time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is prepared in advance by connecting multiple pre-filled reservoirs before the procedure begins. This preliminary preparation ensures that sufficient water volume is available throughout the entire procedure, preventing the need for mid-procedure refills and associated time losses.
3Reliability
If frequent reservoir changes are performed, then the device complexity is low, but the contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sealed reservoirs into a single connected system that maintains sterility. The reservoirs are connected through closed fluid pathways that prevent contamination during operation. This combined system maintains reliability by eliminating the need to open and replace reservoirs during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous water supply from multiple connected reservoirs eliminates the need to stop the procedure for reservoir changes. The sealed connections maintain sterility throughout the entire procedure, preventing contamination that would occur during frequent reservoir changes.
4Duration of action of moving object
If multiple reservoirs are connected, then the water volume is sufficient for continuous use, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reservoirs into an integrated system where the complexity is distributed across standardized components. The reservoirs connect through common manifolds and fluid pathways, creating a unified system that extends duration of use without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid supply system is designed with universal connectivity that allows it to function with one or multiple reservoirs. This multi-functionality enables the system to adapt to different procedural durations and water volume requirements without requiring fundamentally different system configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for providing liquid to an endoscope system. A fluid supply system may include a plurality of water reservoirs in fluid communication with one another to ensure a sufficient amount of water is available for endoscope procedures. The fluid supply system may include a first tubing subset configured to provide liquid to the endoscope and a second tubing subset configured to provide supplemental water to a reservoir in communication with the first tubing subset. Supplemental water may be pressurized via a pump, a liquid flow, and/or a via a gas flow. In some cases, a venturi siphon or a bridge siphon may be utilized to maintain pressure in the water reservoirs.