Endoscope Fluid Supply with Branched Connector and One-Way Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope fluid delivery systems require frequent bottle replacements, leading to contamination risks and potential damage from leaking bottles, especially when bottles are stored on lower shelves near expensive equipment, and the limited volume of commercial bottles necessitates frequent refilling during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A container and tube set system that includes a first container for fluid, a second container for gas, and a branched connector with a one-way valve, allowing for efficient fluid and gas supply to an endoscope, with options for collapsible or rigid containers and a manifold assembly for multiple fluid sources, reducing the need for frequent bottle changes and minimizing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If commercial sterile water bottles are used with limited volume, then the system can be simple and commercially available, but frequent bottle replacements are required during procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple commercial sterile water bottles into a single integrated reservoir system, allowing multiple 1L bottles to be connected together to create a larger capacity reservoir that can last through entire days of procedures without replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows pre-connection and preparation of multiple bottles before procedures begin, so that when one bottle is depleted, another is already ready to be quickly swapped in without interrupting the procedure
2Area of stationary object
If bottles are stored on lower shelves near equipment, then space is utilized efficiently, but leaking bottles can cause damage to expensive equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid storage into multiple separate, contained bottles rather than one large open reservoir, so that if one bottle leaks it remains contained and cannot damage other equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses disposable sealed bottles that are discarded after use, eliminating the risk of contamination and leakage from reusable reservoirs, and the low cost of the bottles makes frequent replacement acceptable
3Adaptability or versatility
If one-way valves are installed to prevent backflow, then the system can be reused for multiple cases, but contamination risk increases during bottle replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-sealing valve mechanisms that automatically close when a bottle is disconnected, preventing backflow and contamination without requiring manual intervention or complex sterilization procedures during bottle changes
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 enhances operational efficiency by reducing the frequency of bottle replacements, minimizing contamination risks, and preventing damage from leaking bottles, while allowing for continuous fluid and gas supply during endoscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The volume of water available to the user is limited by the size/volume of commercially available sterile water bottles and space on procedure carts. In many hospital centers, the sterile water delivery systems may have a one-way valve at the end of the conduit to the scope to prevent backflow of fluids from the patient end of the scope back to the inlet sterile water conduit
Implementation Method 2
In the two-bottle system, two separate disposable sterile water bottles may be used to supply sterile water separately to the endoscope for irrigation or lens washing. For irrigation, a flexible conduit may extend through a cap, which can be fitted onto the sterile water bottle after opening, and to the bottom of the bottle on the inlet end, may be inserted within the drive head of a peristaltic roller pump
Implementation Method 3
a second sterile water bottle may be fitted with a cap having an inlet tube/connector which allows pressurized air or CO2 gas to enter the bottle, and having a flexible conduit which extends from the bottle to, and connecting with, the lens wash port of the endoscope via a scope specific connector. Using this system, CO2 gas may be supplied to the bottle at a pre-determined pressure, which in turn creates a pressure differential, driving sterile water through the conduit to the lens wash inlet 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, a first water supply tube including a first lumen extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the first container, a branched connector positioned in line with first water supply tube and including a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, and a second fluid outlet, a second container having a second fluid inlet in selective fluid communication with the second fluid outlet of the branched connector, a second water supply tube including a second lumen extending therethrough and in selective fluid communication with the bottom portion of the second container, and a first gas supply tube in operative fluid communication with the second container.