Endoscope Forceps Valve Cover with Fluid Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope forceps valve systems fail to effectively prevent the diffusion of body fluids and residues when treatment tools are removed, leading to potential infection risks due to scattered or spouted contents.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope forceps valve cover comprising a cover body with elastic protrusions, a drape, and a fluid suppression member, which includes a flexible porous columnar shape with intersecting slits to absorb and contain fluids, preventing leakage and contact with mucous membranes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a contamination liquid absorbing member is disposed to face the inlet of the forceps valve, then contamination liquid can be absorbed, but scattered or spouted contents can still leak from gaps when the treatment tool is removed or pressure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination liquid absorptionVSAvoidprevention of scattered content leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid suppression member is pre-installed on the forceps valve inlet before the treatment tool is inserted. This preliminary placement ensures that when contents are scattered or spouted during tool removal or pressure increases, the suppression member is already in position to block the inlet, preventing leakage that would occur with reactive measures alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid suppression member acts as an intermediary component between the forceps valve inlet and the external environment. It intercepts and blocks scattered or spouted contents before they can escape through the valve, providing an additional protective layer that the contamination liquid absorbing member alone cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the slit valve has a hole diameter slightly smaller than the forceps, then the valve can close properly, but gaps are created at the slit ends allowing body fluids to leak

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve closure integrityVSAvoidbody fluid leakage through slit gaps

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid suppression member is designed with multiple segments including a main body portion and an extended portion. The main body portion blocks the central inlet area while the extended portion specifically addresses the slit gap areas. This segmentation allows each part to target specific leakage paths without interfering with the valve's closing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid suppression member extends in the axial direction beyond the forceps valve inlet, adding a dimensional element that protrudes into the forceps channel. This axial extension creates a physical barrier that blocks contents from escaping through the slit gaps at the valve ends, complementing the radial closure provided by the slit valve itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a cover body with elastic protrusions is used to mount on the forceps valve, then secure mounting is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidcover body structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic protrusions on the cover body automatically engage with the forceps valve through elastic deformation when the cover is placed over the valve. The elastic force provides self-locking without requiring additional fastening mechanisms, threads, or clips. The structure serves itself by using the material's inherent elasticity to create secure mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cover body is constructed as a flexible shell with elastic protrusions that can deform during mounting and then maintain a secure fit. This flexible shell structure provides reliable mounting through elastic retention while keeping the overall design simple and integrated, avoiding the need for rigid, multi-component fastening systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution effectively prevents the diffusion of scattered or spouted contents, reducing the risk of infection by containing fluids within the endoscope system and ensuring safe operation during medical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

the fluid suppression member absorbs the contents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of protruding portions that are formed of an elastic member and that protrude toward the endoscope in a case where the through-hole is aligned with a position of the forceps port, and is mounted on the forceps valve by an elastic force of the protruding portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20230061631A1Endoscope forceps valve cover

Publication Date: 2023.03.02 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A forceps valve is provided at a forceps port of the endoscope. An endoscope forceps valve cover includes a cover body, a drape, and a fluid suppression member. The cover body is mounted on the forceps valve. The drape is provided integrally with the cover body and covers at least a part of a user who operates the endoscope. The fluid suppression member suppresses leakage of a fluid from the forceps valve to an outside of the endoscope in a case where the cover body is mounted on the forceps valve.