Endoscope Reprocessor Actuation for Elevator Guidewire Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscope elevator guidewire channels are challenging to disinfect or sterilize due to their small diameters and the elevator guidewire's tendency to shadow channel surfaces, leading to inefficient cleaning.
Innovation Solution
An actuation mechanism using fluid pressure from the reprocessor's pump and a compression spring to actuate the elevator guidewire in two opposite directions, ensuring thorough cleaning of the channel surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the elevator guidewire is left stationary in the channel during reprocessing, then the structure remains simple and stable, but the cleaning solution cannot effectively reach and saturate the channel surfaces, resulting in poor cleaning efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the stationary elevator guidewire into a movable component. The actuation mechanism causes the elevator guidewire to dynamically move back and forth within the channel during reprocessing, enabling the cleaning solution to effectively reach and saturate all channel surfaces. This dynamic movement resolves the contradiction by improving cleaning efficiency through active motion while maintaining structural simplicity through automated actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing an actuation mechanism that uses the reprocessor's own water supply system to automatically move the elevator guidewire. The mechanism utilizes water pressure from the reprocessor pump to drive the movement, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex mechanical actuators. This self-service approach improves cleaning efficiency while avoiding additional structural complexity.
2Productivity
If manual actuation of the elevator guidewire is implemented, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the ease of operation decreases and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by automating the actuation of the elevator guidewire using the reprocessor's existing water supply system. The mechanism automatically moves the guidewire back and forth during reprocessing without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining high cleaning effectiveness while significantly improving ease of operation. The system uses water pressure from the reprocessor pump to drive the actuation, eliminating the need for manual cranking or mechanical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the mechanics substitution principle by replacing manual mechanical actuation with a fluid-pressure-driven system. Instead of requiring manual operation of a crank or lever, the invention uses water pressure from the reprocessor's pump to drive the movement of the elevator guidewire through a water-powered actuation mechanism. This substitution eliminates manual labor while maintaining effective cleaning action.
3Productivity
If the elevator guidewire channel is designed with larger diameter to improve cleaning solution flow, then the cleaning efficiency improves, but the endoscope structure becomes less compact and more difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the elevator guidewire movable within the existing narrow channel. Instead of enlarging the channel diameter, the invention moves the guidewire back and forth to dynamically expose different portions of the channel walls to the cleaning solution. This dynamic movement allows effective cleaning of the entire channel surface area while maintaining the original compact channel dimensions, thereby avoiding manufacturing complexity and preserving endoscope compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the another dimension principle by introducing temporal variation to the cleaning process. Rather than attempting to increase spatial dimensions (channel diameter), the invention adds the dimension of time through repeated back-and-forth movement of the guidewire. This temporal dimension allows the cleaning solution to progressively saturate and clean all channel surfaces over multiple cycles, achieving thorough cleaning without requiring larger channel dimensions or more complex manufacturing.
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 mechanism enhances the cleaning efficiency of the elevator guidewire channel by ensuring thorough saturation with cleaning solution, resulting in more effective reprocessing of the endoscope.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation mechanism includes a receiving chamber to receive the pressurized fluid from the pump to impart a pressurized fluid biasing force that displaces the plunger relative to the actuator housing in a first direction
Implementation Method 2
a return actuator that imparts a return biasing force that displaces the plunger relative to the actuator housing in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction
Data Source
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AI summary
An endoscope reprocessor for reprocessing an endoscope. An actuation mechanism of the reprocessor includes an actuator housing and a plunger removably attachable to an elevator guidewire lever of the endoscope. A receiving chamber receives pressurized fluid from a pump to impart a pressurized fluid biasing force that displaces the plunger relative to the actuator housing in a first direction and a return actuator that imparts a return biasing force that displaces the plunger relative to the actuator housing in a second direction. A controller controls the pump to provide the pressurized fluid at a first pressure at which the pressurized fluid biasing force is greater than the return biasing force to displace the plunger lever in the first direction and a second pressure at which the return biasing force is greater than the pressurized fluid biasing force to displace the plunger and the lever in the second direction.