Endoscope Leak Testing with Drying Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current leak testing methods for surgical instruments, particularly flexible endoscopes, are inadequate in detecting micro-leaks and directional leaks, leading to potential water ingress during reprocessing, which can damage the endoscope and the cleaning device.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using drying air from a dedicated drying device to perform a leak test on the endoscope, with the air being subjected to a higher pressure than conventional compressed air, allowing for more reliable detection of leaks by monitoring pressure changes in protected areas of the instrument.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional compressed air is used for leak testing, then the testing process is simple, but micro-leaks and directional leaks cannot be reliably detected
Solution Approach 1:
The drying device is activated before the leak test to remove moisture from the air supply system. This preliminary drying action ensures that the air used for pressurization during leak testing is completely dry, preventing false negatives from condensation and enabling reliable detection of even micro-leaks through accurate pressure monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
A drying device is introduced as an intermediary component between the compressed air source and the leak testing interface. This mediator removes moisture from the air stream, creating dry air that enables reliable leak detection while maintaining the overall simplicity of the testing system through a single integrated unit.
2Reliability
If higher pressure is used for leak testing, then micro-leaks are detected more reliably, but the risk of damaging the endoscope increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors pressure during the leak test and compares it against predetermined thresholds. When pressure deviation exceeds the threshold, indicating a potential leak, the system automatically terminates the test. This feedback mechanism enables reliable detection of micro-leaks through sensitive pressure monitoring while preventing damage by limiting maximum pressure exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The leak testing process uses dynamic pressure control rather than static high pressure. The system applies pressure gradually, monitors the response in real-time, and adjusts or terminates based on feedback. This dynamic approach enables sensitive detection of micro-leaks while maintaining safety by preventing excessive pressure buildup that could damage the endoscope.
3Productivity
If water ingress is allowed to occur during reprocessing, then the cleaning process can be effective, but the endoscope and cleaning device are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The leak test is performed as a preliminary action before the reprocessing cycle begins. By testing for leaks beforehand and preventing reprocessing of defective endoscopes, the system ensures operational safety while maintaining overall productivity through automated detection and early termination protocols that prevent damage-related downtime.
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
This approach significantly enhances the reliability of leak detection before the reprocessing begins, reducing the risk of water ingress and ensuring operational safety of both the endoscope and the cleaning device.
Implementation Method 1
the compressed air hose is supplied with drying air from a drying device of the reprocessing device, so that the leak test of the surgical instrument is carried out on the basis of the drying air used
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a method for preparing a surgical instrument (2), in particular an endoscope, more preferably a flexible endoscope, in a preparing device (10). The surgical instrument (2) has at least one channel to be cleaned, in particular a working channel, and the surgical instrument (2) is connected to a compressed air tube (23) in a compressed air-tight manner in order to test the seal. Drying air is supplied to the compressed air tube (23) from a drying device (36) of the preparing device (10) prior to preparing the surgical instrument (2) using at least one cleaning liquid such that the seal of the surgical instrument (2) is tested by means of the utilized drying air.