Endoscope Lumen Drying Element Using Variable Pressure Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope cleaning and drying technologies are inadequate in effectively removing biomatter and debris from internal lumens, leading to inconsistent cleaning results, potential instrument damage, and increased risk of infections due to biofilm formation and moisture retention.
Innovation Solution
A drying device with an elongate member and drying element, designed to create a variable pressure gradient within the endoscope lumens, enhances cleaning fluid effectiveness by maintaining consistent contact with the lumen walls and utilizing a Venturi effect to remove moisture and debris efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning methods are used, then the endoscope lumens are cleaned, but the cleaning is inconsistent and biomatter remains
Solution Approach 1:
The drying element is designed to be compliant and flexible, allowing it to dynamically adapt to the contours and varying diameters of the endoscope lumens. This dynamic compliance ensures consistent contact with the lumen walls throughout the cleaning and drying process, resolving the inconsistency of conventional rigid cleaning methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pressurized fluid flow through the drying element to create hydrodynamic forces that enhance both cleaning and drying. The fluid pressure gradient drives moisture and debris removal while the flowing fluid maintains contact between the drying element and lumen walls, improving cleaning consistency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If aggressive cleaning methods are used, then biomatter is removed, but the instrument is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The drying element material properties are specifically selected to provide gentle, non-abrasive contact with the lumen walls. The material compliance and surface characteristics are optimized to remove biomatter through hydrodynamic forces and gentle mechanical action rather than aggressive abrasion, preserving instrument integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses controlled fluid pressure and flow to achieve biomatter removal without direct mechanical abrasion. The hydrodynamic forces generated by pressurized fluid flow lift and flush debris from the lumen walls, replacing aggressive mechanical cleaning with gentler fluid-based mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the drying element maintains contact with lumen walls, then drying effectiveness is improved, but the element may become stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The drying element's compliant and flexible design allows it to dynamically adjust its contact pressure with the lumen walls. This dynamic compliance enables effective drying through maintained contact while preventing permanent sticking, as the element can yield to pressure variations and be retrieved without force.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying element is constructed as a flexible structure that can conform to the lumen geometry. This flexibility allows the element to maintain surface contact for effective drying while accommodating pressure changes and facilitating easy retrieval by allowing the element to deform and release from the lumen walls during withdrawal.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If moisture is not removed, then cleaning is complete, but biofilm formation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions continuously from cleaning to drying without interruption. The same drying element that contacts the lumen walls for moisture removal is used throughout the process, maintaining continuous protective action. This seamless transition ensures that once cleaning is complete, drying immediately follows to prevent any window of opportunity for biofilm formation.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressurized fluid flow is used to simultaneously achieve cleaning and drying functions. The same fluid stream that flushes debris from the lumens also drives moisture removal through evaporation and fluid dynamics, combining cleaning and drying in a continuous process that eliminates intermediate states where moisture and debris could promote biofilm.
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 ensures predictable and consistent cleaning and drying of endoscope lumens, reducing the risk of infections and extending the instrument's lifespan by effectively removing biomatter and moisture without causing damage.
Implementation Method 1
create a variable pressure gradient within the endoscope lumens
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a Venturi effect to remove moisture and debris efficiently
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for cleaning and/or drying endoscopic instruments, such as endoscopes, are provided. A drying device for use with an endoscopic instrument comprises an elongate member configured for advancement through an internal lumen within the endoscopic instrument and a drying member removably coupled to a portion of the elongate member. The drying element comprises a variable pressure region shaped and configured to increase the hydrodynamic fluid friction force and fluid pressure force applied to the wall of the internal lumen of the endoscope to more effectively remove all of the moisture and fluid from the internal surfaces of an endoscopic instrument.