Endoscope Packaging Two-Chamber Sequential Opening Sterility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope packaging designs risk accidental contamination of sections intended for patient contact during surgical use, leading to potential infection risks and unnecessary endoscope replacements.

Innovation Solution

The packaging features a two-chamber design with sequential opening, where the first chamber for non-patient-contact sections is opened before the second chamber for patient-contact sections, ensuring sterile handling and minimizing contamination risks by maintaining the second chamber sealed until necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the entire endoscope is removed from packaging at once, then the endoscope can be connected to the operating machine, but the patient-contact sections risk accidental contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connecting endoscope to operating machineVSAvoidrisk of contamination to patient-contact sections
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for the handling section and a second chamber for the patient-contact section. This segmentation allows the handling section to be accessed and connected to the operating machine while the patient-contact section remains sealed and sterile, eliminating the contamination risk while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the packaging is opened completely to access the endoscope, then all sections become accessible, but sterile integrity of patient-contact sections is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of endoscope sectionsVSAvoidsterile integrity of patient-contact sections
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for the handling section and a second chamber for the patient-contact section. This segmentation allows the handling section to be accessed and connected to the operating machine while the patient-contact section remains sealed and sterile, eliminating the contamination risk while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging is designed so that the handling section in the first chamber can be prepared and connected to the operating machine in advance, while the patient-contact section in the second chamber remains sealed until the moment of patient contact. This preliminary action ensures sterile integrity is maintained until absolutely necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single-chamber packaging is used, then the structure is simple, but the patient-contact section cannot be protected from contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of packaging structureVSAvoidcontamination risk to patient-contact section
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for the handling section and a second chamber for the patient-contact section. This segmentation allows the handling section to be accessed and connected to the operating machine while the patient-contact section remains sealed and sterile, eliminating the contamination risk while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge structure serves as an intermediary element that connects the two chambers while maintaining their separation. It allows the packaging to function as a unified structure for sterilization and handling, while simultaneously enabling independent access to each chamber, thus protecting the patient-contact section from contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the second chamber is opened early for accessibility, then all endoscope sections are easily accessible, but contamination of patient-contact sections occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of all endoscope sectionsVSAvoidsterility of patient-contact sections
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for the handling section and a second chamber for the patient-contact section. This segmentation allows the handling section to be accessed and connected to the operating machine while the patient-contact section remains sealed and sterile, eliminating the contamination risk while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging is designed so that the handling section in the first chamber can be prepared and connected to the operating machine in advance, while the patient-contact section in the second chamber remains sealed until the moment of patient contact. This preliminary action ensures sterile integrity is maintained until absolutely necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3148396B8Endoscope packaging with two separate chambers
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 AMBU AS

AI summary

The invention discloses an endoscope packaging with a receiving part for receiving an endoscope and with at least one cover, which is detachably connected to the receiving part at least at an edge, for the sterile closure of the receiving part. According to the invention, the receiving part has a first chamber for receiving a first endoscope section which is intended and designed for not coming into contact with the patient during operative use, and a second chamber for receiving a second endoscope section which is intended and designed for coming into contact with a patient during operative use. Here, the receiving part and the cover are configured such that, when the cover is correctly released from the receiving part, initially only the first chamber is opened, and the second chamber is opened only subsequently.