Endoscope Piston Closure for Sterile Flow Without Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in quickly and effectively monitoring the obturation of fluid circulation circuits without causing pressure drops, and maintaining sterility until use.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope incorporates a piston-based obturation device with a sealed interconnection chamber and obturation section that ensures safe and effective fluid communication, featuring a piston movably mounted in a piston body with seals to maintain sterility and prevent pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a removable mounting connector is used to connect tubular conduits to the handle, then the fluid circulation circuit is independent of the handle and the handle is not soiled by fluid, but the mounting and dismounting process is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the obturation device directly into the handle body, merging the fluid control function with the handle structure. This eliminates the need for separate removable connectors and their associated mounting/dismounting operations, while maintaining the benefit of handle protection through integrated sealing mechanisms.
2Reliability
If manual pinching obturation is used to close the circuit, then the circuit can be closed, but the circuit deteriorates and fluid flow rate cannot be monitored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a flow sensor that provides feedback on the fluid flow rate, enabling monitoring of the circuit status. This allows precise control and detection of fluid flow conditions without compromising the sterility or integrity of the circuit.
3Reliability
If a piston-based obturation device is used, then the circuit can be sealed, but pressure drop occurs during fluid circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical piston sealing mechanism with an obturation device that uses seals and valves designed to minimize pressure drop. The design incorporates low-resistance flow paths and efficient sealing mechanisms that maintain circuit sealing while preserving fluid pressure.
4Reliability
If tubular conduits are connected externally to the handle, then the fluid circuit is independent, but the connection process is complex and sterility cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the obturation device with the handle structure, integrating fluid control functions directly into the handle body. This eliminates the need for external tubular conduit connections and their associated complexity, while maintaining circuit independence through internal integration and sealed designs.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a medical endoscope including:a piston body in which a piston is movably mounted in displacement;the piston delimiting with the piston body a sealed obturation section and a sealed interconnection chamber adapted so that, in the open position of the obturation device, the sealed interconnection chamber ensures communication between a first portion and a second portion of the circulation circuit. According to the disclosure, the sealed interconnection chamber including a hole passing right through the piston to open out into a cylindrical chamber delimited between the piston and the piston body, by an oblong section located in the open position of the circulation circuit, facing the inlet sections of the tubing for connection to the first portion and to the second portion of the circulation circuit to limit the pressure drop.