Foldable Endoscope Preheating Bag With Phase-Change Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope pre-heating devices require significant installation space, consume electricity, lack temperature control, and can cause bacterial infections due to unsterilized water, and are not adjustable for different endoscope sizes, leading to inefficient heating and potential patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope defogging and pre-heating device with a bag containing a heat storage/release material and a fixation device that holds the bag in a folded position, allowing the endoscope to be pre-heated to a controlled temperature range of 98° F. to 138° F. using an actuator that generates oscillation waves to release heat, eliminating the need for external power and ensuring efficient heating without chemical residues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a water bath heater is used to pre-heat endoscopes, then the endoscopes can be heated, but the device requires significant installation space and consumes electricity
Solution Approach 1:
The heating elements are nested within a flexible bag that can be folded around the endoscope. The bag contains internal chambers with heating elements that conform to the endoscope shape, allowing compact storage and portability while maintaining effective heating contact surface area
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a flexible bag made of thin film material that can be folded and wrapped around the endoscope. This flexible structure eliminates the need for large rigid housing while maintaining heating functionality through direct contact with the endoscope surface
2Temperature
If electric heating wire or thermoelectric coupling is used in a heating tube, then the endoscope can be heated, but the heating temperature is not controllable and may scald the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system uses phase change material that dynamically adjusts temperature based on environmental conditions. The material transitions between solid and liquid phases at a specific temperature range (98°F to 138°F), providing automatic temperature regulation without external control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs phase change material that absorbs and releases heat during phase transitions. This natural thermodynamic process maintains the endoscope within a safe temperature range, preventing overheating and patient scalding while eliminating the need for complex temperature control systems
3Temperature
If a heating tube with fixed inner diameter is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot fit different endoscope sizes leading to low heating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible bag can dynamically adjust its shape and size to accommodate different endoscope diameters. The bag wraps around the endoscope and is secured with fastening members, creating a custom-fit heating envelope for each device size while maintaining simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible bag made of thin film material can be molded to different shapes and sizes to fit various endoscope dimensions. This flexibility provides universal adaptability across different endoscope models without requiring multiple fixed-diameter heating tubes
4Temperature
If steam heaters or water bath devices are used for pre-heating, then the endoscopes can be heated, but water sterilization is required to prevent bacterial infections
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the water-based heating system and replaces it with a phase change material system that requires no water. This eliminates the sterilization requirement and bacterial infection risk while maintaining effective heating functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material is contained in a disposable or single-use bag that is discarded after one use. This eliminates the need for repeated sterilization of water reservoirs and heating elements, preventing bacterial contamination while maintaining cost-effectiveness
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 device effectively pre-heats endoscopes to a comfortable temperature for surgical use, reducing patient discomfort and eliminating the drawbacks of prior designs by providing efficient, controlled heating without the need for electricity or extensive installation space, while maintaining sterility and adjustability for various endoscope sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a heat storage/release material (30), which is accommodated in the bag (10) and adapted for storing/releasing heat energy
Implementation Method 2
an actuator (50), which is mounted in the bag (10) and bendable to generate oscillation waves for causing the heat storage/release material (30) to produce a temperature rise and then to release heat
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope defogging and pre-heating device includes a bag including a first seal line and first and second chambers defined at an opposite lateral sides relative to the first seal line, a heat storage/release material flowing between the first chamber and the second chamber for storing/releasing heat energy, a fixation device for securing the bag in a folded status to hold the endoscope to be pre-heated between the first and second chambers, and an actuator bendable to generate oscillation waves for causing the heat storage/release material to produce a temperature rise and then to release heat for pre-heating the loaded endoscope to about 98° F.˜138° F.