Endoscope Channel Cleaning via Pulsed Pressure Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning endoscopes with internal channels are complex, error-prone, and inefficient in removing biofilms, requiring additional components and lengthy process times, especially when compared to simple flushing devices.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a cleaning fluid with varying pressure applied using a clocked pump device, such as a diaphragm pump, to deform the channel and loosen adherent biofilms, combined with a continuous pumping device for efficient pressure modulation, allowing for effective detachment and removal of biofilms and contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual brushing is used to remove dried particles from channels, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and error-proneness increase due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical brushing with an automated pneumatic system that uses compressed air to generate turbulent flow and detach biofilms from channels. This substitution eliminates the need for manual intervention while maintaining cleaning effectiveness and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic alternation between air flushing and water flushing cycles. The air phase creates turbulent flow to detach biofilms, while the water phase rinses away detached contaminants. This periodic action continues until cleaning criteria are met, providing automated effective cleaning without complex manual operations.
2Device complexity
If air and water are pumped through channels alternately to avoid manual brushing, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to remove biofilms is insufficient and process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts critical parameters including air pressure (3-6 bar), water pressure (2-4 bar), flow rates, and cycle durations based on real-time feedback from pressure sensors and flow meters. This parameter optimization enables effective biofilm removal while maintaining simple device architecture and reducing overall process time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates pressure sensors and flow meters that continuously monitor channel conditions and provide feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism allows real-time adjustment of flushing parameters and determination of cleaning completion, significantly improving biofilm removal efficiency without increasing device complexity.
3Device complexity
If constant pressure flushing is used to clean channels, then device simplicity is maintained, but cleaning duration is lengthy and cleaning result is insufficient for biofilms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic alternation between high-pressure air flushing and water flushing cycles. The air phases create turbulent flow that detaches biofilms through impact forces, while water phases rinse away contaminants. This cyclic process significantly reduces cleaning duration compared to constant pressure flushing while maintaining device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static constant pressure flushing to dynamic variable pressure flushing with alternating air and water phases. The pressure profile varies over time with air phases at higher pressures (3-6 bar) followed by water phases at moderate pressures (2-4 bar), optimizing both cleaning efficiency and duration while keeping the device simple.
4Manufacturing precision
If prolonged cleaning process is used to remove biofilms with existing methods, then cleaning thoroughness is improved, but cleaning fluid consumption increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pressure sensors and flow meters to continuously monitor cleaning progress and provide feedback to the control unit. When cleaning criteria are met (indicated by stable pressure and flow readings), the process automatically terminates. This feedback-controlled approach ensures thorough biofilm removal while minimizing cleaning fluid consumption and reducing environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes pressure parameters (air: 3-6 bar, water: 2-4 bar) and flow rates to maximize cleaning efficiency per unit time. By maintaining higher pressures during air phases and using optimized water phases for rinsing, the system achieves thorough cleaning in shorter duration, thereby reducing overall cleaning fluid consumption compared to prolonged low-pressure flushing.
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 simplifies the cleaning process, shortens the duration, reduces the amount of cleaning fluid used, and improves the cleaning result, making it more cost-effective and environmentally friendly while effectively removing biofilms and large-area contaminations.
Implementation Method 1
varying the pressure during flushing, so that a deformation of the channel is caused, with dirt adhering to the inner wall of the channel, namely a biofilm, being detached
Implementation Method 2
varying the pressure during flushing, so that a deformation of the channel is caused
Implementation Method 3
the cleaning fluid being subjected to the pressure using a clocked pump device, in particular a diaphragm pump
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3b
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for cleaning a surgical instrument having at least one channel, in particular an endoscope having at least one endoscope channel (30), by means of a cleaning fluid, comprising the following steps: applying a pressure (61) to the cleaning fluid, flushing the channel (30) by means of the cleaning fluid, and varying the pressure (61) during the flushing. The invention further relates to a device (1) for cleaning a surgical instrument having at least one channel, in particular an endoscope having at least one channel (30), by means of a cleaning fluid, said device comprising a pumping apparatus (24, 26; 70) for the cleaning fluid and a connection (21) for the channel (30) for flushing the channel (30) by means of the cleaning fluid, wherein the pumping apparatus (24, 26; 70) is designed to apply a varying pressure to the cleaning fluid during flushing of the channel (30). The invention further relates to a use of a pulsed pumping device (24; 70) and a continuous pumping device (26) to clean a channel (30).