Endoscope Reprocessing Self-Check via Flow History Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscope reprocessing devices often incorrectly attribute irregular flow test results to endoscope channels instead of identifying issues within the reprocessing device or adapter connections, leading to false negatives and undetected problems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that keeps a history of flow test results and analyzes them for anomalies, using predefined criteria to identify issues with supply channels or valves, allowing for continuous self-checks during normal operations without additional hardware, and updating diagnostics software to detect problems within the reprocessing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional self-checks using standardized test plates are performed, then device calibration can be verified, but the checks are time-consuming and require dedicated service intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary flow tests on endoscope channels during normal operations to establish baseline performance data before actual reprocessing tasks. This preliminary characterization of supply channels enables the system to detect deviations from normal operation, allowing for continuous monitoring without requiring dedicated service interval checks
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously performs flow tests during normal endoscope reprocessing operations, transforming the reprocessing workflow itself into a diagnostic process. By keeping a history of flow test results and analyzing them in real-time, the system provides continuous monitoring of supply channel and valve functionality without interrupting or adding to service time
2Measurement precision
If flow tests are performed on endoscope channels, then channel blockages can be detected, but problems with supply channels or valves are incorrectly attributed to endoscope channels
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the diagnostic process by separately evaluating supply channels and endoscope channels. By maintaining a history of flow test results for each supply channel and analyzing anomalies specifically at the supply channel level first, the system prevents misattribution of problems. Only after confirming supply channel functionality does the system attribute issues to endoscope channels
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously analyzing flow test results and comparing them against historical data and predefined criteria. When anomalies are detected, the system provides feedback about the specific location (supply channel, valve, or endoscope channel) based on the analysis of pressure differences and flow patterns, enabling accurate diagnostic attribution
3Measurement precision
If individual flow tests are performed on each endoscope channel, then channel-specific problems can be identified, but the overall system diagnostic capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by using the same flow test infrastructure (pressure sensors, valves, fluid supply) to perform both endoscope channel diagnostics and supply channel diagnostics. By analyzing flow test results through a unified framework that considers both endoscope and supply channel characteristics, the system expands diagnostic capability without adding separate hardware systems
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 enables the detection of reprocessing device issues during routine operations, complementing traditional self-checks and reducing false attributions of problems to endoscope channels, facilitating timely maintenance and improving device reliability.
Implementation Method 1
pressure sensors that are connected to the one or more individual supply channels downstream of the respective valve as well as one or more pressure sensors connected to the common channel from which the supply channels branch off. This sensor suite measures the pressure as supplied by the pressurized air source as well as the pressures inside the supply channels
Implementation Method 2
feeding pressurized air into the endoscope channel
Implementation Method 3
the valve in the supply channel is closed. This results in the pressure in the endoscope channel, as measured by the pressure sensor downstream of the now closed valve, drops off
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides a method (S500 to S540) for self-checking of an endoscope reprocessing device (10) having at least one source for a fluid, in particular a source for a reprocessing fluid (110) and/or a source for pressurized air (120), one or more supply channels (230) for supplying a fluid from the at least one source to one or more individual channels (330) of one or more endoscopes connected with the one or more supply channels (230) of the reprocessing device for reprocessing, and a control unit (140) for controlling the reprocessing of endoscopes, each of the one or more supply channels (230) having a dedicated switchable valve (232) designed to let through the fluid and to block the supply channel (230) in response to control signals issued by the control unit (140), the method comprising reprocessing (S500) of one or more endoscopes that are connected to the reprocessing device (10) for reprocessing, the reprocessing of the one or more endoscopes comprising a flow test (S510) during which pressures or pressure differences are checked in a sequence of application and blocking of the fluid in the one or more channels (330) of the one or more endoscopes connected to the reprocessing device for identification of anomalies occurring at the one or more individual endoscope channels. A running self-check of the reprocessing device is carried out, the running self-check comprising keeping a history of flow test results, updating (S520) the history with the latest flow test results and carrying out an analysis (S530) of the history of flow test results for each of the one or more supply channels of the reprocessing device, wherein a problem with a particular supply channel or a valve associated with said particular supply channel is indicated (S540) if the history of flow test results contains flow test result anomalies in said particular supply channel that meet at least one out of one or more predefined criteria.