Automated Endoscope Reprocessing with Peracetic Acid Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning medical devices, such as endoscopes, often require abrasive techniques that can damage the device and fail to ensure complete removal of body fluids and pathogens, leading to potential health risks due to residual contamination.
Innovation Solution
An automated endoscope reprocessing unit that uses a peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide solution to disinfect the endoscope, with a sensor to monitor the concentration of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, ensuring effective disinfection without abrasive methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If abrasive cleaning methods are used to remove body fluids and waste, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device surface integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical abrasive cleaning methods with a chemical disinfection system. A peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide solution is pumped through the endoscope lumen to achieve disinfection without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating scratches and abrasions while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cleaning approach from mechanical to chemical by adjusting the parameters of the cleaning agent. The use of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide provides a chemical mechanism for removing contaminants that does not rely on mechanical abrasion, thus preserving surface integrity while maintaining disinfection efficacy.
2Strength
If simple disinfection is used instead of abrasive cleaning, then device surface integrity is maintained, but removal of body fluids and pathogens is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs strong oxidizing agents (peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide) to achieve effective disinfection without mechanical abrasion. These oxidants destroy pathogens and remove organic matter through chemical oxidation, providing sufficient disinfection effectiveness while maintaining surface integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite chemical system combining peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide to achieve enhanced disinfection effectiveness. This combination provides synergistic action that improves pathogen removal while avoiding the surface damage associated with abrasive methods.
3Strength
If chemical agents are used to clean medical devices, then non-abrasive cleaning is achieved, but complete removal of body fluids and waste is not ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous circulation and recirculation of the peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide solution through the endoscope lumen. This continuous action ensures thorough contact with all surfaces, maintaining surface integrity while achieving complete removal of body fluids and pathogens through sustained chemical exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors to monitor the concentration of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures the cleaning solution maintains effective concentrations throughout the process, guaranteeing complete disinfection while preserving surface integrity by preventing degradation from overly aggressive chemical exposure.
4Reliability
If peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide solution is used for disinfection, then non-abrasive cleaning and pathogen removal are achieved, but monitoring of solution concentration is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically monitor and control the peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide concentrations, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system self-regulates by detecting concentration levels and adjusting the cleaning process accordingly, achieving reliable disinfection while minimizing operational complexity through automation.
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 solution provides a reliable and non-abrasive method for disinfecting endoscopes, ensuring the removal of pathogens and maintaining high-level disinfection standards, thereby enhancing patient safety and extending the lifespan of medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
The endoscope lumen is treated with a first peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide solution by passing the peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide solution through the proximal end of the endoscope through to the terminal end of the endoscope
Implementation Method 2
a sensor capable of measuring peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide content
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and process to clean medical devices, such as endoscopes, that includes an automatic endoscope reprocessor system equipped with a peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide sensor are described.