Endoscope Reprocessing Tool Fluid Direction Change
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscope reprocessing tools face challenges in effectively directing cleaning solutions to the distal end portion, particularly in reaching recessed areas where treatment instruments are housed, due to the limitations of existing fluid outlets and positioning mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope reprocessing tool with a connection portion, direction changing portion, and discharge portion that connects to the fluid outlet of an endoscope reprocessor, altering the flow direction of cleaning solutions to cross the gravity direction and positioning the distal end of the endoscope to align with recessed areas on the endoscope, ensuring thorough reprocessing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fluid outlet discharges fluid in the direction against gravity, then the fluid can be discharged from the bottom face of the reprocessing basin, but the fluid cannot effectively reach the recessed areas on the distal end portion of the endoscope
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a direction changing portion that redirects the fluid flow from a vertical upward direction to a horizontal direction. This dimensional change in fluid discharge allows the cleaning solution to reach the recessed areas on the distal end portion of the endoscope that are inaccessible from below, thereby resolving the contradiction between being able to discharge from the bottom face and effectively cleaning recessed areas.
2Device complexity
If the distal end portion of the endoscope is freely positioned in the reprocessing basin, then the positioning is simple, but the discharge portion cannot align with the recess portion for effective cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning portion as an intermediary component between the discharge portion and the recess portion. This positioning mechanism ensures proper alignment and facing relationship between the discharge portion and the recess portion, enabling effective cleaning while maintaining relative simplicity in the overall system.
3Ease of operation
If the treatment instrument raising base is housed in the recess portion, then it does not obstruct endoscope movement, but the recessed area becomes difficult to access for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the discharge direction from vertical to horizontal through the direction changing portion, the patent enables the cleaning fluid to access the recessed areas from the side rather than from below. This allows the treatment instrument raising base to remain housed in the recess portion without obstructing endoscope movement, while still enabling effective cleaning of the recessed area.
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
Enables efficient and targeted reprocessing of endoscopes by ensuring that cleaning solutions reach and effectively clean the recessed areas on the distal end portion, enhancing the cleaning efficiency and effectiveness of the reprocessing process.
Implementation Method 1
a direction changing portion (3) configured to change a flow direction of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet (22) from a direction against a gravity direction to a direction crossing the gravity direction
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope reprocessing tool includes: a connection portion configured to be connected with a fluid outlet provided on a bottom face of a reprocessing basin of an endoscope reprocessor; a direction changing portion configured to change a flow direction of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet from a direction against a gravity direction to a direction crossing the gravity direction; a discharge portion configured to discharge the fluid direction-changed by the direction changing portion in the direction crossing the gravity direction; and a positioning portion configured to position a distal end portion of an endoscope so that the discharge portion and a recess portion provided on the distal end portion face each other.