Endoscope Reprocessor Concentration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope reprocessors face challenges in maintaining the concentration of medicinal solutions, as they naturally deteriorate over time, leading to reduced efficacy and inefficient replacement schedules, often resulting in wasteful discarding of solutions that are still effective.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope reprocessor with a medicinal solution tank, transfer portion, comparison portion, and adjustment portion that detects and adjusts the concentration of the medicinal solution, allowing continued use until it reaches a lower effective threshold, thereby prolonging solution life and optimizing replacement timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the medicinal solution is used repeatedly until concentration deteriorates, then productivity is improved by reducing replacement frequency, but reliability deteriorates as medicinal efficacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the temperature of the medicinal solution to increase its reaction rate. When the concentration decreases below the initial concentration, the system raises the temperature to accelerate the medicinal action, thereby maintaining effectiveness despite lower concentration. This allows the solution to be used longer while preserving reliability.
2Reliability
If the medicinal solution concentration is monitored and adjusted, then reliability is improved by maintaining efficacy, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complex concentration adjustment mechanisms, the patent changes the temperature parameter to compensate for concentration deterioration. This simpler approach uses temperature control rather than complex chemical concentration adjustment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback through a concentration sensor that continuously monitors the medicinal solution concentration and provides signals to the control unit, which then adjusts temperature accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system maintains reliability with relatively simple components.
3Reliability
If the reaction rate of the medicinal solution is increased by heating, then reliability is improved by maintaining efficacy at lower concentrations, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter dynamically based on concentration levels. Heating is applied selectively only when concentration drops below initial concentration, rather than maintaining constant high temperature, thus reducing overall energy consumption while preserving reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating operation is performed periodically or intermittently based on concentration monitoring rather than continuously. The control unit activates heating only when the sensor detects concentration deterioration, creating a periodic action pattern that reduces energy usage compared to continuous heating.
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 system ensures the medicinal efficacy of the solution is maintained by heating or adjusting the concentration, allowing temporary use below initial thresholds without compromising effectiveness, reducing wastage and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first adjustment portion (heating portion 73) that increases a reaction rate of the medicinal solution
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope reprocessor includes: an endoscope housing portion; a medicinal solution tank in which a medicinal solution is stored; a medicinal solution transfer portion that transfers the medicinal solution from the medicinal solution tank to the endoscope housing portion; a comparison portion that compares the concentration of the medicinal solution and a first reference concentration; a first adjustment portion that increases a reaction rate of the medicinal solution in a state in which the concentration of the medicinal solution is lower than the first reference concentration; and a control portion to which the comparison portion and the first adjustment portion are connected, and which drives the first adjustment portion in a case where the comparison portion determines that the concentration of the medicinal solution is lower than the first reference concentration.