Endoscope Reprocessor Fluid Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope reprocessing methods often fail to prevent contaminants from being caught between the pipe sleeve of the endoscope and the connector of the cleaning tube, which can hinder effective cleaning and disinfection.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope reprocessor with a control system that manages fluid supply sections to communicate with the forceps plug and suction pipe sleeves, allowing for synchronized or differential flow control to prevent contaminants from being trapped, utilizing a combination of liquid and gas pumps and electromagnetic valves to execute specific fluid transmission patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning liquid is introduced through the suction pipe sleeve to clean the endoscope conduit, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but contaminants may be caught between the pipe sleeve and the cleaning tube connector
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary flushing operations before the main cleaning phase. The suction pipe sleeve is flushed with cleaning liquid first to create a clean path, preventing contaminants from being trapped during subsequent cleaning operations. This preliminary action ensures that the connection interface between the pipe sleeve and cleaning tube connector remains free of contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The system alternates between introducing cleaning liquid through the suction pipe sleeve and activating the suction function periodically. This periodic action creates a rhythm of flushing and suction that prevents contaminant accumulation at the connection interface, maintaining cleaning effectiveness while avoiding contaminant trapping.
2Productivity
If high flow rate is used to improve cleaning efficiency, then productivity is improved, but contaminants are more likely to be trapped between the pipe sleeve and connector
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the flow rate of cleaning liquid based on the operational phase. During phases when the cleaning tube connector is near the pipe sleeve, the flow rate is reduced to prevent contaminant trapping. During open-channel flushing phases, the flow rate is increased to maintain high cleaning efficiency. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between productivity and contaminant prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow rate parameter throughout the cleaning cycle. High flow rates are used when the cleaning path is open and contaminants can be safely removed. Low flow rates are used when the connector is positioned near the pipe sleeve to prevent contaminant entrapment. This parameter change strategy maintains overall cleaning efficiency while preventing harmful contaminant trapping.
3Reliability
If the suction pipe sleeve is used for cleaning, then thorough cleaning of the conduit is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex requiring coordination between multiple fluid supply sections
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically coordinates the operation of the first and second fluid supply sections based on pre-programmed cleaning protocols. The system self-manages the timing and flow rates of cleaning liquid introduction through both the forceps plug and suction pipe sleeve, eliminating the need for manual coordination and reducing operational complexity while maintaining thorough cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functions of two fluid supply sections into a coordinated unified operation. Both the forceps plug pipe sleeve and suction pipe sleeve are controlled by a single control system that synchronizes their operations. This merging approach maintains the cleaning thoroughness benefits of dual-channel access while simplifying the operational complexity through centralized control.
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 effectively reduces the likelihood of contaminants being caught between the pipe sleeve and the cleaning tube connector, enhancing the efficiency of cleaning and disinfection processes by ensuring thorough fluid circulation and prevention of backflow.
Implementation Method 1
a first fluid supply section configured to communicate with a forceps plug pipe sleeve of an endoscope to supply a fluid; a second fluid supply section configured to communicate with a suction pipe sleeve of the endoscope to supply a fluid
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a combination of liquid and gas pumps and electromagnetic valves to execute specific fluid transmission patterns
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
An endoscope reprocessor 1 includes: a first fluid supply section I configured to supply a fluid to a forceps plug pipe sleeve 32; a second fluid supply section II configured to supply a fluid to a suction pipe sleeve 42; and a control section 61, wherein the control section 61 performs: first control of driving the first fluid supply section I and the second fluid supply section II at the same time; second control of halting the second fluid supply section II or controlling a flow rate of the second fluid supply section II to be lower than a flow rate of the first fluid supply section I and driving the first fluid supply section I; and third control of halting the first fluid supply section I or controlling the flow rate of the first fluid supply section I to be lower than the flow rate of the second fluid supply section II and driving the second fluid supply section II after the first control or the second control.