Endoscope reprocessor with light-transmitting panel for external observation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope reprocessors become complex and large when equipped with devices to determine if they are being used in an appropriate state, making it difficult to easily integrate an observation terminal for determining the correct usage.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope reprocessor design that includes a top cover with a light-transmitting panel and a terminal holding unit to securely position an observation terminal, allowing it to observe the treatment tank and detect the endoscope's disposition, connection state, and liquid passing state, while maintaining a compact size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional endoscope reprocessor is equipped with a device that determines the disposition of an endoscope or whether or not an endoscope reprocessor is being used in an appropriate use state, then the observation terminal can determine appropriate use state, but the structure of the endoscope reprocessor becomes complicated, or the size of the endoscope reprocessor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an observation terminal as an intermediary device that is externally connected to the endoscope reprocessor via a communication interface. This terminal performs the determination of appropriate use state by receiving image data from the imaging unit, rather than embedding the determination functionality directly into the reprocessor structure. This intermediary approach enables comprehensive monitoring while keeping the reprocessor structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the determination functionality from the internal structure of the endoscope reprocessor to an external observation terminal, effectively transitioning the problem from a two-dimensional structural integration challenge to a multi-dimensional solution involving external communication and data processing. The terminal operates in a separate dimensional space, connected through communication protocols rather than physical structural integration.
2Reliability
If a conventional endoscope reprocessor is equipped with a device that determines the disposition of an endoscope or whether or not an endoscope reprocessor is being used in an appropriate use state, then the observation terminal can determine appropriate use state, but the size of the endoscope reprocessor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The observation terminal serves as an external intermediary device that performs determination functions without requiring physical expansion of the endoscope reprocessor. The terminal receives necessary data through communication interfaces and performs image processing externally, thereby maintaining the compact size of the reprocessor while enabling comprehensive determination capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the determination functionality from the endoscope reprocessor body and places it in an external observation terminal. The reprocessor retains only the essential imaging unit and communication interface, while the computationally intensive determination processes are performed externally. This extraction prevents size increase of the reprocessor while maintaining determination capabilities.
3Loss of information
If imaging units are provided in the endoscope reprocessor to observe the treatment tank, then the disposition of endoscope can be detected, but the structure becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging unit in the treatment tank serves multiple functions: it captures images for determining endoscope disposition, monitors the cleaning process, and provides visual feedback for operational verification. By making the imaging unit multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby detecting endoscope disposition while minimizing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The observation terminal acts as an intermediary that processes images from the imaging unit and performs disposition determination. This separation allows the imaging unit to remain simple while the complex determination logic resides in the external terminal, reducing the structural complexity within the reprocessor itself while maintaining comprehensive detection capabilities.
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 easy integration of an observation terminal to determine the appropriate use state of the endoscope reprocessor without increasing its size or complexity, ensuring proper operation and user notification of any abnormalities.
Implementation Method 1
a top cover 11 and at least one terminal holding unit 111. The top cover 11 is made of a material that allows light to transmit through the material
Data Source
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AI summary
An endoscope reprocessor includes: a treatment tank; a transmitting unit made of a transmitting material that allows an observation wave to transmit through the transmitting material, the transmitting unit being disposed such that the observation wave is allowed to transmit from a reprocessor outer surface to an inside of the treatment tank; and at least one terminal holding unit disposed on the reprocessor outer surface, and configured to hold an observation terminal at a position that allows the observation terminal to observe the inside of the treatment tank through the transmitting unit, the observation terminal including a receiving unit that receives the observation wave.