Endoscope Reprocessor Tank Number Detection and Verification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope reprocessors lack a reliable method to accurately detect the number of endoscopes in the treatment tank, leading to potential errors in reprocessing and failure to associate endoscope information with reprocessing history.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope reprocessor with an endoscope information reading section, a number detection section, a determination section, and a notification section that compares the number of endoscopes read by the information reading section with the number detected in the tank, and alerts the user of discrepancies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If only endoscope information reading is performed without number detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of reprocessing is compromised due to potential mismatches between read endoscopes and actual endoscopes in tank

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereprocessing reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by detecting the number of endoscopes in the treatment tank and comparing it with the number of endoscopes whose information was read. This feedback mechanism alerts operators to discrepancies, ensuring that all endoscopes are properly registered before reprocessing begins, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual counting and verification methods with automated detection systems. The number detection section automatically identifies endoscopes in the tank using non-contact methods (such as RFID or optical sensors), eliminating the need for manual verification and reducing the potential for human error while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If manual verification of endoscope numbers is performed, then the measurement precision is improved, but the productivity is reduced due to additional manual operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveendoscope number detection accuracyVSAvoidreprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-verification by automatically detecting the number of endoscopes in the tank and comparing it with the number of endoscopes whose information was read. This self-check mechanism eliminates the need for manual verification operations, maintaining high measurement precision while preserving reprocessing efficiency and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual counting and verification operations with automated detection systems. The number detection section uses non-contact methods (such as RFID readers or optical sensors) to automatically identify and count endoscopes in the tank, eliminating manual operations while maintaining accurate detection and improving overall efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If endoscope information reading is skipped to speed up processing, then the productivity is improved, but the loss of information increases as endoscope data may not be properly recorded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereprocessing speedVSAvoidendoscope information completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary verification by detecting the number of endoscopes in the tank before reprocessing begins and comparing it with the number of endoscopes whose information was read. This preliminary check ensures that all endoscopes are properly registered and their information captured before the reprocessing cycle starts, preventing information loss while maintaining efficient processing speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by alerting operators when there is a mismatch between the number of endoscopes detected in the tank and the number of endoscopes whose information was successfully read. This feedback mechanism prevents information loss by ensuring complete data capture before reprocessing begins, while the automated nature of the check maintains high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9968973B2Endoscope reprocessor

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

An endoscope reprocessor includes: an endoscope information reading section configured to read endoscope information from each of endoscopes; a treatment tank in which the endoscopes are disposed; a number detection section configured to detect a number of the endoscopes disposed in the treatment tank; a determination section configured to determine whether a first number that is the number of endoscopes read by the endoscope information reading section is equal to a second number that is the number of the endoscopes detected by the number detection section; a notification section configured to execute error notification; and a control section connected with the determination section and the notification section, and configured to drive the notification section when the determination section determines that the first number is different from the second number.