Endoscope Status Display With Countdown Tracking for Reprocessing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional paper-based documentation of endoscope reprocessing is time-consuming and prone to errors, and the time interval between pre-cleaning and manual cleaning must be strictly managed to prevent additional processing requirements.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope management device (EMD) with a display, ID reader, countdown-timer, and communication interface, integrated into a transport container, to track and manage endoscope status and time intervals, using real-time clock and motion sensors for automated documentation and notification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If paper-based documentation methods are used for endoscope reprocessing, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and error rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual paper-based documentation with an automated digital system that uses RFID readers, display devices, and communication networks to track endoscope reprocessing status, eliminating manual writing and reducing errors while improving efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the endoscope itself (via its RFID tag) provides identification information, and the display device automatically shows reprocessing status and time intervals without requiring manual data entry by healthcare professionals
2Reliability
If manual tracking of time intervals is used, then device complexity is low, but reliability of time management decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The display device provides continuous visual feedback to healthcare professionals about the remaining time interval for each endoscope, allowing them to monitor and manage time intervals reliably without manual tracking, ensuring timely transfer to the next reprocessing stage
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically starts the time interval countdown when the endoscope is placed in the container, performing the time tracking action in advance and continuously without requiring manual intervention, thereby ensuring reliable time management
3Productivity
If digital information management systems are implemented, then productivity and accuracy improve, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the digital information management system into modular components: RFID readers for identification, display devices for local information presentation, and communication networks for data transmission, allowing incremental implementation and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The display device serves multiple functions including showing endoscope identification, reprocessing status, time interval countdown, and transfer notifications, consolidating multiple information management tasks into a single device to reduce overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope management device including: a display, an ID reader, a processor comprising hardware, a countdown-timer, and a communication interface for wirelessly connecting the processor to an external communication network. Wherein the processor is configured to: detect an endoscope ID code of a freshly pre-cleaned endoscope by the ID reader; start the countdown-timer which outputs a remaining time until a predetermined time interval ends or until a predetermined target time is reached, display current endoscope information on the display, and make the current endoscope information available in the communication network by the communication interface. Wherein the current endoscope information including: one or more of a name and a serial number associated with the detected endoscope ID code, and the current remaining time as output by the countdown-timer.