Endoscope Test Port Retainer With Hydrophobic Membrane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope designs require vent caps for pressure compensation and sterilization, which can be forgotten or improperly installed, leading to liquid intrusion and false positive pressure readings during testing.

Innovation Solution

A surgical apparatus with a test port retainer that includes a hydrophobic membrane and liquid exclusion barrier, eliminating the need for vent caps by ensuring no moisture or liquid enters the endoscope during sterilization and pressure testing, and maintaining proper pressure sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If vent caps are used for pressure compensation during sterilization, then pressure equalization is achieved, but liquid intrusion and false positive pressure readings occur due to improper or forgotten installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure equalizationVSAvoidpressure testing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the vent cap component entirely and replaces it with an integrated hydrophobic membrane that performs the same pressure equalization function without the drawbacks of manual installation. The membrane is permanently installed in the test port retainer, eliminating the risk of forgotten or improper vent cap installation while maintaining pressure compensation during sterilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrophobic membrane acts as an intermediary element that allows pressure equalization while blocking liquid intrusion. It mediates between the need for pressure compensation during sterilization and the need to prevent liquid entry that causes false positive pressure readings, providing a reliable automated solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If traditional pressure testing methods are used, then liquid intrusion during sterilization causes false positive readings, but eliminating vent caps complicates the testing procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure reading accuracyVSAvoidtest port structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the test port retainer assembly: the hydrophobic membrane for pressure equalization, the liquid exclusion barrier for liquid blocking, and the sealed chamber for pressure testing. This integration eliminates the need for separate vent caps and multiple testing procedures, reducing device complexity while improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The test port retainer uses composite material structures including hydrophobic membranes and liquid exclusion barriers that provide both pressure equalization and liquid blocking properties. This composite approach enables accurate pressure readings without liquid intrusion while maintaining a unified, less complex device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If vent caps are required for sterilization protection, then liquid intrusion is prevented, but the endoscope requires additional components and installation steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid intrusion protectionVSAvoidassembly simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrophobic membrane and liquid exclusion barrier are pre-installed in the test port retainer during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate vent cap installation by the user. This preliminary action ensures liquid intrusion protection is already in place before sterilization, simplifying operation while maintaining protection against harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated test port retainer with hydrophobic membrane provides automatic liquid exclusion and pressure equalization without requiring user intervention or additional components. The system serves itself by having the membrane continuously perform its protective function during sterilization and testing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Prevents liquid intrusion and false positive pressure readings, ensuring the endoscope is properly sealed and tested without relying on vent caps, enhancing reliability and accuracy in pressure testing.

Implementation Method 1

The test port retainer also includes a hydrophobic membrane mounted within the test port retainer housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic membrane effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

The liquid exclusion barrier is mounted between the probe seal and the hydrophobic membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid exclusion barrier effect: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11911000B2Endoscope including a plurality of individually testable subassemblies

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC

AI summary

An endoscope includes a first subassembly, a second subassembly, a third subassembly, and a fourth subassembly, which are sequentially assembled and tested in making the endoscope. The first subassembly includes a pressure-sealed electrical cable connected to an image capture unit. The second subassembly includes the first subassembly, a shell, a light pipe, and a lid. The third subassembly includes the second subassembly, a central tube, and a flange. The fourth subassembly includes the third subassembly, a base, a shaft, and optionally an articulating assembly.