Endoscope Internal Pressure Testing via Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope pressure tightness tests are time-consuming and risk introducing germs into the device, as they require external media and complex setups to detect leaks.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heating element and pressure/temperature sensors within the endoscope to perform a pressure tightness test by heating the internal air, where a proportional pressure increase indicates a sealed environment, allowing for quicker and more reliable leak detection without external media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional pressure test using external media and hand pump is used, then leak detection can be performed, but the test is time-consuming and risks introducing germs into the endoscope
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hand pump system with an electrical heating element system. Instead of mechanically pumping air into the endoscope, the system uses a heating element to warm the air inside the endoscope, causing thermal expansion that increases internal pressure. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual operation while maintaining leak detection capability through pressure sensor monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope performs the pressure test using its own internal heating element and sensor systems. The heating element, already present in the endoscope for other functions, is utilized to generate the pressure change needed for testing. The pressure sensor and control unit work autonomously to monitor and evaluate the pressure change, enabling self-testing without external equipment intervention.
2Reliability
If external media are used for pressure testing, then leak detection is possible, but germs from the environment can be introduced into the endoscope
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope uses its own internal air volume and heating element to perform the pressure test, eliminating the need for external air sources. The control unit activates the heating element to warm the enclosed air, and the pressure sensor monitors the resulting pressure change. This self-contained approach ensures no external media contact, completely preventing germ introduction risk.
3Productivity
If a simple pressure test without temperature monitoring is used, then the test is quick, but reliable leak detection cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates both temperature sensing and pressure sensing with feedback control. The control unit monitors the temperature increase caused by the heating element and uses this information to evaluate the pressure change. By comparing the expected pressure increase based on temperature rise with the actual pressure sensor reading, the system can reliably detect leaks while maintaining quick testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the relationship between temperature and pressure parameters. By intentionally changing the temperature parameter through the heating element and monitoring the corresponding pressure parameter change, the system creates a controlled test condition. The control unit analyzes the correlation between temperature rise and pressure increase to determine seal integrity, achieving both speed and accuracy.
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
The method enables a rapid, simple, and reliable pressure tightness test that reduces the risk of germ introduction by using internal heating to assess seal integrity without external media, providing immediate and accurate results.
Implementation Method 1
During the pressure tightness test, the heating element can heat the air inside the endoscope. At the same time, the pressure inside the endoscope increases. According to the thermal equation of state, the pressure increases proportionally to the temperature.
Implementation Method 2
A heating element, a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor are arranged in the interior of the endoscope
Implementation Method 3
A heating element, a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor are arranged in the interior of the endoscope
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an endoscope. The endoscope has an endoscope handle (1) and an endoscope shank (2). A heating element (3), a temperature sensor (4) and a pressure sensor (5) are arranged in the interior of the endoscope. The invention also relates to a pressure-testing method for an endoscope, said method having the following steps: heating the interior of the endoscope, detecting the pressure during the heating of the interior of the endoscope, detecting the temperature during the heating of the interior of the endoscope, and comparing the detected pressure and the detected temperature.