Endoscope Storage Tray Liner for Moisture-Based Biofilm Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes can become contaminated and develop biofilm when not promptly reprocessed, leading to difficulty in cleaning and increased contamination risk due to drying of adherent materials.
Innovation Solution
A liner for an endoscope storage tray with a flexibly deformable, impermeable material and an absorbent layer to maintain a moist environment, combined with a detergent system to keep the endoscope moist and a timing mechanism to monitor storage time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the endoscope is stored in a dry environment after use, then the storage is simple and convenient, but the adherent material and biofilm dry and become difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
An absorbent liner is introduced as an intermediary between the endoscope and the storage environment. The liner maintains a moist microenvironment around the endoscope without requiring complex external systems, thus keeping storage simple while preventing drying of the endoscope surface and channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The local humidity parameter around the endoscope is changed by using an absorbent liner that can maintain moisture. This creates a moist storage environment that prevents biofilm drying and adhesion, making subsequent cleaning easier while keeping the overall storage system simple.
2Reliability
If detergent is applied to the endoscope immediately after use, then biofilm formation is prevented, but the reprocessing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent liner is prepared in advance with detergent solution before the endoscope is placed in storage. This preliminary action ensures that the endoscope is already exposed to detergent, preventing biofilm formation during storage without requiring additional reprocessing steps later.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner automatically maintains contact with the endoscope surface and channels during storage, providing continuous detergent exposure without requiring active intervention. The system serves itself by maintaining the protective moist detergent environment passively throughout the storage period.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the endoscope is stored for extended periods before reprocessing, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but the risk of biofilm formation and drying increases
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent liner acts as a protective intermediary that maintains a controlled moist environment around the endoscope during extended storage. This mediator prevents harmful drying and biofilm formation, enabling flexible scheduling without increasing contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner continuously maintains the moist protective environment throughout the entire storage period, ensuring uninterrupted prevention of biofilm formation and drying. This continuous action allows extended storage times while maintaining endoscope cleanliness and safety.
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 biofilm formation and maintains endoscope cleanliness by keeping the device moist, facilitating easier reprocessing and reducing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent material disposed within or attached to at least a portion of the flexibly deformable material of the liner, the absorbent material of the liner contacted with a fluid to provide a moist environment for the endoscope stored in the endoscope storage tray
Data Source
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AI summary
A liner for an endoscope storage tray is provided. The liner has an interior comprising a flexibly deformable material substantially impermeable to fluids and an absorbent material disposed within or attached to at least a portion of the flexibly deformable material. The liner is configured to temporarily line at least an interior of the endoscope storage tray. Systems and methods are also provided.