Endoscopic Tool Detachable End-Effector Contamination Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscopic treatment instruments are contaminated after use, posing a risk of infection due to insufficient disinfection, and replacing the entire instrument for each patient is impractical due to high costs.

Innovation Solution

A detachable end-effector system with a contamination prevention cover that allows for the separation and replacement of only the end-effector, while protecting the control unit and other components from contamination using a flexible cover and fluid injection mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire treatment instrument is replaced for each examinee, then the risk of infection is minimized, but the cost becomes prohibitively high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection riskVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment instrument is divided into two separable parts: a disposable end-effector that contacts the patient and a reusable control unit. This segmentation allows the end-effector to be replaced for each examinee to prevent infection, while the expensive control unit can be reused, thereby resolving the contradiction between infection prevention and cost reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The end-effector is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use, ensuring that each examinee receives a fresh, uncontaminated instrument. This eliminates the need for complex disinfection processes and prevents cross-contamination, while the reusable control unit offsets the cost through multiple uses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Loss of substance

If the treatment instrument is reused after washing and disinfection, then the cost is reduced, but the risk of infection increases due to insufficient disinfection

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The end-effector is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for disinfection while ensuring infection prevention. This resolves the contradiction by making the critical patient-contact part single-use while allowing the non-contact control unit to be reused

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Loss of substance

If only the end-effector is replaced while reusing the control unit, then the cost is reduced, but the connection section may become contaminated

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection section is covered by a protective sleeve that can be detached along with the end-effector. This nested structure allows the cover to protect the connection section from contamination during use, and when the end-effector is removed, the cover is discarded together, ensuring the connection section remains clean for the next use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover acts as an intermediary barrier between the connection section and the contaminated environment. It prevents direct contact between contaminants and the connection section, allowing the control unit to be reused safely while maintaining a clean interface for the next end-effector attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This design prevents cross-infection between patients by ensuring the end-effector can be easily replaced and reused, while maintaining the integrity of the control unit and other parts, thus reducing the risk of infection and lowering costs.

Implementation Method 1

a contamination prevention cover being coupled to the connection section or the end-effector and surrounding a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the connection section to prevent contamination of the connection section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

the contamination prevention cover may be made of a flexible material so as to be easily folded and unfolded

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11484332B2Endoscopic treatment tool

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 CATHOLIC KWANDONG UNIV IND FOUND

AI summary

The present invention relates to an endoscopic treatment instrument, and more particularly, to an endoscopic treatment instrument including a detachable end-effector and a contamination prevention cover. The endoscopic treatment instrument includes an end-effector for performing treatment in the endoscopic surgery or an endoscope treatment, a connection section being detachably coupled to an end of the end-effector, and a contamination prevention cover being coupled to the connection section or the end-effector and surrounding a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the connection section so as to prevent contamination of the connection section. According to an embodiment of the present invention, since only the end-effector is separable for replacement and the cover is formed to protect a control unit, it is possible to prevent cross infection between patients caused by the contamination of the end-effector and the control unit.