Flexible Sponge Endoscope Cleaning Device for Lumen Contaminant Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for endoscopes, such as brushes and sponge devices, fail to provide uniform mechanical contact and effective removal of contaminants from the luminal surfaces, leading to incomplete cleaning and potential cross-contamination.
Innovation Solution
A flexible sponge-comprising device with various geometries, such as periodic triangular, alternating disk, and sinusoidal profiles, is deployed through the endoscope lumen to provide mechanical abrasion and capture debris, combined with a shaft for fluid passage to facilitate chemical cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If rigid brush devices with bristles are used to clean endoscope lumens, then mechanical abrasion is provided, but uniform contact with lumenal surfaces is not achieved due to rigidity and shape limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sponge material instead of rigid brush bristles. The sponge is mounted on a flexible shaft that can conform to the curved and irregular surfaces of endoscope lumens, ensuring uniform contact while still providing adequate mechanical abrasion force through the sponge's natural texture and structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters from rigid to flexible, allowing the cleaning device to adapt its shape to match the complex geometry of endoscope lumens. This flexibility enables the sponge to maintain continuous contact with varied surface contours, solving the uniform contact problem while retaining cleaning effectiveness.
2Productivity
If sponge devices are used to spread contamination uniformly, then enzymatic cleaners can digest contaminants more efficiently, but sufficient mechanical force to remove adhering contaminants is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a flexible sponge material with a shaft component that can be actuated to provide mechanical force. The sponge itself provides both the uniform spreading capability for enzymatic action and sufficient mechanical abrasion through its textured surface and the action of pushing/pulling it through the lumen, thereby removing adhering contaminants effectively.
3Ease of operation
If a single cleaning method is used, then the cleaning process is simple, but complete removal of all lumenal contaminants is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cleaning mechanisms into a single device: the flexible sponge provides both mechanical abrasion and the ability to spread contaminants uniformly for enzymatic digestion. The device combines physical removal and chemical cleaning capabilities in one integrated tool, maintaining operational simplicity while achieving complete contaminant removal through the synergistic effect of both mechanisms.
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 device effectively removes contaminants from endoscope lumens by providing enhanced mechanical and chemical cleaning, ensuring thorough disinfection and reducing cross-contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
contact and aid in removal of material therefrom... provide mechanical abrasion to the lumenal surfaces
Implementation Method 2
shaft for fluid passage to facilitate chemical cleaning
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for cleaning a channel of an endoscope, the device including a flexible elongate body (102) with a sponge (104) disposed adjacent one end and optionally including a lumen (108) and openings (106) for directing a cleaning fluid through the elongate body.