Heated Airflow and Porous Interface for Endoscope Sterilization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for sanitizing and disinfecting medical devices, particularly endoscopes, face challenges in efficiently reaching internal surfaces, articulating surfaces, and reducing processing time, while also avoiding damage to thermally sensitive materials and requiring extensive cooling periods.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a porous and permeable interface between the endoscope and coupling, combined with ultrasonic nebulization to generate aerosol disinfectants, allows for effective distribution of anti-pathogen agents under controlled air pressure, ensuring thorough disinfection and sterilization of both internal and external surfaces, and includes a heated surface to enhance aerosol evaporation and distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional sanitization methods are used to reach internal surfaces of endoscopes, then disinfection coverage is improved, but processing time increases and thermal damage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection coverageVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses pressurized gas flow through porous interfaces to deliver disinfectant aerosol into the internal lumens of endoscopes. Gas pressure forces the aerosol through the porous interface and into complex internal surfaces, achieving thorough disinfection without requiring prolonged exposure times or thermal processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs porous interfaces between the endoscope and coupling that allow disinfectant aerosol to pass through. The porous structure enables controlled delivery of the aerosol into internal surfaces while maintaining system integrity, achieving rapid and thorough disinfection of both internal and external surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If high heat is applied for sterilization, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but thermal damage to sensitive materials occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidthermal damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the disinfectant from liquid to aerosol, and delivers it under controlled pressure and temperature conditions. This parameter change allows effective sterilization through chemical action of the aerosol rather than thermal exposure, eliminating thermal damage to sensitive materials while maintaining sterilization effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor within the aerosol structure. The aerosol contains fine water droplets that evaporate on contact with surfaces, providing both disinfection and drying functions without requiring high external heat application that could damage sensitive materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Productivity

If aerosol disinfectants are used for rapid disinfection, then processing time is reduced, but distribution uniformity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection speedVSAvoiddistribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses controlled gas pressure to deliver the aerosol uniformly through porous interfaces and into internal lumens. The pneumatic delivery system ensures consistent distribution of the aerosol throughout complex geometries, maintaining uniformity while achieving rapid disinfection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent delivers disinfectant through multiple dimensions - externally applied aerosol for external surfaces and pressurized aerosol through porous interfaces for internal surfaces. This multi-dimensional approach ensures uniform coverage of all surfaces including complex internal geometries, achieving both speed and uniformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 approach significantly reduces processing time, achieves thorough disinfection and sterilization of complex devices like endoscopes, and avoids thermal damage, enabling rapid turn-around and efficient disinfection of both internal and external surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

ultrasonic nebulization to generate aerosol disinfectants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

heated surface to enhance aerosol evaporation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

heated surface to enhance aerosol evaporation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Heating

Implementation Method 4

porous and permeable interface between the endoscope and coupling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 5

porous and permeable interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS11324845B1Heated airflow and air filtration apparatus for multi-function sanitization, disinfection and sterilization

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 RICCIARDI JONATHAN J

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for the sanitization, detoxification, disinfection, high level disinfection, or sterilization of both the interior and exterior surfaces of at least one object.