Hybrid Water Bladder for Endoscope Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope fluid containers and tubing sets are limited to 1 liter of water and are not designed for refilling, leading to frequent replacements and potential contamination during endoscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
A refillable fluid reservoir system for endoscopes that includes a container with a collapsible design, allowing it to be expanded for use and collapsed for storage, featuring a port for fluid refilling and a support structure to maintain the upright configuration, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional water bottle and tube set is used, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but the bottle must be replaced frequently and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reusable container system that can be refilled and sterilized multiple times, replacing the conventional single-use 1-liter bottles. The container includes a sterilizable body with integrated tubing that can be autoclaved and reused throughout the day, eliminating the need for frequent replacements and reducing contamination risks from handling multiple bottles.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the fluid reservoir and the tubing system, with the container body itself having integrated lumens for fluid delivery. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate external tubing sets that would require frequent connection and disconnection, thereby reducing contamination opportunities.
2Productivity
If a 1-liter water bottle is used, then the device is simple to operate, but frequent replacement is required and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous operation by providing a large-capacity reusable container (greater than 1 liter) that can be refilled and reused throughout the entire procedure. The container maintains a continuous supply of fluid without requiring interruption for replacement, ensuring uninterrupted irrigation and lens washing capabilities during endoscopic procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is pre-filled with a larger volume of fluid (greater than 1 liter) before the procedure begins, and can be refilled in advance during breaks in the procedure. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for frequent mid-procedure replacements, saving time and maintaining operational efficiency.
3Volume of moving object
If the container is collapsible, then storage space is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed with collapsible walls that can transition between an expanded configuration during use (providing large fluid capacity) and a collapsed configuration for compact storage. The collapsible structure includes flexible or foldable walls with reinforcement elements that maintain structural integrity when expanded but allow compression when collapsed, optimizing both storage efficiency and functional capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for refilling a container during an endoscopic procedure. An illustrative container may comprise a container configured to contain a fluid within a first receptacle thereof, the container movable between a collapsed storage configuration and an expanded use configuration, a lens water supply tube including a first lumen extending therethrough, the first lumen is in fluid communication with the first receptacle of the container, a gas supply tube including a second lumen extending therethrough, the second lumen is in operative fluid communication with the first receptacle, and a port positioned adjacent to the top portion of the container. The port may be configured to be in selective fluid communication with the first receptacle of the container.