Surgical Instrument Trolley With In-Transit Pre-Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instrument cleaning processes, particularly for endoscopes, are time-constrained and require continuous personnel availability, especially outside regular working hours, due to the need for manual cleaning and quick transportation to reprocessing facilities, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased labor demands.
Innovation Solution
A transport trolley equipped with pre-cleaning devices and compartments that allow for automatic pre-cleaning of surgical instruments, including endoscope channels and outer surfaces, using a fluid supply and recycling system, along with identification sensors and controllers to streamline the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning and quick transportation to reprocessing facilities is required, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but personnel availability and labor demands increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The transport trolley performs preliminary pre-cleaning of surgical instruments immediately after use, before transportation to the reprocessing facility. The pre-cleaning device with fluid supply and spray nozzles applies cleaning solution to the instrument channels and surfaces, removing gross contaminants during the transport phase itself, thus preparing the instrument for subsequent formal cleaning without requiring immediate manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport trolley is equipped with an autonomous pre-cleaning system that operates automatically during the transport process. The system includes a fluid supply tank, pump, spray nozzles positioned to contact instrument channels, and a control system that activates the pre-cleaning cycle without human intervention, allowing the instrument to be pre-cleaned in situ during transportation.
2Reliability
If manual cleaning is performed within two hours to prevent residual dirt from drying, then channel blockage is prevented, but continuous personnel availability is required
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-cleaning device is activated immediately after the surgical instrument is placed in the transport trolley, performing the pre-cleaning action during the transport phase itself. This eliminates the waiting period between surgery and pre-cleaning, ensuring that contaminants are removed from instrument channels before they can dry and cause blockages, while the instrument is being transported to the reprocessing facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-cleaning process is integrated into the transport process, creating a continuous workflow where the instrument is pre-cleaned without interruption during transportation. The fluid supply system maintains continuous flow through the instrument channels, and the spray nozzles continuously contact the instrument surfaces throughout the transport journey, ensuring uninterrupted cleaning action.
3Productivity
If automated pre-cleaning is performed on the transport trolley, then personnel requirements are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport trolley is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a transportation device and as a pre-cleaning station. The pre-cleaning device is integrated into the existing trolley structure, utilizing the trolley's movement and space for the cleaning function. This allows one piece of equipment to perform multiple functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated pre-cleaning devices and minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-cleaning device utilizes a hydraulic system with a fluid supply tank, pump, and spray nozzles to deliver cleaning solution through the instrument channels and onto the instrument surfaces. This pneumatic-hydraulic mechanism provides automated cleaning action without requiring complex mechanical manipulation, using fluid pressure and flow to perform the pre-cleaning function efficiently and reliably.
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 solution enables efficient pre-cleaning of surgical instruments, reducing the need for immediate manual handling and allowing for extended storage before reprocessing, thereby minimizing personnel requirements and optimizing workflow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
By pumping the pre-cleaning liquid through one or more channels of the surgical instrument, the contamination of bacteria, dirt, such as visible dirt, or the like are reduced significantly.
Implementation Method 2
The pre-cleaning device can comprise a fluid pump connected to the fluid supply by a fluid feed line. After connecting the pre-cleaning device with one or more channels of the surgical instrument via the coupling device, such as an adapter, the fluid pump pumps the pre-cleaning fluid from the fluid supply into the channels of the surgical instrument
Implementation Method 3
The pre-cleaning device can comprise a fluid pump connected to the fluid supply by a fluid feed line. After connecting the pre-cleaning device with one or more channels of the surgical instrument via the coupling device, such as an adapter, the fluid pump pumps the pre-cleaning fluid from the fluid supply into the channels of the surgical instrument
Implementation Method 4
In addition, a pump can be arranged in the fluid return line, in order to pump the pre-cleaning fluid into the fluid container on the transport trolley. The pre-cleaning fluid or solution emerging e.g. out of the channels of the surgical instrument of from a distal end of the surgical instrument can be collected and can be recycled by a filter system in a further embodiment
Data Source
AI summary
A transport trolley including at least one receiving compartment configured to receive an instrument tray; and one or more of: a pre-cleaning device configured to pre-clean a surgical instrument in the instrument tray, the pre-cleaning device is configured to be connected to the surgical instrument by a coupling; and a pre-cleaning apparatus configured to pre-clean an outside of the surgical instrument.