Plasma Sterilization Apparatus for Surgical Scopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sterilizing surgical scoping devices, such as endoscopes and gastroscopes, are labor-intensive and often result in incomplete or insufficient sterilization, leaving behind harmful bacteria and viruses.
Innovation Solution
The use of thermal or non-thermal plasma sterilization apparatus, which includes a coaxial cable for conveying RF or microwave energy and a gas conduit to generate plasma within the instrument channel, effectively destroying microorganisms on the device's surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning and chemical disinfection methods are used, then labor intensity is reduced, but sterilization completeness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning and chemical disinfection processes with an automated plasma generation system. The plasma sterilization apparatus uses electromagnetic fields to generate plasma that automatically contacts and sterilizes the instrument channel, eliminating the need for manual labor while achieving complete sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of matter by generating plasma through controlled electromagnetic field parameters. By adjusting power, frequency, and gas flow parameters, the system achieves optimal sterilization effectiveness without requiring manual intervention or chemical agents.
2Reliability
If chemical disinfectants are used, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but harmful chemical exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes chemical disinfectants with plasma, a physical state of matter generated through electromagnetic energy. This replacement eliminates exposure to harmful chemicals like glutaraldehyde while maintaining or improving sterilization effectiveness through the reactive species and energy contained in the plasma.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an inert or controlled gas environment to generate plasma for sterilization. The plasma is generated within a controlled atmosphere that avoids harmful chemical residues, providing a safe alternative to chemical disinfectants while achieving complete sterilization.
3Reliability
If multiple sterilization steps are used, then sterilization thoroughness is improved, but process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sterilization functions into a single plasma treatment process. The plasma simultaneously achieves cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization in one continuous operation, eliminating the need for separate manual cleaning, chemical disinfection, and rinsing steps required by conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous plasma generation and flow through the instrument channel, maintaining constant sterilization action throughout the process. This continuous treatment ensures thorough sterilization without the interruptions and multiple steps required by conventional batch processing methods.
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 method provides thorough and efficient sterilization of both the instrument channels and external surfaces of surgical scoping devices, reducing the risk of infection by effectively eliminating bacteria and viruses.
Implementation Method 1
an elongate probe having a coaxial cable for conveying radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or microwave EM energy
Implementation Method 2
an elongate probe having a coaxial cable for conveying radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or microwave EM energy
Implementation Method 3
the first electrode and second electrode are configured to receive the RF and/or microwave energy from the coaxial cable to set up an electric field in the internal volume for striking a plasma therein
Implementation Method 4
the coaxial cable comprises an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a dielectric material separating the inner conductor from the outer conductor
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a sterilization apparatus which uses thermal or non-thermal plasma to disinfect surgical scoping devices such as endoscopes, gastroscopes, laparoscopes and the like. Aspect of the disclosure provide: (i) an apparatus for sterilizing inside an instrument channel formed with an insertion tube of a surgical scoping device, (ii) a whole-device sterilization apparatus for treating the entire exterior surface of a surgical scoping device, and (iii) an apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing a distal end face of an insertion tube of a surgical scoping device.