Ring-Shaped Endoscope Cleaning Brush With Differential Hardness Bristles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning brushes for endoscope working channels have poor cleaning efficiency and effectiveness due to inadequate removal of bioburden.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning brush with multiple cleaning units of varying hardness, connected in a ring-shaped configuration, where each unit has bristle bodies of different hardness, density, and length, allowing for effective separation and removal of foreign matter from the endoscope channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a cleaning brush with single hardness bristles is used, then the structure is simple, but the cleaning effect is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning brush applies local quality by dividing the bristles into multiple cleaning units with different hardness levels. Hard bristles are positioned to tackle strongly adhered bioburden, while soft bristles handle lightly adhered debris, allowing each region of the brush to perform optimized cleaning functions for different contamination levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning brush segments the bristle structure into multiple independent cleaning units, each with distinct hardness characteristics. This segmentation allows the brush to simultaneously address various types of bioburden adherence strength, improving overall cleaning effectiveness without requiring a completely separate brush for each contamination level.
2Productivity
If a cleaning brush with multiple cleaning units of different hardness is used, then the cleaning efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning brush merges multiple cleaning units with different hardness levels into a single integrated brush structure. This combination allows the user to clean the endoscope working channel in one operation without needing to switch between multiple brushes, thereby improving cleaning efficiency while consolidating what would otherwise be separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning brush utilizes parameter changes by varying the hardness parameter of bristles across different cleaning units. This systematic variation of the hardness parameter allows the brush to adapt to different bioburden adherence strengths, improving cleaning efficiency through controlled parameter diversity rather than unstructured complexity.
3Reliability
If bristles of different lengths are used, then the friction force and deformation vary for better cleaning, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning brush applies local quality by assigning different lengths to bristles in different cleaning units. Longer bristles are positioned to reach deeper into crevices and provide greater mechanical action, while shorter bristles maintain close contact with the channel wall for scraping action, allowing each region to perform optimized cleaning functions.
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 brush improves cleaning efficiency by utilizing bristle bodies of different hardness to separate and scrape out bioburden, forming a comprehensive cleaning effect through differential friction forces and deformation, enhancing the annular structure's sliding capability within the endoscope channel.
Implementation Method 1
the friction forces generated by the cleaning portions and the working channel of the endoscope in the relative sliding process are different
Implementation Method 2
the cleaning portions with different hardness are pressed and deformed to different degrees after being contacted with the working channel of the endoscope
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a cleaning brush configured to clean a working channel of the endoscope. The cleaning brush comprises a first joint, a second joint and a plurality of cleaning units, the plurality of cleaning units are sequentially connected, each cleaning unit comprises a cleaning portion configured to be in contact with the working channel of the endoscope, and the hardness of the cleaning portions of at least two cleaning units in the plurality of cleaning units is different. The first joint and the second joint are respectively connected with two outermost cleaning units in the plurality of cleaning units, and the first joint and the second joint are configured to be connected to make a ring-shaped cleaning brush. The cleaning brush is efficient in removing bioburden from the working channel of an endoscope.