Surgical Scope Thermal Treatment Rack with Segmented Supports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for warming surgical scopes lack precise temperature control, often leading to tissue trauma, image distortion, and potential infections due to uncontrolled temperature differences and the risk of chemical contamination from chemical wipes.

Innovation Solution

A thermal treatment system with a cabinet, a basin for a temperature-controlled liquid bath, and support members that keep the scope optics dry while submerging the operative portion in the bath, preventing contact with the basin and maintaining a sterile field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If scopes are warmed in an insulated container filled with warm liquid, then the scope can be warmed, but the temperature is not precisely controlled and the scope may come in contact with the container sides and bottom causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescope temperature controlVSAvoidscope damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple components: a first support member that contacts the scope optics and a second support member that contacts the scope shaft, allowing the scope to be suspended in the liquid bath without contacting the container walls. This segmentation prevents damage while enabling temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support members act as intermediaries between the scope and the container. The first support member holds the optics above the liquid surface, while the second support member holds the shaft above the container bottom, preventing direct contact between the scope and potentially damaging surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If chemical wipes or spray are used to reduce fogging, then fogging can be reduced, but the chemical may be inadvertently introduced into the patient causing complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefogging reductionVSAvoidchemical contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using chemicals to address fogging, the system converts the harmful temperature difference (which causes fogging) into a beneficial controlled thermal environment. The liquid bath maintains a controlled temperature that prevents fogging without requiring chemical interventions that could contaminate the patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Temperature

If the scope is submerged completely in the liquid bath, then the scope can be warmed, but the optics will be exposed to liquid causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescope warming effectivenessVSAvoidoptics damage from liquid exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The scope is divided into two parts for different treatments: the optics portion is held above the liquid surface by the first support member, while the shaft portion is submerged in the liquid bath by the second support member. This allows selective warming of the shaft while protecting the optics from liquid exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the scope are treated differently: the optics remain in a dry environment above the liquid, while the shaft is immersed in the thermal liquid bath. This local differentiation allows the scope to be warmed without compromising the optics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution allows for accurate temperature warming of surgical scopes, reducing tissue trauma, maintaining normothermia, and preventing image distortion while keeping the optics dry and the sterile field intact, thus enhancing surgical safety and image clarity.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid bath... to thermally treat the operative portion of the scope

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

support members... that maintain the scope in a specific position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS7671302B1Thermal treatment system instrument rack and method of selectively thermally treating medical instrument portions

Publication Date: 2010.03.02 MEDLINE INDUSTRIES

AI summary

A system according to the present invention includes a cabinet, a basin positioned within the cabinet to contain and thermally treat a liquid bath, and a support assembly that stabilizes a surgical scope. The support assembly may include a first support that elevates scope optics above the liquid bath within the basin, and a second support that positions the shaft of the scope within the liquid bath, but above the floor and away from the walls of the basin. The scope optics resides outside of the bath in a dry state, while the remaining scope portions are positioned within the bath so the portions can be thermally treated. The support assembly enables a user to warm selected portions of the scope, while protecting the scope, the basin, and/or a drape lining the basin from damage caused when the scope contacts the basin.