Self-Cleaning Medical Valve for Automated Endoscope Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical endoscopes face issues with tubing clogging due to the buildup of body fluids and debris, requiring manual intervention for cleaning, which increases reprocessing costs and time.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning medical valve with a movable portion and a biasing member that automatically transitions between configurations to facilitate fluid flow, allowing for automated flushing of endoscope channels without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a reusable cleaning valve is used for flushing endoscope channels, then cleaning function is provided, but manual intervention is required and reprocessing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed to automatically transition between configurations without requiring manual intervention. The movable portion self-actuates based on frictional force relationships with the seal, enabling the valve to serve itself in the cleaning process by automatically delivering fluid for a predetermined time period.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve pre-configures the frictional force relationship between the seal and stationary/movable portions before operation begins. This preliminary setup ensures that when fluid flow is initiated, the valve automatically transitions through the complete cleaning cycle without needing real-time manual control.
2Reliability
If a reusable cleaning valve is subjected to cleaning between uses, then hygiene is maintained, but reprocessing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed as a single-use disposable component. After one cleaning cycle, the entire valve is discarded rather than reprocessed. This eliminates the time and cost associated with cleaning and sterilizing the valve between uses, while maintaining hygiene through the sterile barrier provided by the fresh valve for each patient procedure.
3Ease of operation
If the movable portion transitions automatically, then manual effort is reduced, but control precision over fluid delivery timing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve design carefully balances the frictional force parameters between the seal and the stationary/movable portions. By adjusting these friction parameters, the valve achieves predictable automatic transition timing that corresponds to the predetermined fluid delivery duration, eliminating the need for complex electronic timing controls.
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 valve efficiently cleans endoscope channels automatically, reducing manual effort and reprocessing time, thereby lowering costs and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Movement of the movable portion in a first direction may cause deformation of the biasing member, such that a restorative force of the biasing member urges movement of the movable portion in a second direction opposite the first direction
Implementation Method 2
A frictional force between the seal and one of the stationary portion and the movable portion resists the movement of the movable portion in the second direction
Data Source
AI summary
A medical valve may comprise a valve stem and an operation portion. The operation portion may include a stationary portion, a movable portion which is movable relative to the stationary portion and fixed relative to the valve stem, a seal disposed between the stationary portion and the movable portion, and a biasing member. Movement of the movable portion in a first direction may cause deformation of the biasing member, such that a restorative force of the biasing member urges movement of the movable portion in a second direction opposite the first direction. A frictional force between the seal and one of the stationary portion and the movable portion resists the movement of the movable portion in the second direction.