Single-Use Endoscope Cleaning Valve With Utilization Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning valves for medical devices, such as endoscopes, often resemble procedural valves, leading to the risk of accidental use during procedures, and their disposable nature can result in unnecessary bacterial exposure due to improper reprocessing.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an interface member and valve stem with an indicator that transitions from a first to a second state to indicate utilization, featuring mechanochromatic materials and elastic sections that change color or structure upon exposure to fluids, preventing reuse and distinguishing cleaning valves from procedural ones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If cleaning valves are designed to resemble procedural valves for compactness and ease of manufacture, then device complexity is reduced, but the risk of accidental misuse during procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded indicators and mechanochromatic materials that change color in response to fluid exposure. Cleaning valves use distinct color schemes (e.g., blue, green, yellow) compared to procedural valves, providing immediate visual differentiation. The color-changing capability also indicates utilization status, preventing accidental reuse of cleaning valves during procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetric visual features such as radial legs extending from the interface member in specific patterns, unique indicator positions, and asymmetric color distributions. These asymmetric characteristics create distinct visual signatures for cleaning valves that differ from procedural valves, enabling quick identification without increasing overall device complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If single-use cleaning valves are discarded after one use, then bacterial exposure risk is reduced, but material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates indicators that change state before the valve is actually used in a procedure, showing pre-utilization status. This preliminary indication allows operators to identify cleaning valves and their usage status before insertion, ensuring proper disposal timing and preventing accidental reuse, thereby maintaining safety while optimizing material utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanochromatic indicators provide real-time feedback about the valve's utilization status through color changes in response to fluid exposure. This feedback mechanism clearly communicates whether the valve has been used, enabling operators to make informed decisions about disposal and preventing unnecessary discarding of unused valves or accidental reuse of used ones.
3Reliability
If indicators are added to valve stems to indicate utilization, then valve identification accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the indicator directly into the valve stem structure rather than adding it as a separate component. The mechanochromatic material is incorporated into the valve stem body or interface member, combining the structural function with the indication function. This merging approach provides clear utilization feedback without significantly increasing device complexity or component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses mechanochromatic materials that inherently change color in response to fluid exposure, providing passive indication without requiring additional active components. The color change occurs automatically based on chemical or physical interaction with fluids, eliminating the need for complex sensing or signaling mechanisms while maintaining high indication accuracy.
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 effectively differentiates cleaning valves from procedural valves, preventing incorrect use during procedures and ensuring proper reprocessing by visually indicating prior use, thus reducing bacterial exposure and facilitating safe handling.
Implementation Method 1
the indicator comprises a mechanochromatic material. In one or more embodiments, the indicator transitions from the first state to the second state in response to exposing the indicator to a liquid
Implementation Method 2
the interface member comprises an elastic section and the indicator is disposed on a portion of the elastic section. In many such embodiments, the elastic section comprises a biasing section configured to bias the valve stem into a predetermined position in a valve well
Data Source
AI summary
The cleaning valves (or valves) of the current disclosure are generally single-use devices (SUDs) and therefore disposable. Reusing SUDs can be disadvantageous, as single-use devices are not designed to be reusable. Accordingly, valves for medical devices, such as endoscopes, disclosed may be configured to transition from a first state to a second state for indication of utilization of the valve, e.g., via exposure to a valve well. The transition from the first state to the second state may prevent reuse valves of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the valve may be made from a limited number of components and materials.