Smart Endoscope Storage Hook with Presence Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-built storage solutions for flexible endoscopes lack automated track and trace functionality, control parameters like storage time and environmental monitoring, leading to suboptimal infection prevention and control.
Innovation Solution
A flexible endoscope storage hook equipped with a receptacle, presence sensor, and controller for process control and documentation, which can be integrated into self-built storage solutions, enabling features like track and trace, storage time management, operator identification, and environmental parameter monitoring, using a CPU, display, and wireless connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If self-built storage solutions are used, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but automated track and trace functionality and process control are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the storage solution into modular components: simple self-built storage structures combined with independent smart hooks that each contain sensors and controllers. This segmentation allows the storage infrastructure to remain simple and cost-effective while individual units provide automated functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Each storage hook is equipped with its own sensor and controller that automatically detect endoscope placement, track storage time, and monitor environmental conditions without requiring manual intervention. The system performs self-service documentation and process control, eliminating the need for complex centralized automation while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
2Ease of manufacture
If self-built storage solutions are used, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but documentation and process control capabilities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The storage hook incorporates sensors that continuously monitor storage conditions and automatically document track and trace information, storage time, and environmental parameters. This feedback mechanism ensures comprehensive documentation and process control are maintained in self-built solutions without requiring expensive commercial cabinet systems.
3Extent of automation
If commercial drying and storage cabinets are used, then automated process control and documentation are improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring a fully equipped commercial cabinet, the system segments automation functionality into individual smart hooks that can be installed in simple self-built storage structures. This reduces overall system complexity while maintaining automated process control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential automation functionality (sensors and controllers) from complex commercial cabinet systems and implements it in standalone smart hooks. This extraction allows automated process control to be achieved without the additional complexity of full commercial cabinet systems.
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
Enhances documentation and process control in self-built storage solutions, matching commercially available systems, thereby improving infection prevention and control by providing centralized endoscope storage management.
Implementation Method 1
An optical sensor may be a photoelectric barrier to be blocked by a flexible endoscope being held by the receptacle or a photodiode or other photosensor that may be covered by an endoscope when held by the receptacle
Implementation Method 2
While a weight sensor may be located to measure the weight of an endoscope held by the receptacle
Implementation Method 3
a deformation sensor may be integrated into the receptacle to measure the deformation of the receptacle under the weight of an endoscope held by the receptacle
Implementation Method 4
the controller may comprise one or more of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor
Implementation Method 5
a humidity sensor
Implementation Method 6
an RFID readout configured for reading out RFID equipped endoscopes and/or users
Data Source
AI summary
A storage hook for storing a flexible endoscope. The storage hook including: a receptacle for storing the flexible endoscope, an endoscope presence sensor configured to detect a placement or removal of the flexible endoscope in the receptacle, and a controller including a processor comprising hardware. The processor being configured to receive an input signal from the sensor and to output an output signal based on the input signal from the sensor.