Sterile Sheath and Cable Lock for Endoscope Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for using non-sterile endoscopes in sterile environments, such as operating rooms, require sterilization of both endoscopes and cables before each use, which is costly and impractical, and do not allow for easy replacement or reconnection of endoscopes during surgeries without compromising sterility.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising sterile sheaths for endoscopes and cables with snap-in connections and flaps that maintain sterility by automatically locking and unlocking, enabling easy connection and disconnection of endoscopes and cables without exposing the sterile environment to contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-sterile endoscopes and cables are used in sterile environments, then cost and resource utilization are improved, but sterility maintenance becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the endoscope system into separate sterile and non-sterile components. The endoscope remains in a sterile sheath while the cable with plug connector is kept non-sterile. This segmentation allows each component to be handled according to its sterility requirements, enabling cost-effective reuse of expensive endoscopes while maintaining sterility through the sheath barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
A sterile adapter or sterile sheath acts as an intermediary between the non-sterile cable and the sterile endoscope environment. This intermediary maintains the sterile barrier while enabling connection, allowing non-sterile cables to interface with sterile endoscopes without compromising sterility.
2Reliability
If endoscopes are sterilized before each use, then sterility is ensured, but time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is sterilized and placed in a sterile sheath in advance, before the surgical procedure begins. The sterile sheath remains sealed until needed, allowing the endoscope to be pre-sterilized without requiring sterilization immediately before each use. This preliminary action reduces time loss during actual procedures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If endoscopes are firmly connected to cables, then connection stability is improved, but replaceability and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into a sterile adapter portion that remains with the endoscope and a cable portion that can be disconnected. This allows the endoscope to maintain a stable, sealed connection within the sterile sheath while enabling easy replacement of the cable or endoscope by disconnecting at the adapter interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system transitions from a static, permanent connection to a dynamic, controllable connection. The sterile adapter enables the connection to be both stable during use and easily disconnectable when replacement is needed, providing adaptability without sacrificing connection stability during the procedure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If endoscopes are exchanged during surgery, then surgical flexibility is improved, but sterility contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple endoscopes are pre-packaged in sterile sheaths before surgery. When exchange is needed, a second sterile sheath with a new endoscope can be introduced without breaking the sterile barrier, allowing flexible exchange during surgery without contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope is nested within the sterile sheath, which acts as a protective container. This nesting allows the endoscope to be exchanged by introducing a new nested unit (endoscope in sheath) without exposing the sterile environment to contamination.
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for the sterile handling of a non-sterile endoscope in a sterile environment comprises a sterile endoscope sheath for accommodating the endoscope and a cable via which the endoscope is connectable to a control unit, the arrangement further comprising a sterile cable sheath for accommodating at least a portion of the cable, wherein the endoscope sheath comprises a first sterile lock comprising at least one first sterile flap which in the closed state shields the endoscope arranged in the endoscope sheath in a sterile manner. The cable sheath comprises a second sterile lock having a second sterile flap which in a closed state shields the cable arranged in the cable sheath and/or a plug connector present on the arranged cable in a sterile manner. When connecting the cable or the plug connector to the endoscope, a movement of the first sterile flap from the closed state into an open state takes place and a movement of the second sterile flap from the closed state into an open state takes place so that a direct coupling of the cable to the endoscope or of the plug connector connected to the cable to a complementary plug connector of the endoscope is possible.