Sterilization Tray with Dry Booster for Endoscope Lumen Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes are challenging to sterilize due to pressure drops within their lumens, debris accumulation, and the formation of 'mated surfaces' that hinder sterilant penetration.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization tray fabricated from a flexible, vapor-permeable sheet with cutouts for foldable standoffs and a dry booster system, which assists in creating pressure differentials to ensure thorough sterilization of endoscopes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure is applied to force sterilant through the lumen, then sterilant penetration is improved, but pressure drop within the lumen causes incomplete sterilization of distal surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The dry booster is pre-loaded with a sterilant reservoir and pump mechanism before sterilization. During the process, it actively pumps sterilant through the lumen from proximal to distal end, overcoming pressure drop by providing positive pressure propulsion rather than relying on passive pressure application alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The dry booster acts as an intermediary device between the sterilant source and the lumen. It contains its own reservoir and delivery system, mediating the sterilant flow to ensure adequate pressure and volume reach the distal lumen surfaces that would otherwise be starved due to pressure drop.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sterilization tray provides rigid support for the endoscope, then positioning stability is improved, but flexibility and vapor permeability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization tray utilizes a flexible membrane that can conform to the endoscope shape while providing support. The membrane incorporates vapor-permeable regions that allow sterilant vapor to pass through, maintaining both structural support and vapor permeability without requiring complex rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray incorporates porous or vapor-permeable material regions that allow sterilant vapor to penetrate through the tray structure. These porous regions provide mechanical support while simultaneously enabling vapor transmission, eliminating the need for separate rigid and permeable components.
3Reliability
If the tray structure is made rigid to maintain positioning, then stability is improved, but vapor permeability and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tray structure employs different material properties in different regions: rigid or semi-rigid portions provide positioning support where structural integrity is needed, while vapor-permeable porous regions are positioned where sterilant vapor transmission is critical. This local differentiation of material quality allows simultaneous achievement of positioning accuracy and vapor permeability.
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 sterilization tray effectively addresses the challenges of sterilizing endoscopes by ensuring even sterilant distribution and penetration through the use of a dry booster system, reducing the risk of mated surfaces and debris accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
The sterilization tray may be fabricated from a flexible and vapor-permeable sheet
Implementation Method 2
pressure differentials between the inside of a dry booster at one end of the lumen and a vacuum chamber at the other end of a lumen help pass a sterilant through the lumen
Data Source
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AI summary
A sterilization tray is disclosed herein that may be used to facilitate preparation of an endoscope for sterilization and increase the likelihood that the endoscope will be properly sterilized. The sterilization tray may be fabricated from a flexible and vapor-permeable sheet. Cutouts may be disposed through the sheet to define standoffs that are foldable away from the sheet. A first standoff may include a first contoured portion disposed therein. The tray may also include a second standoff that has a second contoured portion and a third contoured portion disposed therein. The third standoff may include a locking tab disposed on a free end of the third standoff. A positioning tab may also be disposed on the third standoff. The sterilization tray may also include a dry booster to which an endoscope may be connected.