Surgical Instrument Drying Nozzle for Control Knob Moisture Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing drying methods for surgical instruments, such as endoscopes, are inefficient, particularly in removing moisture from the control section, which can take up to two hours due to the accumulation of liquid between control knobs.
Innovation Solution
A cabinet with a specifically designed nozzle system that directs a drying gas stream directly towards the control section of the surgical instrument, ensuring that the gas stream reaches and dries the areas between the control knobs efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a laminar air flow is used for drying the outer surface, then the drying of exposed surfaces is efficient, but the liquid between control knobs cannot be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The drying system is segmented into multiple nozzles positioned at different locations and angles to target specific areas. The control section receives focused attention from nozzles positioned to blow between knobs, while other sections receive drying from appropriately positioned nozzles, allowing each area to be dried effectively according to its specific geometry
Solution Approach 2:
Different drying approaches are applied to different parts of the instrument. The control section receives high-velocity targeted gas streams from specifically positioned nozzles to force liquid out between knobs, while other surfaces receive drying from nozzles positioned for general surface coverage, optimizing the drying method for each local geometry
2Reliability
If the drying process waits for all liquid to be removed naturally, then complete drying is achieved, but the total drying time becomes very long (around two hours)
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by positioning multiple nozzles in advance to target areas where liquid accumulation is likely to occur, particularly the control section with its complex geometry. This proactive positioning allows the drying gas to immediately attack liquid pools before they can reaccumulate or evaporate slowly
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pressurized drying gas delivered through nozzles to forcibly remove liquid from the instrument surface. The pneumatic pressure drives gas streams that physically blow liquid out from between control knobs and other crevices, dramatically accelerating the removal process compared to passive evaporation
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 significantly reduces the drying time of surgical instruments from two hours to approximately 30 minutes, enhancing the efficiency and speed of the drying process.
Implementation Method 1
the nozzle is configured and arranged to guide the drying gas stream directly towards the specified holding position, in such a direction that the drying gas stream runs along and in between control knobs of the control section
Implementation Method 2
the drying process should remove the water and other liquids from the inner channels as well as from the outer surfaces of the surgical instrument
Data Source
AI summary
A cabinet for drying a surgical instrument including: a body defining an interior space; a mounting device in the interior space, the mounting device configured to hold the surgical instrument such that a control section is arranged at a holding position and in an orientation, and a nozzle corresponding to the mounting device. Wherein the nozzle connects to a gas source by a supply line. The gas source supplies a drying gas stream to the nozzle via the supply line. The nozzle guides the drying gas stream directly towards the specified holding position such that a direction that the drying gas stream runs is along and in between control knobs of the control section when the control section is arranged at the holding position and in the orientation.