Swellable Valve Interface for Endoscope Leakproofness Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leakproofness testing methods for surgical endoscopes fail to detect microperforations and water penetration, leading to potential damage during reprocessing, as they rely on pressure tests that may not discern leaks at higher rinsing pressures, causing water to enter the endoscope and potentially damage the cleaning and disinfecting device.
Innovation Solution
A device with a self-actuating valve using a swellable material body that hygroscopically swells upon contact with water, blocking air flow and preventing water from entering the cleaning device, thereby ensuring the integrity of the endoscope and the reprocessing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure test is performed at low pressure (about 300 mbar) to check leakproofness, then the test can be performed safely without damaging the endoscope, but microperforations and leaks are not detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a first pressure test at low pressure (about 300 mbar) to check for obvious leaks before proceeding to a second pressure test at higher pressure (about 1300 mbar). This staged approach allows the system to safely detect microperforations that would be missed in a single low-pressure test, while avoiding the risk of damaging the endoscope with high pressure from the start.
2Reliability
If high pressure rinsing (about 1300 mbar) is performed to detect leaks, then microperforations can be detected, but water can penetrate into the endoscope and damage the cleaning and disinfecting device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary leak detection at low pressure before high-pressure rinsing to identify microperforations in advance. This prevents water penetration damage by allowing the system to avoid or adjust high-pressure rinsing when leaks are detected, thereby protecting the cleaning and disinfecting device from water damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from pressure monitoring during the first pressure test to control whether and how high-pressure rinsing is performed. If pressure drops indicate leaks, the system adjusts the rinsing process accordingly, preventing water from penetrating into the endoscope and damaging equipment.
3Reliability
If the endoscope is ventilated after leakproofness testing to release excess pressure, then the endoscope can be safely reprocessed, but water can enter through the interface and damage the cleaning and disinfecting device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of water presence in the air flow before ventilation using a water sensor. This allows the system to prevent ventilation when water is detected, avoiding water damage to the cleaning and disinfecting device while still ensuring endoscope safety through alternative pressure release methods.
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 solution effectively prevents water from penetrating into the endoscope and the reprocessing device, protecting them from damage by discerning water presence through the swellable material body's blocking mechanism, ensuring reliable and safe reprocessing.
Implementation Method 1
a self-actuating valve with a swellable material body... The material body can swell hygroscopically from contact with water in the outflowing air from the surgical instrument
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting device through which a gas can flow, for connecting a port of a surgical instrument to a reprocessing device for cleaning the surgical instrument, the connecting device including: a self-actuating valve with a swellable material body.