Ultrasonic Probe Sheath Assembly for Infection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber-optic ultrasound endoscopes face issues of cross-infection and high treatment costs due to the repetitive use of integral ultrasonic probes, which require cleaning and disinfection after each clinical application.
Innovation Solution
A sheath assembly for the ultrasonic probe, comprising a plug portion and a sheath portion, allows for detachable connection with the ultrasonic probe, enabling the used sheath to be discarded after contact with human tissue, thereby reducing cross-infection risks and treatment costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ultrasonic probe is used as an integral structure for repeated clinical applications, then the treatment cost increases due to cleaning and disinfection requirements and potential cross-infection risks, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase if a detachable design is implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic probe is divided into two separable parts: a reusable connecting butt joint portion containing the ultrasonic transducer, and a disposable sheath assembly including the plug portion and sheath portion. This segmentation allows the sterile disposable part to be discarded after single use, preventing cross-infection, while the expensive transducer part is retained and reused, resolving the contradiction between infection prevention and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath assembly is designed as a low-cost disposable component that is discarded after a single clinical application. This eliminates the need for repeated cleaning and disinfection of the entire probe, preventing cross-infection while keeping the overall system cost-effective by only discarding the inexpensive sheath rather than the entire expensive probe.
2Reliability
If the entire ultrasonic probe is discarded after each clinical application, then cross-infection is prevented, but the treatment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the probe into reusable and disposable portions, the system enables selective discarding of only the low-cost sheath assembly that contacts the patient, while retaining and reusing the high-cost ultrasonic transducer and connecting butt joint portion. This resolves the contradiction between preventing cross-infection and controlling treatment costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath assembly is designed as an inexpensive disposable component that can be discarded after single use to prevent cross-infection, while the expensive transducer portion is preserved for repeated use. This approach prevents infection without incurring the high costs of discarding the entire expensive probe.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ultrasonic probe is designed as an integral structure, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the risk of cross-infection increases due to repeated use requiring cleaning and disinfection
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is segmented into a reusable connecting butt joint portion and a disposable sheath assembly. This segmentation allows the sheath to be discarded after single use, eliminating cross-infection risk from repeated cleaning, while the manufacturing cost increase is minimized by only making the sheath portion disposable rather than the entire integral probe.
Solution Approach 2:
By making the sheath assembly a cheap disposable component rather than the entire probe, the design eliminates cross-infection risk from repeated use while keeping the manufacturing cost increase acceptable, as only the low-cost sheath portion needs to be manufactured as disposable rather than modifying the entire expensive probe.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheath assembly is adapted for an ultrasonic probe and includes a plug portion and a sheath portion connected to each other. One end of the plug portion of the sheath assembly is used for detachably and fixedly connecting with a connecting butt joint portion of the ultrasonic probe, so that the plug portion and the connecting butt joint portion are detachable after the ultrasonic probe is used. An inside of the plug portion communicates with an inside of the sheath portion to receive a torque transmitting portion of the ultrasonic probe.