Ventilation Pipe Sleeve Filter for Endoscope Sterility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ventilation pipe sleeves for endoscopes lack effective mechanisms to prevent foreign objects from being discharged during sterilization and transportation, especially when subjected to negative pressure, which can lead to contamination and reuse of single-use endoscopes.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation pipe sleeve system comprising a tubular body with a liquid-impermeable and gas-permeable filter fixed at one end and a cap that covers the filter, ensuring a watertight structure and preventing foreign objects from being discharged, while the cap is designed to break upon removal to prevent re-use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional check valve is used in the ventilation pipe sleeve, then air can be delivered from the inside of the endoscope to the outside during negative pressure conditions, but foreign objects can still be discharged during sterilization and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a porous filter material in the ventilation pipe sleeve that allows gas to pass through while blocking foreign objects. The porous structure provides liquid impermeability and gas permeability, effectively preventing foreign object discharge during sterilization and transportation while maintaining the necessary ventilation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation pipe sleeve combines multiple materials with different properties: a porous filter material for foreign object blocking, a liquid-impermeable material for waterproofing, and a cap material for sealing. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating multiple functions into a unified system that prevents foreign object discharge while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If the endoscope is designed as single-use with sterilization packaging, then contamination is prevented, but the endoscope may be reused if the packaging is compromised or sterilization fails
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed to break upon removal from the ventilation pipe sleeve, creating a preliminary irreversible action that verifies the single-use status. This breakable cap mechanism provides clear visual evidence that the device has been opened and used, preventing reuse even if the packaging is compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The breakable cap is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use. This aligns with the single-use nature of the endoscope, providing a simple and effective mechanism to ensure the device is not reused while maintaining sterility reliability.
3Reliability
If a watertight structure is formed at the first end region, then liquid impermeability is achieved, but gas permeability must be maintained for ventilation function
Solution Approach 1:
The porous filter material provides liquid impermeability while maintaining gas permeability through its controlled pore structure. The pore size is designed to block liquid and foreign objects while allowing gas molecules to pass through, effectively resolving the contradiction between watertight sealing and ventilation function.
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 system effectively prevents foreign objects from being discharged during sterilization and transportation, ensuring the endoscope remains sterile and is not reused, thus maintaining the intended single-use nature.
Implementation Method 1
a first filter that is liquid impermeable and is gas permeable, the first filter being fixed to the tubular body to form a watertight structure
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilation pipe sleeve system comprises a ventilation pipe sleeve, a first filter, and a cap attached to the ventilation pipe sleeve. The ventilation pipe sleeve includes a tubular body including an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface of the tubular body defines a conduit extending from a first end to a second end of the ventilation pipe sleeve. The first filter is liquid impermeable and is gas permeable, the first filter is fixed to the tubular body to form a watertight structure at a first end region of the tubular body. The cap covers the first filter and at least a portion of the outer surface of the tubular body.