Endoscope Lumen Drying Element With Venturi Pressure Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope cleaning technologies, particularly for biopsy and suction channels, are inadequate in removing biomatter and debris, leading to inconsistent cleaning results, potential instrument damage, and increased risk of infections due to biofilm formation, especially in complex scopes like duodenoscopes and endoscopic ultrasound scopes.
Innovation Solution
A drying device with an elongate member and drying element, designed to advance through the endoscope lumens, creates a variable pressure gradient to enhance drying efficiency and maintain contact with the lumen walls, utilizing a venturi effect to remove moisture effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning technologies are used for endoscope lumens, then the cleaning process is simple, but the cleaning effectiveness is insufficient and biofilm formation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The drying device is segmented into multiple functional components: an elongate member for navigation, a drying element with variable pressure region for moisture removal, and a centering element for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and device complexity by creating a specialized multi-component system rather than using a simple conventional cleaner.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying element utilizes a variable pressure region that creates pneumatic forces to remove moisture from the lumen walls. This pneumatic mechanism provides reliable drying capability that conventional cleaning technologies lack, while the pressure-based approach is more effective than mechanical wiping alone, addressing the cleaning effectiveness issue without requiring overly complex mechanical systems.
2Reliability
If moisture remains in endoscope lumens after cleaning, then the drying process is incomplete, but extended drying time increases reprocessing duration
Solution Approach 1:
The variable pressure region in the drying element creates pneumatic forces that actively remove moisture from the lumen walls, achieving complete drying more quickly than passive air drying or extended mechanical wiping. This pneumatic approach resolves the contradiction by providing rapid and thorough moisture removal within a reasonable reprocessing time frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying element changes the pressure parameter along its length, creating a variable pressure region that enhances moisture removal efficiency. By manipulating pressure parameters rather than relying on time-intensive mechanical processes, the device achieves complete drying faster, resolving the contradiction between drying completeness and reprocessing time.
3Reliability
If the drying device maintains contact with lumen walls, then drying effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases due to centering requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The centering element is designed to automatically position the drying element within the lumen using the lumen's own geometry and fluid dynamics. The variable pressure region and centering element work together to self-align the device without requiring complex external positioning systems or manual adjustment mechanisms. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable wall contact through inherently stable design rather than complex active control systems.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional drying methods are used, then the process is simple, but moisture removal is insufficient leading to biofilm formation
Solution Approach 1:
The variable pressure region creates pneumatic forces that actively remove moisture from the lumen walls, eliminating the moisture necessary for biofilm formation. This pneumatic drying mechanism provides superior moisture removal compared to simple air blowing or passive drying, thereby reducing biofilm risk without requiring overly complex mechanical wiping or heating systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying device segments the drying function into a specialized element with variable pressure regions, separating this critical function from conventional simple drying methods. This segmentation allows the drying element to be optimized specifically for moisture removal and biofilm prevention, achieving better protection against harmful factors while keeping the overall device design modular and manageable rather than uniformly complex.
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 device ensures consistent and predictable drying of endoscope lumens, reducing the risk of biofilm formation and infections by ensuring complete removal of moisture, thereby maintaining the sterility and functionality of the endoscope.
Implementation Method 1
creates a variable pressure gradient to enhance drying efficiency
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a venturi effect to remove moisture effectively
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for cleaning and/or drying endoscopic instruments, such as endoscopes, are provided. A drying device for use with an endoscopic instrument comprises an elongate member configured for advancement through an internal lumen within the endoscopic instrument and a drying member removably coupled to a portion of the elongate member. The drying element comprises a variable pressure region shaped and configured to increase the hydrodynamic fluid friction force and fluid pressure force applied to the wall of the internal lumen of the endoscope to more effectively remove all of the moisture and fluid from the internal surfaces of an endoscopic instrument.