A Portable All-in-One Device for Endoscopes

BRIEF TECHNOLOGY

Patient-to-patient transmission of bacteria and virus via endoscopes should be prevented through proper sterilization. The device provides three sets of compartments for sterilizing and storing of clean and dirty endoscopes in a single unit. Each compartment is separate and functions independently. This innovative device provides the solution for proper sterilization of multiple rigid endoscopes in a busy clinic to avoid cross-infection and possible litigations.

INSPIRATION OF THE INVENTION

• For patients’ safety
• To avoid possible litigations

PROBLEM STATEMENT & CURRENT ISSUES

•  Productivity and Effectiveness

• • Highly dependent on patient turn around.
  • To examine high patient influx, steps of reprocessing are either reduced or cut short

• Multiple Steps of Reprocessing
  • Multiple reprocessing steps are laborious especially with high patient inflow and when longer time to clean endoscopes used on high-risk patients is needed

• Setting and Storage
  • Limited space for reprocessing and storage of endoscopes is highly challenging in public hospitals.

INVENTIVENESS  & NOVELTY

The first portable device developed for cleaning and storing endoscopes

USEFULNESS & APPLICATION

This device comprises of storage and sterilizing compartments in one set. The first step is to place the used endoscope in one of the three wet compartments. Next, the endoscope is transferred into one of the sterilization compartments filled with high-level disinfectant. Each sterilizing compartment is configured with an alarm set to the pre-determined soaking time for sterilization. An alert signal will notify the user on completion of the sterilization process. The final step is transferring the sterilized endoscope into one of the drying compartments integrated with built-in warmers. After each sterilization process, the acidity of the high-level disinfectant is tested with litmus paper to ensure efficacy.

IMPACT OF THE PRODUCT

• Developed based on the pressing needs of health care practitioners

• Provides a well-integrated and non-intrusive module for effective usage

• Ensures effective and controlled sterilization of the  endoscopes thus minimizing health risks like infections, etc.
• The automated model will make the process even more simple and easy-to-use and minimizes the possibility of  human errors.
• Cost effective and localized to meet local healthcare practitioners’ needs and preferences.

MARKET POTENTIAL 

Government and private hospital and clinics, endoscopic centers.

TRL:  7