Steris Inc.

Christian Angers

Herbert J Kaiser

Daniel Rochette

Eric Halstead

Serge Coulombe

Eugene Cantin

John Wood

Michel Trachy

Maxime Nicole

Éric Halstead

Eugéne Cantin

An automated endoscope reprocessor () includes a removable rack () for receiving a container (). The container has a clamshell housing () having two mating portions (). The portions together define an internal pressurizable chamber () for receiving an endoscope head (). The endoscope's connector cord () is carried through an outlet () to the chamber. The outlet is defined by channels (), one in each of the two housing portions (). A gasket assembly in the outlet provides a restricted fluid passage which allows a small portion of fluid to flow through the outlet when the connector cord is positioned therein. The gasket assembly () includes a number of resiliently flexible fins () positioned in each channel, each fin having a U-shaped slot (). Pairs of fins overlap such that the slots together define openings () of diminishing size. Depending on the diameter of the cord, the cord is contacted by one or more of the fins adjacent the respective slot. A reprocessing liquid, such as peracetic acid in solution, is pumped into the chamber (). The liquid leaks slowly through the slots, allowing an above ambient pressure to be maintained in the chamber, while ensuring that all exterior surfaces of the endoscope are contacted with the reprocessing liquid.

Automated endoscope reprocessor

A plurality of spray arms (26, 28) are rotatably supported in a washing chamber (14) for spraying a washing and rinsing fluid. An instrument basket (32) is positioned within the washing chamber for retaining instruments or equipment (44) to be washed. An instrument holder (38) associated with the instrument basket loosely holds an instrument (44). The instrument holder includes a tube body (74) having a cavity (80) for receiving an end portion of the instrument (44) and a flange (86) positioned on an external surface of the tube body (74). A retainer cap (76) has an outer wall (116) biased resiliently outwardly over the flange (86) and resilient end wall (118) covering an open end portion of the cavity (80). The end wall has a central aperture (120) which resiliently yields to the end portion of the instrument (44) when inserted in the cavity (80) and which loosely retains the end portion of the instrument in the cavity (80) during a washing and rinsing operation. The end wall (118) also includes at least one slit (122) which defines a number of flap portions (124) which resiliently yield to the instrument when inserted in the cavity (80) and which loosely retain the end portion in the cavity during a washing and rinsing operation. The washer (10) also includes a second instrument basket (42) removably positioned within the instrument basket (32). The second instrument basket (42) includes a second instrument holder (40) similar to the first instrument holder (38).

Method and apparatus for loosely retaining instruments in a washing

Growing community of inventors

Ancienne-Lorette, Canada

Christian Angers