Minntech Corporation

Medivators Inc.

John E Marxer

Ward J Sly

Michael P Petersen

Patricia M Stanley

Bradley K Onstad

Kurt J Weimer

Bruce D Martin

Gregory Worsnick

Raymond Paul Oberleitner

Jonathan K Olson

Mason Schwartz

Mary Beth Henderson

Thomas M Gentle

Paul T Feld

Johannes Antonius Walta

Mary Beth B Henderson

Thomas M Gentle, Jr

Jr Thomas M Gentle

A method for decontaminating a medical device includes enclosing the medical device in an enclosure including a fog-permeable layer and an exterior port member coupled to the fog-permeable layer. The exterior port member of the enclosure is coupled to a chemical dispersing interface in a decontamination chamber. A pressure in the decontamination chamber is reduced to a sub-atmospheric pressure in a first evacuation step. A room temperature decontaminating fluid is introduced as a fog into the decontamination chamber. The fog is held in the decontamination chamber for a decontaminating time. The pressure in the decontamination chamber is reduced to a sub-atmospheric pressure in a second evacuation step. The decontamination chamber is vented to atmospheric pressure.

Container and system for decontaminating a medical device with a fluid

A pouch for retaining an endoscope during and after a decontamination process includes a first pouch side, a second pouch side attached to the first pouch side to form the pouch that is configured to retain the endoscope, and a port member coupled to the second pouch side. The second pouch side is securable to the first pouch side to seal the endoscope within the pouch. The second pouch side is configured to permit passage of a decontaminating substance. The port member is coupled to the second pouch side and includes an external interface configured to be connected to a device that provides the decontaminating substance for passage through the port member into an interior of the pouch.

Container and system for decontaminating a medical device with a fog

Apparatus and method for detecting connectivity in a channel in an endoscope undergoing reprocessing using an automatic reprocessor, the apparatus including a source of pressurized fluid which may be a gas alone or gas and liquid and a back pressure detector connected to the channel or channels of interest in the endoscope, the method including providing a source of pressurized fluid, directing the pressurized fluid to a channel in an endoscope, monitoring the time for the back pressure in the pressurized fluid to decay to a predetermined level; and determining whether the channel is connected and open or disconnected by comparing the decay time of the actual back pressure to one or more predetermined values corresponding to the specific channel or channels and model of endoscope undergoing reprocessing.

Endoscope reprocessor connectivity apparatus and method

A system for reprocessing and sterilizing a previously used endoscope having at least one lumen is disclosed. The reprocessing system includes a reaction chamber into which individual chemical components of a sterilant are transferred by pneumatic force. The system includes a central processor which controls the asynchronous reprocessing and sterilization of at least two endoscopes. A novel sterilant is also disclosed. Also disclosed is a combination of the sterilization device and the sterilant and methods of using the same.

Endoscope reprocessing and sterilization system

Growing community of inventors

Eagan, MN, United States of America

John E Marxer