Steris Inc.

Joseph Tvergyak

Jude A Kral

Daniel N Kelsch

Bernard John Moss

John C Houston

James C Hlebovy

Alan J Greszler

Bill R Sanford

Robert M Priest

David E Minerovic

Nancy A Robinson

Yury Keselman

Joseph T Sestak

David Jesurun

Victor M Selig

Richard A Schieman

Bruce L Vavra

Tara Denise Mapson

A fluid delivery system ( ) for an automated processor (A) delivers washing, microbial decontaminant, and rinse fluids to spray nozzles ( ) in a chamber ( ) for sequentially spraying the fluids over a lumened device (B), such as an endoscope. The fluid delivery system also delivers the fluids to connection ports ( ) which connect with internal passages ( ) of the device for delivering the fluids thereto. Leaking connectors ( ) connect the automated processor connection ports with inlet ports ( ) of the device and allow a portion of the washing, decontaminant, and rinsing solutions to leak from each inlet port. A computer control system ( ) controls cleaning, decontamination, rinsing, and drying stages of a cycle, which are all carried out within the chamber, obviating the need for human contact with the device during processing. A door locking and latching mechanism ( ) ensures that the door remains locked during the washing, decontamination, and rinse cycle to avoid accidental injury to an operator from strong chemicals used in the system.

Liquid cleaning and sterilization system

A method of washing, microbially decontaminating, and rinsing of a lumened device (B), such as an endoscope includes positioning the device in a chamber ( ) of an automated processor (A). Spray nozzles ( ) within the chamber sequentially spray washing, microbial decontaminant, and rinse fluids over the device. Fluid connection ports ( ) connect with internal passages ( ) of the device for delivering the fluids thereto. Leaking connectors ( ) connect the automated processor connection ports with inlet ports ( ) of the device and allow a portion of the washing, decontaminant, and rinse solutions to leak from each inlet port. A computer control system ( ) controls leak testing, cleaning, decontamination, rinsing, and drying stages of a cycle, which are all carried out within the chamber, obviating the need for human contact with the device during processing. A door locking and latching mechanism ( ) ensures that the door remains locked during the washing, decontamination, and rinse cycle to avoid accidental injury to an operator from strong chemicals used in the system.

Liquid cleaning and sterilization method

A fluid disinfection or sterilization system includes spray nozzles ( ) for spraying an anti-microbial fluid on the exterior of an endoscope ( ) supported in a microbial decontamination chamber ( ). The endoscope includes interior lumens which are microbially decontaminated by flowing anti-microbial fluid from outlets ( ) through the lumens. A port ( ) is connected with a leak detector. In order to ensure that the proper leak detector and anti-microbial fluid ports of the disinfection or sterilization system are interconnected with the proper lumen ports of the endoscope, a tethered connection assembly ( ) is provided. The tethered interconnection assembly includes fittings ( ) which are uniquely configured for interconnection with an appropriate one of a high pressure port, a low pressure port, and the leak detector port. Fittings at the other end of the tube assemblies ( ) are configured for interconnection with appropriate corresponding ports of the endoscope. The tube assemblies ( ) are interconnected by a tether ( ) to which plurality of plugs ( ) for plugging appropriate ports of the endoscope are also connected. A tag ( ) identifies the model(s) of endoscope that the tethered connection assembly is to be used with and provides a diagram showing the proper interconnection pattern.

Fluid connection system for endoscope reprocessing with controlled leakage

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Chardon, OH, United States of America

Joseph Tvergyak