KR20130139274A - Device for disinfecting and/or rinsing endoscopes with limited escape of fumes - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to systems and methods for disinfecting endoscopes and / or water cleaning (eg, to limit worker exposure to disinfectants and fumes) in which disinfectant fumes may be contained during use.

Description

DEVICE FOR DISINFECTING AND / OR RINSING ENDOSCOPES WITH LIMITED ESCAPE OF FUMES}

Cross-reference to related application

This application claims the priority of US Provisional Application No. 61 / 388,210, filed September 30, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to disinfection and cleaning of the endoscope, and more particularly to, but not limited to, high level disinfection and cleaning of the endoscope.

Endoscopes (eg, heat-sensitive endoscopes, semi-critical endoscopes, and / or flexible fiberoptic endoscopes such as gastroscopes, colonoscopy, bronchoscopes, laryngoscopes, and The cystoscope often needs to be thoroughly cleaned, cleaned to remove the detergent, disinfected with a high level of disinfectant and cleaned to remove the disinfectant before use in each patient. High levels of disinfectants such as alkaline glutaraldehyde, glutaraldehyde plus isopropanol, ortho-phthalaldehyde, and steam from peracetic acid solutions work with these disinfectants in an open basin to reprocess the flexible endoscope. Can irritate and sensitize the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes of medical practitioners.

The Automatic Endoscopy Reprocessing Machine (AER) was developed to hold a flexible endoscope in the Basin and a high level of disinfectant in a separate reservoir. The endoscope can be located within the basin of the AER, in which the disinfectant, and then the wash water can be automatically moved into and out of the basin. The endoscope may also be connected to the piping to automatically flush out the disinfectant and wash water through the endoscope's internal air, water, and working (biopsy) channels. The operation of the AER is typically controlled and performed automatically by a programmable CPU. The disinfectant reservoir and basin of the AER may be sealed to protect the operator from steam and may contain sufficient high levels of disinfectant steam in the reservoir and basin of the AER. However, such AER machines are generally expensive and can cost between $ 30,000 and $ 40,000. Many AER machines are limited to disinfecting and cleaning up to two curved endoscopes at the same time, often requiring about 30-40 minutes per reprocessing cycle.

Because known AER machines are expensive and have a large number of unskilled operators worldwide, flexible endoscopes can be manually sterilized between uses for each patient. Manual disinfection treatment is generally similar to automated treatment, i.e., cleaning, cleaning, disinfecting, cleaning, except that it is commonly performed by humans, often using an open and open air disinfectant and basin of washing water. . High-level disinfectant solutions can be contained in the basin where the endoscope is placed. Tubing is generally attached to curved endoscope channels and to syringes or pumps. The operator can work from above on the Basin and the endoscope, and the operator can pump the disinfectant through the channels of the endoscope. In Basin, the air layer directly above the disinfectant solution may be within the worker's breathing zone so that the operator may be in contact with the vapor of the disinfectant unless the operator wears a breathing mask (gas mask) covering the eyes, nose, and mouth. Even if an operator wears a breathing mask, the vapor of the disinfectant solution may be released into the reprocessing space, such as air in a chemical fume hood, or air in the reprocessing chamber, and may irritate skin or others exposed to such areas. .

After the endoscope has been exposed to a high level of disinfectant, the endoscope is generally transferred to another basin containing fresh wash water and can be washed manually by the wash water. This cleaning procedure is generally repeated three times with fresh wash water each time to dilute the chemicals of the high level disinfectant to unidentifiable toxic effect levels. This endoscope movement and cleaning process may release the fume of the disinfectant into the ambient air.

Glutaraldehyde is a high level disinfectant with a long history of use, and glutaraldehyde plus 20% by weight isopropanol is another disinfectant that is generally antimicrobially effective than glutaraldehyde. Both of these disinfectants can be caused by fumes / vapors of glutaraldehyde (eg, fumes of glutaraldehyde released during manual disinfection of the endoscope) to irritate and be sensitive to humans. Ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) solutions are increasingly used because the relatively low vapor pressure of OPA reduces the vapors that can be released from the OPA solution. However, OPA is generally not considered a sterilant and cannot kill one or more common spore-forming bacteria, namely Bacillus subtilis. Such viable bacteria can initiate the formation of a biofilm in the endoscope, after which the endoscope can be difficult or impossible to disinfect. OPA is also generally considered to be a strong allergen, and it is believed in the scientific literature that anaphylactic shock results from some use and reuse of endoscopy sterilized with OPA. The label of the OPA solution is generally warned of the use of OPA for certain endoscopes (eg, cystoscopes used to monitor bladder cancer patients). OPA has a relatively low solubility in water, and some recent publications have described that OPA is adsorbed on the endoscope surface and cannot be sufficiently cleaned by an excessive number of cleanings.

Examples of devices for disinfecting and / or cleaning an endoscope include (l) US Pat. No. 3,963,438; (2) US Pat. No. 4,391,287; (3) US Pat. No. 4,732,187; (4) US Patent No. 4,763,678; (5) US Patent No. 5,494,637; (6) US Pat. No. 5,882,589; And (7) US Pat. No. 6,361,751.

The present disclosure includes embodiments of systems and methods for disinfecting and / or cleaning the endoscope (eg, reducing user exposure to fumes).

Some embodiments of the device of the present invention for disinfecting and / or cleaning an endoscope include a basin comprising a body and a lid; Lidded storage; Disinfectant supply conduit; And a gas conduit, wherein the body is configured to have a headspace over the liquid in the basin while receiving the endoscope such that the endoscope is submerged in the liquid, and the cover is bayed to provide a substantial airtight seal between the cover and the body. Configured to be coupled to the son, the reservoir is configured such that there is a headspace between the liquid and the lid while receiving liquid, the disinfectant supply conduit is configured to couple to the basin and the reservoir and to communicate the liquid from the reservoir to the basin, The gas conduit is coupled to the basin and the reservoir and configured to allow gas to communicate between the headspace of the reservoir and the headspace of the basin.

Some embodiments further include a water supply conduit coupled to the basin and configured to couple water to communicate with the basin. Some embodiments further include a filter coupled to the water supply conduit. Some embodiments further include a disinfectant discharge conduit coupled to the basin and the reservoir and configured to communicate liquid from the basin to the reservoir. Some embodiments further include a disinfectant discharge valve coupled to the disinfectant discharge conduit and configured to operate to substantially prevent liquid communication between the basin and the reservoir. Some embodiments include a waste discharge conduit coupled to the basin and configured to communicate liquid to the outside of the basin. Some embodiments further include a waste discharge valve coupled to the waste discharge conduit and configured to operate to substantially prevent liquid communication to and from the outside of the basin through the waste discharge conduit. In some embodiments, the waste discharge conduit is configured to communicate the waste from the basin to a waste receptacle or drain. Some embodiments further include a waste receptacle coupled to the waste discharge conduit.

In some embodiments, the gas conduit is configured to function at atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the device is configured to maintain the gas conduit at atmospheric pressure. Some embodiments further include a pump coupled to the disinfectant supply conduit and configured to pump liquid between the reservoir and the basin. In some embodiments, the pump is configured to pump liquid from the reservoir to the basin. In some embodiments, the reservoir is disposed at a lower elevation than the Basin. In some embodiments, the gas conduit is coupled to the basin at a height higher than the height at which the disinfectant supply conduit is coupled to the basin. Some embodiments further include a valve coupled to the gas conduit and configured to be operated to substantially prevent liquid communication between the basin and the at least some gas conduits. In some embodiments, the gas conduit is coupled to the sheath. In some embodiments, the lid is configured to couple to the lid of the Basin.

Some embodiments include a second basin including a second body and a second cover; A second reservoir with a lid; Second disinfectant supply conduit; And a second gas conduit, wherein the second body is configured to have a headspace over the liquid in the second basin while receiving the endoscope such that the endoscope is submerged in the liquid, and the second cover includes the second cover and the first cover. Configured to be coupled to the second body to provide a substantial airtight seal between the two bodies, the second reservoir configured to have a headspace between the liquid and the lid while receiving the liquid, and the second disinfectant supply conduit to the second bay Coupled to the second and second reservoirs and configured to communicate liquid from the second reservoir to the second basin, the second gas conduit coupled to the second and second reservoirs and the gas to the headspace of the second reservoir. And communicate between the headspace of the second Basin.

Some embodiments include second basin; Second cover; Second disinfectant supply conduit; And a second gas conduit, wherein the second basin is configured to have a headspace over the liquid in the second basin while receiving the endoscope such that the endoscope can be submerged in the liquid, and the second cover is in contact with the second cover. And coupled to the second basin to provide a substantial airtight seal between the second basin, the second disinfectant supply conduit coupled to the second basin and configured to communicate liquid from the reservoir to the second basin. And the second gas conduit is coupled to the second basin, and at least one of the first basin and the reservoir, wherein at least one of the headspace of the second basin and the headspace of the reservoir and the headspace of the first basin Configured to communicate gas between the ones.

In some embodiments, the disinfectant supply conduit is in direct fluid communication with the basin and the reservoir; The gas conduit is in direct fluid communication with Basin and the reservoir.

In some embodiments, at least one of the basin and the lid comprises an opening, the opening being one or more of the endoscopes in the basin such that a tube of the irrigator supplies disinfectant or wash water to one or more channels of the endoscope. It is configured to extend through the opening while being connected to the channel, and the opening is configured to substantially prevent fluid communication around the tube of the alligator through the opening.

In some embodiments, the device is configured to substantially prevent the device from releasing gas into the surrounding atmosphere when the cover is coupled to the body of the Basin.

Some embodiments of the method of the present invention for disinfecting and / or cleaning the endoscope include using embodiments of the device of the present invention for disinfecting one or more endoscopes.

Some embodiments of the method of the present invention for disinfecting and / or cleaning an endoscope include: placing the endoscope in a basin; Coupling the cover to the body of the basin such that a substantially airtight seal is provided between the cover and the body; Moving the disinfectant from the reservoir to the basin via a disinfectant supply conduit such that the endoscope is immersed in the disinfectant solution and a headspace is provided between the disinfectant solution and the lid, wherein the reservoir includes a lid, Headspace is provided between the lids, and Basson's headspace is in fluid communication with the headspace in the reservoir via a gas conduit. In some embodiments, the movement is not performed with electrical power. Some embodiments further comprise moving the disinfectant solution from the basin to the reservoir. Some embodiments further include introducing water into the basin. In some embodiments, the Basin is substantially filled with water. In some embodiments, the gas conduit is coupled to the sheath. In some embodiments, the gas valve is disposed in the gas conduit and is configured to operate to substantially prevent liquid communication between the basin and the at least some gas conduits, wherein the method is performed when the basin is substantially full of water. And closing the gas valve.

Some embodiments of the device of the present invention for disinfecting one or more endoscopes include (a) Basin; (b) basin cover; (c) a sealable reservoir; (d) disinfectant supply tubes; (e) disinfectant feed pumps; (f) water supply tubes; (g) one or more drain tubes; And (h) an air vent tube, the Basin is for receiving an endoscope to be disinfected, the basin being adapted to allow the endoscope to be completely submerged in liquid and to maintain headspace above the liquid in the Basin. With sufficient capacity to contain, the basin cover is for providing a gas tight closure over the basin, has a gas tight seal, the reservoir is for containing the cleaning liquid, and the disinfectant supply tube is for supplying the sanitizing solution to the basin. And disinfectant supply pump for pumping disinfectant solution from the reservoir to the basin, in line with the disinfectant supply tube, and the water supply tube for supplying flushing water to the basin as a basin and water source. Drain tube to return Basin and (1) disinfectant to the reservoir And a (2) waste container or drain for disposal of disinfectant or wash water, and the air vent tube is in communication with the basin headspace and the reservoir headspace to maintain the same air pressure between the basin and the reservoir. .

Some embodiments further include self-sealing openings in the lid or basin for supplying disinfectant or rinsing water to the endoscope channel, such that the tube (s) of all channel alligator are at least of the endoscope within the basin. It may be passed through and connected to one channel and connected to a syringe or an irrigating pump external to Basin.

Any embodiment of any of the devices and methods of the present invention may consist of, or consist essentially of, rather than comprise / contain / contain any of the steps, components, and / or features described. Accordingly, in any claim, unless otherwise used, a linking verb that does not have the term "consist of" or "consist essentially of" changes to the scope of a given claim unless otherwise stated. Can be replaced with any of the verbs.

Features or features of one embodiment, even if not described or illustrated, may be applied to other embodiments unless expressly prohibited by the disclosure or nature of the embodiments herein.

Detailed descriptions relating to the embodiments described above and others are set forth below.

The following figures are shown by way of example and not by way of limitation. For the sake of brevity and clarity, not all features of a given structure are always marked in all the drawings showing the structure. The same reference numerals do not necessarily indicate the same structure. Rather, the same reference signs may be used to denote similar features that may be represented by unequal reference signs, or features having similar functions. The figures are drawn in proportion, meaning that the sizes of the components shown (unless otherwise noted) are accurate relative to each other in the case of at least the embodiments shown in the figures.

1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of some variations of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
3 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

The term "coupled" is defined as being connected, but not necessarily directly coupled, not necessarily mechanically coupled; Two components "coupled" may be integral with each other unless it is clearly required in the context that they are separate structures. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are defined as one or more unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “substantially”, as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, is defined as most of what is specified, but not necessarily inclusive (and including what is specified: for example, substantially 90 degrees includes 90 degrees and Substantially parallel to parallel). In any of the described embodiments, the terms "substantially", "almost" and "about" may be replaced with those specified "in a certain [percent]", including 0.1, 1, 5, and 10%.

The term "comprises" (and any form of "comprises", such as "comprises" and "comprises", "having" (and "having") Forms, such as "having" and "having", and "contains" (and "contains", such as "contains" and "contains" ) Is a concatenating verb that is not constrained: As a result, a device that "includes", "has" or "contains" one or more components has one or more such components, but is limited to having only those components. Likewise, a method of “comprising”, “having”, or “comprising” one or more steps has one or more such steps, but is not limited to having only one or more steps.

In addition, an apparatus or system configured in a particular manner is configured at least in that manner, but may also be configured in a manner other than that specifically described.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, two variants of the first embodiment of the device of the present invention for disinfecting and / or cleaning an endoscope, shown in the figures and designated by reference numeral 10. And they will be described together for the sake of brevity. One example of a disinfectant that may be used in the devices and methods of the present invention is an aldehyde-based high level disinfectant such as ALDAHOL® High-Level Disinfectant Solution available from Healthpoint, Ltd.

In the illustrated embodiment, the device 10 includes a basin 14 having a body 16 and a cover 18, a reservoir 22 (eg, a disinfectant reservoir), a disinfectant supply conduit 26, and a gas Conduits 30 (eg, ventilation conduits). In the embodiment shown, the reservoir 22 is disposed at a height lower than the basin 14. In some embodiments, basin 14 and / or lid 18 may be monitored by an operator, for example, at which liquid level in the basin may be monitored and / or fluid and air exiting the endoscope channel may be observed. Can be transparent (eg, plastic). Basin 14 may comprise any material suitable for holding disinfectant solution. In the illustrated embodiment, the Basin 14 (eg, the body 16) is configured with the endoscope 34 (eg, loosely wound) such that the endoscope can be submerged in the liquid 38. It is configured to have a headspace 42 above the liquid in the basin 14 (between the liquid 38 and the lid 18) while receiving one, two, three or more endoscopes. In some embodiments, Basin 14 is sized such that the endoscope is submerged in about 2 gallons of liquid. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 18 is coupled to the basin 14 such that a substantially airtight seal is provided between the lid 18 and the body 16 (eg, as shown, the hinge ( hinges) or pivotally coupled through hinges; movably coupled via clamps or the like, for example, the lid of a Basin (eg, as shown in FIG. Coupled to the lid). In the illustrated embodiment, the Basin 14 is sealably configured to substantially prevent the cleaning liquid fume from being released into the air outside the device.

In the illustrated embodiment, the reservoir 22 includes a lid 46 (eg, a fixed or removable lid), and the liquid 50 (which may be substantially similar and / or identical to the liquid 38). The headspace 54 between the liquid 50 and the lid 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the disinfectant supply conduit 26 is coupled to the basin 14 and the reservoir 22 and configured to communicate liquid (eg, from the reservoir 22 to the basin 14). , In direct fluid communication with Basin 14 as shown. In the embodiment shown, the gas conduit 30 is coupled to the basin 14 and the reservoir 22, between the headspace 42 of the basin 14 and the headspace 54 of the reservoir 22. Is configured to communicate gas (eg, air, fume, etc.) (eg, in direct fluid communication with the basin 14 and / or reservoir 22, as shown). In the embodiment shown, the gas conduit 30 is configured to function at atmospheric pressure. In the illustrated embodiment, the device 10 is configured to maintain the gas conduit 30 at substantially atmospheric pressure (eg, disinfectant solution is introduced into the basin 14 and the air or Other gases through the gas conduit 30 to the reservoir 22). In some embodiments, reservoir 22 may be disposable and / or replaceable. For example, a disinfectant delivery container (eg, a container in which the disinfectant is delivered) may also serve as a reservoir, eliminating the need to move the disinfectant from the transport container to the reservoir. In at least some embodiments, reservoir 22 includes conduits 26 and in order to substantially prevent liquid (eg, and gas) from exiting reservoir 22 except through conduits 26 and 30. 30). In the embodiment shown, the reservoir 22 has a rectangular shape.

In the illustrated embodiment, the device 10 is coupled to a basin 14, coupled to a water source, such as a faucet 60 (or a water tank, etc.) and watered to the basin 14. It further includes a water supply conduit 58 configured to communicate. In some embodiments, device 10 further includes a water tank coupled to water supply conduit 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the device 10 is coupled to the water supply conduit 58 such that water from the water supply coupled to the water supply conduit 58 passes through the filter before being communicated to the Basin 14. It further includes a filter 62 (eg, bacterial strainer). In some embodiments, the water source can provide purified and / or substantially bacterial free water.

As shown in FIG. 2, the device 10 is coupled to the basin 14 and the reservoir 22 and communicates liquid (eg, disinfectant) from the basin 14 to the reservoir 22. And may further include a disinfectant drain conduit 66 configured to. For example, the disinfectant solution may be used repeatedly to disinfect the endoscope until the disinfectant solution is exhausted (eg, until the minimum recommended concentration (MRC) is reached) and returned to the reservoir 22. In some embodiments, the reservoir 22 may be removed with a small sample (eg, a few drops) of the disinfectant to test the concentration of the disinfectant (eg, with a paper test strip, etc.). A configured removable dipstick. In some embodiments, the disinfectant discharge conduit 66 and the disinfectant supply conduit 26 are integrated (eg, to allow a single conduit to communicate the disinfectant or other liquid between the basin 14 and the reservoir 22). Configured). As also shown in FIG. 2, the device 10 is coupled to the disinfectant discharge conduit and substantially prevents liquid (eg, and gaseous) communication between the basin 14 and the reservoir 22. May further include a disinfectant discharge valve 70 configured to operate (eg, close). For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the valve 70 is disposed closer to the basin 14 than to the reservoir 22 (eg, in contact with or in contact with the basin 14). Became).

In the illustrated embodiment, the device 10 is coupled to the basin 14 and is a liquid (eg, wash water) out of the basin 14 (eg, to a drain or waste receptacle). It further comprises a waste discharge conduit 74 configured to communicate. In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a waste receptacle configured to receive waste from the waste discharge conduit 74. In the illustrated embodiment, the device 10 is coupled to a waste discharge conduit 74 and is operated to substantially prevent liquid communication out of the basin 14 through such waste discharge conduit 74. It further includes a waste discharge valve 78 configured (eg, to be closed). For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the valve 78 is disposed closer to the basin 14 than to the opposite end of the waste discharge conduit 74 (eg, to or from the basin 14). In contact with the sack 14). In the illustrated embodiment, the waste discharge conduit 74 is configured such that the wastewater can be disposed of out of the basin 14 by gravity. In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes a waste pump coupled to the waste discharge conduit 74 and configured to direct waste liquid (eg, wastewater) from the basin. In some embodiments, both disinfectant discharge conduit 66 and waste discharge conduit 74 are diverted valves configured to direct liquid from basin 14 to disinfectant discharge conduit 66 or waste discharge conduit 74. coupled to basin 14 through a single port by a diverter valve (not shown).

In the embodiment shown, the device 10 is coupled to the disinfectant supply conduit 26 and between the reservoir 22 and the basin 14 (eg, from the reservoir 22 to the basin 14). And / or a pump 82 configured to pump liquid (eg, disinfectant) in the basin 14 from the reservoir 22. The pump 82 is, for example, a self-priming electric pump (eg, rotary pump, peristaltic pump, etc.), hand pump (eg, For example, hand-crank rotary pumps, squeeze bulbs, etc.) and / or other pumps that allow the device 10 to function as described in the present disclosure. Can be. In some embodiments, such as not including the disinfectant discharge conduit 66, the pump 82 may be a bidirectional pump configured to be able to pump the disinfectant from the basin 14 to the reservoir 22.

In the illustrated embodiment, the gas conduit 30 is coupled to the basin 14 at a height higher than the height at which the disinfectant supply conduit 26 is coupled to the basin 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the gas conduit 30 may be coupled to the body 16; As shown in FIG. 2, the gas conduit 30 may be coupled to the cover 18. In the embodiment shown, the apparatus 10 is also coupled to the gas conduit 30 and provides liquid (eg, and gas) communication between the basin 14 and the at least some gas conduits 30. A valve 86 configured to be operated (eg, closed) to substantially prevent it. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the valve 86 is disposed closer to the basin 14 than to the reservoir 22 (eg, in contact with or in contact with the basin 14). ). For example, in the embodiment shown, valve 86 may be coupled to lid 18.

In the embodiment shown, the apparatus 10 adds a frame 90 coupled to and / or supporting the Basin 14, the reservoir 22, and the pump 82 in a fixed relationship to each other. It includes. In the embodiment shown, the frame 90 includes a plurality of wheels or casters 92 configured to allow the device to be rolled across the surface. In other embodiments, the frame can be static. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 90 comprises three shelves, a basin disposed above the upper shelf, a pump disposed on the intermediate shelf, and a reservoir disposed on the lower shelf.

In the illustrated embodiment, the device is configured to be manually operated by manipulating a pump and various valves (eg, device 10 may be such that valves and pumps can be operated or operated as described in the present disclosure). It does not include a controller configured to sequencing its functionality.

In the illustrated embodiment, the device 10 is a tube of an alligator (e.g., an OLYMPUS CW commercially available from an endoscope all-channel alligator 98 such as Zoi Surgical, Inc. (Chesterland, Ohio, USA). A fitting (94) having an opening configured to extend through the opening while being connected from the basin to at least one channel of the endoscope to supply disinfectant or wash water to at least one channel of the endoscope; (Eg, a grommet, etc.), wherein the opening is configured to substantially prevent fluid communication through the opening around the tube of the alligator. The fitting 94 substantially prevents gas from being discharged through the fitting 94 when, for example, the alligator does not pass through the fitting 94; Even when the alligator passes through the fitting 94, it may be self-sealing to substantially prevent gas from escaping through the fitting 94 (eg, between the tube and the fitting of the alligator). Can be.

 In the illustrated embodiment, the device 10 includes a second basin 14 ', a second reservoir 22', a second disinfectant supply conduit 26 'having a body 16' and a cover 18 '. And a second gas conduit 30 ', each of which may be substantially similar to the function and / or structure for the corresponding component described above. In the illustrated embodiment, the water supply conduit 58 and the water supply conduit 58 'are coupled to a common water supply such that the water supply can provide water to both the water supply conduits 58 and 58'. It is composed. In other embodiments, the device 10 may include two or more of any of the above components. The various conduits (or tubes) described in this disclosure can comprise or consist of any material suitable for contact with the disinfectant solution and can be rigid and / or flexible.

Some embodiments of the method of the present invention for disinfecting and / or cleaning an endoscope include placing an endoscope (eg, 34) in a Basin (eg, 14, 14 ′); Coupling the lid to the body of the basin such that a substantially airtight seal is provided between the lid (eg, 18, 18 ') and the body (eg, 16, 16'); Disinfectants (eg, 36, 36 ') through the disinfectant supply conduits (eg, 26, 26') so that the endoscope is immersed in the disinfectant solution and a headspace (eg, 42, 42 ') is provided between the disinfectant and the lid. , 50, 50 ') from the reservoir (eg, 22, 22') to Basin. In some embodiments, the reservoir comprises a lid (eg, 46, 46 '), and a headspace 54, 54' is provided between any disinfectant remaining in the reservoir and the lid of the reservoir, and the head of Basin The space is in fluid communication with the headspace in the reservoir via a gas conduit (eg, 30, 30 '). The air replaced in the basin's headspace creates a substantially enclosed route of gas conduits that maintains substantially equal pressure between the disinfectant reservoir and the Basin and substantially prevents the release of detergent fumes to the device's outside air. It is allowed to flow into the headspace of the store through. The various conduits may be, for example, pump (s), basin (s), reservoir (s) in a substantially hermetic manner to substantially prevent gas (eg, fumes) from escaping from the device 10. ) And / or other components. In some embodiments, moving the disinfectant solution is not performed with electrical power (eg, with a manually operated pump or siphon).

Some embodiments further include coupling the alligator to the endoscope by allowing the alligator to extend out of the basin (eg, via fittings 94, 94 ′). Some embodiments further include introducing disinfectant solution, water, and / or air into the endoscope through the alligator (eg, from a pump, syringe, or other source).

In some embodiments, the endoscope may remain immersed in the disinfectant solution for a certain time. For example, the timer may be set (eg manually) for 10-20 minutes, or any other suitable time (eg, exposure time indicated by the instructions of the disinfectant).

Some embodiments further comprise moving the disinfectant solution from the basin to the reservoir. For example, after the exposure time has elapsed, the disinfectant solution may be discharged from the basin back to the disinfectant reservoir via the disinfectant discharge conduit (e.g., 60, 60 '), and the disinfectant discharge valve (e.g., 70, 70 ') may be sealed. Once the disinfectant is exhausted, that is, after the disinfectant has reached the minimum recommended concentration (MRC), the finished solution can be discarded. If the reservoir is disposable, the finished solution and reservoir can be discarded.

Some embodiments further include introducing water (eg, through alligator 98) into the Basin and / or endoscope. In some embodiments, the Basin is substantially filled with water (eg, so that headspace 42 or 42 'is substantially free). Some embodiments further include closing the gas valve (eg, 86, 86 ') when the basin is substantially filled with water (eg, gas or fumes remaining in the basin 14). To minimize the amount of). The wash water can then be discharged from the basin through waste discharge conduits (eg, 74, 74 ') and converted to waste receptacles or drains. In some embodiments, this cleaning process is repeated two, three, or more times. After the final cleaning, the lid can be opened and the endoscope (s) is sent out and used immediately, or hung up and dried before use.

Referring now to FIG. 3, shown in FIG. 3 and designated by reference numeral 10 ′ is a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. Apparatus 10 'comprises a component that may be substantially similar to the component of the corresponding reference described above. Thus, the differences between the device 10 and the device 10 'are mostly described herein. Apparatus 10 'includes first and second basins 14 and 14' coupled to a single pump 82 and reservoir 22 via branched disinfectant supply conduit 26.

The above specification and examples provide a complete description of the use of structures and exemplary embodiments. While certain embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of specificity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art can make many changes to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, various illustrative embodiments of the device of the present invention are not intended to be limited to the particular forms described. Rather, they include all modifications and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims, and embodiments that are not shown may include some or all of the features of the embodiments shown. In addition, where appropriate, aspects of any of the embodiments described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other embodiments described above to form additional embodiments having similar or different characteristics and addressing the same or different problems. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the advantages and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments.

The claims refer to means-plus- or step-plus functional limitations, unless the limitations are otherwise stated in the claims given using the phrase (s) "means for" or "steps for" respectively. It should not be construed as inclusive.

Claims (32)

An apparatus for disinfecting and / or cleaning an endoscope,
A basin including a body and a lid; Lidded storage; Disinfectant supply conduit; And a gas conduit,
The body is configured to have a headspace over the liquid in the basin while receiving the endoscope so that the endoscope is submerged in the liquid, and the cover is configured coupled to the basin to provide a substantial airtight seal between the cover and the body. ,
The reservoir is configured so that there is a headspace between the liquid and the lid while receiving the liquid,
The disinfectant supply conduit is coupled to the basin and the reservoir and configured to allow liquid to communicate from the reservoir to the basin,
A gas conduit is coupled to the basin and the reservoir and configured to allow gas to communicate between the headspace of the reservoir and the headspace of the basin. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a water supply conduit coupled to the basin and configured to couple to a water source for communicating water to the basin. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a filter coupled to the water supply conduit. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a disinfectant discharge conduit coupled to the basin and the reservoir and configured to communicate liquid from the basin to the reservoir. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a disinfectant discharge valve coupled to the disinfectant discharge conduit and configured to operate to substantially prevent liquid communication between the basin and the reservoir. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a waste discharge conduit coupled to the basin and configured to communicate liquid to the outside of the basin. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a waste discharge valve coupled to the waste discharge conduit and configured to operate to substantially prevent liquid communication to and from the outside of the basin through such waste discharge conduit. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the waste discharge conduit is configured to communicate the waste from the basin to a waste receptacle or drain. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a waste receptacle coupled to the waste discharge conduit. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gas conduit is configured to function at atmospheric pressure. The apparatus of claim 10, configured to maintain the gas conduit at atmospheric pressure. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a pump coupled to the disinfectant supply conduit and configured to pump liquid between the reservoir and the basin. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pump is configured to pump liquid from the reservoir to the basin. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is disposed at an elevation lower than the basin. The device of claim 1, wherein the gas conduit is coupled to the basin at a height higher than the height at which the disinfectant supply conduit is coupled to the basin. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a valve coupled to the gas conduit and configured to be operated to substantially prevent liquid communication between the basin and the at least some gas conduits. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the gas conduit is coupled to the sheath. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the lid is configured to couple to the lid of the basin. 14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
A second basin including a second body and a second cover; A second reservoir with a lid; Second disinfectant supply conduit; And a second gas conduit,
The second body is configured to have a headspace over the liquid in the second basin while receiving the endoscope such that the endoscope can be submerged in the liquid, and the second cover is adapted to provide a substantial airtight seal between the second cover and the second body. 2 is coupled to the body,
The second reservoir is configured to have a headspace between the liquid and the lid while receiving the liquid,
The second disinfectant supply conduit is configured to couple to the second basin and the second reservoir and allow liquid to communicate from the reservoir to the basin,
And the second gas conduit is coupled to the second basin and the second reservoir and configured to allow gas to communicate between the headspace of the second reservoir and the headspace of the second basin. 14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
Second basin; Second cover; Second disinfectant supply conduit; And a second gas conduit,
The second Basin is configured to have a headspace above the liquid in the basin while receiving the endoscope so that the endoscope is submerged in the liquid,
The second cover is configured to be coupled to the second basin such that a substantially airtight seal is provided between the second cover and the second basin,
The second disinfectant supply conduit is coupled to the second basin and configured to communicate liquid from the reservoir to the second basin,
The second gas conduit is coupled to the second basin and at least one of the first basin and the reservoir, and between at least one of the headspace of the second basin and the headspace of the reservoir and the headspace of the first basin. A device configured to communicate gas to the device. 14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The disinfectant supply conduit is in direct fluid communication with the basin and the reservoir;
A device in which a gas conduit is in direct fluid communication with the basin and the reservoir. 14. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one of the basin and the cover comprises an opening, wherein the opening comprises at least one channel of the endoscope, through which the tube of the irrigator is disinfectant or wash water. A device connected to one or more channels of the endoscope at the basin to extend through the opening, the opening configured to substantially prevent fluid communication around the tube of the alligator through the opening. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to substantially prevent the gas from being released into the ambient atmosphere when the cover is coupled to the body of the basin. As a method of disinfecting and / or cleaning an endoscope,
Placing the endoscope on the Basin;
Coupling the cover to the body of the basin such that a substantially airtight seal is provided between the cover and the body;
Moving the disinfectant from the reservoir to the basin through the disinfectant supply conduit such that the endoscope is submerged in the disinfectant solution and a headspace is provided between the disinfectant solution and the cover,
Wherein the reservoir comprises a lid, a headspace is provided between any disinfectant solution remaining in the reservoir and the lid of the reservoir, and Basin's headspace is in fluid communication with the headspace in the reservoir via a gas conduit. The method of claim 24, wherein the movement is not performed with electrical power. The method of claim 24, further comprising moving the disinfectant solution from the Basin to the reservoir. 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising introducing water into the basin. The method of claim 27, wherein the Basin is substantially filled with water. The method of claim 28, wherein the gas conduit is coupled to the sheath. 30. The method of claim 29,
A gas valve is disposed in the gas conduit and configured to operate to substantially prevent liquid communication between the basin and the at least some gas conduits,
And closing the gas valve when the basin is substantially full of water. A device for disinfecting one or more endoscopes,
(a) Basin; (b) basin cover; (c) a sealable reservoir; (d) disinfectant supply tubes; (e) disinfectant feed pumps; (f) water supply tubes; (g) one or more drain tubes; And (h) an air vent tube,
The Basin is intended to accommodate an endoscope that must be disinfected, and has a sufficient capacity to contain the endoscope so that the endoscope can be completely submerged in liquid and the headspace is maintained above the liquid in the Basin,
The basin cover is to provide a gas tight closure over the basin, with a gas tight seal,
The reservoir is for containing the washing liquid,
The disinfectant supply tube is for supplying disinfectant solution to the basin, and is connected to the basin and the reservoir,
The disinfectant supply pump is for pumping disinfectant solution from the reservoir to the basin, in line with the disinfectant supply tube,
The water supply tube is for supplying the washing water to the basin, and is connected to the basin and the water source,
The drain tube is connected to the basin and (1) a reservoir for returning the disinfectant solution to the reservoir, or (2) a waste container or drain for the disposal of the disinfectant or wash water,
The air vent tube is for maintaining the same air pressure between the basin and the reservoir, wherein the device is in communication with the basin headspace and the reservoir headspace. 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising a self-sealing opening in the cover or basin for supplying disinfectant or wash water to the endoscope channel, through which the tube (s) of all channel alligator A device that is passed through and connected to at least one channel of the endoscope inside the basin and to a syringe or an irrigating pump outside the basin.

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