WO2024091398A1

WO2024091398A1 - Cup deployment system and detachable door for automated endoscope reprocessor

Info

Publication number: WO2024091398A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/035260
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Paul Getsy
Original assignee: American Sterilizer Company
Priority date: 2022-10-27
Filing date: 2023-10-17
Publication date: 2024-05-02

Abstract

Automated endoscope reprocessor including a cup deployment system and a door attach mechanism. The cup deployment system is configured to kick out a cup receiver to enable a user to place a cleaning solution cup therein, and then automatically move the cup receiver to a staged position and then a sealed position. A translation mechanism such as a double acting cylinder is configured to raise the cup receiver upward to a cap to create a seal therebetween, during which a needle projecting downward from the cap punctures the top of the cup. Angled roller surfaces projecting from a bottom of the cup receiver contact rollers at a top of the translation mechanism to kick out the cup receiver. The needle may include both a through slot and an inner fluid channel. The receiver can be adapted to other types of sterilant concentrate cups that have a different configuration and/or geometry. The door attach mechanism enables a door and front panel together as an assembly easily to be detached and attached from a rear frame structure of the endoscope reprocessor.

Description

Title: CUP DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM AND DETACHABLE DOOR FOR AUTOMATED ENDOSCOPE REPROCESSOR

Field of Invention

[0001] The present application relates generally to an automated endoscope reprocessor (AER), and more particularly to an AER including a system for automatically deploying a sterilant concentrate cup such that the contents of the cup are put into fluid communication with a fluid line of the AER, and a door that is removably attachable to a frame of the endoscope reprocessor.

Background

[0002] Cleaning and sterilization of an endoscope may be performed by an endoscope reprocessor that supplies a cleaning solution to a wash tray in which the endoscope is immersed. The cleaning solution is supplied by a sterilant concentrate cup that is placed in the endoscope reprocessor. Conventionally, the endoscope reprocessor includes a recess in the wash tray that receives the sterilant cup, which is positioned over a drain, an extruding metal bracket in the center of the recess, an aspirator probe, and a lid to enclose the wash tray during the reprocessing cycle. The aspirator probe consists of a needle with a fluid path that is connected to the drain.

[0003] To use the endoscope reprocessor, the user places the sterilant cup in the recess of the tray over the drain such that the cup lands on the bracket. The user then closes the lid which presses the needle attached to lid to pierce the seal on the top of the cup. The user applies an additional amount of pressure on the lid until the bracket under the cup releases a snap-in bottom in the bottom of the cup to release the cleaning solution. The cleaning solution is then mixed with water to clean and sterilize the endoscope.

[0004] One shortcoming of this endoscope reprocessor is that it does not enable an automated process. The user has to manually install the aspirator and then press on the lid until the bracket dislodges the snap-in bottom of the sterilant cup. Another shortcoming is the aspirator probe can easily be broken by the lid landing on the aspirator probe if the sterilant cup is not placed properly in the recess. Summary of Invention

[0005] The following is a summary of subject matter that is described in greater detail herein. This summary is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the claims.

[0001] According to one aspect of the invention, an endoscope reprocessor includes a housing including a basin for receiving an endoscope to be reprocessed; a cup deployment system including a cup receiver and a translation mechanism for translating the cup receiver; and a controller to control the translation mechanism to automatically translate the cup receiver from a receiving position adjacent an opening at a front of the housing where a cleaning solution cup may be inserted into the cup receiver to an engaged position where the translation mechanism positions the cup receiver for processing of the cleaning solution cup to provide cleaning solution to the basin.

[0002] Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features separately or in combination.

[0003] The cup deployment system may further include a cap, and the translation mechanism may be configured to translate the cup receiver into engagement with the cap and put the interior of the engaged cup receiver and cap into fluid communication with the interior of the basin.

[0004] The cup receiver may be at a first orientation in the receiving position, and the cup receiver may be at a second orientation in the engaged position, wherein the first orientation is different from the second orientation.

[0005] The cup receiver may include a cup opening for insertion of the cleaning solution cup into an interior of the cup receiver, wherein the cup opening is configured to be angled toward the opening at the front of the housing when the cup receiver is in the first orientation.

[0006] The cup deployment system may be configured such that when the cup receiver is in the receiving position, a portion of the cup receiver extends through the opening and out of the housing.

[0007] The controller may further be configured to control the translation mechanism to translate the cup receiver from the receiving position to a staged position prior to translating the cup receiver to the engaged position. [0008] The endoscope reprocessor may further include a pivot pin in the housing, and the translation mechanism may be configured to translate the cup receiver from the receiving position to the staged position by pivoting the cup receiver about the pivot pin in the housing.

[0009] The translation mechanism may include a double-acting cylinder connected to the cup receiver and configured to move the cup receiver toward and away from the cap.

[0010] In the engaged position, a needle of the cap may project into the interior of the engaged cup receiver and cap for puncturing a lid of the cleaning solution cup.

[0011] The cleaning solution cup may be a sterilant concentrate cup.

[0012] The endoscope reprocessor may further include a user interface on the housing, wherein the controller controls the translation mechanism in response to input from the user interface.

[0013] The endoscope reprocessor may further include a door movable to selectively cover and uncover the opening at the front of the housing to limit access into the housing.

[0014] The position of the door may be a function of a position of the cup receiver such that the door may be at a first position when the cup receiver is in the receiving position and the door may be at a second position when the cup receiver is in the engaged position.

[0015] The endoscope reprocessor may further include first tubing for fluidly communicating a water source to the cup receiver, and second tubing for fluidly communicating a water-solution mixture from the cup receiver to the basin.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, a cup deployment system may include a cup receiver configured to receive a cleaning solution cup for an endoscope reprocessor; a translation mechanism for translating the cup receiver; and a controller to control the translation mechanism to translate the cup receiver from a receiving position adjacent an opening at a front of an endoscope reprocessor housing wherein the cleaning solution cup may be inserted into the cup receiver to a engaged position where the cup receiver positions the cup receiver for processing of the cleaning solution cup to provide cleaning solution to a basin in the endoscope reprocessor housing. [0017] Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features separately or in combination.

[0018] The cup deployment system may further include a cap and the translation mechanism may include a double-acting cylinder connected to the cup receiver and configured to move the cup receiver toward and away from the cap.

[0019] The cup receiver may be at a first orientation in the receiving position, and the cup receiver may be at a second orientation in the engaged position, wherein the first orientation is different from the second orientation.

[0020] The controller may be further configured to control the translation mechanism to translate the cup receiver from the receiving position to a staged position prior to translating the cup receiver to the engaged position.

[0021] The cup deployment system may further include a cap with a needle arranged thereon to project into the interior of the engaged cup receiver and cap for puncturing a lid of the sterilant concentrate cup.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, a method of deploying a cleaning solution cup in an endoscope reprocessor is provided, the method including positioning a cup receiver to a receiving position to receive a cleaning solution cup therein, wherein in the receiving position the cup receiver is adjacent an opening in a front of a housing of the endoscope reprocessor; and translating by a translation mechanism the cup receiver from the receiving position to an engaged position where the cup receiver is positioned for processing of the cleaning solution cup to provide cleaning solution to a basin of the endoscope reprocessor.

[0023] Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features separately or in combination.

[0024] The method may further include initiating translating the cup receiver from the receiving position to the engaged position in response to receiving a user input into a user interface on the housing of the endoscope reprocessor.

[0025] The positioning the cup receiver may include kicking out the cup receiver from a staged position inside the housing to the receiving position.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, a cup deployment system for an endoscope reprocessor includes a translation mechanism; a cup receiver mounted for pivotable movement between a kick-out position and a staged position, wherein in the kick-out position the cup receiver is at a first angle with respect to a translation axis of the translation mechanism and in the staged position the cup receiver is at a different second angle with respect to the translation axis of the translation mechanism, wherein the cup receiver includes an angled bearing surface; a bearing; and a controller configured to control the translation mechanism to translate the angled bearing surface relative to the bearing to pivot the cup receiver between the staged position and the kick-out position.

[0027] Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features separately or in combination.

[0028] The first angle may be between 1 and 45 degrees and the second angle may be zero degrees.

[0029] The controller may be configured to control the translation mechanism to pivot the cup receiver from the staged position to the kick-out position in response to the controller receiving a user input.

[0030] The cup deployment system may further include a second bearing aligned with a central axis of the bearing, wherein the cup receiver includes a second angled bearing surface, wherein the controller is further configured to control the translation mechanism to translate the second angled bearing relative to the second bearing.

[0031] A portion of the cup receiver may sit on a platform in the staged position, and the cup deployment system may further include a spring attached at a first end to the cup receiver and at a second end to the platform.

[0032] The translation mechanism may include a pneumatic actuator, and the controller may be further configured to control the actuator to release pressure within the actuator such that the spring pivots the cup receiver from the kick-out position to the staged position.

[0033] The cup deployment system may further include a sensor configured to determine when the cup receiver is in the staged position.

[0034] The cup deployment system may further include a platform, and the platform may include an attachment portion configured to receive and pivotably retain the cup receiver, and the cup receiver may further include attachment structure for securing the cup receiver to the platform, wherein the attachment portion functions as a pivot point for rotation of the cup receiver between the staged position and the kick-out position. [0035] The cup receiver may include a cup opening for insertion of the cleaning solution cup into an interior of the cup receiver, and the cup opening may be angled toward an opening at the front of a housing of the endoscope reprocessor in the kick-out position.

[0036] The bearing may be a roller.

[0037] The bearing may be retained on a receiver stop bracket.

[0038] According to another aspect of the invention, an endoscope reprocessor may include a housing including a basin for receiving an endoscope to be reprocessed; and a cup deployment system configured to move a cup receiver between a kick-out position and a staged position, wherein the cup deployment system includes a translation mechanism, wherein the cup receiver is mounted for pivotable movement between the kick-out position and the staged position, wherein in the kick-out position the cup receiver is at a first angle with respect to a translation axis of the translation mechanism and in the staged position the cup receiver is at a different second angle with respect to the translation axis of the translation mechanism, wherein the cup receiver includes an angled bearing surface; a bearing; and a controller to control the translation mechanism to translate the angled bearing surface relative to the bearing to pivot the cup receiver between the staged position and the kick-out position, wherein in the kick-out position, the cup receiver is adjacent an opening at a front of the housing to enable insertion of a cleaning solution cup into the cup receiver.

[0039] Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features separately or in combination.

[0040] The first angle may be between 1 and 45 degrees and the second angle may be zero degrees.

[0041] The controller may pivot the cup receiver from the staged position to the kick- out position in response to the controller receiving a user input.

[0042] A portion of the cup receiver may extend through the opening out of the housing at the kick-out position. [0043] The endoscope reprocessor may further include a door movable to selectively cover and uncover the opening at the front of the housing to limit access into the housing, wherein a position of the door is a function of a position of the cup receiver, wherein the door is at a first position uncovering the opening when cup receiver is in the kick-out position.

[0044] A portion of the cup receiver may sit on a platform in the staged position, and the cup deployment system may further include a spring attached at a first end to the cup receiver and at a second end to the platform.

[0045] According to another aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing an endoscope reprocessor is provided, the method including obtaining a housing, wherein the housing includes an opening at a front of the housing; providing a cup receiver, wherein the cup receiver includes an angled bearing surface; pivotally connecting the cup receiver to a translation mechanism within the housing, wherein the translation mechanism is connected to a controller configured to control the translation mechanism to translate the angled bearing surface; and placing a bearing within the housing, wherein the bearing is placed in the housing such that the controller controls the translation mechanism to translate the angled bearing surface relative to the bearing to pivot the cup receiver from a staged position to a kick-out position, wherein in the kick- out position the cup receiver is at a first angle with respect to a translation axis of the translation mechanism and in the staged position the cup receiver is at a different second angle with respect to the translation axis of the translation mechanism, wherein the cup receiver is adjacent the opening at the kick-out position.

[0046] Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features separately or in combination.

[0047] The first angle may be between 1 and 45 degrees and the second angle may be zero degrees.

[0048] The method may further include placing a sensor within the housing to detect when the cup receiver is in the staged position.

[0049] The bearing may be placed in the housing such that a portion of the cup receiver extends through the opening in the kick-out position. [0050] The translation mechanism may include a platform attached thereto, and pivotally connecting the cup receiver to the actuator may include pivotally connecting the cup receiver to the platform, and the method may further include attaching a first end of a spring to the cup receiver and attaching a second end of the spring to the platform.

[0051] According to another aspect of the invention, a cap for a cleaning solution deployment system for an endoscope reprocessor includes a cap body configured to engage a cup receiver of the cleaning solution deployment system; tubing for fluidly connecting a fluid source to the cap body; and a first needle having a first longitudinal axis and extending from a surface of the cap body and configured to face the cup receiver when the cap body and the cup receiver are engaged, wherein the first needle includes a first through slot extending transverse the first longitudinal axis in a puncture end of the first needle for a first predetermined distance, wherein the first needle further includes a fluid channel positioned longitudinally above the puncture end, the fluid channel extending longitudinally through the first needle and being in fluid communication at one with the tubing and an opposite end with at least one outlet extending radially outward from the fluid channel and opening through the side of the first needle to allow fluid to exit the first needle.

[0052] Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features separately or in combination.

[0053] The cap may further include a second needle having a second longitudinal axis and extending from the surface of the cap body and spaced from the first needle, and the second needle may include a second through slot extending from a puncture end of the second needle for a second predetermined distance.

[0054] The at least one outlet of the fluid channel may include a plurality of outlets.

[0055] The plurality of outlets may include at a first portion of the first needle, and a second outlet at a second portion of the first needle, wherein the second portion is opposite the first portion.

[0056] The cap body may include an outer surface and an inner surface spaced from the outer surface, and the first needle and the second needle may extend from the inner surface. [0057] A first portion of the inner surface may be a first distance from the outer surface, a second portion of the inner surface may be a second distance from the outer surface, and the second distance may be smaller than the first distance.

[0058] The first needle may extend from the first portion of the inner surface, and the second needle may extend from the second portion of the inner surface.

[0059] The surface of the cap body may define a cavity, and the cavity may include a vent port permitting fluid communication between an interior of the cap body and the exterior environment.

[0060] The cavity may be positioned to receive a receiver hook on the cup receiver when the cap body engages the cup receiver.

[0061] The first needle may have a first length, and the second needle may have a second length that is smaller than the first length.

[0062] The cap body may further include a notch to hold a seal thereon, and the notch may position the seal such that when the cap body and the cup receiver are engaged the cap body and the cup receiver sealingly engage the seal therebetween. [0063] The first needle may extend from a central portion of the surface.

[0064] The first needle may extend from the surface at a right angle relative to the surface.

[0065] The second needle may extend from the surface at a right angle relative to the surface.

[0066] The first and second needles extend from the surface in a manner parallel to one another.

[0067] According to another aspect of the invention, a quick attach arrangement for attaching a movable door to a door control system of an endoscope reprocessor includes a bracket including an outward extending spring loaded button pin, wherein the button pin is configured to selectively compress the spring between a first position in which the button pin is in an extended state and a second position in which the button pin is in a retracted state, wherein in the retracted state the button pin is retracted at least partially into a body of the bracket; and bracket attach structure to selectively attach the movable door to the bracket, wherein the bracket attach structure includes: a surface shaped to compress the button pin from the extended state to the retracted state as the button pin slides along the surface; and a receptacle adjacent the surface and shaped to receive the button pin, wherein the receptacle is configured to receive the button pin by the button pin moving from the retracted state to the extended state, and wherein the receptacle is configured to retain the button pin in the extended state to attach the movable door to the bracket.

[0068] Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features separately or in combination.

[0069] The arrangement may further include a translation mechanism configured to translate the bracket, and the bracket may be secured to the translation mechanism by a rivet-nut.

[0070] The arrangement may further include a movable door, and the movable door may include a roller in rolling contact with an inward facing edge of a slot in which a channel of the movable door slides.

[0071] The bracket may be U-shape with two arm portions and a cross bar connecting the arms, and the button pin may be on an arm of the two arms.

[0072] The bracket may further include a second outward extending spring loaded button pin, wherein the second button pin is on the other arm of the two arms.

[0073] The bracket attach structure may further include a second surface shaped to compress the second button pin; and a second receptacle adjacent to the second surface and shaped to receive and retain the second button pin in an uncompressed state to attach the movable door to the bracket.

[0074] The arrangement may be in combination with an endoscope reprocessor, and such endoscope reprocessor may include a housing including a rear frame structure and a front panel fastenable to the rear frame structure, the front panel including an opening through which a cleaning solution cup may be inserted; the quick attachment arrangement as set forth in any manner above, a movable door including the bracket attach structure of the quick attachment structure, the movable door being slidably mounted to the front panel between a first position to cover the opening and a second position to expose the opening; a door control system mounted to the rear frame structure and configured to move the movable door between the first and second positions; wherein the movable door and the front panel together as an assembly are configured such that, when the front panel is unfastened from the rear frame structure, the door and front panel as an assembly are removable in a rear-to-front direction away from the rear frame structure, and wherein the receptacle of the bracket attach structure is configured to slide off of the button pin of the bracket as the door and front panel as an assembly are removed in the rear-to-front direction.

[0075] According to another aspect of the invention, an endoscope reprocessor includes a housing including a rear frame structure and a front panel fastenable to the rear frame structure, the front panel including an opening through which a cleaning solution cup may be inserted; a movable door slidably mounted to the front panel for movement between a first position to cover the opening and a second position to expose the opening, the movable door including a receptacle; a door control system mounted to the rear frame structure and including a bracket having a pin configured to engage the receptacle of the movable door, the door control system being configured with the pin engaged with the receptacle to move the movable door between the first and second positions; wherein the movable door and the front panel together as an assembly are configured such that, when the front panel is unfastened from the rear frame structure, the door and front panel as an assembly are removable in a rear-to- front direction away from the rear frame structure, and wherein the receptacle of the movable door is configured to slide off of the pin of the bracket of the door control system as the door and front panel as an assembly are removed in the rear-to-front direction.

[0076] Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features separately or in combination.

[0077] The movable door may be slidably mounted to the front panel for movement in an upward and downward vertical direction, and the rear-to front direction may be perpendicular to the upward and downward vertical direction.

[0078] The pin may include a spring loaded button pin, and the button pin may be configured to selectively compress the spring between a first position in which the button pin is in an extended state and a second position in which the button pin is in a retracted state, and in the retracted state the button pin may be retracted at least partially into a body of the bracket. [0079] The movable door may include a ramp shaped to compress the spring loaded button pin from the extended state to the retracted state as the button pin slides along the ramp.

[0080] The button pin may be configured to slide along the ramp as the door control system moves the movable door from the closed position to the open position.

[0081] The button pin may be configured to engage the receptacle by the button pin moving from the retracted state to the extended state, and the receptacle may be configured to retain the button pin in the extended state to attach the movable door to the bracket.

[0082] The front panel may include a pair of parallel slots formed therein and the moveable door may include sidewalls that extend through the slots, and the movable door may be slidably mounted to the front panel by means of the sidewalls sliding through the slots.

[0083] The sidewalls may each include protrusions that extend outwardly therefrom that form a vertical channel that extends along a majority of the height of the sidewall, and the channel may be sized to slidably receive an edge of the respective slot therein. [0084] The receptacle may be a left receptacle and the pin may be a left pin, and the endoscope reprocessor may further include a right receptacle and a right pin, wherein the left and right receptacles open toward each other inwardly and are configured to receive the respective left and right button pins in a left-right direction.

[0085] The left and right receptacles may open in a front-to-rear direction that is rearwardly toward an interior of the housing when the door and the front panel are fastened to the rear frame structure and may be configured to slidably receive the respective left and right button pins in a front-to-rear and rear-to-front direction.

[0086] The above presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not an extensive overview of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. Nor is it intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such systems and/or methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0087] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary endoscope reprocessor.

[0088] FIG. 2 illustrates another view of the endoscope reprocessor of FIG.1 with a top removed.

[0089] FIG. 3 illustrates another view of the endoscope reprocessor of FIG.1 with a front panel removed.

[0090] FIG. 4 illustrates the endoscope reprocessor of FIG. 3 as viewed from the front thereof.

[0091] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary housing for a cup deployment system of an endoscope reprocessor.

[0092] FIG. 6 illustrates the exemplary housing for the cup deployment system of FIG. 5 including an exemplary door control system.

[0093] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary top panel of the housing for the cup deployment system of the endoscope reprocessor of FIG. 5.

[0094] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary bottom panel of the housing for the cup deployment system of the endoscope reprocessor of FIG. 5.

[0095] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate the exemplary cup deployment system of FIG. 5 transitioning between a receiving position in FIG. 9, a staged position in FIG. 10, and an engaged position in FIG. 1 1 .

[0096] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary receiver and pivoting structure of the endoscope reprocessor.

[0097] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate exemplary positions of the receiver and pivoting structure of FIG. 12.

[0098] FIG. 15 illustrates another view of the exemplary receiver and pivoting structure of the endoscope reprocessor of FIG. 12.

[0099] FIG. 16 illustrates another view of the exemplary receiver and pivoting structure of the endoscope reprocessor of FIG. 12.

[00100] FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate different views of an exemplary receiver for the endoscope reprocessor.

[00101] FIG. 19 illustrates a view of the receiver of FIGS. 17 and 18 that has been bisected. [00102] FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a top down view and bottom up view, respectively, of the receiver of FIGS. 17 and 18.

[00103] FIG. 22 illustrates the exemplary receiver of FIGS. 17 and 18 and an exemplary sterilant cup placed in the receiver.

[00104] FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary receiver cap attached to a housing in an endoscope reprocessor.

[00105] FIG. 24 illustrates an internal view of an exemplary needle of the receiver cap piercing the sterilant cup.

[00106] FIG. 25 illustrates a bottom view of the receiver cap of FIG. 23 in isolation.

[00107] FIG. 26 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary receiver cap.

[00108] FIG. 27 illustrates a further cross-sectional view of the exemplary receiver cap of FIG. 26.

[00109] FIGS. 28-31 illustrate an exemplary process of sealingly engaging the receiver to the receiver cap of the endoscope reprocessor.

[00110] FIG. 32 illustrates an exemplary cup deployment system and an exemplary door control system of an endoscope reprocessor.

[00111] FIG. 33 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary front panel of an endoscope reprocessor.

[00112] FIG. 34 illustrates another view of the front panel of FIG. 33.

[00113] FIG. 35 illustrates a further view of the front panel of FIG. 33.

[00114] FIG. 36 illustrates yet another view of the front panel of FIG. 33.

[00115] FIG. 37 illustrates a view of an exemplary movable door of an endoscope reprocessor.

[00116] FIG. 38 illustrates another view of the movable door of FIG. 37.

[00117] FIG. 39 illustrates an exemplary connection between quick attach structure and a sidewall of the movable door of FIG. 37.

[00118] FIGS. 40 and 41 illustrate an exemplary process of attaching a movable door to a door control system of an endoscope reprocessor.

[00119] FIG. 42 is a flow diagram that illustrates an exemplary methodology for operating an exemplary endoscope reprocessor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00120] Aspects of the present application pertain to a cup deployment system for an AER and are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details.

[00121] In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as, top, bottom, left, right, up, down, upper, lower, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front, may be used. Such directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the features described herein in any manner. It is to be understood that embodiments presented herein are by way of example and not by way of limitation. The intent of the following detailed description, although discussing exemplary embodiments, is to be construed to cover all modifications, alternatives, and equivalents of the embodiments as may fall within the spirit and scope of the features described herein.

[00122] Moreover, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase “X employs A or B” is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form. Additionally, as used herein, the term “exemplary” is intended to mean serving as an illustration or example of something and is not intended to indicate a preference.

[00123] Turning to FIG. 1 , illustrated is an endoscope reprocessor 100 that includes a housing 102 that houses a basin 104 for reprocessing an endoscope. The basin 104 includes a recess or indent to receive and hold the endoscope during the reprocessing. The endoscope reprocessor 100 further includes a lid 106 to cover the basin 104 and prevent liquid from escaping during the reprocessing. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 102 is rectangular with a front panel 108, a rear panel 110 that opposes the front panel, two opposing side panels 112 and 1 14, and a bottom panel 116. However, the housing 102 can take any suitable shape for achieving the below described actions.

[00124] As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the illustrated front panel 108 is removably attached to the rear frame structure, or rest of the housing 102 (e.g., the side panels 1 12 and 1 14). The front panel 108 includes a door 1 18 movable to selectively cover and/or expose an opening on the front panel 108 that permits access to an interior of the housing 102, as will be described in detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the door 1 18 is within an outwardly extending protrusion 120 of the front panel 108.

[00125] The endoscope reprocessor 100 further includes a control panel to interact with a control system which includes a controller 126 (illustrated schematically in FIG. 1 ) configured to control one or more components of the endoscope reprocessor 100. The control panel can include any suitable input interface, such as buttons, switches, touch screen, dials, and/or the like. Multiple input interfaces can be used to control different components of the endoscope reprocessor 100 and the input interfaces may be similar types and/or may vary. The control panel can further include a display to inform the user of current state of one or more components in the endoscope reprocessor 100, e.g., liquid crystal display (LCD), light emitting diode (LED) display, and/or the like. The control panel can be placed at any suitable location on the endoscope reprocessor 100, such as on the front panel 108 of the housing 102.

Moreover, the endoscope reprocessor 100 may include a plurality of separate control panels arranged thereon that can each control a different component(s) of the endoscope reprocessor 100.

[00126] The interior of the housing 102 includes a cup deployment system 122 that receives a sterilant concentrate cup containing a cleaning solution and that automatically connects the cup interior to and disconnects the cup interior from a fluid line or tubing of the endoscope reprocessor 100. The cleaning solution, also referred to herein as a decontaminant solution, is configured to clean and decontaminate the endoscope, for example, as by sterilization. As will be described in detail below, the cup deployment system 122 can automatically move from a receiving position where the cup deployment system 122 is positioned to receive the sterilant concentrate cup to an engaged position where the cup deployment system 122 puts a cup receiver retaining the sterilant concentrate cup into engagement with a receiver cap configured to puncture the sterilant concentrate cup thereby to introduce fluid into the cup to mix the material in the sterilant concentrate cup with the fluid during the reprocessing cycle. As will be described in greater detail below, the engaged position can include, but is not limited to, the cup receiver sealingly engaging the receiver cap via sealing engagement of an O-ring (or other suitable sealing structure) between the cup receiver and the receiver cap.

[00127] The interior of the housing 102 further includes a door control system 124 configured to move the door 118. The position of the door 1 18 may be based on a position of one or more components of the cup deployment system 122 and/or the door 1 18 and components of the cup deployment system 122 may be configured to move independent of one another.

[00128] The controller 126 can be configured to control aspects of the operation of the cup deployment system 122, the operation of the door control system 124, and/or the operation of other components of the endoscope reprocessor 100, such as sealing of the lid 106, the operation of the processing cycle of the endoscope in the basin 104, etc. The controller 126 can be configured to receive inputs from one or more sensors associated with the cup deployment system 122, the door control system 124, and/or any other system or component of the endoscope reprocessor 100 and to generate outputs to control operation of the different systems and/or components of the endoscope reprocessor 100. The controller 126 can include a processor 128 and memory 130 that includes computer-executable instructions that are executed by the processor 128. In an example, the processor 128 can be or include a graphics processing unit (GPU), a plurality of GPUs, a central processing unit (CPU), a plurality of CPUs, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a microcontroller, or the like.

[00129] The memory 130 may contain stored data pertaining to operation of the endoscope reprocessor 100. For instance, the memory 130 may be configured to store data or a look-up table pertaining to required control outputs for appropriately operating the cup deployment system 122 to automatically move the cup deployment system 122 between the receiving position and engaged position. In another example, the memory 130 may be configured to store data or a look-up table pertaining to required control outputs for appropriately operating the door control system 124 to automatically move the door 118. In a further example, the memory 130 may be configured to store data or a look-up table pertaining to required control outputs for appropriately operating a reprocessing cycle of the endoscope reprocessor 100.

[00130] Illustrated in FIG. 2 is a top of the housing 102 with the front panel 108 attached and portions of the basin 104 omitted to present a view of parts in the upper portion of the housing 102. For instance, FIG. 2 illustrates a top 200 of the cup deployment system 122. As well, FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of tubing 202 to direct fluid into and out of the basin 104.

[00131] Turning now to FIG. 3 and 4, illustrated is the endoscope reprocessor 100 with the front panel 108 removed to view the interior of the housing 102. The illustrated door control system 124 includes door engagement structure 300 that engages the door 1 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the door engagement structure 300 is generally U- shape with protrusions that engage an interior of the door 118, as will be described in greater detail below. The door engagement structure 300 is attached to a translation mechanism 302 that is configured to move the door engagement structure 300, and by extension the door 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the translation mechanism 302 comprises a single acting, spring extend pneumatic cylinder. As will be described in greater detail below, the cylinder receives pressurized air from a pneumatic line and is triggered using a pneumatic switch.

[00132] The illustrated cup deployment system 122 includes a receiver 304 configured to receive and retain the sterilant concentrate cup containing the decontaminant solution and a translation mechanism 306 coupled to the receiver 304 to move the receiver 304, in the illustrated embodiment vertically up and down. The translation mechanism 306 can be configured to move the receiver 304 between the receiving position, illustrated for example in FIGS. 3 and 9, and the engaged position, illustrated for example in FIG. 1 1 , where the receiver 304 engages a receiver cap 902. When engaged, the receiver 304 and the receiver cap 902 surround or encapsulate the sterilant concentrate cup therein. The receiver 304 can take any suitable configuration or shape for retaining the sterilant concentrate cup and typically will depend on the configuration of the sterilant concentrate cup and the decontaminant solution therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver 304 is configured to receive and retain a sterilant concentrate cup containing, for example, a peracetic acid chemistry solution and ABC builders powder. An example of a sterilant concentrate cup is the S40® sterilant concentrate cup.

[00133] Any suitable translation mechanism 306 may be used to move the receiver 304 and in the illustrated embodiment the translation mechanism 306 comprises a double acting pneumatic cylinder. The double acting pneumatic cylinder receives pressurized air from a pneumatic line, which may be in fluid communication with the pneumatic line of the door control system 124 and/or may be a separate line. For instance, the single acting pneumatic cylinder of the door control system 124 and the top of the double acting pneumatic cylinder of the cup deployment system 122 may be on the same pneumatic line such that the exhaustion of the shared pneumatic line allows the receiver 304 to pivot from the receiving position to the staged position and the door 118 to close via the upward spring bias of the spring of the single acting pneumatic cylinder in tandem. Different size orifices can be used on the pneumatic line such that the single acting pneumatic cylinder closes the door 118 before the double acting pneumatic cylinder retracts the receiver 304 from the receiving position to prevent pinch hazards for a user.

[00134] Illustrated in FIG. 5 is an isolated view of a portion of the cup deployment system 122. In FIG. 5, the cup deployment system 122 is in the receiving position where the receiver 304 is positioned to receive the sterilant concentrate cup, as will be described in detail below. The endoscope reprocessor 100 includes a frame 500 that supports one or more portions of the cup deployment system 122. The frame 500 includes a top bracket 502, a bottom bracket 504, and a plurality of rods arranged between the top bracket 502 and the bottom bracket 504 that support movement of the cup deployment system 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 500 includes a first rod 506 and a second rod 508 (hereafter, rods 506 and 508) that are arranged parallel to one another. The rods 506 and 508 can be rigidly mounted to the top bracket 502 and the bottom bracket 504 to provide stability to the frame 500 and the cup deployment system 122. The rods 506 and 508 can have any suitable shape and/or size made of any suitable material. The shape and size can be similar for the first rod 506 and the second rod 508 and/or can vary. For instance, the first rod 506 can have a first cross-section (e.g., circular) while the second rod 508 has a different second crosssection (e.g., rectangular). The cross-section can be uniform along the length of the rod 506 and 508 and/or can vary. In the illustrated embodiment, the rods 506 and 508 are made of 304 Stainless Steel and have half inch diameter cross-sections.

[00135] The frame 500 can further include a receiver stop bracket 510 attached to the rods 506 and 508 to hold an upper portion of the translation mechanism 306 in a vertical position within the frame 500. Accordingly, the receiver stop bracket 510 is used to prevent unintentional rotation of the translation mechanism 306 due to the translation mechanism 306 being attached to the bottom bracket 504 via a pin and spring clips, as described below. The frame 500 further includes a translating receiver guide 512 positioned between the translation mechanism 306 and the receiver 304. The receiver guide 512 is slidably mounted to the rods 506 and 508 to travel along the rods 506 and 508 as the translation mechanism 306 moves the receiver 304 vertically up and down. Similar to the receiver stop bracket 510, the receiver guide 512 prevents unintentional rotation of the receiver 304. Moreover, the receiver guide 512 maintains alignment between the receiver 304 and the receiver cap 902 to facilitate engagement therebetween.

[00136] The frame 500 can further include one or more hinges 514 for hingedly connecting the frame 500 to the housing 102 of the endoscope reprocessor 100 and to secure the frame 500 at a fixed position within the interior of the housing 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 500 includes two hinges 514 arranged at a top part of the frame 500 (e.g., on the top bracket 502) and at a bottom part of the frame 500 (e.g., on the bottom bracket 504). Any suitable hinge types may be used and in the illustrated embodiment, the hinges 514 comprise lift-off hinges that slide onto corresponding structure of the housing 102.

[00137] As shown in FIG. 6, the frame 500 can further include structure for holding a portion of the door control system 124 in place within the interior of the housing 102, similar to the cup deployment system 122. The illustrated structure includes a plurality of door mounts 516 that include an aperture that receive a portion of the translation mechanism 302 of the door control system 124 to secure the translation mechanism 302 to the housing 102. The door mounts 516 can be secured on one or more of the aforedescribed rods 506 and 508 to hold the door mounts 516 in place relative to the rest of the frame 500. In the illustrated embodiment, each door mount 516 includes two retaining rings on both ends of each door mount 516 to secure the door mounts 516 on the first rod 506 and the second rod 508. In another embodiment, only one end of the door mount 516 includes a retaining ring for attaching the first rod 506 or the second rod 508.

[00138] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the translation mechanism 306 of the cup deployment system 122 comprises a double-acting pneumatic cylinder including a cylinder 518 having a first pneumatic port 520, also referred to herein as a top or upper pneumatic port, and a second pneumatic port 522, also referred to herein as bottom or lower pneumatic port, the first and second pneumatic ports 520, 522 being at opposite ends of the cylinder 518. The translation mechanism 306 further includes a piston rod 600 that travels into and out of the cylinder 518.

[00139] The illustrated translation mechanism 302 of the door control system 124 comprises a single acting pneumatic cylinder 602 that includes a cylinder 604 with a pneumatic port 608 and a piston rod 606 that travels into and out of the cylinder 604 to move the door engagement structure 300. The translation mechanism 302 is configured such that the piston rod 606 is biased upward by a spring to move the door engagement structure 300 upward when the cylinder 604 is not pressurized or pressure is released from the cylinder 604, and further configured such that pressurization of the cylinder 604 urges the piston rod 606 downward against the spring bias of the spring and thereby moves the door engagement structure 300 downward.

[00140] Turning now to FIG. 7, illustrated is a top-down view of the top bracket 502 of the frame 500. The top bracket 502 includes one or more holes 700 for receiving cap bolts for attaching the receiver cap 902 to the top bracket 502. The top bracket 502 can include any suitable number of holes 700 in any suitable arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, the top bracket 502 includes three holes 700 that are arranged non- symmetrically about an axis (into and out of the page in FIG. 7) that passes through a central axis of the receiver cap 902 so that the receiver cap 902 can only be installed one way.

[00141] The top bracket 502 further includes one or more rod holes 702 for receiving bolts for attaching the first rod 506 and the second rod 508 to the top bracket 502. Similar to the holes 700 for the receiver cap bolts, any suitable number and/or arrangement can be used for the rod holes 702 and may depend on the number of rods in the frame. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the top bracket 502 includes two rod holes 702 arranged such that a force transfer line A extending between the two rod holes 702 crosses through the axis that passes through the central axis of the receiver cap 902. This can help limit the possibility of creating unwanted bending or twisting from off-center loading conditions. In the illustrated embodiment, one rod hole 702 is closer to the center of the receiver cap 902 than the other rod hole 702 to offset one of the rods (e.g., the first rod 506 or the second rod 508) to position the rod out of the way of the receiver 304 to allow easy access for the user when removing the sterilant concentrate cup.

[00142] The top bracket 502 can be made of any suitable material, size, and/or thickness. In an exemplary embodiment, the top bracket 502 is made of 0.18 inch thick 304 Stainless Steel. The thickness can be chosen to reduce deflection that occurs when the force required to engage the receiver 304 and receiver cap 902 is applied. In one embodiment, the force applied on the receiver cap 902 during the sealing engagement comprises 314 Ibf.

[00143] Illustrated in FIG. 8 is a top-down view of the bottom bracket 504. The bottom bracket 504 includes a body 800 with a first flange 802 at a first end of the body 800 and a second flange 804 at a second end of the body 800. The first flange 802 includes the hinge 514 and the second flange 804 includes a hole to accommodate a fastener 806 to secure the second flange 804 to the frame 500 of the housing 102 to prevent rotation of the frame 500 on the hinges 514. The body 800 can take any suitable shape and/or size and in the illustrated embodiment comprises a generally U- shape cross-section. The body 800 can further include one or more holes 808 to accommodate the rods of the frame 500. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 800 includes two holes 808 for attaching the first rod 506 and the second rod 508 thereto. [00144] The bottom of the cylinder 518 of the translation mechanism 306 is pivotably mounted to the body 800 of the bottom bracket 504. The body 800 may include a hole (not visible). A pin slides through the hole and a matching hole in the bottom of the cylinder 518 of the translation mechanism 306, and spring clips 810 are placed on opposite sides of the body 800 to keep the pin in place. In this way, the bottom of the cylinder 518 is able to pivot about the pin.

[00145] Similar to the top bracket 502, the bottom bracket 504 can be made of any suitable material, size, and/or thickness. In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom bracket 504 is made of 0.18 inch thick Stainless Steel. Because the same force applied to the top bracket 502 is applied to the bottom bracket 504 while engaging the receiver cap 902 and the receiver 304, similar material may be used for both the top bracket 502 and the bottom bracket 504.

[00146] Turning now to FIGS. 9-1 1 , illustrated is the cup deployment system 122 transitioning from the receiving position (FIG. 9) where the receiver 304 is positioned to receive the sterilant concentrate cup from the user to the engaged position (FIG. 1 1 ) where the receiver 304 engages the receiver cap 902. As will be described in greater detail below, the transition from the receiving position to the engaged position, as well as the transition from the engaged position to the receiving position, is performed automatically by the control system, and thus avoids making the user manually pierce the cup via a needle to release the solution therein and/or detach the cup from the needle. In the illustrated embodiments, the cup deployment system 122 includes at least three stationary positions that the control system automatically moves the receiver 304 between: the receiving position (FIG.9), a staged position (FIG. 10), and the engaged position (FIG. 1 1 ).

[00147] As can be seen in FIG. 9, in a receiving position 900, also referred to herein as a kick-out position, the receiver 304 is positioned at an angle with respect to a translation axis of the translation mechanism 306 to position the receiver 304 in a position to receive and retain the sterilant concentrate cup provided by the user. The translation axis, as its nomenclature suggests, is the axis along which translation mechanism 306 translates the receiver 304 toward and away from the receiver cap 902, which in the illustrated embodiment is vertically oriented and parallel to, and in some embodiments may be coincident with, a central axis of the receiver cap 902. As can be seen in FIG. 10, in a staged position 1000, the receiver 304 is positioned at a different angle with respect to the translation axis than the kick-out position angle. In the illustrated embodiment, in the staged position 1000, the angle of the receiver 304 with respect to the translation axis is zero degrees. As can be seen in FIG. 11 , in an engaged position 1 100, the receiver 304 again is positioned at a different angle with respect to the translation axis than the kick-out position angle. In the illustrated embodiment, in the engaged position 1 100, the angle of the receiver 304 with respect to the translation axis is zero degrees.

[00148] In the illustrated embodiment, the top of the receiver 304 is angled toward the opening of the front panel (not pictured) to place the interior of the receiver 304 in a more accessible position for receiving the sterilant concentrate cup from the user. In the receiving position 900, the receiver 304 can take any suitable angle with respect to the translation axis of the translation mechanism 306. For instance, the receiver 304 can be angled between 1 degree and 45 degrees with respect to the translation axis of the translation mechanism 306. In another example, the receiver 304 can be angled between 20 degrees and 45 degrees. In the illustrated example, in the receiving position 900, the receiver 304 is angled 35 degrees with respect to the translation axis of the translation mechanism 306. As will be described in detail below, the cup deployment system 122 and/or the frame 500 can include further structure to angle the receiver 304 in the receiving position 900.

[00149] In the illustrated receiving position 900, the translation mechanism 306 acts to pull the piston rod 600 downward to pull the receiver 304 downward against the further structure to tilt the receiver 304. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the second pneumatic input port 522 can be vented while the first pneumatic input port 520 is pressurized to drive the piston rod 600 downward.

[00150] Between the receiving position (FIG. 9) and the engaged position (FIG. 1 1 ), the cup deployment system 122 can be transitioned from the receiving position 900 to the staged position 1000, illustrated in FIG. 10, prior to moving to the engaged position. In the staged position 1000, a central axis of the receiver 304 is aligned parallel to and coincides with the central axis of the receiver cap 902. In some embodiments, the central axis of the receiver 304 may be offset from the central axis of the receiver cap 902 and brought into alignment by a transverse translation mechanism. [00151] Any suitable structure can be used to transition the receiver 304 from the receiving position 900 to the staged position 1000. In the illustrative embodiment, the translation mechanism 306 lowers the receiver 304 and further structure is used to rotate the receiver 304. For example, the first pneumatic input port 520 and the second pneumatic input port 522 can be controllably pressurized and vented to move the piston rod 600 downward and thus the receiver 304 downward, while the additional structure causes rotation of the receiver 304, as will be described in detail below.

[00152] The receiver 304 can transition from the receiving position 900 to the staged position 1000 based on any suitable input. For instance, a user can enter an input into the control panel (e.g., via the input interface) to cause the control system to automatically move the receiver 304 from the receiving position 900 to the staged position 1000. In another example, the receiver 304 can include a sensor that detects when the sterilant concentrate cup is inserted into the receiver 304 and the control system then automatically moves the receiver 304 from the receiving position 900 to the staged position 1000 when the cup is detected.

[00153] After moving the receiver 304 to the staged position 1000, the control system further automatically moves the receiver 304 to the engaged position 1100 where the receiver 304 engages with the receiver cap 902, illustrated in FIG. 11. As can be seen comparing FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 , the receiver 304 is vertically oriented but vertically spaced from the receiver cap 902 in the staged position 1000 compared to the engaged position 900.

[00154] To move the receiver 304 from the staged position 1000 to the engaged position 1 100, pressurized air is applied via the second pneumatic port 522, which causes the piston rod 600 to raise the receiver 304. To prevent unintentional travel of the cup deployment system 122 when the receiver 304 is not in the vertical position the pneumatic lines may be connected to one or more switches 1226, described in greater detail below, such that the pressurized air does not reach the translation mechanism 306 unless the switch 1226 is triggered and thus prevents driven movement of the piston rod 600 of the translation mechanism 306. In FIGS. 9-11 , a first switch 904 is configured to indicate when the receiver 304 is in the vertical position (seen in FIGS. 10 and 11 ) and a non-vertical or tilted position (seen in FIG. 9). The illustrated first switch 904 comprises a limit switch with a lever that is pressed when the receiver 304 is in the vertical position. When the receiver 304 returns to a vertical position (seen in FIGS. 10 and 11 ), the bottom of the receiver 304 lands on the limit switch 904, and the limit switch 904 signals to the controller 126 that the receiver 304 is in the vertical position.

[00155] In addition to the switch 904 that indicates when the receiver 304 is in the vertical position, the endoscope reprocessor 100 can include a plurality of other sensors and/or switches that indicate states of other components of the endoscope reprocessor 100. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the endoscope reprocessor 100 can include a second switch 906 that indicates that the receiver guide 512 has reached the bottom position and, accordingly, the receiver 304 has been pivoted to the receiving position 900, that is, the kick-out position 900. Similar to switch 904, the second switch 906 includes a lever that is pressed when the receiver guide 512 is in the bottom position. In this case, the second switch 906 is positioned such that the receiver guide 512 presses on the lever of the second switch 906 in the bottom position. When the receiver guide 512 contacts the second switch 906, the second switch 906 signals to the controller 126 that the receiver 304 is in the receiving position 900, that is, the kick-out position 900.

[00156] The endoscope reprocessor 100 can further include a third switch 908 that indicates when door engagement structure 300 structure is in the open position and the door 118 is lowered permitting access to the interior of the housing 102. Similar to the second switch 906 and the first switch 904, the third switch 908 includes a lever that is pressed when the door engagement structure 300 is in the open position. In this case, the third switch 908 is positioned such that the door engagement structure 300 presses the lever of the third switch 908 downward in the open position.

[00157] The first switch 904, the second switch 906, and/or the third switch 908 can be in contact with the control system to provide positional information to the control system. The control system can then use this information to automatically control one or more systems and/or components of the endoscope reprocessor 100. For instance, responsive to the switch 904 indicating the receiver 304 is in the vertical position, the control system can trigger the door control system 124 to cause pressure in the cylinder 604 to be released which causes the spring of the translation mechanism 302 to urge the piston rod 606 upward and, accordingly, move the door 118 from the open position to the closed position. The control system can further be configured to compare the information from the different switches to determine whether the endoscope reprocessor 100 is running correctly. For example, the control system can compare information from the switch 904 to the second switch 906 to determine whether the receiver guide 512 is in the bottom position which should cause the receiver 304 to pivot and thereby move away from the switch 904.

[00158] The control system can further be configured to automatically reverse the movement of the receiver 304 to return the receiver 304 from the engaged position 1 100 to the receiving position 900 and/or the staged position 1000. Similar to the movement described above, this reversed movement can be triggered by any suitable input. For instance, the reversed movement can be initiated by a sensor detecting that a cleaning process of the endoscope, e.g., the reprocessing, is complete. In another example, the reversed movement can be initiated when the control panel receives an input from the user indicating the control system should execute the reverse movement.

[00159] As mentioned above, the cup deployment system 122 can include a mechanism(s) for kicking out the receiver 304 from the staged position 1000 to the receiving position 900 (FIG. 9). An exemplary kick-out mechanism 1200 for rotating or pivoting the receiver 304 can be seen in FIGS. 12-16. In the illustrated embodiment, the kick-out mechanism 1200 includes structure on both the receiver 304 and on the support structure (e.g., frame 500 (FIG. 5)) that interact to rotate the receiver 304. More particularly, the receiver 304 includes at least one angled roller surface, e.g., ramp 1202, that slidably engages a protrusion 1204 that extends upward from the receiver stop bracket 510 of the frame 500. The protrusion 1204 can include a roller 1206 thereon that is configured to slidably engage the ramp 1202. The roller 1206 can engage the ramp 1202 as the receiver 304 rotates or pivots from the staged position 1000 to the kicked-out or receiving position 900 and/or the vice-versa. The roller 1206 is rotationally attached to the protrusion 1204 such that roller 1206 slidably travels along the ramp 1202 as the receiver 304 pivots. [00160] The kick-out mechanism 1200 further includes structure that acts as a pivot axis 1208 for the pivoting of the receiver 304. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver 304 includes a protrusion 1210 that extends from a bottom of the receiver 304 and is pivotally attached to a base plate 1212 that is located between the receiver 304 and the receiver guide 512. Any suitable pivotal connection between the receiver 304 and the base plate 1212 is contemplated. In the illustrated embodiment, the base plate 1212 includes a cylindrical protrusion and the protrusion 1210 of the receiver 304 includes a corresponding circular aperture that receives and attaches to the cylindrical protrusion by a pivot pin. As will be appreciated, in this way the center of the pivot pin defines the pivot axis 1208.

[00161] As noted above, it is the translation mechanism 306 that is actuated to move the ramp 1202 into engagement with the roller 1206 (e.g., downward). More particularly, it is the downward movement of the piston rod 600 that maintains the contact between the ramp 1202 and the roller 1206. This engagement causes the receiver 304 to rotate about the pivot axis 1208 as the roller 1206 slidably travels along the ramp 1202.

[00162] The kick-out mechanism 1200 can further include structure 1214 that moves the receiver 304 from the receiving position 900 to the staged position 1000 without requiring actuation of the translation mechanism 306. More particularly, the structure 1214 mechanically moves the receiver 304 when the translation mechanism 306 is in a non-actuated stated. For instance, the structure 1214 may include one or more springs 1216 that is/are connected at a first end to the base plate 1212 and at a second end to one or more spring hooks 1218 on the receiver 304. In the figures, the second end is shown unattached for clarity. The spring hook 1218 can take any suitable shape and/or location on the receiver 304, and in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a hook 1218 that extends downwardly from an upper rim of the receiver 304. The pivot axis 1208 and the first end connection of the spring 1216 are arranged on opposing sides of the ramp 1202 so that engagement of the ramp 1202 and the roller 1206 acts as a fulcrum for rotation of the receiver 304.

[00163] As the receiver 304 pivots from the staged position 1000 to the receiving position 900, the springs 1216 are stretched from an initial position to an elongated position against a spring force of the springs 1216. To hold the springs 1216 in the elongated position, the translation mechanism 306 maintains the downward pressure on the piston rod 600 which maintains the contact between the ramp 1202 and the roller 1206 in the receiving position 900.

[00164] The receiver 304 can then be pivoted from the receiving position 900 to the staged position 1000 by way of the spring force of the springs 1216. The spring force can be selected such that, when the translation mechanism 306 is vented at both the first pneumatic port 520 and the second pneumatic port 522 and the downward force on the piston rod 600 is released, the springs 1216 pull on the receiver 304 to pivot the receiver 304 from the receiving position 900 to the staged position 1000. Because the receiver 304 is pulled downward against the roller 1206 in the receiving position 900, the roller 1206 acts as a fulcrum to lift the receiver 304 upward as the spring 1206 contracts. Because the downward force on the receiver 304 is provided by movement of the piston rod 600 connected to the receiver 304, the spring force is further selected to move the piston rod 600 upward as the springs 1216 return to the initial position.

[00165] Therefore, the springs 1216 are flexible enough to stretch for rotation of the receiver 304 from the staged position 1000 to the receiving position 900, while also having a high enough spring force to move and/or lift both the receiver 304 and the piston rod 600 when the pressure of the translation mechanism 306 is released. The springs 1216 can be made of any suitable material, such as high carbon steels, stainless steels, alloy steels, composites, copper alloys, nickel alloys, and/or the like.

[00166] This stretching of the springs 1216 can be seen in FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 illustrates the receiver 304 in the staged position 1000 where the receiver 304 is substantially vertical and the springs 1216 are in the initial position. The ramp 1202 engages the roller 1206 and the receiver 304 presses on the switch 904 informing the control system that the receiver 304 is in the vertical position. FIG. 14 illustrates the receiver 304 in the receiving position 900 where the receiver 304 is angled and the springs 1216 are stretched from the initial position. The springs 1216 stretch from the initial position in FIG. 13 to the position illustrated in FIG. 14. In use, the first ends of the springs 1216 which are attached to the base plate 1212 and the second ends of the springs 1216 which are attached to the hooks 1218 are urged apart thereby stretching the springs 1216 as the receiver 304 is moved to the receiving position 900. As can further be seen in the comparison between FIGS. 13 and 14, the receiver 304 no longer presses on the switch 904 when the receiver 304 is angled to the receiving position 900 (FIG. 14).

[00167] The cup deployment system 122 may include a switch 1226, for example a pneumatic limit switch 1226, that is connected to a pneumatic line(s) connected to the translation mechanism 306. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment the pneumatic limit switch 1226 may include a first connector 1220 attachable to a first pneumatic tube and a second connector 1222 attachable to a second pneumatic tube, the pneumatic tubes being omitted for clarity. One of the first and second pneumatic tubes can be connected to a pneumatic source while the other can be connected to the translation mechanism 306. The pneumatic limit switch 1226 can be configured to fluidly connect the first pneumatic tube and the second pneumatic tube, and thus the pneumatic source to the translation mechanism 306, when the pneumatic limit switch 1226 is triggered by the receiver 304 pressing on a plunger or trigger 1224 of the pneumatic limit switch 1226 (seen in FIG. 13). The pneumatic limit switch 1226 can be further configured to fluidly disconnect the first pneumatic tube and the second pneumatic tube when the receiver 304 is pivoted away from the trigger 1224 (seen in FIG. 14). When pressurized air is applied to the bottom of the cylinder 518, the cylinder 518 causes the receiver 304 to raise. In the illustrated embodiment, the air first travels through the pneumatic limit switch 1226. The air only reaches the cylinder 518 and causes the receiver 304 to raise if the trigger 1224 of the pneumatic limit switch 1226 is pressed. As can be seen by a comparison of FIGS. 13 and 14, and described above, the trigger 1224 is pressed when the receiver 304 is oriented vertical. As will be appreciated, the pneumatic limit switch 1226 may provide a safety precaution wherein the receiver 304 is prevented from being raised if the receiver 304 is not in the vertical position, that is, if the receiver 304 tilted for any reason, whether inadvertently or due to a malfunction.

[00168] The structure 1214 can include any suitable number of springs. Because of what the spring is being asked to move as it returns from the extended position to the initial position, the structure 1214 may include multiple springs. Illustrated in FIG. 15 is an embodiment where the structure 1214 includes three springs 1216. Each of the springs 1216 can include a separate connection to the base plate 1212 and to a corresponding individual spring hook 1218 on the receiver 304. In another embodiment, the springs 1216 can share a single spring hook 1218.

[00169] As can be seen in FIGS. 15 and 16, the cup deployment system 122 can include any suitable number of ramps 1202 and/or rollers 1206. In the illustrated embodiment, the cup deployment system 122 includes separate spaced apart ramps that interact with separate spaced apart rollers. More particularly, the cup deployment system 122 includes a first ramp 1500 that engages a first roller 1502 and a second ramp 1504 that engages a second roller 1506. In another embodiment, the cup deployment system 122 has a singular ramp that extends along the receiver 304 that engage a plurality of rollers. In a further embodiment, the cup deployment system 122 includes a plurality of ramps on the receiver 304 that engage a shared roller.

[00170] Turning now to FIGS. 17 and 18, illustrated are views of the receiver 304 in isolation. The receiver 304 can take any suitable configuration and/or shape and in the illustrated embodiments is cup shaped with a top that narrows toward a smaller base. The top of the receiver 304 includes an opening 1700 to permit a user to place the sterilant concentrate cup into the receiver 304. The receiver 304 may include one or more vertically extending fins 1702 on an interior surface of the receiver 304 to space a sterilant concentrate cup from the interior surface of the receiver 304. For example, the receiver 304 may include three vertical fins 1702 arranged symmetrically on the interior surface.

[00171] The receiver 304 can further include one or more hooks 1704 that extend from the top of the receiver 304 to assist in disconnecting the sterilant concentrate cup from the receiver cap 902, as will be explained in detail below. The illustrated receiver 304 includes two hooks 1704. The hooks 1704 can be selected to have a height that allows the sterilant concentrate cup to be placed in the receiver 304 and/or removed from the receiver 304 without unintentional snagging on the hooks 1704.

[00172] The receiver 304 can further include a barbed inlet port 1706 and a barbed outlet port 1708 that are each in fluid communication with an interior of the receiver 304. The barbed inlet port 1706 may be fluidly connected to tubing, piping, or the like that extends from a fluid (e.g., water) source and the fluid connection is used to provide fluid from the fluid source into the interior of the receiver 304 during the processing cycle. The barbed outlet port 1708 can be fluidly connected to tubing, piping, or the like that extends from the barbed outlet port 1708 to the basin 104 to fluidly communicate the fluid-solution mixture from the receiver 304 to the basin 104 during the processing cycle.

[00173] The inlet port 1706 introduces water to the acid and builders inside the sterilant concentrate cup and the outlet port 1708 expels the water-acid-builders mixture to plumbing leading to the processor basin 104 of the endoscope reprocessor 100. The inlet port 1706 and the outlet port 1708 can be placed at any suitable location on the receiver 304 and, in the illustrated embodiment, are adjacent one another near the bottom of the receiver 304. In an exemplary embodiment, the inlet port 1706 is located so that a diameter of the inlet port 1706 is adjacent the bottom of a sterilant concentrate cup placed in the receiver 304. This can be done so that a portion of the flow from the inlet port 1706 gets sent to the interior of the bottom of the sterilant concentrate cup to help dissolve and remove the builders from the sterilant cup. Another portion of the flow from the inlet port 1706 can be sent to the exterior of the sterilant cup to wet all the sterilant cup surfaces and the surfaces of the receiver 304. Wetting all the surfaces aids in confirming sterilization.

[00174] The outlet port 1708 is located under the sterilant concentrate cup to direct flow out of the receiver 304. An inlet of the outlet port 1708 can be offset from a center of the receiver 304 due to a snap-in bottom of the sterilant cup shadowing, i.e. covering, the center of the sterilant cup after being dislodged by a pin of the receiver 304, as will be discussed below. A drain 1710 is in fluid communication with the outlet port 1708 and is located below and spaced from a bottom of the sterilant cup to give room for water to enter the sterilant cup, mix and dissolve material in the sterilant cup (e.g., builders), and exit the receiver 304 through the drain 1710 and the outlet port 1708.

[00175] The different parts of the receiver 304 can be made of similar material and/or the materials can vary. For instance, the hooks 1704 may be made of a first material while a body of the receiver 304 can be made of a different second material. By way of an example, the hooks 1704 can be made of 304 Stainless Steel while the body of the receiver 304 is made of a composite alloy.

[00176] FIG. 19 illustrates a view of the receiver 304 from FIGS. 17 and 18 that has been bisected. As can be seen in FIG. 19, the interior of the receiver 304 includes an attachment point 1900 for the hook 1704. The receiver 304 includes a first rim 1902 that extends around a top edge of the receiver 304. The interior of the receiver 304 includes a second rim 1904 that is spaced vertically downward from the first rim 1902. The second rim 1904 is shaped and positioned to act as a sealing surface for a seal, such as the illustrated O-ring 2810 or other sealing structure, sandwiched between the receiver 304 and the receiver cap 902 (FIGS. 28-31 ) when the receiver 304 and the receiver cap 902 are brought into engagement by the translation mechanism 306. In the illustrated embodiment, the second rim 1904 is spaced concentrically from the first rim 1902 and indented downwardly into the interior of the receiver 304. The amount the second rim 1904 is indented with respect to the first rim 1902 is based on a select amount of compression the O-ring 2810 sees when the receiver 304 sealingly engages the receiver cap 902, as will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 31 .

[00177] The interior of the receiver 304 further includes surfaces to form a space 1906 for a user to grip a sterilant concentrate cup to insert the sterilant cup and/or remove the sterilant cup. In the illustrated embodiment, the space 1906 comprises a curved surface adjacent the second rim 1904 that is shaped based on the dimensions of the sterilant cup.

[00178] The interior of the receiver 304 additionally includes a base ledge 1908 that extends inwardly from the interior surface of the receiver 304 and designed for a bottom of the sterilant concentrate cup to rest on. The base ledge 1908 can be spaced from a bottom of the receiver 304 to elevate the sterilant cup within the receiver 304. The base ledge 1908 can be arranged in the interior of the receiver 304 such that a top of the sterilant cup is spaced from the first rim 1902 of the receiver 304. The top of the sterilant cup is spaced such that water droplets resting on the top of the sterilant cup at the end of the reprocessing cycle get caught in the receiver 304 when the receiver 304 tilts out towards the user in the receiving position 900 (FIG. 9). This causes the water to trickle towards the drain 1710 before the user goes to remove the used sterilant cup. The top of the sterilant cup can be spaced any suitable distance downward from the first rim 1902. In one embodiment, the downward distance is in a range of 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch. In another embodiment, the downward distance is 3/8 inch. The interior surface of the receiver 304 can be further shaped to slope towards the drain 1710 to use the mechanical action of the fluid from the inlet port 1706 colliding with the undissolved builders to help break up and dissolve the builders.

[00179] The receiver 304 further includes a mesh screen 1912 that is adjacent to the inlet of the drain 1710. The mesh screen 1912 prevents the builders in the sterilant cup or any other particulates from blocking and/or getting compacted in the flow pathway of the outlet port 1708. The mesh screen 1912 can include any size openings, such as 1/8 inch openings.

[00180] The receiver 304 further includes a pin 1914 that extends vertically upward from the bottom of the receiver 304. The pin 1914 can be used to dislodge the snap-in bottom of the sterilant cup to release the ABC builders in the bottom of the sterilant cup. The pin 1914 can further hold the dislodged bottom of the cup at an angle allowing fluid, e.g., water, from the inlet port 1706 to flush the builders out of the bottom of the cup. The pin 1914 can take any suitable size and be placed at any suitable location within the interior of the receiver 304 to dislodge the bottom of the cup and may depend on dimensions of the sterilant cup. In one embodiment, the pin 1914 is 1 inch tall and offset 13/16 of an inch from the center of the receiver 304. The pin 1914 can be made of any suitable material and, in one embodiment, the pin 1914 is made of 304 Stainless Steel.

[00181] FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a top-down view of the receiver 304 and a bottom-up view of the receiver 304 from within an interior of the receiver 304. The symmetrical arrangement of the three fins 1702 on the interior of the receiver 304 can be more clearly seen in FIG. 20. As can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 20 and 21 , the inlet port 1706 includes an inlet opening 2000 in fluid communication with the interior of the receiver 304.

[00182] FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary embodiment illustrating the pin 1914 having dislodged a snap-in bottom 2202 of an exemplary sterilant concentrate cup 2200. As will be described in detail below, the sterilant concentrate cup 2200 used in the description herein is an S40® sterilant concentrate cup that includes three separate compartments: a guideway compartment 2804, a first compartment or capsule 2806, and a second compartment or capsule 2808 that are arranged for piercing in this order. However, the system described herein can be configured and employed with any sterilant concentrate cup that includes a plurality of separate compartments that are brought into fluid communication with one another or with a fluid source or a fluid destination during the processing cycle. For instance, the geometry of the receiver 304, the cap 902, including the needle(s) of the cap 902, and/or the like may be adjusted to accommodate a sterilant concentrate cup having a geometry that is different from that of the illustrated sterilant concentrate cup.

[00183] The dislodging of the snap-in bottom 2202 creates a first gap 2204 on a first side of the cup 2200 and a second gap 2206 on a second side of the cup 2200. When the bottom 2202 is dislodged and held up at an angle by the top of the pin 1914, the first and second gaps 2204, 2206 are on opposite sides of the dislodged tilted bottom 2202 and, as described earlier, allow water from the inlet port 1706 to flush more easily the builders out of the bottom of the cup 2200 to the drain 1710 and the outlet port 1708.

[00184] Turning now to FIG. 23, illustrated is the receiver cap 902 mounted to the top bracket 502 (FIG. 5). The receiver cap 902 includes a cap body 2300 with one or more needles extending from an upper interior surface of the cap body 2300 to pierce one or more lids or separators of the guideway compartment 2804, the second compartment 2808, and/or the second compartment 2808, of the sterilant concentrate cup. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap body 2300 has a circular cross-section but may have any suitable cross-section and the cross-section may depend on the shape of the receiver 304, the sterilant cup, and/or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver cap 902 includes a center needle 2302 extending from a center of the upper inner surface of the cap body 2300 and a second needle 2304 that extends from another portion of the upper inner surface offset from the center. The center needle 2302 and the second needle 2304 may have similar shapes and constructions or, as illustrated, may vary depending on the purpose of the respective needle. [00185] For instance, the center needle 2302 can be configured to both introduce water and/or air into the sterilant concentrate cup while also fluidly connecting different compartments and/or capsules within the sterilant concentrate cup. In one exemplary embodiment, the sterilant concentrate cup can include a plurality of compartments that are separated from each other, for example, by an internal separator or wall of the sterilant concentrate cup. More particularly, the sterilant concentrate cup can include a first compartment that includes a liquid solution of a peracetic acid solution, while a second compartment separated from the first compartment includes ABC builders. As will be described in detail below, the center needle 2302 may be configured to pierce the separator that is between the first compartment and the second compartment thereby to fluidly combine the peracetic acid and the ABC builders via the water and/or air fluidly communicated by the center needle 2302.

[00186] To that end, the center needle 2302 includes a slot 2306 adjacent a puncture end 2308 of the center needle 2302, the slot 2306 extending transverse the length direction of the center needle 2302. In the illustrated embodiment, the puncture end 2308 of the center needle 2302 is a symmetric point that aids in finding a center of the sterilant cup to pierce therethrough, however the puncture end 2308 can take any suitable shape. The slot 2306 allows contents of the first compartment 2806 to flow out of the bottom of the puncture hole into the second compartment 2808. More particularly, once the center needle 2302 has punctured through the separator between the compartments, the slot 2306 in the center needle 2302 enables communication between the first compartment and the second compartment. The slot 2306 can take any suitable shape and/or size to permit the flow between compartments in the sterilant concentrate cup. Moreover, the center needle 2302 can include any suitable number of slots and the number may depend on the number of different compartments within the sterilant concentrate cup that will be placed in fluid communication.

[00187] The center needle 2302 can further include an inner fluid channel 2400 (FIG. 24) within the center needle 2302 that connects to a fluid line and/or an air line exterior to the center needle 2302, as will be described in detail below. The center needle 2302 can include an opening on the body of the center needle 2302 to vent the inner fluid channel. In the illustrated embodiment, the center needle 2302 includes an opening or outlet 2310 that is spaced from the slot 2306 on an opposing side of the slot 2306 to the puncture end 2308. The opening 2310 can be at any suitable location on the center needle 2310 and may located to be in a particular compartment when the receiver 304 engages the cap 902. As will be described in detail below, in the illustrated embodiments herein, when the receiver 304 is in engagement with the cap 902 the opening 2310 is positioned to be in the first compartment, that is the peracetic acid compartment, of the sterilant concentrate cup. Moreover, the center needle 2302 can include any suitable number of openings 2310. During a processing cycle, water and/or air is flushed through the inner fluid channel 2400 and into the sterilant concentrate cup 2200. The water and/or air can be flushed into an interior of the sterilant concentrate cup over any suitable interval, such as continuously, threshold intervals, sporadic, and/or the like. Flushing the water helps to remove all contents from the capsule. Flushing the air can additionally be used to empty the sterilant cup when draining the endoscope reprocessing unit between rinses and a final rinse. Flushing the air can help to achieve more complete rinses and results in a dryer cup at the end of the cycle.

[00188] Similar to the center needle 2302, the second needle 2304 can additionally be configured to puncture the top of the sterilant concentrate cup. By comparison, the second needle 2304 can be configured to allow air within the sterilant concentrate cup to escape, making it possible to completely saturate the inside of the sterilant concentrate cup while also preventing the sterilant concentrate cup from collapsing during the decontamination process. In the illustrated embodiment, the second needle 2304 includes a slot 2312 that extends along the second needle 2304 shaped to extend both into the sterilant concentrate cup after puncture and extend outside the sterilant concentrate cup to permit airflow between the interior of the sterilant concentrate cup and the exterior environment. The second needle 2304 and/or the slot 2312 can extend into any suitable number of compartments or capsules within the sterilant concentrate cup to fluidly connect the compartment(s) or capsule(s) to the environment exterior of the sterilant concentrate cup. The slot 2312 allows any air in the sterilant concentrate cup to escape to make it possible to completely saturate the interior of the sterilant concentrate cup with the fluid from the center needle 2302. In the illustrated embodiment, a puncture end 2314 of second needle 2304 is flattened like a knife blade. The flattened puncture end 2314 makes cutting through the material of the lid of the sterilant concentrate cup easier than, for example, a non-flattened or non-knife blade puncture needle and thus the flattened puncture end second needle 2304 helps to prevent the lid of the sterilant concentrate cup from collapsing when the second needle 2304 passes through the lid.

[00189] Turning to FIG. 24, illustrated is an inner view of the center needle 2302 piercing sterilant concentrate cup 2200. The illustrated sterilant concentrate cup 2200 includes the first compartment or capsule 2806 and the second compartment or capsule 2808 retained together in the sterilant concentrate cup 2200. As noted above, the first compartment 2806 and the second compartment 2808 may include different materials contained in their respective compartments that are separated by a separator/barrier, for example, to avoid mixing before the processing cycle begins. For instance, the first compartment 2806 may contain a liquid component, e.g., peracetic acid, and the second compartment 2808 may contain a solid component, e.g., an ABC builders powder. Of course, other types and geometries of sterilant concentrate cups may have other types of liquid and solid components, as will be appreciated. As noted above and illustrated in FIG. 24, the center needle 2302 is shaped to extend through the first compartment 2806 to pierce a barrier/separator 2316 between the first compartment 2806 and the second compartment 2808. As can be seen in FIG. 24, the slot 2306 in the center needle 2302 extends in both the first compartment 2806 and the second compartment 2808 to permit the liquid components in the first compartment 2806 to flow through the slot 2306 into the second compartment 2808. In the illustrated embodiment, the slot 2306 extends longitudinally along a central axis of the needle 2302, but other configurations are envisaged, such as the slot 2306 being at an angle relative to the central axis.

[00190] As described above, the center needle 2302 further includes a fluid channel 2400 within the center needle 2302 that is connected to an exterior fluid line and/or air line. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid channel 2400 similarly extends longitudinally along a central axis of the needle 2302, but other configurations are envisaged, such as the fluid channel 2400 extending at angle relative to the central axis. [00191] The fluid channel 2400 includes at least one outlet 2310 on the surface of the center needle 2302 positioned to vent the fluid and/or air into the first compartment 2806 to drive liquid component into the second compartment 2808. The use of the fluid and/or air increases the amount of the liquid component that travels into the second compartment 2808 and may be used to force a significant majority of the liquid component into the second compartment 2808. In the illustrated embodiment, the center needle 2302 includes two outlets 2310 on opposing sides of the center needle 2302 to vent the fluid channel 2400 into the first compartment 2806. The opposing outlets 2310 can be used to evenly apply the fluid and/or air to each side of the sterilant concentrate cup 2200.

[00192] Turning now to FIG. 25, illustrated is a view from the bottom of the receiver cap 902 in isolation. The receiver cap 902 can further include a post 2500 on the inner surface of the cap body 2300 that presses on the top of the sterilant concentrate cup, holding the sterilant cup in place when the receiver 304 moves up to meet the receiver cap 902 in the engaged position. The receiver cap 902 can include any suitable number of posts 2500 and in the illustrated embodiment, the receiver cap 902 includes three posts 2500.

[00193] The inner surface of the cap body 2300 can further include structure to retain or engage the O-ring 2810 sandwiched between the receiver 304 and the receiver cap 902 when in the engaged position. FIGS. 28-31 show the O-ring 2810 in cross section. In an embodiment, the cap body 2300 includes radially outwardly protruding overhangs 2502 that are used to hold the O-ring 2810 in place within the cap body 2300. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap body 2300 includes four separate overhangs 2502 that are arranged symmetrically along the inner surface of the cap body 2300. Separate overhangs 2502 create a moldable design permitting different configurations of the O-ring 2810 within the cap body 2300. In one embodiment, the O- ring 2810 is stretched 3% when attached in the cap body 2300; and this tension combined with the overhangs 2502 holds the O-ring 2810 in place within the cap body 2300.

[00194] The cap body 2300 can also include a widening funnel border 2504 formed by a downward extending side wall 2506 of the cap body 2300. The funnel border 2504 can assist in guiding and centering the receiver 304 as the receiver 304 approaches and seals against the O-ring 2810 in the engaged position.

[00195] The cap body 2300 can further define a one or more hollowed-out recesses or cavities 2508 to receive the hooks 1704 when the receiver 304 is engaged with the receiver cap 902. For instance, the cap body 2300 can define individual cavities 2508 for each of the hooks 1704. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 25, the cap body 2300 forms a cavity 2508 that accommodates both hooks 1704. The cavity 2508 can be defined at any suitable location and take any suitable shape for receiving the hooks 1704 and may depend on the location of the hook 1704 on the receiver 304. In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 2508 has an oval shape. As illustrated in FIG. 25, the second needle 2304 extends from an upper surface of the cavity 2508 to position a portion of the slot 2312 above the top of the sterilant cup when the receiver 304 engages the receiver cap 902. The cavity 2508 allows a reduction in the volumetric footprint of the receiver 304 and receiver cap 902. The reduced volumetric footprint may be beneficial because the reduced volumetric footprint allows more fluid to remain in the processor basin 104 when the volume inside the engaged receiver 304 and receiver cap 902 is filled.

[00196] The cap body 2300 can further include a vent port to exhaust any air that is in and/or injected into the volume inside the engaged receiver 304 and receiver cap 902. In the illustrated embodiment, a vent port 2510 is located at a corner of the cavity 2508 because the cavity 2508 also functions as the highest point within the cap body 2300.

[00197] Turning now to FIG. 26, illustrated is a top view of the receiver cap 902 with a top wall of the receiver cap 902 removed to show an interior of an upper portion of the receiver cap 902. As noted above with respect to the frame 500 (see FIGS. 5 and 7), the top bracket 502 includes non-symmetrically spaced holes 700 for attaching the receiver cap 902 to the top bracket 502 only in one attachment position. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver cap 902 includes three threaded openings 2600 that are spaced non-symmetrically along a rim 2602 of the top of the receiver cap 902 to correspond to the holes 700 in the top bracket 502. The receiver cap 902 further includes a channel 2604 that extends from the vent port 2510 (FIG. 25) in the cavity 2508 formed by the cap body 2300. In FIG. 26, the receiver 304 is attached to the receiver cap 902 and, as such, the hooks 1704 can be seen as received within the cavity 2508.

[00198] As briefly mentioned above, the inner fluid channel 2400 of the center needle 2302 is fluidly connected to one or more fluid lines and/or air lines external to the center needle 2302. Because the center needle 2302 extends from the center of the upper inner surface of the cap body 2300, the receiver cap 902 can include one or more connections for those fluid lines and/or air lines and corresponding structure within the receiver cap 902 to fluidly connect the inner fluid channel 2400 and the connections, as can be seen more clearly in FIG. 27. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver cap 902 further includes a first connection 2606 and a second connection 2608 that are in fluid communication with the fluid channel of the center needle 2302, as can be better seen in FIG. 27. The first connection 2606 can be fluidly connected to an air source (not pictured) to provide the air into the inner fluid channel 2400 of the center needle 2302. The second connection 2608 can be fluidly connected to a fluid source, e.g., a water source (not pictured), to provide the fluid into the inner fluid channel 2400 of the center needle 2302. The controller 126 can be configured to supply the fluid and air to the fluid channel of the center needle 2302 at different times. For instance, fluid can be supplied for a first duration to spray water and/or other liquid into the sterilant concentrate cup, such as into the first compartment 2806 of the sterilant concentrate cup 2200 to flush the cleaning solution, e.g., the peracetic acid, therein out of the first compartment 2806 and into the second compartment 2808. Air can then be supplied for a second duration to spray air into the sterilant concentrate cup to flush any remaining fluid and/or cleaning material out of the sterilant cup.

[00199] FIG. 27 illustrates the receiver cap 902 of FIG. 26 with the upper portion removed. As can be seen in FIG. 27, the first connection 2606 and the second connection 2608 include respective pathways 2700 and 2702, respectively, that extend through the cap body 2300 inwardly toward the center of the cap body 2300 and into fluid communication with the fluid channel in the center needle 2302. In one embodiment, the pathways 2700 and 2702 can be entirely separate until they reach the fluid channel. In the illustrated embodiment, the pathways 2700 and 2702 include a shared portion 2704 that extends through the cap body 2300 to the fluid channel in the center needle 2302. In the illustrated embodiment, the pathway 2700 is an air pathway 2700 and the pathway 2702 is a water pathway 2702, and the air pathway 2700 wyes into the water pathway 2702.

[00200] FIGS. 28-31 illustrate a sequence of the receiver 304 engaging with the receiver cap 902 and the needles of the receiver cap 902 piercing the sterilant concentrate cup 2200. More particularly, FIGS. 28-31 illustrate different positions of the receiver 304 relative to the receiver cap 902 as the receiver 304 and the receiver cap 902 approach engagement. Referring initially to FIG. 28, the pin 1914 abuts the snap-in bottom 2202 of the sterilant cup 2200 so that the bottom of the sterilant cup is spaced from the bottom of the receiver 304. In the first position shown in Fig. 28, the receiver 304 has traveled toward the receiver cap 902 such that a top of the cup 2200 is above the top of the receiver 304. In the first position illustrated in FIG. 28, the center needle 2302 pierces the top of the cup 2200 and enters the guideway compartment 2804 in the cup 2200. In the illustrated embodiment, the cup 2200 includes three separate compartments: the guideway compartment 2804, the first compartment or capsule 2806, and the second compartment or capsule 2808 that are arranged for piercing in this order.

[00201] As the receiver 304 continues to travel toward the receiver cap 902, the center needle 2302 travels further through the cup 2200. As seen in FIG. 29, in a second position, the center needle 2302 of the receiver cap 902 extends through the guideway compartment 2804 and now pierces a separator or barrier 2900 between the guideway compartment 2804 and the first compartment 2806 to enter the first compartment 2806. As further seen in FIG. 29, with the receiver 304 in the second position relative to the receiver cap 902, the second needle 2304 has not yet pierced the top of the cup 2200.

[00202] As seen in FIG. 30, in a third position, the receiver 304 has moved closer to the receiver cap 902, causing the center needle 2302 to extend through the first compartment 2806 and pierce a barrier 3000 between the first compartment 2806 and the second compartment 2808. Additionally, by moving the receiver 304 closer to the receiver cap 902, the second needle 2304 pierces the top of the cup 2200 and enters the first compartment 2806. As can further be seen in FIG. 30, the posts 2500 on the receiver cap 902 engage and press on the top of the cup 2200. In this way, the posts 2500 prevent further upward movement of the cup 2200 such that as the receiver 304 continues traveling upward to engage the receiver cap 902, the posts 2500 hold the cup 2200 in place, for example, by preventing the cup 2200 from cocking.

[00203] As shown in FIG. 31 , in a fourth position of the receiver 304 relative to the receiver cap 902, the pin 1914 dislodges the snap-in bottom 2202 of the cup 2200, causing the now mixed contents in the second compartment 2808 to flow into the receiver 304, mix with the water entering the receiver 304 via the inlet port, and pass through the mesh screen before exiting the receiver 304 via the drain of the outlet port.

[00204] In the illustrated embodiments in FIGS. 28-31 , the receiver cap 902 further includes an O-ring 2810 held by the overhangs 2502 (FIG. 25) of the receiver cap 902. The O-ring 2810 is positioned by the overhangs 2502 such that in the engaged position illustrated in FIG. 31 , the receiver 304 and the receiver cap 902 are sealingly engaged by way of the O-ring 2810 therebetween. In the illustrated embodiments an O-ring 2810 is used to sealingly engage the receiver 304 and the receiver cap 902 but other structure(s) and/or configurations may be used to sealingly engage the receiver 304 and the receiver cap 902. For instance, sealing may be by means of surfaces on the receiver 304 and/or the receiver cap 902 that sealing interlock or sealingly abut when the receiver 304 and the receiver cap 902 are bought into engagement.

[00205] The process illustrated in FIGS. 28-31 can then be reversed to remove the receiver 304 from the receiver cap 902 and, by extension, displace and/or disconnect the sterilant cup 2200 from the receiver cap 902. As will be appreciated, because the top of the sterilant cup 2200 is pierced by at least one needle, in the illustrated embodiment by both the center needle 2302 and the second needle 2304, there is a chance that as the receiver 304 descends the sterilant cup 2200 may inadvertently remain attached to the needle(s) of the receiver cap 902 rather than descend with the receiver 304. To prevent the cup 2200 from remaining attached to the receiver cap 902, the hooks 1704 on the receiver 304 are configured to extend inward to engage the top of the cup 2200 as the receiver 304 travels downward and pulls and thus disconnects the cup 2200 from the needles, if necessary. [00206] As described above, the endoscope reprocessor 100 includes a door control system 124 that includes door engagement structure 300 that engages the movable door 118 (FIG. 1 ) to move the door 1 18 and to limit unintentional access to the interior of the endoscope reprocessor housing 102. In the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 32, the door engagement structure 300 is adjacent the cup deployment system 122 and shares the frame 500 with the cup deployment system 122. The door engagement structure 300 includes a bracket 3200, in the illustrated embodiment having a U-shape, that is attached to the piston rod 606 that is moved up and down by the single acting, spring extend pneumatic cylinder 302. The bracket 3200 may be attached to the piston rod 606 by a rivet-nut 3206. As will be appreciated, the bracket 3200 may be other than U-shape in configuration, for example a bar shape such that, when the bar shape bracket is attached to the piston rod 606 the bar and piston rod form a T-shape structure.

[00207] In a first, closed position, the translation mechanism 302 extends the piston rod 606 upward as by the upward biasing of the spring on the piston rod 606, causing the door 118 to block the opening 3306 in the front panel 108 and prevent access into the endoscope reprocessor housing 102. The closed position can be used at any suitable time to limit access and prevent a user from unintentionally inserting their hand into the housing 102. For instance, the door 1 18 can be in the closed position any time the receiver 304 is not in the receiving position, such as when the receiver 304 is in the engaged position, the staged position, and/or therebetween.

[00208] In a second, open position, the translation mechanism 302 retracts the piston rod 606 as by pressurizing the cylinder 604 of the spring extend pneumatic cylinder 302, to lower the door 118 and grant access to the interior of the housing 102. The door 1 18 can be in the open position at any suitable time, such as when the receiver 304 is in the receiving position permitting the user to insert and/or remove a sterilant cup from the receiver 304.

[00209] Turning to FIG. 33, illustrated is an exploded view of the front panel 108 of the housing 102 of the endoscope reprocessor 100. The front panel 108 includes an outer panel 3300 and an inner panel 3302 with the door 118 therebetween. The illustrated outer panel 3300 includes an outward extending portion 3304 that accommodates the door 1 18 as well as the upward and downward movement of the door 1 18. The outward extending portion 3304 includes the opening 3306 that aligns in a front-to-rear manner with a corresponding opening 3308 in the inner panel 3302 when the front panel 108 is assembled. The aligned openings 3306 and 3308 are used to permit selective access to the interior of the housing 102 particularly the receiver 304, for example, for the insertion and removal of a sterilant concentrate cup therein. The door 1 18, when in the closed position, is used to block access to the opening 3306 in the outer panel 3300, thereby preventing a user from accessing the interior of the housing 102 and the receiver 304.

[00210] The door 1 18 can take any suitable shape for blocking the access and in the illustrated embodiment, the door 1 18 includes a rectangular front portion 3310 and two opposing side walls 3312 and 3314 extending from the front portion 3310, in the front-to-rear direction in the FIG. 33 embodiment.

[00211 ] The front panel 108 can further include one or more brackets 3316 that attach to the inner panel 3302 and/or outer panel 3300 to attach the front panel 108 to the rest of the housing 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the front panel 108 includes two brackets 3316 that attach to a top of the inner panel 3302. In some embodiments, the front panel 108 may further include a receiver panel 3318 that defines an angled opening 3320 oriented to align with the top of the receiver 304 when the receiver 304 is in the receiving position. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver panel 3318 is arranged between the door 118 and the inner panel 3302.

[00212] FIGS. 34 and 35 illustrate a view of the inner panel 3302 with the receiver panel 3318 and the door 1 18 attached thereto. FIG. 34 illustrates the entire inner panel 3302 while FIG. 35 illustrates only a portion thereof to provide a closer view of the interaction of the door 118 and the inner panel 3302. As can be seen in FIG. 34 and more clearly in FIG. 35, the inner panel 3302 includes a pair of parallel slots 3500 formed therein and the sidewalls 3312 and 3314 of the door 118 extend through the slots 3500. The sidewalls 3312 and 3314 can be configured to slidably attach to the inner panel 3302 to limit the door 1 18 to a fixed upward and downward movement range in the front panel 108, as will be described below. [00213] FIG. 36 illustrates a rear side perspective view of the front panel 108 from FIG. 33 in the assembled state. This view shows portions of the sidewalls 3312 and 3314 of the door 118 extend through the slots 3500 of the inner panel 3302. The assembled front panel 108 can then be attached to the rest of the housing 102 via the brackets 3316. As will be described in greater detail below, the door 118 and the front panel 108 together as an assembly can be quickly detached from the rest of the housing 102 including the relative interconnection with the U-shape bracket 3200 of the door control system 124, that is, the portion of the housing 102 behind the front panel 120 as shown in FIG. 1 , merely by unfastening and pulling the front panel 108 away from the rest of the housing 102 in a rear-to-front direction. As will also be described in further detail below, the door 118 and the front panel 108 can then quickly be reattached to the rest of the housing 102 merely by moving the front panel 108 in a front-to-rear direction toward the rest of the housing 102 and fastening the front panel 108 to the rest of the housing 102. As will be appreciated, this simplifies accessibility to and serviceability of the components inside the housing 102 of the endoscope reprocessor 100.

[00214] FIG. 37 illustrates a front side perspective view of the door 118 in isolation. The sidewalls 3312 and 3314 can each include structure that defines a channel 3700 that slidably attaches to the inner panel 3302 at the respective slots 3500. The structure can be formed congruently with the door 118 and/or may be formed separately and then attached to the door 118.

[00215] With reference to one sidewall 3312 of the door 118, but applicable to both sidewalls, the illustrated structure 3702 comprises protrusions that extend outwardly from the sidewall 3312 that form a vertical channel 3700 that extends along a majority of the height of the sidewall 3312. The channel 3700 is sized to slidably receive an edge of the housing 3302 defining the slot 3500 therein. The channel 3700 can extend any suitable distance of the sidewall 3312. The illustrated channels 3700 are extended to limit potential twisting or strain on the structure 3702 as the channels 3700 of the door 1 18 slide up and down in the slots 3500 of the housing 3302.

[00216] Turning now to FIG. 38, illustrated is a rear side perspective view of the door 1 18 from FIG. 37. The door 1 18 further includes quick attach structure 3800 configured for quick attachment to and detachment from the U-shape bracket 3200 (FIG. 32). In the illustrated embodiment, each sidewall 3312 and 3314 includes respective quick attach structure 3800. Each quick attach structure 3800 includes a ramp 3802 that in FIG. 38 slopes vertically downwardly and inwardly, and an adjacent receptacle 3804 disposed vertically downwardly from the ramp 3802. The receptacle 3804 is configured to receive and retain a corresponding pin 4000 on the U-shape bracket 3200, in the illustrated embodiment a spring loaded button pin 4000. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring loaded button pin 4000 includes a spring in the form of a V shape leaf spring clip although it will be appreciated that the spring may take other forms such as a coil compression spring.

[00217] Referring to FIG. 38, the left and right receptacles 3804 open toward each other, that is, inward, and in this way are configured to receive the respective button pins 4000 in the left-right direction. Also, with reference to FIGS. 35-38, where the door 1 18 and front panel 108 are shown installed on the rear frame structure, it can be seen that the receptacles 3804 open in a front-to-rear direction, that is, rearwardly toward the interior of the housing 102 or rearwardly away from the front panel 108, to slidably receive the button pins 4000 in a front-to-rear and rear-to-front direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the quick attach structure 3800 is formed with the structure that defines the channel 3700 and thus constitutes part of the sidewalls 3312 and 3314 of the door 118.

[00218] With continued reference to FIGS. 37 and 38, the door 118 further includes a roller 3900 having pins at its opposite ends rotatably supported by respective bores in the sidewall (e.g., sidewall 3312), as can be seen in FIG. 39. The bores rotatably support the roller 3900 such that a portion of the outer diameter of the roller 3900 protrudes into the groove of the channel 3700, as can be seen in FIG. 37. The protruding portion of the outer diameter of the roller 3900 abuts the inward facing edge of the housing 3302 defining the slot 3500 and slidably received in the channel 3700. The door 1 18 can include any suitable number of rollers 3900 and may vary based on the size of the door 1 18, the size of the channels 3700 and slots 3500, and/or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, each channel 3700 has two rollers 3900 that are located at opposing vertical ends of the channel 3700 to ensure the door 118 has roller contact with the inward facing edges of the slots 3500 of the housing 3302, thereby reducing friction when the door 118 moves up and down in the slots 3500.

[00219] Turning now to FIGS. 40 and 41 , illustrated is the actions of attaching the door 1 18 to the U-shape bracket 3200 of the door control system 124. As noted above, the U-shape bracket 3200 includes two outward extending spring loaded button pins 4000, with a respective button pin 4000 on each arm of the U-shape bracket 3200. The button pins 4000 are configured to telescope to compress and thereby retract as necessary and then to expand to engage the corresponding receptacle 3804 in the quick attach structure 3800 of the door 118.

[00220] The spring loaded button pin 4000 is configured to selectively compress the spring between a first position in which the button pin 4000 is in an extended state, for example as shown in FIG. 40 at the vertically upper end and bottom of the ramp 3802, and a second position in which the button pin 4000 is in a retracted state, for example at the vertically lower end and top of the ramp 3802, that is, adjacent to the receptacle 3804. In the retracted state, the button pin 4000 is retracted at least partially into the body of the U-shape bracket 3200. The quick attach structure 3800 selectively secures the door 118 to the U-shape bracket 3200. In the illustrated embodiment, the ramp 3802 of the quick attach structure 3800 compresses the button pin 4000 from the extended state to the retracted state as the button pin 4000 slides along the ramp 380, that is, from the vertically upper end to the vertically lower end of the ramp 3802 in FIG. 40, or from the bottom of the ramp 3802 to the top of the ramp 3802. The receptacle 3804 of the quick attach structure 3800, which in the illustrated embodiment is vertically below and adjacent to the ramp 3802, is shaped to receive the button pin 4000. The receptacle 3804 is configured to receive the button pin 4000 by the button pin 4000 moving from the retracted state to the extended state, for example as shown in FIG. 41 . As shown in FIG. 41 , the receptacle 3804 retains the button pin 4000 in the extended state to secure the door 118 to the U-shape bracket 3200. When the button pins 4000 are received and retained in the receptacles 3804, the door 1 18 is connected to the U- shape bracket 3200 so that the door 118 and the U-shape bracket 3200 may then be moved together up and down by action of the translation mechanism 302, which in the illustrated embodiment is the single acting, spring extend pneumatic cylinder 302, as described above.

[00221] The spring of the translation mechanism 302 raises the U-shape bracket 3200, and thus the door 1 18, to cover the opening 3306 in the front panel 108 and thus prevent access to the receiver 304 there behind. Also at this time, the cylinder 604 of the translation mechanism 302 is in a non-powered (i.e. pressure-released) state. To uncover/expose the opening 3306 for accessibility to the receiver 304, the controller 126 pressurizes the cylinder 604 of the translation mechanism 302 to lower the U-shape bracket 3200, and thus the door 118. Shortly before the lowering of the door 118, however, the translation mechanism 306 of the cup deployment system 122 “kicks out” the receiver 304 as described above in connection with the cup deployment system 122. It is this kick out action that triggers the controller 126 to supply pressurized air to the cylinder 604 of the translation mechanism 302 of the door 118.

[00222] In the illustrated embodiment, the door 1 18 has two parallel channels 3700 on its opposite sides that slidably attach to the respective inward facing edges of the two parallel slots 3500 in the inner panel 3302 of the front panel 108. As noted above, the U-shape bracket 3200 is attached to the upper end of the piston rod 606 of the spring extend pneumatic cylinder 302 by the rivet nut 3206. The U-shape bracket 3200 has the pair of spring loaded button pins 4000 positioned in the respective upright arms of the U-shape bracket 3200. The door 118 at its bottom end has the pair of receptacles 3804 that are configured to slidably fit onto and slidably be removed from the respective pair of spring loaded button pins 4000 of the U-shape bracket 3200 in a front-to-rear and rear-to-front direction, that is, into and out of the page in FIG. 41 . When the receptacles 3804 are slidably connected to the spring loaded button pins 4000, the door 1 18 is connected to the U-shape bracket 3200 so that the door 118 and the U- shape bracket 3200 may then be moved together up and down by action of the spring extend pneumatic cylinder 302, as described above.

[00223] The door 1 18 and the front panel 108 together as an assembly can be quickly detached from the U-shape bracket 3200 simply by unfastening the front panel 108 from the remaining housing 102, such as the side panels 112 and 1 14, and pulling the door 118 and the front panel 108 away from the remaining housing 102, in the illustrated embodiment in a rear-to-front direction that is perpendicular to the upward- downward direction of movement of the door 118 and perpendicular to the upward- downward direction of movement of the U-shape bracket 3200. By pulling the door 1 18 and the front panel 108 away from the remainder of the housing 102, see FIGS. 1 and 41 , the receptacles 3804 of the quick attach structure 3800 of the door 1 18 are slid off the respective button pins 4000 of the U-shape bracket 3200. Thus, in FIG. 41 for example, the receptacles 3804 move into the page away from the button pins 4000. In one example, the door 1 18 and the front panel 108 can be detached from the remaining housing 102 when the door 1 18 is held in the closed/up position by the U-shape bracket 3200, which is urged/held upward by the spring-biased piston rod 606 of the translation mechanism 302 in a non-powered state, that is, when the cylinder 604 is in a pressure- released state. Upon detaching the door 118 from the U-shape bracket 3200, the button pins 4000 no longer engage their receptacles 3804 and, thus, the door 1 18 is no longer held in the closed/up position and slides downward relative to the front panel 108 along the slots 3500 of the front panel 108. More particularly, the two parallel channels 3700 on the door 1 18 travel along the slots 3500 until the door 118 bottoms out at the lowermost portion of the slots 3500 in the front panel 108. In another example, the door 1 18 and the front panel 108 can be detached from the remaining housing 102 when the door 1 18 is held in the open/down position, for example, when the cylinder 604 is pressurized.

[00224] The door 1 18 and the front panel 108 together as an assembly can be quickly attached to the U-shape bracket 3200 by means of a two-step process. In the first step, the door 1 18 and the front panel 108 together as an assembly is attached to the rest of the housing 102 by moving the front panel 108 in a front-to-rear direction toward the rest of the housing 102 and then securing the front panel 108 to the rest of the housing 102. In this attached/fastened state, the door 1 18 is still in the bottomed-out position. Also, the U-shape bracket 3200 is still urged/held, that is spring-biased, in the upward position by the spring of the translation mechanism 302 and, thus, the U-shape bracket 3200 is above the door 1 18. To re-engage the door 1 18 with the U-shape bracket 3200, the translation mechanism 302 lowers the U-shape bracket 3200 downward toward the door 118. As the U-shape bracket 3200 lowers, the button pins 4000 thereof engage the respective ramps 3802 (FIG. 40) which causes the button pins 4000 to retract at least partially into the body of the U-shape bracket 3200 as the button pins 4000 ride along the ramps 3802. Once the button pins 4000 reach beyond the vertically lower ends of the respective ramps 3802, the button pins 4000 align in a left- to-right direction with the receptacles 3804 and thus spring back and extend into the receptacles 3804 (FIG. 41 ). As such, the door 1 18 is once again connected to the U- shape bracket 3200. The door 118 may again be driven by movement of the U-shape bracket 3200 caused by movement of the piston rod 606, as described above.

[00225] FIG. 42 illustrates an exemplary methodology of operating an automatic endoscope reprocessor. While the methodology is shown as being a series of acts that are performed in a sequence, it is to be understood and appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of the sequence. For example, some acts can occur in a different order than what is described herein. In addition, an act can occur concurrently with another act. Further, in some instances, not all acts may be required to implement a methodology described herein.

[00226] As illustrated in FIG. 42, a methodology 4200 starts at 4202, and at 4204, a user inserts a sterilant cup is into a receiver of the endoscope reprocessor where the receiver is in a receiving position. At 4206, the receiver is automatically pivoted from the receiving position to a staged position. At 4208, the receiver is moved toward a receiver cap of the endoscope reprocessor. The receiver cap can include a needle. At 4210, the receiver is engaged with the receiver cap which causes the needle to pierce the sterilant cup. As the needle pierces the sterilant cup a pin in the receiver dislodges a bottom of the sterilant cup. At 4212, fluid (e.g., water, air, and/or the like) is sprayed through the needle into the sterilant cup to flush sterilant material out of the sterilant cup at least via the opening created by the dislodged bottom of the sterilant cup. At 4214, subsequent to reprocessing the endoscope, the receiver is automatically moved away from the receiver cap. The receiver can then be pivoted back to the receiving position to allow the user to remove the spent sterilant cup. The methodology 4200 concludes at 4216.

[00227] As will be appreciated, the endoscope reprocessor provides an automation aspect by the cup deployment system. All a user must do is insert a sterilant concentrate cup (for example, the S40® sterilant concentrate cup) into a cup receiver. The controller of the endoscope reprocessor then moves the cup receiver and the cup therein into position for the contents of the cup to be put into fluid communication with the interior of the basin for reprocessing an endoscope in the basin. As described above, in some embodiments, the cup deployment system may be configured to move the cup receiver into three states or positions: a “kicked out” state which enables the user to place the cup into the cup receiver; a “staged” state where the cup receiver is retracted from the kicked out position to a vertical position; and a “sealed” state where the translation mechanism such as the double acting cylinder raises the cup receiver with the cup therein upward to the receiver cap to create a seal between the cup receiver and the receiver cap, and during which a needle projecting downward from the receiver cap punctures the top of the cup.

[00228] Also, as described above, in some embodiments the cup receiver of the cup deployment system may also include an upwardly projecting pin that dislodges a snap-in bottom of the cup as the translation mechanism (for example, double acting cylinder) raises the cup receiver to the receiver cap. As described above and shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cup deployment system is isolated from the rest of the plumbing of the endoscope reprocessor, allowing different and separate cycles to be performed in the cleaning basin of the reprocessor.

[00229] The kicked out, staged, and sealed states can be adapted for any type of sterilant concentrate cup and need not be limited to for example the example cup shown and described herein. Further, although in the illustrated cup deployment system, the receiver cap includes a needle (for example upper needle, or center needle) to puncture the cup and the cup receiver includes a pin to dislodge a snap-in bottom of the cup, it will be appreciated that the cup deployment system may have a receiver cap and cup receiver having a different geometry and/or configuration. Thus, for example, the cleaning solution cup’s geometry may determine that a pin and/or a needle is unnecessary and/or that a different type of pin geometry or configuration and/or different type of needle geometry or configuration, may be required.

[00230] In some embodiments, as described above, the cup receiver is pivotably mounted to a cylinder joint/receiver guide that is linearly moveable up and down by the translation mechanism such as the double acting cylinder. The cup receiver may have a pair of angled roller surfaces (two ramps in the illustrated embodiment) projecting from the bottom of the cup receiver. Further, as shown in the figures and described above, integrated into the frame of the cup deployment system may be a receiver stop bracket including a U-shape portion, for example see FIGS. 6, 16 and 32, that rotatably supports a pair of rollers, for example rollers 1502, 1506. As the translation mechanism, for example the double acting cylinder, lowers the cup receiver, the angled roller surfaces (for example ramps) contact the respective rollers, which act to tilt, that is kick out, the cup receiver. The kicking out of the cup receiver thus is an automated operation that simplifies operator handling and improves efficiency.

[00231] In some embodiments, as described above, the cup receiver (for example a lower component) and the receiver cap (for example an upper component), when sealed together, form a capsule that surrounds or encapsulates the cleaning solution cup (for example the sterilant concentrate cup) therein. The controller of the endoscope reprocessor may be configured to start a reprocessing cycle, for example, by introducing water into such capsule by an inlet(s) at the bottom of the cup receiver and by a flow passage in a needle extending downward from an upper inner surface of the receiver cap. In one form, for example, the water mixes with the peracetic acid and ABC builders in the punctured cup. The water-acid-builders mixture is routed to the reprocessor basin by for example an outlet(s) in the bottom of the cup receiver, for example in the manner described above.

[00232] Thus, in some embodiments, the cup receiver may have an inlet to introduce water into the cup receiver (and thus into the capsule formed by the sealed cup receiver and the receiver cap) and an outlet from which the water-acid-builders mixture may be expelled from the cup receiver (and thus expelled from the capsule formed by the sealed cup receiver and the receiver cap) to the plumbing leading to the basin of the reprocessor.

[00233] Also as described above, the receiver cap may be configured to have a first needle (for example a needle disposed at the geometric center of a round receiver cap), a second needle (for example a needle offset radially from the first needle), and/or a vent port. In some embodiments, the center needle may be configured with both a through slot and an inner fluid channel. [00234] In some embodiments, the first needle (for example the center needle) may be configured to puncture the top and bottom walls of an acid inner cup capsule of a cleaning solution cup. As described above, the first needle may include a slot at its puncture end that extends from above the bottom wall to below the bottom wall when the bottom wall is punctured, thereby to allow the contents of the acid inner cup capsule of the cleaning solution cup to flow out of the bottom wall puncture hole. The upper portion of the first needle (for example the center needle), that is the portion above the location of the slot, may include a fluid channel that extends from a waterline, for example water pathway 2702, in the top of the receiver cap downward and into the acid inner cup capsule between the top wall and the bottom wall. The controller, in carrying out a reprocessing cycle, communicates water from the waterline to the fluid channel and into the acid inner cup capsule. This helps to remove all contents from the acid inner cup capsule. As described above, the receiver cap may also include an air connection pathway, for example air pathway 2700, that wyes into the waterline, which aids in emptying the acid inner cup capsule when draining the endoscope reprocessor between rinses and/or after a final rinse.

[00235] In some embodiments, the second needle (for example the needle radially offset from the center needle) may be configured to puncture the top wall of the acid inner cup capsule of the cleaning solution cup. Further, and as described herein, the second needle may be configured with a slot, for example slot 2312, that allows air in the acid inner cup capsule to escape, making it possible to completely saturate the inside of the acid inner cup capsule.

[00236] In some embodiments, as described above, the receiver cap may have a hollow or cavity or recess into which one or more hooks, for example hooks 1704, of the cup receiver extend. At the top of the hollow or cavity or recess, a vent port such as vent port 2510 may be provided, that is configured to continuously exhaust any air that is in or injected into the sealed receiver cap and cup receiver (also referred to herein as the capsule formed by the sealed cup receiver and the receiver cap). The vent port may be connected to silicone tubing that routes the air to, for example, the basin of the endoscope reprocessor. [00237] The endoscope reprocessor may also include a door quick attach and detach mechanism made up of, for example, the afore described door 118, front panel 108, translation mechanism 302 including for example the single acting, spring extend pneumatic cylinder 302, and door bracket 3200, for example, the U-shape door bracket illustrated in the figures.

[00238] In some embodiments, the spring of the spring extend pneumatic cylinder raises the U-shape door bracket, and thus the door, to cover the access opening that provides access to the cup receiver. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to control the translation mechanism 302 such that the cylinder of the translation mechanism 302, for example the single acting, spring extend pneumatic cylinder 302, is in a non-powered (for example pressure-released) state so that the spring of the spring extend pneumatic cylinder urges the door bracket, and thus the door, upward to cover the access opening. To uncover/expose the opening to the cup receiver, the controller may be configured to control the translation mechanism 302 to pressurize the cylinder 604 of the spring extend pneumatic cylinder 302 to lower the U- shape door bracket, and thus the door 118, the pressure in the cylinder urging the piston rod 600 downward against the bias of the spring. The controller may further be configured such that, shortly before the lowering of the door, the controller controls the translation mechanism 306, for example the double acting cylinder, to “kick out” the cup receiver, as described above. In some embodiments, for example, the controller may be configured such that the kick out action of the cup receiver signals the controller to communicate pressurized air to the cylinder 604 of the translation mechanism 302, for example of the single acting, spring extend pneumatic cylinder 302, associated with the door 1 18, thereby to lower the door 118.

[00239] In some embodiments, the door 1 18 may be equipped with two parallel channels on its opposite sides that slidably attach to two parallel rails in the front panel. The door bracket may be fixedly attached to the upper end of the piston rod 606 of the translation mechanism 302. The bracket may have a pair of spring loaded button pins positioned in the respective upright arms of the U-shape door bracket. The door at its bottom end may have a pair of receptacles that can be slidably fit onto and slidably removed from the respective pair of spring loaded button pins of the door bracket. When the receptacles are slidably connected to the spring loaded button pins, the door is connected to the bracket so that the door and bracket move together up and down by the rod of the spring extend pneumatic cylinder.

[00240] In some embodiments, the door and the front panel together as an assembly may be configured to be quickly detached from the door bracket simply by unfastening the front panel from the reprocessor frame and pulling the door and front panel assembly away from the frame, during which the pair of receptacles of the door are slid off of the respective pair of spring loaded button pins of the bracket. In some embodiments, the door and front panel assembly may be configured to be detached from the frame when the door is held in a closed/up position by the spring loaded button pins of the door bracket which is urged/held upward by the spring of the spring extend pneumatic cylinder with the cylinder 604 of the spring extend pneumatic cylinder 302 in a non-powered (in the afore described embodiment, pressure-released) state. In some embodiments, upon detaching the door and front panel assembly from the frame of the reprocessor, the pair of receptacles of the door may be configured to slide off of the respective pair of spring loaded button pins of the door bracket and, accordingly, the door is no longer held in the closed/up position. As such, the door slides downward relative to the front panel, for example, as by the two parallel channels of the door sliding along the respective two parallel rails of the front panel. In some embodiments, the door may be configured to slide downward until it bottoms out at the lowermost portion of the two parallel rails in the front panel. The door and front panel assembly may also be configured to be detached from the frame when the piston rod 606 of the spring extend pneumatic cylinder, and thus door bracket and the door connected to the piston rod 606, is in an open/down position (in the afore described embodiment, when the cylinder 604 is pressurized).

[00241] In some embodiments, as was described above, the door and front panel together as an assembly can be quickly attached to the door bracket by means of a two- step process. In the first step, the door and front panel together as an assembly are attached to the reprocessor frame, specifically by fastening the front panel to the frame. In this attached/fastened state, the door including its pair of receptacles is still bottomed out on the rails of the front panel. Also, the door bracket including its pair of spring loaded button pins is still urged/held upward by the spring of the spring extend pneumatic cylinder. Thus, after the first step, the door bracket is positioned above the door. To re-engage the door with the door bracket, the cylinder of the spring extend pneumatic cylinder is pressurized against the spring bias force of the spring of the translation mechanism 302 to lower the door bracket including its pair of spring loaded button pins downward toward the door. In some embodiments, the door may include a pair of ramps that are positioned immediately above the respective receptacles of the door. When the pressurized cylinder lowers the door bracket (against the force of the spring of the translation mechanism), the pair of respective spring loaded button pins contact the respective pair of ramps of the door. As the pressurized cylinder continues to lower the door bracket, the pair of spring loaded button pins are depressed as they ride along the respective ramps of the door. The translation mechanism 302 may be configured such that when the pressurized cylinder thereof urges the piston rod 606 thereof to reach the end of the piston rod’s stroke, the pair of spring loaded button pins reach the respective pair of receptacles in the bottom of the door, and spring into the receptacles. As such, the receptacles are once again connected to the spring loaded button pins and the door once again connected to the door bracket so that the door and door bracket may be moved together up and down by the translation mechanism 302, for example by the single acting, spring extend pneumatic cylinder 302.

[00242] As will be appreciated, the door quick attach and detach mechanism enables the door and front panel together as an assembly to be easily detached and attached from the rest of the endoscope reprocessor, for example, the rear frame structure earlier described. This allows quick access to the cup deployment system’s components and other components inside the housing of the endoscope reprocessor.

[00243] Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such elements are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any element which performs the specified function of the described element (that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been described above with respect to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . An endoscope reprocessor comprising: a housing including a basin for receiving an endoscope to be reprocessed; a cup deployment system including a cup receiver and a translation mechanism for translating the cup receiver; and a controller to control the translation mechanism to automatically translate the cup receiver from a receiving position adjacent an opening at a front of the housing where a cleaning solution cup may be inserted into the cup receiver to an engaged position where the translation mechanism positions the cup receiver for processing of the cleaning solution cup to provide cleaning solution to the basin.

2. The endoscope reprocessor of claim 1 , wherein the cup deployment system further comprises a cap, and the translation mechanism is configured to translate the cup receiver into engagement with the cap and put the interior of the engaged cup receiver and cap into fluid communication with the interior of the basin.

3. The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the cup receiver is at a first orientation in the receiving position, wherein the cup receiver is at a second orientation in the engaged position, wherein the first orientation is different from the second orientation.

4. The endoscope reprocessor of claim 3, wherein the cup receiver includes a cup opening for insertion of the cleaning solution cup into an interior of the cup receiver, wherein the cup opening is configured to be angled toward the opening at the front of the housing when the cup receiver is in the first orientation.

5. The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cup deployment system is configured such that when the cup receiver is in the receiving position, a portion of the cup receiver extends through the opening and out of the housing.

6. The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the controller is further configured to control the translation mechanism to translate the cup receiver from the receiving position to a staged position prior to translating the cup receiver to the engaged position.

7. The endoscope reprocessor of claim 6, comprising a pivot pin in the housing, wherein the translation mechanism is configured to translate the cup receiver from the receiving position to the staged position by pivoting the cup receiver about the pivot pin in the housing.

8. The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 6 to 7, wherein the translation mechanism is a double-acting cylinder connected to the cup receiver and configured to move the cup receiver toward and away from the cap.

9. The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 6 to 8, wherein in the engaged position a needle of the cap projects into the interior of the engaged cup receiver and cap for puncturing a lid of the cleaning solution cup.

10. The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cleaning solution cup is a sterilant concentrate cup.

1 1 . The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a user interface on the housing, wherein the controller controls the translation mechanism in response to input from the user interface.

12. The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 1 to 1 1 , further comprising a door movable to selectively cover and uncover the opening at the front of the housing to limit access into the housing.

13. The endoscope reprocessor of claim 12, wherein a position of the door is a function of a position of the cup receiver, wherein the door is at a first position when the cup receiver is in the receiving position, wherein the door is at a second position when the cup receiver is in the engaged position.

14. The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 1 to 13, comprising first tubing for fluidly communicating a water source to the cup receiver, and second tubing for fluidly communicating a water-solution mixture from the cup receiver to the basin.

15. A cup deployment system comprising: a cup receiver configured to receive a cleaning solution cup for an endoscope reprocessor; a translation mechanism for translating the cup receiver; and a controller to control the translation mechanism to translate the cup receiver from a receiving position adjacent an opening at a front of an endoscope reprocessor housing wherein the cleaning solution cup may be inserted into the cup receiver to a engaged position where the cup receiver positions the cup receiver for processing of the cleaning solution cup to provide cleaning solution to a basin in the endoscope reprocessor housing.

16. The cup deployment system of claim 15, wherein the cup deployment system further includes a cap and the translation mechanism is a double-acting cylinder connected to the cup receiver and configured to move the cup receiver toward and away from the cap.

17. The cup deployment system of any of claims 15 to 16, wherein the cup receiver is at a first orientation in the receiving position, wherein the cup receiver is at a second orientation in the engaged position, wherein the first orientation is different from the second orientation.

18. The cup deployment system of any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the controller is further configured to control the translation mechanism to translate the cup receiver from the receiving position to a staged position prior to translating the cup receiver to the engaged position.

19. The cup deployment system of any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the cup deployment system further includes a cap with a needle arranged thereon to project into the interior of the engaged cup receiver and cap for puncturing a lid of the sterilant concentrate cup.

20. A method of deploying a cleaning solution cup in an endoscope reprocessor, the method comprising: positioning a cup receiver to a receiving position to receive a cleaning solution cup therein, wherein in the receiving position the cup receiver is adjacent an opening in a front of a housing of the endoscope reprocessor; and translating by a translation mechanism the cup receiver from the receiving position to an engaged position where the cup receiver is positioned for processing of the cleaning solution cup to provide cleaning solution to a basin of the endoscope reprocessor.

21 . The method of claim 20, further comprising initiating translating the cup receiver from the receiving position to the engaged position in response to receiving a user input into a user interface on the housing of the endoscope reprocessor.

22. The method of any of claims 20 to 21 , wherein the positioning the cup receiver includes kicking out the cup receiver from a staged position inside the housing to the receiving position.

23. A cup deployment system for an endoscope reprocessor comprising: a translation mechanism; a cup receiver mounted for pivotable movement between a kick-out position and a staged position, wherein in the kick-out position the cup receiver is at a first angle with respect to a translation axis of the translation mechanism and in the staged position the cup receiver is at a different second angle with respect to the translation axis of the translation mechanism, wherein the cup receiver includes an angled bearing surface; a bearing; and a controller configured to control the translation mechanism to translate the angled bearing surface relative to the bearing to pivot the cup receiver between the staged position and the kick-out position.

24. The cup deployment system of claim 23, wherein the first angle is between 1 and 45 degrees and the second angle is zero degrees.

25. The cup deployment system of any of claims 23 to 24, wherein the controller is configured to control the translation mechanism to pivot the cup receiver from the staged position to the kick-out position in response to the controller receiving a user input.

26. The cup deployment system of any of claims 23 to 25, further comprising a second bearing aligned with a central axis of the bearing, wherein the cup receiver includes a second angled bearing surface, wherein the controller is further configured to control the translation mechanism to translate the second angled bearing relative to the second bearing.

27. The cup deployment system of any of claims 23 to 26, wherein a portion of the cup receiver sits on a platform in the staged position, the cup deployment system further comprising a spring attached at a first end to the cup receiver and at a second end to the platform.

28. The cup deployment system of claim 27, wherein the translation mechanism comprises a pneumatic actuator, wherein the controller is further configured to control the actuator to release pressure within the actuator such that the spring pivots the cup receiver from the kick-out position to the staged position.

29. The cup deployment system of any of claims 23 to 28, further comprising a sensor configured to determine when the cup receiver is in the staged position.

30. The cup deployment system of any of claims 23 to 29, further comprising a platform, wherein the platform includes an attachment portion configured to receive and pivotably retain the cup receiver, wherein the cup receiver further includes attachment structure for securing the cup receiver to the platform, wherein the attachment portion functions as a pivot point for rotation of the cup receiver between the staged position and the kick-out position.

31 . The cup deployment system of any of claims 29 to 30, wherein the cup receiver includes a cup opening for insertion of the cleaning solution cup into an interior of the cup receiver, wherein the cup opening is angled toward an opening at the front of a housing of the endoscope reprocessor in the kick-out position.

32. The cup deployment system of any of claims 23 to 31 , wherein the bearing is a roller.

33. The cup deployment system of any of claims 23 to 32, wherein the bearing is retained on a receiver stop bracket.

34. An endoscope reprocessor comprising: a housing including a basin for receiving an endoscope to be reprocessed; a cup deployment system configured to move a cup receiver between a kick-out position and a staged position, wherein the cup deployment system includes: a translation mechanism, wherein the cup receiver is mounted for pivotable movement between the kick-out position and the staged position, wherein in the kick-out position the cup receiver is at a first angle with respect to a translation axis of the translation mechanism and in the staged position the cup receiver is at a different second angle with respect to the translation axis of the translation mechanism, wherein the cup receiver includes an angled bearing surface; a bearing; and a controller to control the translation mechanism to translate the angled bearing surface relative to the bearing to pivot the cup receiver between the staged position and the kick-out position, wherein in the kick-out position, the cup receiver is adjacent an opening at a front of the housing to enable insertion of a cleaning solution cup into the cup receiver.

35. The endoscope reprocessor of claim 34, wherein the first angle is between 1 and 45 degrees and the second angle is zero degrees.

36. The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 24 to 35, wherein the controller pivots the cup receiver from the staged position to the kick-out position in response to the controller receiving a user input.

37. The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 34 to 36, wherein a portion of the cup receiver extends through the opening out of the housing at the kick-out position.

38. The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 34 to 37, further comprising a door movable to selectively cover and uncover the opening at the front of the housing to limit access into the housing, wherein a position of the door is a function of a position of the cup receiver, wherein the door is at a first position uncovering the opening when cup receiver is in the kick-out position.

39. The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 34 to 38, wherein a portion of the cup receiver sits on a platform in the staged position, the cup deployment system further including a spring attached at a first end to the cup receiver and at a second end to the platform.

40. A method of manufacturing an endoscope reprocessor comprising: obtaining a housing, wherein the housing includes an opening at a front of the housing; providing a cup receiver, wherein the cup receiver includes an angled bearing surface; pivotally connecting the cup receiver to a translation mechanism within the housing, wherein the translation mechanism is connected to a controller configured to control the translation mechanism to translate the angled bearing surface; and placing a bearing within the housing, wherein the bearing is placed in the housing such that the controller controls the translation mechanism to translate the angled bearing surface relative to the bearing to pivot the cup receiver from a staged position to a kick-out position, wherein in the kick-out position the cup receiver is at a first angle with respect to a translation axis of the translation mechanism and in the staged position the cup receiver is at a different second angle with respect to the translation axis of the translation mechanism, wherein the cup receiver is adjacent the opening at the kick-out position.

41 . The method of claim 40, wherein the first angle is between 1 and 45 degrees and the second angle is zero degrees.

42. The method of any of claims 40 to 41 , further including placing a sensor within the housing to detect when the cup receiver is in the staged position.

43. The method of any of claims 40 to 42, wherein the bearing is further placed in the housing such that a portion of the cup receiver extends through the opening in the kick- out position.

44. The method of any of claims 40 to 43, wherein the translation mechanism includes a platform attached thereto, wherein pivotally connecting the cup receiver to the actuator comprises pivotally connecting the cup receiver to the platform, the method further comprising attaching a first end of a spring to the cup receiver and attaching a second end of the spring to the platform.

45. A cap for a cleaning solution deployment system for an endoscope reprocessor, the cap comprising: a cap body configured to engage a cup receiver of the cleaning solution deployment system; tubing for fluidly connecting a fluid source to the cap body; and, a first needle having a first longitudinal axis and extending from a surface of the cap body and configured to face the cup receiver when the cap body and the cup receiver are engaged, wherein the first needle includes a first through slot extending transverse the first longitudinal axis in a puncture end of the first needle for a first predetermined distance, wherein the first needle further includes a fluid channel positioned longitudinally above the puncture end, the fluid channel extending longitudinally through the first needle and being in fluid communication at one with the tubing and an opposite end with at least one outlet extending radially outward from the fluid channel and opening through the side of the first needle to allow fluid to exit the first needle.

46. The cap of claim 45, further comprising a second needle having a second longitudinal axis and extending from the surface of the cap body and spaced from the first needle, wherein the second needle includes a second through slot extending from a puncture end of the second needle for a second predetermined distance.

47. The cap of any of claims 45 to 46, wherein the at least one outlet of the fluid channel includes a plurality of outlets.

48. The cap of claim 47, wherein the plurality of outlets includes at a first portion of the first needle, and a second outlet at a second portion of the first needle, wherein the second portion is opposite the first portion.

49. The cap of any of claims 46 to 48, wherein the cap body includes an outer surface and an inner surface spaced from the outer surface, wherein the first needle and the second needle extend from the inner surface.

50. The cap of claim 49, wherein a first portion of the inner surface is a first distance from the outer surface, wherein a second portion of the inner surface is a second distance from the outer surface, wherein the second distance is smaller than the first distance.

51 . The cap of claim 50, wherein the first needle extends from the first portion of the inner surface, wherein the second needle extends from the second portion of the inner surface.

52. The cap of any of claims 45 to 51 , wherein the surface of the cap body defines a cavity, wherein the cavity includes a vent port permitting fluid communication between an interior of the cap body and the exterior environment.

53. The cap of claim 52, wherein the cavity is positioned to receive a receiver hook on the cup receiver when the cap body engages the cup receiver.

54. The cap of any of claims 46 to 52, wherein the first needle has a first length, wherein the second needle has a second length that is smaller than the first length.

55. The cap of any of claims 45 to 54, the cap body further comprising a notch to hold a seal thereon, wherein the notch positions the seal such that when the cap body and the cup receiver are engaged the cap body and the cup receiver sealingly engage the seal therebetween.

56. The cap of any of claims 45 to 55, wherein the first needle extends from a central portion of the surface.

57. The cap of any of claims 45 to 56, wherein the first needle extends from the surface at a right angle relative to the surface.

58. The cap of any of claims 46 to 56, wherein the second needle extends from the surface at a right angle relative to the surface.

59. The cap of any of claims 46 to 57, wherein the first and second needles extend from the surface in a manner parallel to one another.

60. A quick attach arrangement for attaching a movable door to a door control system of an endoscope reprocessor, the quick arrangement comprising: a bracket including an outward extending spring loaded button pin, wherein the button pin is configured to selectively compress the spring between a first position in which the button pin is in an extended state and a second position in which the button pin is in a retracted state, wherein in the retracted state the button pin is retracted at least partially into a body of the bracket; and bracket attach structure to selectively attach the movable door to the bracket, wherein the bracket attach structure comprises: a surface shaped to compress the button pin from the extended state to the retracted state as the button pin slides along the surface; and a receptacle adjacent the surface and shaped to receive the button pin, wherein the receptacle is configured to receive the button pin by the button pin moving from the retracted state to the extended state, and wherein the receptacle is configured to retain the button pin in the extended state to attach the movable door to the bracket.

61 . The arrangement of claim 60, further comprising a translation mechanism configured to translate the bracket, wherein the bracket is secured to the translation mechanism by a rivet-nut.

62. The arrangement of any of claims 60 to 61 , further comprising a movable door, wherein the movable door includes a roller in rolling contact with an inward facing edge of a slot in which a channel of the movable door slides.

63. The arrangement of any of claims 60 to 62, wherein the bracket is U-shape with two arm portions and a cross bar connecting the arms, wherein the button pin is on an arm of the two arms.

64. The arrangement of claim 63, wherein the bracket further includes a second outward extending spring loaded button pin, wherein the second button pin is on the other arm of the two arms.

65. The arrangement of claim 64, wherein the bracket attach structure further includes: a second surface shaped to compress the second button pin; and a second receptacle adjacent to the second surface and shaped to receive and retain the second button pin in an uncompressed state to attach the movable door to the bracket.

66. The arrangement of claim 60, in combination with an endoscope reprocessor, the endoscope reprocessor comprising: a housing including a rear frame structure and a front panel fastenable to the rear frame structure, the front panel including an opening through which a cleaning solution cup may be inserted; the quick attachment arrangement as set forth in claim 60; a movable door including the bracket attach structure of the quick attachment structure, the movable door being slidably mounted to the front panel between a first position to cover the opening and a second position to expose the opening; a door control system mounted to the rear frame structure and configured to move the movable door between the first and second positions; wherein the movable door and the front panel together as an assembly are configured such that, when the front panel is unfastened from the rear frame structure, the door and front panel as an assembly are removable in a rear-to-front direction away from the rear frame structure, and wherein the receptacle of the bracket attach structure is configured to slide off of the button pin of the bracket as the door and front panel as an assembly are removed in the rear-to-front direction.

67. An endoscope reprocessor comprising: a housing including a rear frame structure and a front panel fastenable to the rear frame structure, the front panel including an opening through which a cleaning solution cup may be inserted; a movable door slidably mounted to the front panel for movement between a first position to cover the opening and a second position to expose the opening, the movable door including a receptacle; a door control system mounted to the rear frame structure and including a bracket having a pin configured to engage the receptacle of the movable door, the door control system being configured with the pin engaged with the receptacle to move the movable door between the first and second positions; wherein the movable door and the front panel together as an assembly are configured such that, when the front panel is unfastened from the rear frame structure, the door and front panel as an assembly are removable in a rear-to-front direction away from the rear frame structure, and wherein the receptacle of the movable door is configured to slide off of the pin of the bracket of the door control system as the door and front panel as an assembly are removed in the rear-to-front direction.

68. The endoscope reprocessor of claim 67, wherein the movable door is slidably mounted to the front panel for movement in an upward and downward vertical direction, and the rear-to front direction is perpendicular to the upward and downward vertical direction.

69. The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 67 to 68, wherein the pin includes a spring loaded button pin, and wherein the button pin is configured to selectively compress the spring between a first position in which the button pin is in an extended state and a second position in which the button pin is in a retracted state, wherein in the retracted state the button pin is retracted at least partially into a body of the bracket.

70. The endoscope reprocessor of claim 69, wherein the movable door includes a ramp shaped to compress the spring loaded button pin from the extended state to the retracted state as the button pin slides along the ramp.

71 . The endoscope reprocessor of claim 70, wherein the button pin is configured to slide along the ramp as the door control system moves the movable door from the closed position to the open position.

72. The endoscope reprocessor of claim 71 , wherein the button pin is configured to engage the receptacle by the button pin moving from the retracted state to the extended state, and wherein the receptacle is configured to retain the button pin in the extended state to attach the movable door to the bracket.

73. The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 67 to 72, wherein the front panel includes a pair of parallel slots formed therein and the moveable door includes sidewalls that extend through the slots, and wherein the movable door is slidably mounted to the front panel by means of the sidewalls sliding through the slots.

74. The endoscope reprocessor of claim 73, wherein the sidewalls each include protrusions that extend outwardly therefrom that form a vertical channel that extends along a majority of the height of the sidewall, the channel being sized to slidably receive an edge of the respective slot therein.

75. The endoscope reprocessor of any of claims 67 to 74, wherein the receptacle is a left receptacle and the pin is a left pin, and further comprising a right receptacle and a right pin, wherein the left and right receptacles open toward each other inwardly and configured to receive the respective left and right button pins in a left-right direction.

76. The endoscope reprocessor of claim 75, wherein the left and right receptacles open in a front-to-rear direction that is rearwardly toward an interior of the housing when the door and the front panel are fastened to the rear frame structure and are configured to slidably receive the respective left and right button pins in a front-to-rear and rear-to- front direction.