Apparatus and method to measure concentration of disinfectant in medical device reprocessing system

A medical instrument processor comprising:

• (a) an enclosure for holding a medical instrument;
• (b) a liquid distribution system configured to deliver a disinfection solution to the medical instrument within the enclosure;
• and
• (c) a disinfectant concentration analysis assembly that is operable to:
• (i) receive a sample of the disinfectant solution after delivery of the disinfectant solution to the medical instrument, and
• (ii) determine a concentration of sodium hydroxide in a sample solution output from a first mixing chamber;
• (d) a control system that is programmed to determine a concentration of disinfectant in the sample solution
• based upon the sodium hydroxide concentration in the sample solution.

A medical instrument processor comprising:

• (a) a liquid distribution system configured to deliver a disinfection solution to a medical instrument within the processor, the liquid distribution system comprising a liquid outlet;
• and
• (b) a disinfectant concentration measuring system comprising:
• (i) a first mixing chamber in fluid communication with the liquid outlet,
• (ii) a reservoir containing a reagent solution, wherein the reservoir is in fluid communication with the first mixing chamber,
• (iii) a pump that is configured to simultaneously pump the disinfection solution and the reagent solution into the first mixing chamber, and
• (iv) a concentration analysis assembly that is operable to determine a concentration of disinfectant in a sample solution that is output from the first mixing chamber;
• wherein the reagent solution comprises reactant that is reactive with disinfectant in the disinfection solution to form sodium hydroxide.