Method and apparatus to evaluate internal flexible endoscope channels in the context of endoscope ports and channel complexities
AssigneeAmerican Sterilizer Company
InventorNancy A. Robinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A test instrument and a method for producing a test instrument used to evaluate a cleaning, disinfection and/or drying processes of internal flexible channels includes obtaining a medical instrument having a flexible probe section configured for insertion into a body, the flexible probe section including at least one internal flexible channel and at least one external device port, and attaching an access device between the at least one external device port and the at least one internal flexible channel to enable selective access into the internal flexible channel.
Claims27
A method for producing a test instrument used to evaluate decontamination process that includes at least one of a cleaning, disinfection or drying process of internal flexible channels, comprising:
- obtaining a medical instrument having a flexible probe section configured for insertion into a body, the flexible probe section including at least one internal flexible channel and at least one external device port;
- and
- attaching an access device between the at least one external device port and the at least one internal flexible channel to enable selective access into the internal flexible channel, wherein attaching the access device comprises removing an exterior sheath from the flexible probe section to expose the at least one external device port and the at least one internal flexible channel of the medical instrument.
A method for producing a test instrument used to evaluate decontamination process that includes at least one of a cleaning, disinfection or drying process of internal flexible channels, comprising:
- obtaining a medical instrument having a flexible probe section configured for insertion into a body, the flexible probe section including at least one internal flexible channel and at least one external device port;
- and
- attaching an access device between the at least one external device port and the at least one internal flexible channel to enable selective access into the internal flexible channel, wherein attaching the access device comprises replacing the flexible probe section with transparent tubing, the transparent tubing defining the at least one flexible internal channel.
A method for evaluating internal flexible endoscope channels, comprising:
- producing a test instrument by obtaining a medical instrument having a flexible probe section configured for insertion into a body, the flexible probe section including at least one internal flexible channel and at least one external device port. and attaching an access device between the at least one external device port and the at least one internal flexible channel to enable selective access into the internal flexible channel. wherein attaching the access device comprises removing an exterior sheath from the flexible probe section to expose the at least one external device port and the at least one internal flexible channel of the medical instrument;
- introducing, via the access device, at least one contaminant o at least a portion of the test instrument;
- performing a decontamination step on the test instrument;
- and
- evaluating the test instrument to determine if the decontamination step produced a predetermined level of removal/destruction of the contaminant.
A test instrument for performing at least one of a cleaning, sterilization, or drying evaluation, comprising:
- a handle;
- a flexible probe configured for insertion into a body, the flexible probe including a proximal end connected to the handle, at least one port, and at least one flexible internal channel, the at least one port connecting the at least one flexible internal channel to an exterior of the test instrument;
- and
- an access device connected to the at least one internal channel and configured to enable selective access into the at least one flexible internal channel for insertion and/or removal of a contaminant, wherein an exterior sheath of the flexible probe section has been removed to expose the at least one external device port and the at least one internal flexible channel of the medical instrument, and the access device is installed at the exposed region of the at least one internal flexible channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.