US 12,186,446 B2 · Instrument reprocessor and instrument reprocessing methods

Abstract

An instrument reprocessor for cleaning, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing a medical instrument is disclosed. To reprocess instruments having one or more channels defined therein, the reprocessor can include one or more flow control systems configured to control a flow of fluid through each channel. A flow control system can include a differential pressure sensor and a proportional valve for controlling the fluid flow in a channel. The reprocessor can also include a fluid circulation pump which can be configured to supply the flow control systems with fluid and a system for controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied to the flow control systems. The reprocessor can also include a system for supplying a metered amount of fluid to the fluid circulation system. The system can include a reservoir having a fluid height sensor to monitor the amount of fluid therein and a pump configured to supply the reservoir with fluid.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An instrument reprocessor for cleaning an instrument, the instrument reprocessor comprising:

a chamber configured to receive the instrument;
a pump configured to pressurize a reprocessing fluid and supply the reprocessing fluid to a passage of the instrument;
a first sensor positioned to sense a pressure of the reprocessing fluid flowing from the pump;
a first valve configured to direct a portion of a fluid flow from the pump to a fluid feedback loop in fluid communication with a source of fluid for the pump based at least in part on a pressure value determined by the first sensor;
and
a flow control system, comprising:
a second valve in fluid communication with the passage, wherein the second valve is configured to control a flow rate of reprocessing fluid through the passage, and
a second sensor configured to sense a pressure differential in the reprocessing fluid on opposite sides of a fixed orifice, wherein the second sensor is positioned upstream with respect to the second valve.

5 more elements

An instrument reprocessor for cleaning a medical instrument, the instrument reprocessor comprising:

at least one flow control system, comprising:
a valve in fluid communication with a supply connector and a passage of the medical instrument, wherein the valve is configured to control a flow rate of a reprocessing fluid through the passage of the medical instrument;
a first pressure differential sensor configured to sense a first pressure drop in the reprocessing fluid on opposite sides of a first fixed orifice, wherein the first pressure differential sensor is positioned upstream of the valve;
a second pressure differential sensor configured to sense a second pressure drop in the reprocessing fluid on opposite sides of a second fixed orifice, wherein the second pressure differential sensor is disposed fluidcally in parallel with the first pressure differential sensor;
a second gauge pressure sensor positioned downstream of the valve;
and
a processor in signal communication with the first pressure differential sensor, the second pressure differential sensor, and the second gauge pressure sensor, wherein the processor is configured to interpret the flow rate based on the first pressure drop and command the valve to at least one of at least partially close and at least partially open.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Instrument reprocessor and instrument reprocessing methods

Life of this patent

Instrument reprocessor and instrument reprocessing methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18