Systems and methods for drying and/or cleaning endoscopic devices
AssigneeGI Scientific, LLC
InventorsScott Miller, Frank Carter, Carl Gauger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and methods for cleaning and/or drying endoscopic instruments, such as endoscopes, are provided. A drying device for use with an endoscopic instrument comprises an elongate member configured for advancement through an internal lumen within the endoscopic instrument and a drying member removably coupled to a portion of the elongate member. The drying element comprises a variable pressure region shaped and configured to increase the hydrodynamic fluid friction force and fluid pressure force applied to the wall of the internal lumen of the endoscope to more effectively remove all of the moisture and fluid from the internal surfaces of an endoscopic instrument.
Claims22
A drying apparatus comprising:
- an elongate member configured for translation through a lumen of a device;
- at least one drying element coupled to a portion of the elongate member, wherein the drying element comprises distal and proximal end portions and a central portion between the distal and proximal end portions, the central portion having an outer diameter less than the proximal and distal end portions;
- wherein the central portion is shaped to cause a fluid passing through the lumen to apply a force against an internal wall of the lumen as the drying element is advanced through the lumen, and
- wherein the force creates a shear stress of at least about 5 Pa in at least one area between the distal and proximal end portions of the drying element.
A drying apparatus comprising:
- an elongate member configured for translation through a lumen of a device;
- at least one drying element coupled to a portion of the elongate member, wherein the drying element comprises distal and proximal end portions and a central portion between the distal and proximal end portions, the central portion having an outer diameter less than the proximal and distal end portions;
- wherein the central portion is shaped to cause a fluid passing through the lumen to apply a force against an internal wall of the lumen as the drying element is advanced through the lumen, and
- wherein the force creates an average pressure between the proximal and distal end portions of the drying element of at least about 10 Pa.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.