Cleaning adaptor for an endoscope

An assembly comprising:

• an endoscope having an air/water port connected to air and water channels and including an air/water cylinder having an air inlet, an air outlet, a water inlet and a water outlet, and a suction port including a suction cylinder having an opening surrounded by a collar;
• and
• a cleaning adaptor in the form of a unitary element comprising a sealing plug and a sealing cap connected to the sealing plug, the sealing plug having:
• a tubular stem extending between first and second ends and including a longitudinal passage, the longitudinal passage being open at the first end of said stem;
• a head portion closing the longitudinal passage at the second end of said stem and the head portion including a flange extending radially outwardly from the tubular stem;
• at least three annular seals extending radially outwardly from the tubular stem and being spaced apart along a length of the tubular stem;
• and
• a transverse passage extending through the tubular stem and providing a fluid flow path between the longitudinal passage and an aperture in an outer surface of the tubular stem, the aperture being disposed between two of the at least three annular seals, and
• the sealing cap comprising a plug portion for insertion into a suction cylinder of an endoscope and a cover portion including a sealing surface for contacting a collar surrounding an opening of said suction cylinder,
• the sealing plug of the cleaning adaptor being disposed in the air/water cylinder such that the water inlet, air outlet and water outlet are in fluid communication with the longitudinal passage so that fluid is able to flow from the water inlet to both the air outlet and the water outlet, and at least two of the annular seals block fluid flow between the air inlet and any of the water inlet, the air outlet and the water outlet, and
• the sealing cap engaged with the suction port such that the sealing surface of the cover portion is in contact with the collar to seal the suction cylinder.

A method of cleaning air and water channels of an endoscope using a cleaning adaptor in the form of a unitary element comprising a sealing plug and a sealing cap connected to the sealing plug, the sealing plug having:

• a tubular stem extending between first and second ends and including a longitudinal passage, the longitudinal passage being open at the first end of said stem;
• a head portion closing the longitudinal passage at the second end of said stem and the head portion including a flange extending radially outwardly from the tubular stem;
• at least three annular seals extending radially outwardly from the tubular stem and being spaced apart along a length of the tubular stem;
• and
• a transverse passage extending through the tubular stem and providing a fluid flow path between the longitudinal passage and an aperture in an outer surface of the tubular stem, the aperture being disposed between two of the at least three annular seals, and
• the sealing cap comprising a plug portion for insertion into a suction cylinder of an endoscope and a cover portion including a sealing surface for contacting a collar surrounding an opening of said suction cylinder,
• the endoscope having an air/water port connected to the air and water channels and including an air/water cylinder having an air inlet, an air outlet, a water inlet and a water outlet, and a suction port connected to a suction channel, and the method comprising:
• inserting a sealing plug of the cleaning adaptor into the air/water port wherein the tubular stem extends into the air/water cylinder and the air inlet is disposed between two annular seals such that there is no path for fluid flow between the air inlet and any of the water inlet, air outlet and water outlet, and wherein the water inlet, air outlet and water outlet are in fluid communication with the longitudinal passage;
• engaging the sealing cap with a collar around an opening of the suction port to seal the suction port;
• providing a flow of liquid to the air/water cylinder through the water inlet, the longitudinal passage and the transverse passage forming a fluid flow path allowing the liquid entering the air/water cylinder to flow out of both the air outlet and the water outlet simultaneously;
• and
• flushing water or a detergent solution through the suction channel.