US 5,494,637 A · Endoscope washer

Abstract

Endoscope washer and washing method for providing an endoscope washer which self-disinfects the washing basin and the fluid tubes automatically, each time an endoscope is washed and disinfected. The endoscope washer includes a washing and disinfecting basin having an endoscope holding portion for holding an endoscope and a washing fluid well for storing a washing fluid. The washer also including a water supply pipe, connected to a first water supply tube and a second water supply tube, for supplying a washing fluid to the endoscope holding portion and the washing fluid well. The washer also has a disinfectant tank for supplying a disinfectant to the endoscope holding portion and the washing fluid well through the water supply pipe, to provide a self-washing function for washing and disinfecting both the endoscope and the pipes, e.g., the water supply pipes, at the same time.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A disinfecting method comprising the steps of:

providing an endoscope re-processor including a washing fluid well, a basin for holding an endoscope to be reprocessed, a plurality of nozzles, and a tube for supplying a fluid to the plurality of nozzles;
providing an endoscope to be re-processed into the basin;
supplying a cleaning fluid through the tube to the plurality of nozzles;
spraying the cleaning fluid through the plurality of nozzles onto an interior wall of the basin and a surface of the endoscope, to wash the basin and the surface of the endoscope;
discharging the cleaning fluid from the washing fluid well and the basin after spraying the cleaning fluid;
supplying a disinfectant through the tube to the plurality of nozzles;
and
spraying the disinfectant through the plurality of nozzles onto the interior wall of the washing fluid well, the interior wall of the basin and the surface of the endoscope.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Endoscope washer

Life of this patent

Endoscope washer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19