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US 7,740,813 B2Granted
Automated endoscope reprocessor self-disinfection connection
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorHal Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An endoscope reprocessor having a water supply disinfection filter and a method for self-disinfection of the filter employ a pair of connectors to switch from a normal operating mode into a self-disinfection mode in which circulating germicidal fluid within the reprocessor flows through the filter, while the water supply remains connected to the system and isolated from the circulating fluid.
Claims9
An endoscope reprocessor comprising:
- an enclosure for holding an endoscope;
- a sterile water supply system comprising a water supply line and a filter adapted to filter out potentially contaminating microorganisms, the filter having an inlet and outlet, the outlet connecting to an air gap and the inlet connecting to the water supply line;
- a fluid distribution system associated with the enclosure which is adapted to direct germicidal fluid into the enclosure;
- a passage from the fluid distribution system to the air gap;
- a dual connector having a normal position in which the water supply line connects to the filter and the passage connects to the air gap and a self-disinfection position in which the water supply line connects to the air gap and the passage connects to the filter whereby to allow germicidal fluid to reach and disinfect the filter, while maintaining water supply to the reprocessor and isolating the water supply from the reprocessor through the air gap.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.