Instrument reprocessor and instrument reprocessing methods

A method of controlling the flow of reprocessing fluid through an instrument having at least a first channel, said method comprising the steps of:

• operating a pump in fluid communication with a reprocessing fluid source;
• flowing the reprocessing fluid through a first fluid circuit comprising a first valve and a first pressure differential sensor, wherein the first fluid circuit is in fluid communication with the pump and the first channel;
• detecting a first pressure differential in the reprocessing fluid flowing into the first valve utilizing the first pressure differential sensor;
• modulating the first valve to control the first flow rate of reprocessing fluid through the first channel utilizing an output from the first pressure differential sensor;
• measuring a first gauge pressure of the reprocessing fluid in the first fluid circuit;
• comparing the first gauge pressure to a first maximum pressure;
• and
• closing the first valve to stop the flow of fluid through the first fluid circuit if the first gauge pressure exceeds the first maximum pressure.

A method of controlling the flow of reprocessing fluid through an instrument comprising a channel, said method comprising the steps of:

• operating a pump in fluid communication with a reprocessing fluid source;
• measuring the gauge pressure of the reprocessing fluid flowing from the pump;
• adjusting the flow of the reprocessing fluid to adjust the gauge pressure of the reprocessing fluid to maintain the reprocessing fluid flowing from the pump at a substantially constant pressure;
• flowing the reprocessing fluid through a fluid circuit comprising a valve and a pressure differential sensor, wherein the fluid circuit is in fluid communication with the pump and the channel;
• detecting a pressure differential in the reprocessing fluid flowing into the valve utilizing the pressure differential sensor;
• and
• modulating the valve to control the flow rate of reprocessing fluid through the channel utilizing an output from the pressure differential sensor.

A method of controlling the flow of reprocessing fluid through an instrument having at least a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel is defined by a first value of a parameter and the second channel is defined by a second value of the parameter, said method comprising the steps of:

• initializing a pump in fluid communication with a reprocessing fluid source to begin an operating cycle;
• supplying the reprocessing fluid to a first fluid circuit comprising a first valve, wherein the first fluid circuit is in fluid communication with the pump and the first channel;
• supplying the reprocessing fluid to a second fluid circuit comprising a second valve, wherein the second fluid circuit is in fluid communication with the pump and the second channel;
• and
• modulating the first valve to limit the flow of reprocessing fluid through the first channel, wherein the amount in which the flow of reprocessing fluid is limited is a function of the relationship between the first value of the parameter and the second value of the parameter, whereby the reprocessing fluid flows through the first channel and the second channel when the pump is initialized.

A method of controlling the flow of pressurized fluid through at least a first fluid channel, said method comprising the steps of:

• flowing the pressurized fluid through the first fluid channel comprising a first valve and a first pressure differential sensor;
• detecting a first pressure differential in the pressurized fluid flowing into the first valve utilizing the first pressure differential sensor;
• and
• modulating the first valve to control the first flow rate of the pressurized fluid through the first fluid channel utilizing an output from the first pressure differential sensor.