The invention refers to an endoscope including at least one channel which may be contaminated in use, wherein the channel wall of the at least one channel is formed of a material having properties capable of photocatalysis. The invention further refers to a method for cleaning such an endoscope including the steps of: connecting the endoscope to a reprocessing device, performing a photocatalytic treatment at least in the at least one channel for the purpose of the decomposition of organic residues on the surface of the channel, and rinsing the endoscope.

The invention further refers to a cleaning device for cleaning such an endoscope.

A cleaning device system to clean a surgical scope, which cleaning device system includes an attachment element to attach the cleaning device, being positioned outside the body of a patient, to a trocar. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading Abstract of the Disclosure. The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

A reprocessing case may be used to assist in reprocessing an instrument, such as an endoscope in an automated reprocessor. The reprocessing case may include various features such that the case may include and be transitioned between a closed configuration, an open configuration, and a disinfection configuration. In particular the reprocessor may transition the case to a disinfection configuration during a reprocessing procedure.

A method of using a vacuum chamber to assist in detecting moisture on an instrument, removing moisture from the instrument, and confirming dryness of the instrument is disclosed. The method may include the steps of opening a vacuum chamber; placing an instrument into the chamber, closing the chamber, withdrawing a first volume of air from the chamber; changing a volume of liquid water into vapor, introducing a second volume of air into the chamber, withdrawing the second volume of air from the chamber, changing a second volume of liquid water into vapor, introducing a third volume of air into the chamber, opening the chamber, and removing the instrument from the chamber in a dry state. This method may also include the steps of collecting pressure data corresponding to the pressure within the chamber while withdrawing the second volume of air from the chamber, calculating a first second-derivative value of pressure with respect to time corresponding to a pressure greater than approximately the triple-point pressure of water, calculating a second second-derivative value of pressure with respect to time corresponding to a pressure greater than approximately the triple-point pressure of water and a time subsequent to the time corresponding to the first second-derivative value, calculating a third second-derivative value of pressure with respect to time corresponding to a pressure less than approximately the triple-point pressure of water and a time subsequent to the time corresponding to the second second-derivative value, calculating a fourth second-derivative value of pressure with respect to time corresponding to a pressure less than approximately the triple-point pressure of water and a time subsequent to the time corresponding to the third second-derivative value, determining that the fourth second-derivative value is less than or equal to the third second-derivative value, determining that the second second-derivative value is less than or equal to the first second-derivative value. The vacuum chamber may include a rack for hanging instruments having lumens, such as endoscopes.

According to the present invention, there is provided a sealing component for an endoscope plug at an end of which a plug connection end to be sealed is arranged. The sealing component comprises: a body part having a blind hole-like endoscope plug insertion opening into which the plug connection end of the endoscope plug is sealingly insertable, and a fastening portion for the fastening at an endoscope cable of the endoscope whose endoscope plug comprises the plug connection end sealingly insertable into the blind hole-like endoscope plug insertion opening.

A percuscopic access device is disclosed. The percuscopic access device has a hollow shaft with a proximal opening and a distal opening. The percuscopic access device also has one or more barrier ridges on the outside of the hollow shaft. The percuscopic access device also has one or more recesses on the inside of the hollow shaft and in communication with the distal opening. A cleaning obturator for use with the percuscopic access device is also disclosed. The cleaning obturator and percuscopic access device may be combined as a surgical apparatus. The cleaning obturator has a guide rod having a proximal end and a distal end. The cleaning obturator also has a plugging tip on the distal end. The cleaning obturator further has one or more swab guides proximal to the plugging tip.

Presented is a method and apparatus for aiding medical procedures. An apparatus includes a housing defining a first opening, a second opening, and a interior, and a first cleaning element maintained within the interior relative to the first opening, the first cleaning element comprising at least one cleaning agent operable to remove extraneous debris from an object. The apparatus further includes a second cleaning element maintained with the interior relative to the second opening, the second cleaning element comprising at least one cleaning material and at least one white reference material, the at least one cleaning material operable to remove debris from an object. The apparatus also includes a conduit defining a passage from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing.

An endoscopic instrument according to the invention includes an elongate tube, which has an axially continuous and substantially cylindrical main lumen for receiving a shaft of an endoscope lens system, and a tool, which is arranged at a distal end of the tube and can be controlled via an elongate transmission element from a proximal end of the tube, wherein the tube has an axially continuous secondary lumen which adjoins the main lumen in a transverse direction, is connected to the main lumen via a narrowed transition area and receives the transmission element. The invention also relates to an endoscopic instrument system.

A coating for medical equipment includes: an isocyanate-curable coating composition; and a radical scavenger.

The present invention provides a cart that can perform bedside cleaning and carry an endoscope, and carries the endoscope, and carries an endoscope including an insertion unit to be inserted into a body cavity and an operation unit for operating the insertion unit, the cart including: a placement portion on which a storage bag storing a cleaning liquid is placed; and a holding portion that holds the operation unit above the placement portion, in which the operation unit is held by the holding portion, and the insertion unit is immersed in the cleaning liquid in the storage bag.