A sterilization system includes a communication hub that is configured to transfer information between devices of the system such as a sterilizing cabinet, biological indicator analyzer, and a server in order to allow a user to track a medical device throughout a sterilization process. The server may provide data to the sterilizing cabinet during a sterilization process that may be used to verify that the medical device is compatible with the sterilizing cabinet, and to automatically select a compatible sterilization cycle to perform on the medical device. Automatic selection of sterilization cycles and confirmation of compatibility reduces the possibility for user error, which could result in contaminated medical devices being placed back into service. Automatic selection of sterilization cycles also allows users to more efficiently configure and perform sterilization cycles while being confident that the medical device will be sterile upon completion.

An endoscope attachment is an endoscope attachment that is detachably attachable to a distal end portion part of an insertion portion of an endoscope, and includes a cylindrical member that covers a bonding portion that is arranged in a bending portion of the insertion portion and formed of adhesive, and a flow rate varying member that is disposed in the cylindrical member and varies a flow rate of a medicinal solution that enters from an outside of the cylindrical member to an inside of the cylindrical member.

Described are a forced-air drying cabinet, system, and computer program product for drying endoscopes. The system includes a forced-air drying cabinet and a local control device associated with the cabinet. The cabinet includes an inner area accessible by a door, a signal receiving device, and a drying manifold including a compressor. The cabinet also includes an airflow output connected to the drying manifold, a support arrangement, and a visual indicator. The control device is configured to receive a signal from a signal emitting member associated with an endoscope, determine a drying protocol for the endoscope based on the signal, and identify the support arrangement to support the endoscope based on the drying protocol. The control device is also configured to control the visual indicator associated with the support arrangement, and initiate a drying process by causing the compressor to create an airflow from the airflow output through the endoscope.

A modular endoscope system comprises a first modular section comprising imaging and illumination units, and a patient-insertable second modular section that can be detached to the first modular section via an attachment mechanism, wherein the first modular section is positionable at a distal end section of the second modular section and is configured to illuminate and image a portion of a patient anatomy. A method of using a modular endoscopy system comprises attaching a first modular section of the modular endoscopy system to a second modular section of the modular endoscopy system, positioning at least a portion of the modular endoscopy system within a patient, illuminating and imaging a portion of a patient anatomy via the first modular section, removing the modular endoscopy system from the patient, and detaching the second modular section from the first modular section after removal of the modular endoscopy system from the patient.

An endoscope includes an insertion section configured to be inserted into a subject, an operation section configured to be consecutively provided on a proximal end side of the insertion section, a rigid partition wall provided inside the insertion section or inside the operation section and configured to maintain watertightness between a first space including an inside of the insertion section and a second space formed on a distal end side of the first space, and a first check valve provided in the partition wall and configured to block circulation of gas from the second space to the first space and circulate gas from the first space to the second space.

An endoscope reprocessor includes a first connector receptacle configured to connect a first connector connected to a cylinder in an endoscope, a first switching device configured to switch the first connector to one of a sealed state and an unsealed state, a first gas feeding device connected to an air introduction port to introduce gas, and a processor configured to perform control such that first driving for driving the first gas feeding device by bringing the first connector into the unsealed state is performed and second driving for driving the first gas feeding device by bringing the first connector into the sealed state is then performed.

A cartridge for use with a process monitoring system. The process monitoring system can include an adapter comprising a first fluid pathway and configured to be positioned in fluid communication with a reprocessing system. At least a portion of the cartridge can be configured to be removably received in a receptacle of the adapter. The cartridge can include a second fluid pathway configured to be positioned in fluid communication with the first fluid pathway of the adapter when at least a portion of the cartridge is positioned in the receptacle of the adapter. The cartridge can further include at least one indicator positioned on the cartridge in fluid communication with the second fluid pathway of the cartridge.

Disclosed is a method for drying endoscope channels, including the following steps: a) connecting the endoscope, particularly via a specific connection, to a plasma drying unit; b) injecting a neutral gas into the endoscope channels for a duration of 10 to 60 seconds, the flow rate of the gas being low, the gas being injected at a temperature of 10 C. to 30 C. such as to eliminate residual water; then c) drying the endoscope channels, for a duration of 30 to 150 seconds, by injecting a gas at a high flow rate, the gas being injected at a temperature of 30 C. to 60 C.

Disclosed are apparatus and a method for sterilizing an internal surface of a lumen in a medical instrument, e.g., an endoscope. The apparatus is in the form of an elongated UVC light guide, e.g., an optic fiber, having a central longitudinal axis and which is configured to be extended down the lumen in the instrument, and a housing including a source of UVC light. The UVC light guide includes a distal end portion and is configured to carry UVC light internally from the source of UVC light to the distal end portion. The distal end portion includes a reflective surface for directing the UVC light radially outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis, whereupon when the UVC light guide is extended into the lumen in the medical instrument the radially directed UVC light impinges the internal surface of the lumen to sterilize it.

The present invention relates to a device for suspending one or more medical instruments, such as a drying cabinet for endoscopes, comprising a closable space, a plurality of holders positioned in the closable space provided with at least one retaining elements and a control system comprising an identification system configured for identifying the holders, wherein the at least one retaining element of each holder is provided with at least one identification means connected to the identification system, wherein the identification means is configured to identify the retaining element of the respective holder. The present invention further relates to a holding system for suspending one or more medical instruments in a closable space adapted therefore, such as a drying cabinet for endoscopes, comprising a holder and at least one retaining element, wherein the holding system further comprises a spacer connected to the holder and provided with a hinge system, wherein the at least one retaining element is configured to clampingly receiving the at least one medical instrument to be suspended.