A surgical instrument includes a shaft, a force transmission mechanism disposed at a first end of the shaft, an end effector disposed at a second end of the shaft, an actuation element that extends along the shaft from the force transmission mechanism to the end effector, and an actuation element guide extending along the shaft. The actuation element guide defines a lumen in which the actuation element guide is received. The actuation element guide is compressed into a pre-compressed state along at least a portion of an axial length of the shaft. The actuation element guide can be compressed between first and second blocks of the instrument. The instrument can include a flush tube configured to receive a cleaning fluid, with the actuation element guide being in flow communication with the flush tube to receive the cleaning fluid in the lumen of the actuation element guide.

Systems and methods for cleaning and disinfecting contaminated tube lumens are described herein. One system includes an ultraviolet light source and a sterile fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to a liquid light guide. The system is configured to allow simultaneous access and propagation of ultraviolet light and fluid in a tube having a lumen to be cleaned and disinfected. The light guide can be moved inside the tube and simultaneously emit ultraviolet light through its walls and at its distal end into the interior of the contaminated tube. A flush of sterile fluid from an open end of the liquid light guide removes debris and micro-organism detached from the inner surface during light exposure. The sterile fluid can be a high refractive index ionic solution promoting light propagation.

A multistage connector assembly for a lumen decontamination system is provided. The assembly includes a main body, a multistage body, a multistage barrier, a connector, and one or more biasing members. The assembly includes a multistage barrier movable in the fluid passageway between a fully closed position in which each stage of the multistage barrier is in a closed position to each independently block flow in the fluid passageway and a fully open position in which each stage is in an open position to allow flow within the fluid passageway. The connector is configured to engage the multistage barrier when coupled to the main body to sequentially open each stage of the multistage barrier to enable flow through the fluid passageway. The biasing member(s) are configured to urge each stage of the multistage barrier towards a closed position that blocks flow in the fluid passageway.

A device and method for testing for the presence of liquid in a cannula of a medical instrument is described. The device includes a flexible guide member having a first end, a second end and a length extending from the first end to the second end, an elongated member arranged within the flexible guide member, and an absorbent material attached to one of the elongated member. The flexible guide member is inserted into the cannula, the flexible guide member is manipulated to cause the absorbent material to move through the cannula. The absorbent material is analyzed for the presence of liquid.

A directed flow apparatus is proposed for improving the mechanical washing of surgical instrument handpieces. The apparatus takes the form of a cleaning adaptor that is designed to attach to the distal opening of the handpiece and an inlet port connector inserted on a fluid jet of the mechanical washer. A suitable length of tubing is connected between the cleaning adaptor and the inlet port connector so that when the washing cycle begins, a high force stream of cleaning fluid is specifically directed into the interior of the handpiece and focusing the direction of the cleaning fluid into a channel that is not easily accessible otherwise.

A washing tool includes a washing tool main body and a supplier. The washing tool main body is attached to a distal framing section of an insertion section of an endoscope in place of a cover, the cover being configured to be attached to the distal framing section. The washing tool main body accommodates the distal framing section in an inside of the washing tool main body in a state where the washing tool main body is attached to the distal framing section. The supplier is configured to supply a fluid to the inside of the washing tool main body.

A cleaning indicator including a substrate having an image upon it that can be interrogated to assist in monitoring a process for washing articles in a washing machine system. The image can be a printed image, which in turn is covered at least partially by a test soil to be removed by the washing process. Alternatively, the test soil can be formed into an image on the substrate. The cleaning indicator can be imaged before the start of a washing process to allow the washing process to proceed only if the appropriate image is observed. The cleaning indicator can be imaged during operation of the washing process, and when a criterion for cleanliness is met, the washing process can be automatically terminated. A washing system for using the cleaning indicator in an automated washing process is also disclosed.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to apparatuses and methods for cleaning and disinfecting probes. A cleaner is utilized to remove foreign materials (e.g., bioburden, soil, and other like material) from the probe after it is removed from the patient by soaking and/or flushing the foreign materials from the probe. The cleaner may be an enzymatic detergent that has bacteriostatic properties to inhibit bacterial growth within the apparatus. The multiple enzymes in the cleaner attack the foreign material, and include low-foam properties for effective recirculation across cycles within the cleaning step. The probe is rinsed after the cleaning step, and after rinsing a disinfectant process is applied to the probe. The disinfectant soaks and/or flushes the probe for a specified amount of time across cycles of recirculation to disinfect the surface of the probe, and afterwards the probe is rinsed thoroughly to remove the disinfectant from the probe.

Methods and devices for actuating a clearance device to clear obstructive debris from medical tubes are disclosed. More particularly, a shuttle that includes a first primary magnetic element that is adapted to magnetically engage and translate a magnetic guide within a tube is disclosed. The first primary magnetic element is aligned so that a first primary magnetic field emanating therefrom is aligned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube when viewed from a side of the shuttle.

An endoscopic imaging instrument comprises an optical assembly and a sensor module coupled to the optical assembly. The sensor module comprises a plurality of electronic components and a seal member. The seal member includes an interior surface defining a hermetic cavity. The plurality of electronic components are positioned within the hermetic cavity. The seal member further includes an exterior surface and a wall extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface. The seal member further includes a plurality of connectors within the wall. Each connector of the plurality of connectors is configured to electrically connect with one or more electronic components of the plurality of electronic components.