An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus includes an endoscope connection section, a liquid supply conduit, a gas feeding conduit, a first gas feeding section, a first exhaust section, and a control section that performs a step of filling the gas feeding conduit with a cleaning liquid, a step of opening the first exhaust section, a step of allowing a gas to flow from the first gas feeding section to the endoscope connection section and feeding a two-phase gas-liquid fluid with which the gas feeding conduit is filled into the conduit of the endoscope and a step of closing the first exhaust section a predetermined time after allowing the gas to flow.

An endoscope includes: a long member that is connected to a direction changing portion provided in an insertion portion and enables the direction changing portion to move; a sliding member that includes a first contact portion that is brought into contact with an inner surface of a guide tube that allows insertion of the long member and a second contact portion that is brought into contact with the inner surface of the guide tube; a flow path that includes an opening portion formed in a direction that intersects a longitudinal axis of the sliding member such that a fluid flows into a clearance between the guide tube and the sliding member; and an operation member that causes the sliding member to move forward and backward relative to the guide tube.

An endoscope reprocessor includes an immersion tank, a convex-shaped groove, a lid portion, a liquid supply section, a discharge port as an opening from which the liquid is discharged and which is provided at the liquid supply section, the discharge port being arranged such that a part of the opening is opposed to a side surface of the convex-shaped groove, and a control section that drives the liquid supply section to allow the liquid to be introduced into the immersion tank up to a first water level at which a flat portion of the lid portion is immersed in the liquid, and to allow the liquid to be discharged toward the flat portion and the side surface through the discharge port at the first water level.

A cleaning fixture for cleaning a medical device comprising a shaft receiving portion configured to receive a shaft and end effector assembly of the medical device, the shaft receiving portion including at least one nozzle disposed towards a distal end of the shaft receiving portion such that the at least one nozzle is positioned adjacent the end effector assembly of the medical device upon receipt of the shaft and end effector assembly of the medical device within the shaft receiving portion, and a handle receiving portion configured to receive the housing and handle of the medical device, the handle receiving portion releasably securable with the shaft receiving portion to enclose the medical device therein, the handle receiving portion including at least one lever activation assembly positioned adjacent the handle and operable to selectively actuate the handle to manipulate the end effector assembly.

A communication hub provides communication between a number of medical device processing components within a network. A user may access the communication hub via a user device such as a smartphone or computer and monitor and manage configurations and information relating to the medical device processing components. Features include the ability to view current status of medical device processing components in order to identify a device that is available for current use, to receive notifications of failed or completed tasks on devices, to disable or enable devices remotely, to view statistics and data visualizations of the performance and use of devices, and other similar features.

A sterilizing cabinet performs a method of processing a medical device, such as a used medical device or an otherwise non-sterile medical device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting a sterilization cycle from a plurality of available sterilization cycles. The sterilizing cabinet identifies a biological indicator associated with the selected sterilization cycle. The sterilizing cabinet prompts the user via a touch screen display to place the medical device and the biological indicator into a sterilization chamber of a sterilizing cabinet. The sterilizing cabinet performs load conditioning on the medical device in the sterilization chamber. The sterilizing cabinet then performs the selected sterilization cycle on the medical device in the sterilization chamber after completing the act of load conditioning.

A coupling for coupling one or more hoses to a cleaning machine including at least one connector for the connecting of a hose to be cleaned with a pillar and at least one pillar for the connection of the connector with a cleaning machine, wherein the pillar includes a longitudinal hollow body with at least two open ends including; a longitudinal guidance part, situated towards a first end; and a second end opposite to the first end in longitudinal direction; wherein the guidance part is provided with a thickening for the fixing of the connector to the guidance part, which thickening includes a first slope facing the first end, which slope has an angle with the guidance part between 5 and 45 degrees; and includes a second slope facing the second end, which slope has an angle with the guidance part between 30 and 60 degrees.

A method is provided for reprocessing an internal channel of a medical device with a reprocessing system having a valve, a fluid line fluidly coupled with the valve, and at least one sensor coupled with the fluid line. The method includes performing an actuation of the valve to direct liquid through the fluid line and into the internal channel, and detecting with the at least one sensor a predetermined condition within the fluid line while the liquid is being directed into the internal channel. In response to detecting the predetermined condition, a time duration measured from the actuation of the valve is recorded. The method further includes purging the liquid from the internal channel, and directing liquid through the fluid line and into the internal channel for the time duration.

Embodiments of a system and method for endoscope cleaning and inspection are disclosed. In an example, an endoscope cleaning and inspection unit includes cleaning and testing capabilities operated via control equipment and a display screen, to operate leak testing equipment, flush control equipment, and optical inspection equipment for leak testing, flushing, rinsing, and inspection of an endoscope interior chamber (lumen) and exterior surfaces. In a further example, the endoscope cleaning and inspection unit may further operate and receive information from a borescope imaging device or a magnification imaging device, using an imaging sensor to capture images of an endoscope lumen or surface respectively, as captured or output on the display screen. Further embodiments provide for control, monitoring, data collection, data input, and data output with such imaging devices via the endoscope cleaning and inspection unit.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and assembly each adapted for enabling an imaging element cleaning apparatus to be placed through an abdominal wall of the patient without the use of a trocar or cannula. By eliminating the need for and use of a cannular or trocar, such embodiments advantageously overcome dimensional compatibility issues exhibited between the inside diameter of the central passage of commercially-available trocars and cannulas and the outside diameter of the sheath of an imaging element cleaning apparatus comprising such a sheath. Such dimensional compatibility issues are overcome by enabling an imaging element cleaning apparatus of the present disclosures to be placed through the abdominal wall of a patient without the use of a trocar or cannula. As a result, the sheath of the aforementioned imaging element cleaning apparatus can be in direct contact with the abdominal wall tissue.