A method of cleaning a contaminated surface, such as cleaning the elongate interior lumen of an endoscope contaminated with flesh, bone, blood, mucous, faeces or biofilm, said method comprising the steps of: providing a suspension of solid particles in a liquid to said contaminated surface, and flowing said suspension along said surface thereby to remove contaminant from the surface. The suspension is preferably a paste, where the solid material may be e.g. crystals of a salt, silicon oxide or organic material. The paste preferably has a solid fraction between 5 and 55%. A rheology modifier may be present.

An endoscope cleansing accessory is described for use at the bedside, manual cleaning sink, or prior to decontamination of the endoscope with an automatic endoscope reprocessing (AER) apparatus. The cleansing accessory includes a cleansing pod or bulbous package filled with a cleaning composition, such as a foam, fluid or powder, and a blocking mechanism located at or near an opening of the cleansing pod. The blocking mechanism is configured to block a suction channel once the cleansing pod is tightly fitted over a distal end of the endoscope. External pressure applied to the outside of the cleansing pod in the form of repeated compression or squeezing drives the cleaning fluid through an elevator platform or forceps raiser bridge mechanism within the endoscope's distal end to loosen tissue and other particles, which can then be flushed out during manual cleaning or by the flowing cleansing fluid of an AER.

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.

A vent assembly configured to maintain predetermined positive and negative pressure differentials between gas within a compartment and the environment, such as a compartment defining an interior of an endoscope is provided. The vent assembly includes a first housing having an upper vent and a lower vent coupled to the compartment. A piston is movable from a closed position to a first position, and from the closed position to a second position. In the closed position the piston blocks the upper and lower vents. A positive pressure differential moves the piston so as to open the vent to allow gas to escape from the compartment. A negative pressure differential draws the piston from the closed position to a second position to allow gas to enter the compartment.

Provided among other things is a sampling system for determining an amount or type of contamination a narrow, elongated passageway in a medical device, said sampling system comprising: (a) a fluid supply system that supplies to said passageway a sampling liquid for flowing through said passageway and a gas for flowing through said passageway; and (b) a receiving container that receives liquid from said passageway, wherein said sampling liquid is sterile, wherein said sampling liquid is configured to allow recovery of viable pathogens from the passageway, and wherein said sampling liquid comprises an amount and selection of surfactant effective to enhance the dislodgement of Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria from the narrow passageways.

The invention relates to compositions and methods for reducing biocontaminant (for example flesh, blood, mucous, faeces or biofilm) on a surface, such as an endoscope surface. The compositions are viscoelastic and of low lubricity, having the following properties at 21° C.: a rotational yield point between 140% strain and 300% strain; a peak viscosity between 550 Pa.Math.s and 2000 Pa.Math.s; an oscillatory flow point between 250 and 700% strain; and a coefficient of friction μ which has a maximum value (preferably 0.06 or greater) in the viscoelastic liquid's elastohydrodynamic region.

An endoscope tip attachment includes: a cylindrical casing that is arranged to surround a distal end portion of an endoscope that includes a raising base to raise a treatment tool; and a fluid controller that is positioned at an opening of a treatment-tool insertion channel of the endoscope inside the casing in a state in which the casing is attached to the distal end portion of the endoscope, the fluid controller being configured to control a flow of solution that has flowed from the treatment-tool insertion channel of the endoscope toward the distal end portion of the endoscope to flow equally along an entire surface of the raising base provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope, and being movable by pressure received from the solution.

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.