IP Library Granted Patent US 12672768
Granted Patent B2
US 12672768 · App. 18/613,327 · Granted Jul 7, 2026

Reprocessing case

Inventors: Kenneth S. Kramer (Trabuco Canyon, CA); Samuel J. Rhodes (Los Angeles, CA)
Assignee: ASP Global Manufacturing GmbH
A61B1/121A61L2/22A61L2/26A61L2103/15
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12672768
App. No.
18/613,327
Granted
Jul 7, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

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.

Claims (15)

1 . A method of reprocessing a medical device in a reprocessing case, the method comprising:

causing a fluid delivery assembly to mate with a faceplate of the reprocessing case;

placing, based on a first mechanical manipulation of the fluid delivery assembly in a direction away from the reprocessing case to separate the faceplate from a shell of the reprocessing case, the reprocessing case into a disinfection configuration from a closed configuration; and

introducing, via the fluid delivery assembly, a fluid inside one or more lumens of the medical device to reprocess the medical device.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the placing step further comprises shortening or lengthening a piston, connecting the faceplate to a shell of the reprocessing case, to guide the faceplate to be placed away from the shell in a guided direction.

3 . The method of claim 1 , comprising:

returning the reprocessing case from the disinfection configuration to the closed configuration based on a second mechanical manipulation of the fluid delivery assembly.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the returning step further comprises mating the fluid delivery assembly to the faceplate and moving the fluid delivery assembly in a direction towards a shell of the reprocessing case.

5 . The method of claim 3 ,

wherein the first mechanical manipulation of the fluid delivery assembly comprises moving the fluid delivery assembly in a first direction towards the reprocessing case; and

wherein the second mechanical manipulation of the fluid delivery assembly comprises moving the fluid delivery assembly in a second direction away from the reprocessing case.

6 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the returning step further comprises applying a force generated by a spring in the reprocessing case, wherein the force generated by the spring causes the faceplate of the reprocessing case to move in a direction towards a shell of the reprocessing case.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the causing step further comprises employing a spring-loaded cam or a mechanical finger of the fluid delivery assembly to mate with a slot of the reprocessing case.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the fluid is at least one of detergent, disinfectant, water, and air, and wherein the introducing step further comprises delivering the fluid through one or more ports on the faceplate, wherein the one or more ports are separated from the connection feature of the reprocessing case.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the introducing step further comprises introducing the fluid into the reprocessing case via a space between the faceplate and a shell of the reprocessing case to clean, disinfect, or dry the medical device.