Conditioning medical equipment
A method for conditioning a flexible medical endoscope ( 10 ) having internal channels ( 12 ), so as to maintain disinfection of said endoscope ( 10 ) following processing to a state of high level disinfection, comprises the steps of: (a) connecting the internal channels ( 12 ) of the endoscope ( 10 ) to connectors ( 31 - 34 ) enabling fluid communication with a reservoir ( 24 ) of disinfectant fluid ( 25 ); (b) charging the internal channels ( 12 ) with disinfectant fluid ( 25 ) from the reservoir ( 24 ); (c) disconnecting the internal channels ( 12 ) from the connectors ( 31 - 34 ); (d) sealing the endoscope ( 10 ) in a pouch ( 56 ) having a substantially air-tight seal ( 57 ) and a valve ( 55 ) enabling connection to suction means ( 53 ); and (e) connecting and activating the suction means ( 53 ) so as substantially to reduce pressure within the pouch ( 56 ), thereby partially evacuating the pouch ( 56 ).
1. An apparatus for conditioning a flexible medical endoscope having internal channels, so as to maintain disinfection of said endoscope following processing to a state of high level disinfection, said apparatus including a conditioning station, comprising:
a. a reservoir for disinfectant fluid;
b. a plurality of connectors configured for connection to the internal channels of the endoscope;
c. a valve system comprising a plurality of fluid valves wherein at least some of the plurality of fluid valves are associated with the plurality of connectors;
d. a vacuum pump, adapted for connection to a valve of a pouch; and
e. a processor adapted to control operation of the reservoir pump, the vacuum pump and the valve system.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a touch screen interface for controlling the processor.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a system for flushing the internal endoscope channels with pressurized filtered air, thereby to expel disinfectant fluid from the channels.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the valve system comprises a three-way valve system comprising an air inlet valve, a first air outlet valve and a second air outlet valve.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of connectors are adapted for connection to an individual dedicated internal channel of an endoscope having a plurality of internal channels, comprising an air channel, a water channel and an aspiration channel.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the disinfectant fluid reservoir communicates with the plurality of connectors via a manifold connection.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to control operation of the reservoir pump and vacuum pump according to a pre-programmed sequence.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the n on station further comprises a printer in communication with the processor.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising the pouch, wherein the pouch has a substantially air-tight seal, the pouch being adapted to house a flexible medical endoscope.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the pouch has two substantially air-tight seals.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the pouch comprises a valve adapted for connection to the vacuum pump.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a moulded tray shaped to accommodate a flexible medical endoscope.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an absorbent pad for collection of disinfectant fluid expelled from the endoscope channels.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a rigid case, adapted to house and protect the pouch containing the endoscope.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the disinfectant fluid is a dilute aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the dilute aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide has a concentration in the range of from 0.5% to 1.5% by weight.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the disinfectant fluid further comprises colloidal silver.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a liner.
19. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the conditioning station further comprises a housing mounted on a base.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the base comprises wheels configured to allow mobility of the conditioning station.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the conditioning station comprises a working surface configured to receive a moulded tray.