Apparatus and method for reprocessing lumened instruments

1. A method of processing an item secured in a connectorless fashion in a push/pull reprocessor, said push/pull reprocessor including a container having a first chamber and a second chamber and a pressure sensor in each chamber, the method comprising the step of:

generating a flow of a fluid between said first and second chambers and contacting said item.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said fluid is an ozonated liquid.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said generating step is performed at a pressure or speed such that an amount of time required to kill a given pathogen is lessened for a given concentration of ozone in said ozonated liquid.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein fresh ozone is continuously introduced into said ozonated liquid such that a contaminant in or on said item is continuously exposed to said fresh ozone.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said generating step comprises configuring a pumping means in said push/pull reprocessor to vary its motor speed in response to said pressure sensor in each chamber.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said generating step is performed at approximately 1-29 psi.

7. The method of claim 1 , further including securing said item in a baffle plug that generates a flow between the item being held and an opening of the baffle plug, thereby creating a turbulent flow to clean the item exterior.

8. A method of processing a lumened instrument secured in a connectorless fashion in a push/pull reprocessor, said push/pull reprocessor including a container having a first chamber and a second chamber and a pressure sensor in each chamber, the method comprising the step of:

generating a flow of a liquid back-and-forth through a lumen of said lumened instrument.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said liquid is an ozonated liquid.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said generating step is performed at a pressure or speed such that an amount of time required to kill a given pathogen is lessened for a given concentration of ozone in said ozonated liquid.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein fresh ozone is continuously introduced into said ozonated liquid such that a contaminant in said lumen is continuously exposed to said fresh ozone.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein said generating step comprises configuring a pumping means in said push/pull reprocessor to vary its motor speed in response to said pressure sensor in each chamber.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein said flow exceeds the total internal volume of said lumen by at least 1%.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein said generating step is performed at approximately 1-29 psi.

15. The method of claim 8 , further including securing said lumened instrument in a baffle plug that generates a flow between the lumened instrument being held and an opening of the baffle plug, thereby creating a turbulent flow to clean the lumened instrument exterior.

16. A method of preventing or reducing biofilm in an empty push/pull reprocessor, said push/pull reprocessor including a container having a first chamber and a second chamber and a pressure sensor in each chamber, the method comprising the step of:

generating a flow of a sanitizing liquid between said first and second chambers.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said sanitizing liquid is an ozonated liquid.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said generating step is performed at a pressure or speed such that an amount of time required to prevent biofilm formation is lessened for a given concentration of ozone in said ozonated liquid versus soaking.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein fresh ozone is continuously introduced into said ozonated liquid such that said chambers are continuously exposed to said fresh ozone.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein said generating step comprises configuring a pumping means in said push/pull reprocessor to vary its motor speed in response to said pressure sensor in each chamber.