Sterile packaging for flexible endoscopes

Abstract

A packaging enclosure for receiving a flexible endoscope during a sterilization procedure and sterile storage thereafter has a portion thereof which is semi-permeable. Provision is made for hanging the packaging enclosure over a hook or peg. In one embodiment the packaging enclosure conforms to the endoscope so that its two flexible portions may hang over opposite sides of the hook. Alternatively, a hook or aperture may be provided on the packaging enclosure for hanging it over the hook.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A Packaging enclosure for a flexible endoscope having first and second flexible tubes, said packaging enclosure comprising a wall forming an interior space impervious to microorganisms for receiving the endoscope, at least a portion of the wall being semi-permeable, and a hanging means for hanging the packaging enclosure with the endoscope therein over a hook.  
     
     
         2 . A packaging enclosure according to  claim 1  wherein the packaging enclosure comprises a pouch having first and second films adhered to each other to form the interior space.  
     
     
         3 . A packaging enclosure according to  claim 1  wherein the hanging means comprises an aperture in the packaging enclosure.  
     
     
         4 . A packaging enclosure according to  claim 1  wherein the hanging means comprises the first flexible tube being receivable within one portion of the packaging enclosure and the second flexible tube being receivable within a second portion of the packaging enclosure and the packaging enclosure with the endoscope therein is drapable over the hook.  
     
     
         5 . A packaging enclosure according to  claim 1  wherein the packaging enclosure comprises a thermoformed tray covered with a permeable lidstock.  
     
     
         6 . A packaging enclosure according to  claim 1  wherein the packaging enclosure comprises a sterile container having at least one semi-permeable port.  
     
     
         7 . A method for sterilizing and storing an endoscope having first and second flexible tubes, said method comprising the steps of: 
 placing the endoscope within a packaging enclosure comprising a wall forming an interior space for receiving the endoscope, at least a portion of the wall being semi-permeable;    passing a sterilizing gas into the packaging enclosure; and    hanging the packaging enclosure with the sterile endoscope therein over a hook.    
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the packaging enclosure comprises an aperture and the hook is placed in the aperture.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the first flexible tube is received within one portion of the packaging enclosure and the second flexible tube is received within a second portion of the packaging enclosure and the packaging enclosure with the endoscope therein is draped over the hook.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the packging enclosure comprises a pouch.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the packging enclosure comprises a thermoformed tray with a permeable lid stock  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the packging enclosure comprises a sterile container with at least one semi-permeable port.