System for cleaning, disinfecting and/or drying endoscopes

Abstract

During the treatment, in particular cleaning, disinfecting and drying, of used, dirty endoscopes, in order to render them suitable once again for subsequent use, the following steps take place: placing a used, dirty endoscope in a rack, connecting the passages of the endoscope to a connection block which is arranged in a fixed position in the rack, placing the rack, with the endoscope therein, in at least one device for treating the endoscope, the connection block being connected to a counter-connection block which is present in the treatment device, in order to bring about a connection between the endoscopes and the treatment device, subjecting the endoscope which is accommodated in the rack to a specific treatment in the treatment device, taking the rack with the endoscope therein out of the treatment device, and uncoupling the endoscope from the connection block after it has been taken out of the final treatment device. This makes it possible to work in extremely hygienic conditions and minimizes the risk of damage to the endoscope.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for treating used, dirty endoscopes, in order to render them suitable once again for subsequent use, comprising at least the following steps: 
 a) placing a used, dirty endoscope in a rack,    b) connecting the passages of the endoscope to a connection block which is arranged in a fixed position in the rack,    c) placing the rack, with the endoscope therein, in at least one device for treating the endoscope, the connection block being connected to a counter-connection block which is present in the treatment device, in order to bring about a connection between the endoscopes and the treatment device,    d) subjecting the endoscope which is accommodated in the rack to a specific treatment in the treatment device,    e) taking the rack with the endoscope therein out of the treatment device, and    f) uncoupling the endoscope from the connection block after it has been taken out of the final treatment device.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rack, with the endoscope therein, is placed in a closable carrier tray, in order for the endoscope to be transported between a room where the endoscope is used and a room where the treatment device is arranged, and vice versa, and the rack with the endoscope therein is transported in the closed carrier tray.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rack, with the endoscope therein, is successively placed in a plurality of different treatment devices.  
     
     
         4 . A system for treating used, dirty endoscopes, in order to render them suitable once again for subsequent use, comprising: 
 at least one rack in which an endoscope can be accommodated, the rack being provided with a fixed connection block to which the passages of an endoscope which is accommodated in the rack can be connected,    one or more treatment devices in which an endoscope which is accommodated in a rack can be subjected to a specific treatment, the treatment device being provided with a counter-connection block which can be connected to the connection block which is arranged in the rack,    an essentially identical connection block being arranged in each rack, and an essentially identical counter-connection block, which can be connected to the connection blocks arranged in the racks, being arranged in each treatment device.    
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one carrier tray, in which a rack with an endoscope therein can be transported.  
     
     
         6 . A rack for accommodating an endoscope, which rack is provided with a connection block which is arranged in a fixed position in the rack and to which the passages of an endoscope accommodated in the rack can be connected.  
     
     
         7 . The rack of  claim 6 , provided with means for fixing the end of an endoscope which is accommodated in the rack.  
     
     
         8 . The rack of  claim 6 , provided with handles for carrying the rack.