Apparatus and method for providing flow to endoscope channels

Abstract

A method provides flow to multiple channels in an endoscope during an endoscope decontamination procedure. A member is inserted into a chamber in a body of an endoscope through an opening into the chamber, the chamber being intersected by a first lumen and a second lumen. The member separates fluidly the first lumen from the second lumen. Fluid is flowed through a first channel through the member into the first lumen and through a second channel through the member into the second lumen. Additional lumens can be so treated at the same time. Fluids can include detergents and other cleaning fluids, disinfectants and sterilants.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A channel connector adapted to provide flow to multiple channels in an endoscope during an endoscope decontamination procedure, the channel connector comprising:
 a first member sized and shaped to fit within a first chamber in a body of an endoscope through an opening into the first chamber;   a first channel in the first member, the first channel having one end facing a first lumen in the endoscope when the first member is received within the first chamber, the first channel having another end terminating in a first connector;   a second channel in the first member, the second channel having one end facing a second lumen in the endoscope when the first member is received within the first chamber, the second channel having another end terminating in a second connector; and   isolation means on the first member for fluidly separating the first lumen from the second lumen at the first chamber.   
     
     
         12 . A channel connector according to  claim 11  and further comprising a third channel in the first member, the third channel having one end facing a third lumen in the endoscope when the first member is received within the first chamber, the third channel having another end terminating in a third connector and additional isolation means on the first member for isolating fluidly the third lumen from the first lumen and the second lumen at the first chamber. 
     
     
         13 . A channel connector according to  claim 11  and further comprising a second member connected to the first member, the second member being sized and shaped to fit within a second chamber in the body of the endoscope through an opening into the second chamber;
 a third channel in the second member, the third channel having one end facing a third lumen in the endoscope when the second member is received within the second chamber, the third channel having another end terminating in a third connector; 
 a fourth channel in the second member, the fourth channel having one end facing a fourth lumen in the endoscope when the second member is received within the second chamber, the fourth channel having another end terminating in a fourth connector; and 
 a second isolation means on the second member for fluidly separating the third lumen from the fourth lumen at the second chamber. 
 
     
     
         14 . A channel connector according to  claim 11  and further comprising a biasing means for biasing the first member into the first chamber. 
     
     
         15 . A channel connector according to  claim 14  wherein the biasing means comprises a spring. 
     
     
         16 . A channel connector according to  claim 11  and further comprising a third channel through the first member and additional isolation means on the first member for isolating the third channel from the first lumen and from the second lumen when the first member is fully received within the first chamber whereby fluid introduced through the third channel under pressure will tend to urge the first member outwardly of the first chamber. 
     
     
         17 . A channel connector according to  claim 11  wherein the first channel exits the first member on a portion opposite the first opening of the first chamber when the first member is received therein and wherein the first member comprises a recess where the first channel exits the first member whereby fluid flowing through the first channel under pressure will create a pressure in the recess tending to urge the first member outwardly of the first chamber.