Integrated endoscope cleansing system

Abstract

An integrated endoscope cleansing system (IECS) comprises both an independent cleansing system (ICS) evacuation conduit in communication with an independent cleansing system working station (IWS), and an endoscope insertion tube with a working channel functionally coupled to a vacuum source, under control of an endoscope working station (EWS). In some embodiments, the ICS evacuation conduit is located within the insertion tube, while being functionally coupled to an ICS vacuum source, controlled by the IWS.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating an integrated endoscope cleaning system (IECS) which includes: an endoscope cleaning system (ECS) comprising a working channel, an independent cleansing system (ICS) comprising an evacuation conduit, and at least one processor for controlling activation of said ECS and said ICS, the method comprising:
 introducing said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit into the colon;   controlling, via said at least one processor, operation of said IECS, said controlling comprising simultaneously evacuating matter through both said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit when:
 (a) an indication of a fall in pressure in one of said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit is received, indicating a partial or complete blockage; 
 (b) an indication of a high volume of matter inside one of said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit is received, indicating that the volume of matter is too high for only one of said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit to evacuate alone. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising simultaneously evacuating matter through both the ECS working channel and the ICS evacuation conduit when image information of the treated colon indicates that supplemental cleansing of the colon is required. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said indication of a fall in pressure is obtained by one or more sensors and wherein said processor is configured to automatically activate evacuation through the other of the ECS working channel and the ICS evacuation conduit in response to said indication received from said one or more sensors. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said controlling comprises activating a vacuum source functionally coupled to said ECS working channel or a vacuum source functionally coupled to said ICS evacuation conduit to apply suction therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said controlling comprises switching between using one of said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit and using both of said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit for evacuation of matter. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said controlling comprises activating one or more valves affecting the applying of suction through each of said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said introducing comprises introducing said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit together through a bendable insertion tube of the IECS. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one processor comprises at least two processors: an ECS processor and an ICS processor configured to operate according to at least one of:
 (a) ICS/ECS Master/Slave mode of operation;   (b) ICS/ECS Smart Master/Slave mode of operation; and   (c) ECS/ICS Master/Slave mode of operation.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein each of said ECS processor and said ICS processor is configured to activate evacuation through said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit respectively when needed. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said controlling comprises modulating an evacuation pressure through one of said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit while providing a constant evacuation pressure through the other of said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit. 
     
     
         11 . An integrated endoscope cleaning system (IECS) comprising:
 an endoscope cleaning system (ECS) comprising a working channel;   an independent cleansing system (ICS) comprising an evacuation conduit; and   at least one processor for controlling activation of said ECS and said ICS, said at least one processor configured to activate simultaneous evacuation of matter through both said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit when:   (a) an indication of a fall in pressure in one of said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit is received, indicating a partial or complete blockage;   (b) an indication of a high volume of matter inside one of said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit is received, indicating that the volume of matter is too high for only one of said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit to evacuate alone.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , further comprising at least one ECS vacuum source and at least one ICS vacuum source. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the IECS comprises an insertion tube and wherein said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit are accommodated together within said insertion tube. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein said insertion tube further accommodates at least one irrigation tube. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 11 , comprising one or more sensors in communication with said at least one processor, said one or more sensors positioned and configured to measure at least one of: pressure within a lumen of said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit, flow of matter within a lumen of said ECS working channel and said ICS evacuation conduit. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein said one or more sensors comprise at least one of a pressure sensor, a contact sensor and a flowmeter. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein at least one of said one or more sensors is configured to indicate when a lumen of said ECS working channel is blocked by a tool.