Apparatus And Method For Adjusting A Volume Of A Basin Of A Treatment Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for adjusting a void volume of a basin of a treatment apparatus are provided. A treatment apparatus comprising a basin and an expandable member are provided. The expandable member may be disposed in the basin. The expandable member may be configured to expand from a first state to a second state to adjust the void volume of the basin. A void volume of the basin when the expandable member is in the second state is less than the void volume of the basin when the expandable member is in the first state.

1 . A treatment apparatus comprising:
 a basin; and   an expandable member disposed in the basin and configured to expand from a first state to a second state, wherein a void volume of the basin when the expandable member is in the second state is less than the void volume of the basin when the expandable member is in the first state.   
     
     
         2 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member comprises a cavity therein and the expandable member is configured to expand from the first state to the second state responsive to an expansive pressure within the cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the expandable member comprises at least one of a balloon, a tube, a membrane, a bladder, a mechanical member, and a heater. 
     
     
         4 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a fluid source in fluid communication with the cavity, the fluid source being suitable to control a fluid pressure in the cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the fluid source comprises at least one of a pump and a compressed gas cylinder. 
     
     
         6 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member is formed of an elastomer. 
     
     
         7 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a heater. 
     
     
         8 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the heater is suitable to heat a treatment agent to a temperature in a range of 30° C. to 80° C. 
     
     
         9 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member is operatively coupled to the basin. 
     
     
         10 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment apparatus is an endoscope re-processor. 
     
     
         11 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the basin is configured to receive an endoscope. 
     
     
         12 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member further comprises an irregular surface. 
     
     
         13 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the irregular surface is at least partly formed by a plurality of protrusions. 
     
     
         14 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the protrusions extend from the surface an average distance in a range of 1 mm to 50 mm as measured from their base. 
     
     
         15 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the protrusions comprise an average diameter in a range of 0.1 mm to 5 mm. 
     
     
         16 . A treatment apparatus comprising:
 a basin; and   an expandable member having a cavity therein, the expandable member disposed in the basin and configured to expand from a first state to a second state responsive to an expansive pressure within the cavity, wherein a void volume of the basin when the expandable member is in the second state is less than the void volume of the basin when the expandable member is in the first state.