Apparatus And Method For Sterilizing Endoscope

Abstract

A method of sterilizing an article such as a flexible endoscope is performed in a sterilization chamber. A vacuum is applied in the sterilization chamber while the article is contained in the sterilization chamber. A sterilant is then introduced into the sterilization chamber. The pressure within the sterilization chamber is incrementally increased to provide a step-wise transition from a high vacuum state to atmospheric pressure. The article is thereby sterilized.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a sterilization chamber, wherein the sterilization chamber is configured to receive a medical device;   (b) a vacuum source in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber;   (c) a sterilant applying module in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber;   (d) a venting valve in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber and an atmosphere outside of the sterilization chamber, the venting valve being operable to selectively open and close a vent path between the sterilization chamber and the atmosphere; and   (e) a control module in communication with the vacuum source, the sterilant applying module, and the venting valve, wherein the control module contains a control logic configured to execute a sterilizing algorithm such that the control logic is configured to:
 (i) activate the vacuum source to apply a vacuum to the sterilization chamber, 
 (ii) activate the sterilant applying module to apply sterilant to the sterilization chamber, and 
 (iii) selectively activate the venting valve to provide a step-wise incremental increase in pressure within sterilization chamber. 
   
     
     
         2 . A system comprising:
 the apparatus of  claim 1 ; and   the medical device.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the medical device is an endoscope. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the medical device is a plurality of endoscopes. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a door that opens and closes the sterilization chamber in response to actuation of a kick plate. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sterilant applying module is configured to receive replaceable sterilant cartridges containing a certain amount of sterilant. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a touch screen display configured to receive a user input. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the touch screen display is operable to render various user interface display screens. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the control module is in communication with the sterilant applying module and the touch screen display and is operable to execute control algorithms to drive the sterilant applying module in accordance with the user input. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an identification tag reader operable to read an identification tag of a biological indicator. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the identification tag reader comprises an optical reader that is operable to read an optical identification tag of a biological indicator. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the identification tag reader comprises an MD reader that is operable to read an RFID identification tag of a biological indicator. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein data received through the identification tag reader is processed through the control module. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a memory operable to store control logic and instructions that are executed by the control module to drive components such as the sterilant applying module, the communication module, and the identification tag reader. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the memory is used to store results associated with setup of a sterilization cycle, performance of a load conditioning cycle, and/or performance of a sterilization cycle. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an output device operable to print information such as results associated with setup of a sterilization cycle, performance of a load conditioning cycle, and/or performance of a sterilization cycle. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the output device is a printer. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a sterilization chamber;   (b) a vacuum source in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber, the vacuum configured to apply a vacuum to the sterilization chamber;   (c) a module having a sterilant, the module being in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber to permit application of the sterilant to the sterilization chamber; and   (d) a venting valve in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber and an atmosphere outside of the sterilization chamber, the venting being operable to selectively open and close a vent path between the sterilization chamber and the atmosphere to provide a step-wise incremental increase in pressure within sterilization chamber.   
     
     
         19 . A system comprising:
 the apparatus of  claim 18 ; and   a medical device.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the medical device is an endoscope or a plurality of endoscopes.