Apparatus And Method To Asynchronously Fill And Purge Channels Of Endoscope Simultaneously

Abstract

A method is provided for reprocessing an internal channel of a medical device with a reprocessing system having a valve, a fluid line fluidly coupled with the valve, and at least one sensor coupled with the fluid line. The method includes performing an actuation of the valve to direct liquid through the fluid line and into the internal channel, and detecting with the at least one sensor a predetermined condition within the fluid line while the liquid is being directed into the internal channel. In response to detecting the predetermined condition, a time duration measured from the actuation of the valve is recorded. The method further includes purging the liquid from the internal channel, and directing liquid through the fluid line and into the internal channel for the time duration.

1 . A reprocessing system for an internal channel of a medical device comprising:
 a valve;   a fluid line in fluid communication with the valve; and   at least one sensor coupled with the fluid line, wherein:
 (i) the valve has a first position establishing a first fluid path between a first liquid source and the internal channel, 
 (ii) the at least one sensor detects a predetermined condition within the fluid line; 
 (iii) the valve has a second position establishing a second fluid path between a second liquid source and the internal channel when the at least one sensor detects the predetermined condition. 
   
     
     
         2 . The reprocessing system of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined condition within the fluid line comprises at least one of a flow rate of a first liquid of the first liquid source within the fluid line and a pressure within the fluid line. 
     
     
         3 . The reprocessing system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a flow rate sensor, wherein the predetermined condition within the fluid line comprises a flow rate of a first liquid from the first liquid source within the fluid line. 
     
     
         4 . The reprocessing system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a pressure sensor, wherein the predetermined condition within the fluid line comprises a pressure within the fluid line. 
     
     
         5 . The reprocessing system of  claim 1 , wherein a first liquid from the first liquid source comprises a detergent or a disinfectant. 
     
     
         6 . The reprocessing system of  claim 1 , wherein a second liquid of the second liquid source comprises a detergent, a disinfectant, or pressurized air. 
     
     
         7 . A reprocessing system for first and second internal channels of a medical device comprising:
 a first valve fluidly connected to the first internal channel by a first flush line;   a first sensor fluidly connected to the first flush line, the first sensor being configured to determine a first predetermined condition to direct or purge a first fluid into the first internal channel for a first time duration; and   a second valve fluidly connected to the second internal channel by a second flush line; and   a second sensor fluidly connected to the second flush line, the second sensor being configured to determine a second predetermined condition to direct or purge a second fluid into the second internal channel for a second time duration.   
     
     
         8 . The reprocessing system of  claim 7 , wherein the first time duration is different than the second time duration. 
     
     
         9 . The reprocessing system of  claim 7 , wherein the first predetermined condition comprises one of a flow rate and a pressure exerted by the first fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The reprocessing system of  claim 7 , wherein the second predetermined condition comprises one of a flow rate and a pressure exerted by the second fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The reprocessing system of  claim 7 , wherein the first sensor is a flow rate sensor or a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The reprocessing system of  claim 7 , wherein the second sensor is a flow rate sensor or a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The reprocessing system of  claim 7 , wherein the first liquid comprises a detergent or a disinfectant. 
     
     
         14 . The reprocessing system of  claim 7 , wherein the second liquid comprises a detergent, disinfectant, or pressurized air. 
     
     
         15 . A reprocessing system for first and second internal channels of a medical device comprising:
 a first valve unit including at least one first valve inlet and a first valve outlet, wherein the first valve outlet is in fluid communication with the first internal channel;   a second valve unit including at least one second valve inlet and a second valve outlet, wherein the second valve outlet is in fluid communication with the second internal channel;   a first pump fluidly connected to at least one first valve inlet and at least one second valve inlet;   a second pump fluidly connected to at least one first valve inlet and at least one second valve inlet; and   a controller in communication with the first and second valve unit and first and second pumps,
 wherein the first pump is configured to deliver a first fluid to the first internal channel for a first time duration and the first fluid to the second internal channel for a second time duration, and 
 the second pump is configured to deliver a second fluid to the first internal channel for a third time duration and the second fluid to the second internal channel for a fourth time duration. 
   
     
     
         16 . The reprocessing system of  claim 15 , wherein the first internal channel has a first internal diameter and the second internal channel has a second internal diameter different than the first internal diameter. 
     
     
         17 . The reprocessing system of  claim 15 , wherein the first time duration is different than the second time duration. 
     
     
         18 . The reprocessing system of  claim 15 , wherein the third time duration is different than the fourth time duration. 
     
     
         19 . The reprocessing system of  claim 15 , wherein the third time duration overlaps a portion of the first time duration. 
     
     
         20 . The reprocessing system of  claim 15 , wherein the first fluid and the second fluid comprise a detergent, a disinfectant, an alcohol, a pressurized air, or a water.