Endoscope reprocessing system and method

Abstract

A method for reprocessing a balloon endoscope, the method including the steps of deflating a balloon of a balloon endoscope to a negative pressure state following clinical use thereof and thereafter maintaining the interior of the balloon in a negative pressure state during at least part of reprocessing the balloon endoscope.

1 . A leak testing device for use with an endoscope having a leak test port, said leak testing device comprising:
 negative pressure leak test functionality configured to be coupled to a leak test port of an endoscope for sensing leaks in said endoscope under negative pressure; and   an indicator operative in response to operation of said negative pressure leak test functionality for indicating the presence or absence of a leak in said endoscope.   
     
     
         2 . A leak testing device for use with an endoscope according to  claim 1  and wherein said negative pressure leak test functionality is operative for performing said leak testing when said negative pressure is in the range of −5 mbar to −300 mbar. 
     
     
         3 . A leak testing device for use with an endoscope according to  claim 1  and wherein said negative pressure leak test functionality is operative for performing said leak testing when said negative pressure is in the range of −100 mbar to −250 mbar. 
     
     
         4 . A leak testing device for use with an endoscope according to  claim 1  and wherein said negative pressure leak test functionality is operative for performing said leak testing when said negative pressure is below −150 mbar. 
     
     
         5 . A leak testing device for use with an endoscope according to  claim 1  which is suitable for use in conjunction with reprocessing of a balloon endoscope having an interior volume and wherein said device also comprises negative pressure establishment functionality operative subsequent to at least one leak test to establish a negative pressure in said interior volume of said balloon endoscope which is suitable for reprocessing of said balloon endoscope. 
     
     
         6 . A leak testing device for use with an endoscope according to  claim 1  and also comprising positive pressure leak testing functionality. 
     
     
         7 . A leak testing device for use with an endoscope according to  claim 6  and wherein said positive pressure leak testing functionality includes functionality for eliminating false leak indications resulting from expansion of an endoscope balloon over time during leak testing. 
     
     
         8 . A leak testing device for use with an endoscope according to  claim 1  and also comprising automatic balloon endoscope/non-balloon endoscope sensing functionality. 
     
     
         9 . A leak testing device for use with an endoscope according to  claim 8  and also comprising a computerized controller for operating said leak testing device differently depending on whether it is connected to a balloon endoscope or a non-balloon endoscope. 
     
     
         10 . A leak testing method for use with an endoscope having a leak test port, the method comprising:
 coupling negative pressure leak test functionality to an interior volume of an endoscope;   employing said negative pressure leak test functionality for sensing leaks in said endoscope under negative pressure; and   in response to operation of said negative pressure leak test functionality, indicating the presence or absence of a leak in said endoscope.   
     
     
         11 . A leak testing method for use with an endoscope according to  claim 10  and wherein said negative pressure leak test functionality is operative for performing said leak testing when said negative pressure is in the range of −5 mbar to −300 mbar. 
     
     
         12 . A leak testing method for use with an endoscope according to  claim 10  and wherein said negative pressure leak test functionality is operative for performing said leak testing when said negative pressure is in the range of −100 mbar to −250 mbar. 
     
     
         13 . A leak testing method for use with an endoscope according to  claim 10  and wherein said negative pressure leak test functionality is operative for performing said leak testing when said negative pressure is below −150 mbar. 
     
     
         14 . A leak testing method for use with an endoscope according to  claim 10  which is suitable for use in conjunction with reprocessing of a balloon endoscope having an interior volume and wherein said method also comprises, subsequent to performing at least one leak test, establishing a negative pressure in said interior volume of said balloon endoscope which negative pressure is suitable for reprocessing of said balloon endoscope. 
     
     
         15 . A leak testing method for use with an endoscope according to  claim 10  and also comprising positive pressure leak testing. 
     
     
         16 . A leak testing method for use with an endoscope according to  claim 15  and wherein said positive pressure leak testing includes eliminating false leak indications resulting from expansion of an endoscope balloon over time during leak testing. 
     
     
         17 . A leak testing method for use with an endoscope according to  claim 10  and also comprising automatic sensing of a connection to either a balloon endoscope or a non-balloon endoscope. 
     
     
         18 . A leak testing method for use with an endoscope according to  claim 17  and also comprising operating said leak testing device differently depending on whether it is connected to a balloon endoscope or a non-balloon endoscope.