Abstract: A method of using a vacuum chamber to assist in detecting and removing moisture from an instrument having a lumen, e.g., an endoscope is disclosed. Second derivatives of pressure with respect to time are calculated and differences therebetween summed. These summations may be compared to a threshold value to determine whether residual moisture remains on the instrument in the chamber. The vacuum chamber may include a rack for hanging instruments having lumens, such as endoscopes.

Abstract: An indicator and method of use thereof, and indicator system and method of use thereof are provided to determine the degree of an oxidative treatment. An indicator is incorporated into the oxidative treatment. The object and the indicator are subjected to the oxidative treatment. A discoloration of the indicator occurs based on an oxidation of the polymer by a process condition of the oxidative treatment oxidizing the polymer. The discoloration of the indicator is measured against a threshold color value to determine the degree of the oxidative treatment.

Abstract: A biological indicator with variable resistance may be controlled by moving a cap or housing of the biological indicator to cause the size of vents that allow flow of sterilant through the housing to decrease or increase in effective size. An indicator window may show a user the current resistance of the biological indicator, and may also show a readable indicator that may be captured by a scanner to allow a sterilizing cabinet to identify the current resistance. When the level of resistance shown by the readable indicator is not compatible with a sterilization cycle selected by a user, the procedure may be delayed and a notification provided to the user that a problem exists. The readable indicator may be a passive tag with a memory that allows information to be read and written, so that the biological indicator may carry data from one device to another.

Abstract: A sterilization tray is disclosed herein. A medical instrument, such as an endoscope, may be placed into the sterilization tray, and the sterilization tray with the medical instrument disposed therein may be placed into a vacuum chamber of a sterilization system. The sterilization tray may also be used to transport the medical instrument to and from a point of care. Sterilization is performed with the instrument in the base component and the lid component disposed atop the base component. Transportation is performed with the instrument in the lid component and the base component disposed atop the lid component.

Abstract: An endoscope reprocessor having a tube and nozzles may be used to increase the effectiveness of an endoscope reprocessor. Fluid may be delivered into the tube through the nozzle, which may be oriented in various orientations. Energy of the flow within the tube may be increased by introduction of fluid through the nozzles, which may additionally move the endoscope within the tube.

Abstract: A medical instrument processor includes an enclosure, a liquid distribution system, and a disinfectant concentration measuring subsystem. The enclosure is configured to hold a medical instrument. The liquid distribution system is configured to deliver a disinfection solution to a medical instrument within the enclosure. The liquid distribution system has a liquid outlet. The disinfectant concentration measuring subsystem includes a first mixing chamber in fluid communication with the liquid outlet, a pump that is configured to simultaneously pump the disinfection solution and the reagent solution into the first mixing chamber, and a concentration analysis assembly that is operable to determine a concentration of disinfectant in a sample solution that is output from the first mixing chamber. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the first mixing chamber.

Abstract: A biological indicator analyzer includes a plurality of wells, a plurality of organism detector features, and a user input feature such as a touch screen. Each well is configured to receive a respective biological indicator. Each organism detector feature is configured to detect whether a biological indicator disposed in a corresponding well of the plurality of wells contains a living organism. The touch screen is configured to receive user input and provide information to the user indicating a status of biological indicator analysis. The biological indicator analyzer may be used to analyze a biological indicator that was positioned in a sterilization chamber of a sterilizing cabinet along with at least one medical device that is to be sterilized. The analysis may indicate whether the sterilization cycle in the sterilization chamber as successful.

Abstract: A method for reprocessing a medical device uses a medical device processor with an enclosure for holding the medical device. The enclosure also has a reservoir containing a disinfectant, a water source, and a mixing chamber that retains the medical device. The method delivers disinfectant from the reservoir to an internal channel of the medical device, and further delivers water from the water source to the mixing chamber. A flow sensor is operable to monitor the disinfectant delivered to the internal channels of the medical device.

Abstract: An article, a system, and a method for indication of treatment are provided. The article comprises a first body, a second body, and a treatment indicator. The first body comprises a first axis, a cavity, a first port, and a second port. The cavity is positioned within the first body and configured to receive the second body. The second body comprises a second axis, a chamber, a third port, and a fourth port. The article is configured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the first port is aligned with the third port to form a fluid pathway to the chamber, and the second port is aligned with the fourth port to form a fluid pathway to the chamber. In the second configuration, the first port is misaligned with the third port, and the second port is misaligned with the fourth port.

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.

Abstract: A self contained biological indicator is disclosed having a housing and an ampule disposed within the housing, the ampule having a first dome, a second dome and a sidewall. A cap may be coupled to the housing. The cap may include a projection that may be coupled to the ampule by, e.g., a friction fit. An insert may be disposed within the housing. The insert may include a well within which at least a portion of the bottom dome of the ampule may be disposed. The insert may also include a ramp that is angled relative to the central longitudinal axis of the ampule. The second dome of the ampule may contact the ramp. The insert may also include an arm or finger that extends above the well and has a stress concentrator disposed thereon such that it is also disposed above the second dome of the ampule and adjacent to the sidewall of the ampule.

Abstract: A sterilization tray is disclosed herein that may be used to facilitate preparation of an endoscope for sterilization and increase the likelihood that the endoscope will be properly sterilized. The sterilization tray may be fabricated from a flexible and vapor-permeable sheet. Cutouts may be disposed through the sheet to define standoffs that are foldable away from the sheet. A first standoff may include a first contoured portion disposed therein. The tray may also include a second standoff that has a second contoured portion and a third contoured portion disposed therein. The third standoff may include a locking tab disposed on a free end of the third standoff. A positioning tab may also be disposed on the third standoff. The sterilization tray may also include a dry booster to which an endoscope may be connected.

Abstract: A medical device reprocessor is operable to perform a method of cleaning an internal channel of a medical device. The method entails activating a pump assembly to deliver a detergent to the internal channel for a first predetermined duration, activating the pump assembly to deliver water to the internal channel to rinse out the detergent for a second predetermined duration, and activating the pump assembly to deliver pressurized air to the internal channel to purge out the water or detergent contained within the internal channel for a third predetermined duration. Subsequently, the method involves activating the pump assembly to deliver a predetermined volume of disinfectant to the internal channel, and activating the pump assembly to deliver pressurized air to purge out the disinfectant into a chamber. The method repeats filling the internal channel with detergent, water and disinfectant and the subsequent purging of the internal channel with pressurized air.

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.

Abstract: A detergent composition, a method of making the detergent composition, and a method of use thereof are provided. The detergent composition comprises at least 0.001% by weight of an antimicrobial agent, based on the total weight of the composition; an enzyme; and at least 0.01% by weight of a hydrotrope, based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: Efficacy and efficiency of reprocessing a medical device having a restrictive channel and at least one less-restrictive channel, e.g., an endoscope, via disinfection may be improved by using a so-called “Purge-Then-Fill” technique in which channels are purged of disinfectant before refilling them with the disinfectant. Preferably, a less-restrictive channel is purged before the restrictive channel is purged, and then the less-restrictive channel or another less-restrictive channel is filled before the restrictive channel is filled.

Abstract: Biological indicators may be improperly activated. The disclosed subject matter is directed to methods of confirming that a biological indicator having an ampule containing a growth medium has been properly activated such that it may be assayed. The methods may include the steps of measuring a first fluorescence intensity of the biological indicator, heating the biological indicator; quenching the fluorescence intensity of the biological indicator from the first fluorescence intensity to a second fluorescence intensity, measuring the second fluorescence intensity; comparing the second fluorescence intensity and first fluorescence intensity to obtain a comparison value; and determining that the comparison value corresponds to a quenching metric of the liquid growth medium.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing medical instruments using a vacuum chamber connected to reservoir by a valve in a closed state is disclosed that includes placing instruments in a non-sterile state into a sterilization pack, opening a chamber, placing the pack into the chamber, closing the chamber, withdrawing a first volume of air from the chamber, changing a volume of liquid water into vapor, opening the valve, introducing sterilant into the chamber, introducing a second volume of air into the chamber, opening the chamber, removing the pack from the chamber, and removing the instruments in a sterile-state from the pack. The process may further include the steps of repeatedly determining pressure within the chamber, calculating second-derivative values of pressure with respect to time, and determining whether any local maxima exist in a plot of second derivative values that correspond to pressures above and/or below the triple-point pressure of water.

Abstract: A method and system for in-basin neutralization is provided. More specifically, neutralizer is added to a basin in excess of an amount of neutralizer suitable to neutralize a treatment solution in a reservoir in fluid communication with the basin. A first portion of the treatment solution is added to the basin and is contacted with the first portion of the treatment solution to form a secondary solution. The first portion of the treatment solution is neutralized with the neutralizer. A first portion of the secondary solution is removed from the basin. A second portion of the treatment solution is added to the basin. The second portion of the treatment solution is contacted with a second portion of the secondary solution remaining the basin to form a tertiary solution. The second portion of the treatment solution is neutralized with neutralizer in the second portion of the secondary solution.

Abstract: A sterilization system includes a communication hub that is configured to transfer information between devices of the system such as a sterilizing cabinet, biological indicator analyzer, and a server in order to allow a user to track a medical device throughout a sterilization process. The server may provide data to the sterilizing cabinet during a sterilization process that may be used to verify that the medical device is compatible with the sterilizing cabinet, and to automatically select a compatible sterilization cycle to perform on the medical device. Automatic selection of sterilization cycles and confirmation of compatibility reduces the possibility for user error, which could result in contaminated medical devices being placed back into service. Automatic selection of sterilization cycles also allows users to more efficiently configure and perform sterilization cycles while being confident that the medical device will be sterile upon completion.