Abstract: A sterilization system includes a vial, a carrier of microorganisms disposed in the vial, and a fluid management system having an output connectable to the vial for delivering a liquid chemical sterilant and a neutralizer thereto. Additionally, a growth medium may be delivered to the vial such that the vial and growth medium may assessed for a change to a visual characteristic indicative of sterilization inefficacy.

Abstract: An instrument reprocessor for cleaning, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing a medical instrument is disclosed. To reprocess instruments having one or more channels defined therein, the reprocessor can include one or more flow control systems configured to control a flow of fluid through each channel. A flow control system can include a differential pressure sensor and a proportional valve for controlling the fluid flow in a channel. The reprocessor can also include a fluid circulation pump which can be configured to supply the flow control systems with fluid and a system for controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied to the flow control systems. The reprocessor can also include a system for supplying a metered amount of fluid to the fluid circulation system. The system can include a reservoir having a fluid height sensor to monitor the amount of fluid therein and a pump configured to supply the reservoir with fluid.

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 system and method reprocesses an internal channel of a medical device. The reprocessing system includes one or more valves, two or more fluid sources with each associated with a respective one of the valves, a pump that is able to dispense fluid from each of the two or more fluid sources, and a measuring device that measures a parameter of the fluid flow, where the parameter may be a fluid flow volume or a fluid flow time. The method includes using the pump and measuring device to dispense two or more fluids in sequence such that the pump and measuring device is shared among the two or more fluids.

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: 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 of sterilizing an article includes receiving the article in a sterilization chamber. The method also includes applying a vacuum to a first pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes introducing a sterilant into the sterilization chamber. The method also includes maintaining the first pressure in the sterilization chamber for a first period of time. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a second pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes maintaining the second pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a third pressure. The method also includes maintaining the third pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to atmospheric pressure. The method further includes between venting and maintaining steps applying a vacuum to a fourth pressure less than 100 torr, introducing additional sterilant, and maintaining the fourth pressure.

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 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.

Abstract: A sterilizing cabinet performs a method of processing a medical device, such as a used medical device or an otherwise non-sterile medical device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting a sterilization cycle from a plurality of available sterilization cycles. The sterilizing cabinet identifies a biological indicator associated with the selected sterilization cycle. The sterilizing cabinet prompts the user via a touch screen display to place the medical device and the biological indicator into a sterilization chamber of a sterilizing cabinet. The sterilizing cabinet performs load conditioning on the medical device in the sterilization chamber. The sterilizing cabinet then performs the selected sterilization cycle on the medical device in the sterilization chamber after completing the act of load conditioning.

Abstract: A sterilizing cabinet performs a method of processing a medical device, such as a used medical device or an otherwise non-sterile medical device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting a sterilization cycle from a plurality of available sterilization cycles. The sterilizing cabinet identifies a biological indicator associated with the selected sterilization cycle. The sterilizing cabinet prompts the user via a touch screen display to place the medical device and the biological indicator into a sterilization chamber of a sterilizing cabinet. The sterilizing cabinet performs load conditioning on the medical device in the sterilization chamber. The sterilizing cabinet then performs the selected sterilization cycle on the medical device in the sterilization chamber after completing the act of load conditioning.

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: 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.

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.