Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for cleaning the interior/internal lumens (e.g., channels, cylinders, valve sockets and connectors, etc.) of an apparatus, such as a medical device (medical instrument), using contaminant-detaching fluidic compositions. In particular, the techniques presented herein introduce an apportioned amount of a contaminant-detaching fluidic composition into an interior lumen of a medical device. The contaminant-detaching fluidic composition is configured, and propelled through at least a portion of the interior lumen device, so that the contaminant-detaching fluidic composition can clean the walls of the interior lumen (e.g., interact with the walls of interior lumen to remove contaminants there from).

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a fluidic configuration of a medical device having at least one lumen, identifying at least one lumen of a medical device, evaluating the integrity of a lumen of a medical device, and reprocessing a lumen of a medical device are presented. For example, these methods include flowing a fluid comprising a known specific gravity through the lumen, measuring the flow rate and/or pressure differential of the fluid being flowed through the lumen, and computing the flow coefficient of the lumen. The flow rate, pressure differential and/or computed flow coefficient may then be compared to known parameters for medical devices and their respective lumens to identify the medical device, each lumen, detect any faults, and/or irrigate the lumen with a fluid composition thereby reprocessing the medical device.

Abstract: A suction and air/water port connector for a medical device includes a body, a gripping portion coupled to the body and a force generator configured to be at least partially seated within the body. The locking member is configured to removably couple to an exterior surface of a suction port and an air/water port of the medical device to define a locked position and an unlocked position. When in the locked position, movement of the body relative to the suction port and the air/water port is inhibited and a locking force is exerted by the force generator in an axial direction against the suction port and the air/water port to create a liquid-tight seal against the suction port and the air/water port. When in the unlocked position, the locking member is configured to be removed from the suction port and the air/water port.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a contaminated surface, such as cleaning the elongate interior lumen of an endoscope contaminated with flesh, bone, blood, mucous, faeces or biofilm, said method comprising the steps of: providing a suspension of solid particles in a liquid to said contaminated surface, and flowing said suspension along said surface thereby to remove contaminant from the surface. The suspension is preferably a paste, where the solid material may be e.g. crystals of a salt, silicon oxide or organic material. The paste preferably has a solid fraction between 5 and 55%. A rheology modifier may be present.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a contaminated surface, such as cleaning the elongate interior lumen of an endoscope contaminated with flesh, bone, blood, mucous, faeces or biofilm, said method comprising the steps of: providing a suspension of solid particles in a liquid to said contaminated surface, and flowing said suspension along said surface thereby to remove contaminant from the surface. The suspension is preferably a paste, where the solid material may be e.g. crystals of a salt, silicon oxide or organic material. The paste preferably has a solid fraction between 5 and 55%. A rheology modifier may be present.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a contaminated surface, such as cleaning the elongate interior lumen of an endoscope contaminated with flesh, bone, blood, mucous, faeces or biofilm, said method comprising the steps of: providing a suspension of solid particles in a liquid to said contaminated surface, and flowing said suspension along said surface thereby to remove contaminant from the surface. The suspension is preferably a paste, where the solid material may be e.g. crystals of a salt, silicon oxide or organic material. The paste preferably has a solid fraction between 5 and 55%. A rheology modifier may be present.

Abstract: Described herein is a cleaning apparatus (10) for a medical device (12) having one or more internal channels. Further described is a method for cleaning the medical device using the cleaning apparatus. The cleaning apparatus includes at least two cleaning pumps (20) adapted to pump a viscoelastic liquid (22), each cleaning pump having individual flow control. Each cleaning pump is also fluidly connectable to one or more of the internal channels to allow the viscoelastic liquid to be pumped therethrough thereby removing contaminants.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a contaminated surface, such as cleaning the elongate interior lumen of an endo scope contaminated with flesh, bone, blood, mucous, faeces or biofilm, said method comprising the steps of: providing a suspension of solid particles in a liquid to said contaminated surface, and flowing said suspension along said surface thereby to remove contaminant from the surface. The suspension is preferably a paste, where the solid material may be e.g. crystals of a salt, silicon oxide or organic material. The paste preferably has a solid fraction between 5 and 55%. A rheology modifier may be present.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a contaminated surface, such as cleaning the elongate interior lumen of an endoscope contaminated with flesh, bone, blood, mucous, faeces or biofilm, said method comprising the steps of: providing a suspension of solid particles in a liquid to said contaminated surface, and flowing said suspension along said surface thereby to remove contaminant from the surface. The suspension is preferably an ice slurry, where the solid material is ice crystals. The slurry preferably has a solid fraction between 50-85% by volume. A freezing point depressant may be present.