Conditioning medical equipment

摘要

A method for conditioning a flexible medical endoscope (10) having internal channels (12), so as to maintain disinfection of said endoscope (10) following processing to a state of high level disinfection, comprises the steps of:
(a) connecting the internal channels (12) of the endoscope (10) to connectors (31-34) enabling fluid communication with a reservoir (24) of disinfectant fluid (25);(b) charging the internal channels (12) with disinfectant fluid (25) from the reservoir (24);(c) disconnecting the internal channels (12) from the connectors (31-34);(d) sealing the endoscope (10) in a pouch (56) having a substantially air-tight seal (57) and a valve (55) enabling connection to suction means (53); and(e) connecting and activating the suction means (53) so as substantially to reduce pressure within the pouch (56), thereby partially evacuating the pouch (56).

主权项

1. Apparatus for use in a method of conditioning a flexible medical endoscope having internal channels, so as to maintain disinfection of said endoscope following processing to a state of high level disinfection, said apparatus including a conditioning station, comprising:
a reservoir for disinfectant fluid; connectors, in communication at one end thereof with the reservoir and adapted at the other end thereof for connection to the internal channels of the endoscope; a pump associated with the reservoir and adapted to deliver the disinfectant fluid from the reservoir, through the connectors, and into the endoscope channels; and suction means, adapted for connection to a valve of a pouch having a substantially air-tight seal, and further adapted to enable substantial reduction of pressure within the pouch, thereby effecting partial evacuation of said pouch.