Endoscope integrity tester including context-sensitive compensation and methods of context-sensitive integrity testing

摘要

Computer systems and software for controlling an endoscope integrity tester. The pressurization and humidity measurement and calculations, and the resulting determination of passage or failure is automated and controlled to eliminate concerns of human error in the detection process. Further, the computer system is capable of adapting its calculations to specific endoscopes and particular testing changes to further improve accuracy by being context-sensitive.

主权项

1. A method for testing the integrity of an endoscope comprising the steps of: obtaining an endoscope to be tested; supplying gas to an air enclosure which includes an internal volume of said endoscope to pressurize said air enclosure; measuring the pressure of said gas in said air enclosure over time instructing a user to manipulate said endoscope using a computer control system while said air enclosure is pressurized, said manipulation causing movement of said endoscope; instructing the user to indicate to said computer control system that said manipulation of said endoscope is complete; re-measuring the pressure of said air enclosure after said manipulation is complete to indicate a presence of a leak in said endoscope; retrieving a plurality of calibrating humidity values from a plurality of prior endoscope tests from a memory; obtaining an environmental humidity value from air external to said endoscope to be tested; manipulating at least a portion of the combination of said plurality of calibrating humidity values and said environmental value to produce a target humidity value; venting said gas in said air enclosure to a humidity detector; determining the level of humidity in said vented gas; and comparing said level of humidity to said target humidity value to determine if said level of humidity in said endoscope is sufficiently high to indicate fluid invasion into said endoscope to be tested.