Method of detecting flow in endoscope channels

• US 20040118437A1
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Nick Ngoc
• Application Number:
  US10/328,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20040118437A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/22.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/123 using washing machines
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/125 using fluid circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/28 Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour apparatus involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M1/34; methods involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q1/00

Abstract

A method detects proper flow through one or more channels in an endoscope during a cleaning procedure. A supply line connects to one of the channels, the supply line being in fluid communication with a fluid supply vessel. Fluid is flowed from the supply vessel through the channel for a time period. The amount of fluid is calculated based upon a volume change in the supply vessel and the flow rate calculated based upon the amount of fluid and the time period. If the flow rate varies by more than a predetermined amount from a predetermined value an indication of improper flow is given.

Claims

6-1. A method according to claim 1 and further providing an indication that the channel may be blocked or have been connected to a wrong supply line if the flow rate deviates by more than the predetermined value.