Endoscopic cannulated instrument flushing apparatus for forcing a cleaning solution through an endoscopic cannulated instrument for removal of gross debris

• US 5,755,894 A
• Filed: 06/05/1995
• Issued: 05/26/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Company
• Original Assignee: 3M Company
• Inventors: Bowman, Michael D., Armentrout, Michael J., Koch, Drake L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US08/465,248
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• Field of Search: 134/169 C, 134/166 C, 134/94.1, 134/95.1, 134/22.11, 134/22.12, 134/24, 137/625.13, 137/625.15, 137/625.16, 137/625.19, 137/625.4, 137/625.41
• US Class Current: 134/22.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/121 provided with means for cleaning post-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/701 for flexible tubular instruments, e.g. endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/70 Cleaning devices specially adapted for surgical instruments

Abstract

An endoscopic instrument cleaning apparatus includes a syringe coupled to a flushing chamber by a form-fitting stopper. A distal, or instrument receiving end of the flushing chamber is inserted into a supply of cleaning fluid and the plunger of the syringe is drawn out to its fully retracted length, thereby filling the syringe and the flushing chamber with cleaning fluid. Then the distal end of an endoscopic instrument is inserted about through an aperture in a stopper having the shape of a conical frustum and is inserted into the flushing chamber to a depth of about 4 inches (10 cm) and the plunger of the syringe is thrust forward to inject pressurized cleaning solution through the endoscopic instrument. In another embodiment, the syringe receiving stopper is recessed within a proximal end of the flush chamber by about 3/8 inches (0.95-1.00 cm) and a tightly fitting tubular insert is glued into the recess to eliminate the possibility that the syringe receiving stopper will be blown out of the flushing chamber by fluid pressure when it is used. Alternatively, an inward projecting lip is formed in the distal end of the flush chamber for the same purpose. A rectangular flushing board includes a neck having a pair of aligned yokes for seating and holding the syringe body to eliminate wrist and thumb strain. In another embodiment, a flushing chamber is formed as an extension to the body of a syringe, thereby eliminating the need for a separate flushing chamber.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning an endoscopic cannulated surgical instrument having proximal and distal ends, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing

(i) a flush chamber having a proximal end and a distal end;

(ii) a coupling connected to said proximal end and adapted for communicating a source of pressurized flushing solution into said flush chamber; and

iii) flexible, resilient means for sealing said distal end relative to an endoscopic cannulated surgical instrument to be flushed, said flexible, resilient distal end sealing means further comprising an aperture for receiving and retaining an endoscopic cannulated surgical instrument by frictional engagement,

(b) placing the distal end of the endoscopic cannulated instrument through the aperture of the flexible, resilient means and within the flush chamber; and

(c) communicating flushing solution into the flush chamber through the coupling so that flushing solution flows within the endoscopic cannulated surgical instrument from its distal end toward its proximal end.

2. A device for cleaning a cannulated surgical instrument having a tubular portion with an outer diameter, the device comprising:

(a) a flush chamber having a proximal end, inner surfaces defining a diameter, and a distal end, the diameter defined by the inner surfaces of the flush chamber being substantially larger than the outer diameter of the tubular portion of the cannulated surgical instrument;

(b) a coupling connected to said proximal end and adapted for communicating a source of pressurized flushing solution into said flush chamber; and

(c) flexible, resilient means for sealing said distal end relative to a cannulated surgical instrument to be flushed, said flexible, resilient distal end sealing means further comprising an aperture for receiving and retaining a cannulated surgical instrument by frictional engagement.