Reusable endoscopic device and related systems and methods

• US 7,115,091 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optim LLC
• Original Assignee: Optim LLC
• Inventors: Krupa, Robert J., Root, Thomas V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, PHILIP ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US10/391,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20040024290A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: 600/118, 600/133, 600153-159, 422/3, 422 25- 28, 422/105, 422/107, 422/108, 422112-114
• US Class Current: 600/133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00029 externally powered, e.g. wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00059 provided with identification means for the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00062 provided with means for preventing overuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/121 provided with means for cleaning post-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0271 using a remote monitoring unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing

Abstract

Reusable instruments, such as reusable medical instruments, and related systems and methods, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the reusable instrument can be an endoscope, which can be cleaned by sterilization. In certain embodiments, a method of sterilizing includes sterilizing the endoscope or portion thereof in a sterilization chamber while maintaining a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the endoscope.

Claims

1. A method of sterilizing an endoscope, the endoscope comprising a flexible elongated portion having an exterior and a sealed interior, the method comprising:

a) sealing the endoscope within a sterilization chamber;

b) evacuating the sterilization chamber;

c) actively pumping gas out of the sealed interior of the endoscope during step b) to regulate a pressure differential between the exterior and the scaled interior of the endoscope;

d) increasing the pressure within the chamber, and

e) actively pumping gas into the sealed interior of the endoscope during step d) to regulate a pressure differential between the exterior and the sealed interior of the endoscope;

wherein the interior of the endoscope remains sealed from the sterilization chamber.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of the endoscope during evacuation of the sterilization chamber.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said pressure differential is regulated to be at most about five psi.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of the endoscope during step d).

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said pressure differential is regulated to be at most about five psi.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure within the sterilization chamber is increased by introducing steam into the chamber.

7. A method of sterilizing an endosoope, the endoscope comprising a flexible elongated portion having an exterior and a sealed interior, the method comprising:

a) sealing the endoscope within a sterilization chamber;

b) evacuating the sterilization chamber, while determining a pressure differential between the exterior and the sealed interior of the endoscope;

c) actively pumping gas out of the interior of the endoscope to regulate the pressure differential;

d) increasing the pressure within the chamber while determining a second pressure differential between the exterior and the sealed interior of the endoscope, and

e) actively pumping gas into the interior of the endoscope to regulate the second pressure differential,

wherein the interior of the endoscope remains sealed from the sterilization chamber.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the pressure differential of c) is regulated to be at most about five psi.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the second pressure differential is regulated to be at most about five psi.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the pressure within the chamber is increased by introducing steam into the chamber.