Claims for Patent: 7,740,813

Summary for Patent: 7,740,813

Title:	Automated endoscope reprocessor self-disinfection connection
Abstract:	An endoscope reprocessor having a water supply disinfection filter and a method for self-disinfection of the filter employ a pair of connectors to switch from a normal operating mode into a self-disinfection mode in which circulating germicidal fluid within the reprocessor flows through the filter, while the water supply remains connected to the system and isolated from the circulating fluid.
Inventor(s):	Williams; Hal (San Clemente, CA)
Assignee:	Ethicon, Inc. (Somerville, NJ)
Application Number:	11/855,286
Patent Claims:	1. An endoscope reprocessor comprising: an enclosure for holding an endoscope; a sterile water supply system comprising a water supply line and a filter adapted to filter out potentially contaminating microorganisms, the filter having an inlet and outlet, the outlet connecting to an air gap and the inlet connecting to the water supply line; a fluid distribution system associated with the enclosure which is adapted to direct germicidal fluid into the enclosure; a passage from the fluid distribution system to the air gap; a dual connector having a normal position in which the water supply line connects to the filter and the passage connects to the air gap and a self-disinfection position in which the water supply line connects to the air gap and the passage connects to the filter whereby to allow germicidal fluid to reach and disinfect the filter, while maintaining water supply to the reprocessor and isolating the water supply from the reprocessor through the air gap. 2. An endoscope reprocessor according to claim 1 wherein the dual connector bears color coded indicia indicating in which position the dual connector is oriented. 3. An endoscope reprocessor according to claim 1 wherein the dual connector comprises a machine readable sensor indicating in which position the dual connector is oriented. 4. An endoscope reprocessor according to claim 3 further comprising a control system and wherein the control system is programmed to detect that the dual connector is in the self-disinfection position prior to supplying circulating fluid to the filter in a self disinfection cycle. 5. An endoscope reprocessor according to claim 4 wherein the control system is programmed to detect that the dual connector is in the normal position prior to performing an instrument processing cycle. 6. An endoscope reprocessor according to claim 1 in which the dual connector comprises a first connector having an upstream portion connected to the water supply line and a downstream portion fluidly connected to the inlet of the filter, and a second connector having an upstream portion connected to the passage and a downstream portion fluidly connected to the air gap. 7. An endoscope reprocessor according to claim 6 wherein the upstream portions of the first and second connectors are attached to a common bulkhead whereby to facilitate simultaneous disconnection and connection of the upstream and down stream portions of the first connector and second connector. 8. An endoscope reprocessor according to claim 1 wherein the germicidal fluid is water having a temperature of 70.degree. C. or higher. 9. An endoscope reprocessor according to claim 1 wherein the germicidal fluid comprises a chemical germicide.

Details for Patent 7,740,813

Applicant	Tradename	Biologic Ingredient	Dosage Form	BLA	Approval Date	Patent No.	Expiredate
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.	ZOSTAVAX	zoster vaccine live	For Injection	125123	05/25/2006		2027-08-29