Claims for Patent: 8,591,668

Summary for Patent: 8,591,668

Title:	System for washing, sterilizing and preserving endoscopes
Abstract:	System for washing and sterilizing endoscopes provided with multiple channels held by a sheath, comprising a machine connected by means of multiple connectors provided with safety valves to at least one case with hermetic closure into which the endoscope is positioned, in which each of the channels of the endoscope is connected by means of a connector, the inner space of the case is connected to at least one additional connector, in such a way as to inject the washing and sterilization liquids and/or the gases for emptying the channels or drying, into each of the channels of the endoscope and into the space of the case, in which the case is also provided with an outlet connector for system circulation, in which the case is detached after the working cycle of the machine and its inner space remains in sterile conditions.
Inventor(s):	Pieroni; Silvano (Rome, IT), De Pian; Eros (Rome, IT)
Assignee:	Cisa S.p.A. (Rome, IT)
Application Number:	11/449,605
Patent Claims:	1. A system for washing and sterilising endoscopes having multiple channels held by a sheath, the system comprising: a case having a hermetic closure into which an endoscope is positioned, the case having an outlet connector for circulation; a machine detachably connectable to the case, the machine comprising: connectors having safety valves configured to connect with the multiple channels of the endoscope to inject liquids and gases for washing, sterilising, emptying and drying the multiple channels of the endoscope; at least one connector having a safety valve configured to connect to the inner space of the case to inject liquids and gases for washing, sterilising, emptying and drying the inner space of the case; a plurality of pumps, wherein a respective pump is connected to one of the multiple channels by a respective connector configured to connect with the multiple channels of the endoscope, and wherein a pump is connected to the inner space of the case by the at least one of the connectors configured to connect to the inner space of the case; and a tightness tester configured to inject sterile air into an area of the endoscope inside the sheath through one of the connectors to verify tightness; a device configured to control a water level inside the case, the device comprising a water level sensor; wherein the case is configured to be detachable from the machine after a working cycle of the machine and configured so that the inner space of the case remains in sterile conditions when the case is detached from the machine. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the machine is connected to more than one case and it is able to execute separate cycles for each case. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the pumps are separated and are peristaltic pumps, the system further comprising: a plurality of pressure transducers connected to the peristaltic pumps. 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: first and second water pre-filters; a water filter; a compressed air filter; an intake filter; and a loop configured for sterilising the water filter. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the pumps circulate the liquid and the gases in the multiple channels of the endoscope and the inner space of the case. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the pumps discharge the liquid and the gases from the multiple channels of the endoscope and the inner space of the case. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the liquids comprise a detergent, a sterilising solution, sterile water and alcohol. 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a drying cabinet. 9. A system for washing and cold sterilising an endoscope having multiple channels held by a sheath, the system comprising: a case having an hermetic closure into which the endoscope is placed; a machine detachably connected by means of multiple connectors fitted with safety valves to the case; each respective channel of the endoscope connected to the machine by means of a respective connector; an inner space of the case connected to the machine by an inlet connector and an outlet connector on the case for providing circulation to the machine; the machine configured with an additional connector and the machine configured to verify the tightness of the region of the endoscope inside the sheath by injecting sterile air via the additional connector into a region of the endoscope inside the sheath; the machine configured to inject washing and sterilisation liquids and/or the gases into the multiple channels of the endoscope for washing, emptying, and drying each of the channels; the machine configured to inject washing and sterilisation liquids and/or the gases into the inner space of the case for washing, emptying, and drying the inner space of the case; and the case configured to remain in a sterile condition upon being detached from the machine after a working cycle of the machine. 10. The system of claim 9 further comprising: means for controlling the machine in a continuous and automatic cycle, the cycle comprising: conducting a tightness test on the sheath of the endoscope by injecting sterile air into the region of the endoscope inside the sheath; washing each channel of the endoscope by introducing detergents at ambient temperature, for time intervals; rinsing each channel of the endoscope by introducing water into each channel of the endoscope; sterilising each channel of the endoscope by introducing sterilising compounds at ambient temperature, into each channel of the endoscope, for time intervals; rinsing each channel of the endoscope by introducing sterile water into each channel of the endoscope; and drying each channel of the endoscope by introducing sterile gases into each channel of the endoscope. 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the means for controlling the machine in a continuous and automatic cycle, further comprises the cycle comprising: injecting a detergent into the case; discharging the detergent from the case; injecting sterile air into the case to rinse the; discharging the sterile air from the case; injecting a sterilising solution into the case; discharging the sterilising solution from the case; injecting sterile water into the case; sensing a water level inside the case; controlling a level of sterile water in the case using said sensed water level; and discharging the sterile water from the case. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein injecting of the detergent into the case comprises: injecting a detergent including proteazone. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein injecting of the sterilising solution into the case comprises: injecting a sterilising solution comprising peracetic acid and adazone.

Details for Patent 8,591,668

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		2039-09-22