Patent Publication Number: US-2023144987-A1

Title: Dryness testing device

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for testing the dryness of a cleaned medical instrument. In particular, the present invention relates, but is not limited, to a device for testing the dryness of an endoscope. Reference in the present specification to an endoscope is by way of example and the invention is not limited to use with an endoscope. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An endoscope is a medical instrument that is used to examine an internal cavity of a patient, in particular the gastrointestinal tract. After use, the endoscope is washed and cleaned so it can be reused. The endoscope is an expensive instrument, and has sensitive sensors and cameras. Cleaning the endoscope consequently needs to be relatively gentle and it cannot be subject to high temperature autoclaving. 
     After washing, an endoscope is dried in a specific drying cabinet with a controlled environment to place the endoscope in a high level disinfected state after cleaning. Generally, an endoscope is left in the drying cabinet for a set period of time that is deemed to dry and sterilize the endoscope. 
     The test for dryness for endoscope has been standardized in Europe, documented as EN 16442:2015  Controlled environment storage cabinet for processed thermolabile endoscopes . The method of testing dryness involves the use of copper (II) sulphate test paper or cobalt chloride test paper, and compressed air. Generally, at the end of the drying phase, the endoscope is removed from the cabinet. The distal end of the endoscope is directed towards a horizontal piece of anhydrous copper (II) sulphate paper at a distance of 50 mm to 100 mm. Medical grade air at a positive pressure up to 120 kPA (or 15 psi) is flushed through each channel system. The test paper will change colour from blue to pink if water was expelled from the endoscope. The user then assumes the dryness level of the interior of the endoscope after reprocessing. A problem with testing dryness is that, to test the endoscope, it requires removing the endoscope from the drying and storing cabinet and consequently the scope will not be at a high level of disinfection state. 
     Incomplete drying results in residual moisture remaining within an internal channel of the endoscope. Residual moisture within the internal channel allows microorganisms to survive and grow to form biofilms. Using a reusable endoscope that has microorganisms in the internal channels of the endoscope can lead to possible infection in the next patient. 
     Currently there is no device or method that quantitively tests for dryness of an endoscope and disinfection after they have been cleaned. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a testing device, a system and a method of use which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventors recognized the need to quantitatively test the dryness level of the individual internal channels of a reusable endoscope after reprocessing. Specifically, the inventors found that the dryness level of the internal channel of the endoscope are interrelated to the number of microorganisms. The inventors consider the problem of dryness with respect to the internal channel of the endoscopes in order to have a way of measuring the level of dryness within a reprocessed endoscope. Furthermore they recognised the need to test each individual internal channel and avoid the blowing or pushing of air through the device as this would result in an amalgamation of air coming out of the distal tip of the scope. 
     The inventors also recognized the benefits of keeping the reprocessed endoscope in the high level disinfected condition (or substantially sterile) during the dryness testing. The high level disinfected condition is considered as no contamination due to further handling of the instruments after reprocessing and prior to the next use. 
     Through extensive trial and experimentation on various solutions, the inventors have settled on the current invention in order to help minimizing the level of microbiological activity within a reprocessed endoscope, thereby lower the risk of patient-to-patient infection. 
     In one aspect the present invention broadly resides in a dryness testing device for a medical instrument, the device including: 
     one or more chambers configured to be connectable to the medical instrument and receive air flow from the medical instrument; and 
     one or more sensors configured to assist in determining one or more flow rates, humidity and or temperature of air being drawn through the medical instrument and drawn through the one or more chambers; wherein the measurements from the one or more sensors provides an indication of the dryness of the medical instrument. 
     The indication of the dryness of the medical instrument is preferably determined from the processed sensor measurements to provide quantitative values and or qualitative comparisons with external air. Preferably the qualitative comparisons use immediate external air where air is drawn from external of the medical instrument. 
     Each of the one or more chambers preferably has an internal dividing wall that forms a first compartment and a second compartment. The internal dividing wall preferably has a substantially centred opening to allow air to pass through the first compartment to the second compartment. 
     The one or more chambers preferably includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is preferably configured to include a releasable coupling for connecting to the medical instrument. The outlet is preferably configured to include a releasable coupling for connecting to an extraction means. The inlet and outlet are preferably located at opposite ends of the chamber. 
     The inlet preferably further includes a filter. Preferably, the filter includes a mesh made from nylon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, viscose, glass fibre, steel filaments or a combination thereof. 
     In a first preferred embodiment, the filter is adapted to filter out particles from air passing through the inlet into the one or more chambers. Particles present in the air passing through the inlet into the one or more chambers can cause blockage at the inlet and or at the substantially centred opening of the internal dividing wall. The blockage can prevent or reduce the flow of air passing through to the first chamber and then to the second chamber. 
     Preferably, the filter is adapted to filter out particles that can block or pass through an inlet diameter of 0.6 mm. Preferably the filter is of suitable material and pore size to prevent particles from blocking the inlet and or the substantially centred opening. 
     In a second preferred embodiment, the filter is adapted to breakup droplets of liquid that pass through the filter into a plurality of small droplets of liquid. The plurality of small droplets of liquid preferably has a size that is smaller than the droplets of liquid that enter the filter. Preferably, the filter is adapted to trap the plurality of small droplets of liquid to promote evaporation. 
     Droplets of liquid from the medical instrument may enter and remain in the dryness testing device. The presence of the droplets of liquid in the dryness testing device can affect the accuracy of the one or more sensors in determining the humidity of air being drawn through the medical instrument and drawn through the one or more chambers. The filter preferably breaks up the droplets of liquid into a plurality of small droplets of liquid and increases the surface area of the droplets of liquid to promote evaporation. 
     Preferably, during use the air is drawn through one or more internal channels of the medical instrument and then to the one or more chambers. Preferably, one internal channel is connected to one chamber. 
     Each of the one or more chambers preferably has one or more sensors. 
     One of the one or more sensors is preferably a pressure sensor. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the pressure sensor is a differential pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the air in the first compartment and the pressure of the air in the second compartment of the chamber. From the two pressure readings, the pressure difference is recorded and is used to calculate the air flow rate between the two compartments. 
     One of the one or more sensors is preferably a humidity and temperature sensor. The humidity and temperature sensor preferably measures the humidity and temperature of the air in the chamber. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the humidity and temperature sensor measures the air in the second compartment of the chamber. 
     In a preferred embodiment, each of the one or more chambers has at least one pressure sensor and at least one humidity and temperature sensor. 
     Preferably, the one or more sensors sends data to a processor that collects and processes the data from the one or more sensors. 
     In a first preferred embodiment, the processor is configured to determine an absolute humidity value for each chamber. The absolute humidity value is determined from the air flow rate, the humidity and the temperature data. The absolute humidity value is the mass of moisture present in a given volume of air. 
     In a second preferred embodiment, the processor is preferably configured to compare the air flow rate associated with the medical instrument and a predetermined range of air flow rates, and provide an indication of a problem associated with the drying of the medical instrument. Problems associated with the drying of the medical instrument can include that the medical instrument is not connected, partially connected or incorrectly connected to the dryness testing device, and or that there is a blockage within the internal channel of the medical instrument, within the connection between the medical instrument and the dryness testing device and or within the dryness testing device. Preferably, when the processor determined that the air flow rate associated with the medical instrument is below or above a predetermined range of air flow rates, the processor sends a signal to an alarm system to indicate that there is a problem associated with the drying of the medical instrument. 
     Preferably, if the air flow rate associated with the medical instrument is above a predetermined range of air flow rates, it is indicative that the medical instrument is not connected, partially connected or incorrectly connected to the dryness testing device. Preferably, if the air flow rate associated with the medical instrument is below a predetermined range of air flow rates, it is indicative that there is a blockage within the internal channel of the medical instrument, within the connection between the medical instrument and the dryness testing device and or within the dryness testing device. 
     The predetermined range of air flow rates is preferably in a range of substantially two to three liters per minute (L/min). 
     Preferably, the medical instrument is a reusable medical instrument. More preferably, the medical instrument is in the form of a scope. Most preferably, the medical instrument is an endoscope, gastroscope, bronchoscope, duodenoscope, enterscope, ultrasound scope, toe probe, truss probe, Brachy probe and/or ENT flexible or rigid scope. 
     The medical instrument preferably includes one or more ports to be respectively connected to the one or more chambers. 
     Preferably, the dryness testing device includes an additional chamber configured to draw air external to the medical instrument, and measures the external air in order to compare with the quality of the air being drawn through the medical instrument. When the quality of the air being drawn through the medical instrument is substantially the same as the quality of the air that is external to the medical instrument, the medical instrument can be considered as dried. 
     The dryness testing device can be used as a separate independent device or be incorporated within a drying and storing cabinet for the medical instrument. 
     In a first preferred embodiment, the dryness testing device is incorporated within a drying and storing cabinet and configured to be used as an in-cabinet dryness testing system. In this embodiment, the dryness testing device preferably draws air from the drying and storing cabinet into the additional chamber. The air drawn from the drying and storing cabinet into the additional chamber is preferably used as the external air for comparing with the quality of the air being drawn through the medical instrument. 
     In a second preferred embodiment, the dryness testing device is a separate independent device and configured to be used out of the drying and storing cabinet but in communication with the air flow drawn through the medical instrument. In this embodiment, the dryness testing device preferably draws air from a testing environment outside of the drying and storing cabinet into the additional chamber. The air drawn from the testing environment outside of the drying and storing cabinet is preferably used as the external air for comparing with the quality of the air being drawn through the medical instrument. 
     To test whether the dried endoscope is also substantially sterile and at a high level of disinfection, a further test is conducted and the results extrapolated to similarly dried endoscopes. 
     According to the guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care of the United Kingdom (“ Health Technical Memorandum  01-06 : Decontamination of flexible endoscopes. Part E: Testing methods ”, last updated 30 June, 2016), if a 100 ml of water was passaged through the dried endoscope, and the passaged water was plated, then a measurement of 10 or less colony-forming unit (cfu) from the passaged water would classify the dried endoscope as being substantially sterile (or at a high level of disinfection). The applicant notes that this test is only one example of a sterility test, and other tests and qualifications can be applied. 
     While it is not necessary to test every dried endoscope for disinfection (or substantial sterility), a sample of a dried endoscope from a batch of dried endoscopes can be tested, and a determination of sterility from the sample can be applied and extended to the entire batch of dried endoscopes. 
     In another aspect the present invention is a dryness testing system, the system including: 
     one or more dryness testing devices as described above; and 
     one or more extraction means as described above. 
     The extraction means preferably is an extraction pump or an extraction fan. 
     The system preferably further includes one or more HEPA filters connected to the outlet of the dryness testing device. 
     The system preferably further includes a processor that receives data generated from the one or more sensors. The processor preferably includes a multiplexer and an interface board data processing unit. Preferably, a USB drive can be used to retrieve data from the processor and display the data on a computer. Data can also be sent via a wired or wireless connection from the processor to a computer. 
     The system preferably further includes an alarm system that receives a signal from the processor as herein described to indicate that there is a problem associated with the drying of the medical instrument. The alarm system preferably includes means to notify an operator whether the one or more ports of the medical instrument are successfully connected to the one or more chambers of the dryness testing device, and whether there is no blockage within the internal channel of the medical instrument, within the connection between the medical instrument and the dryness testing device, and within the dryness testing device. 
     The system is preferably configured to be used with a drying and storing cabinet for the medical instrument. 
     In a first preferred embodiment, the system is configured as an in-cabinet dryness testing system. In this embodiment, the dryness testing device is preferably configured to draw air from the drying and storing cabinet into the additional chamber. The drying and storing cabinet preferably includes a manifold that is configured to connect the HEPA filter to the cabinet, to allow air that pass through the HEPA filter to return into the cabinet. 
     In a second preferred embodiment, the system is configured as an out-of-cabinet dryness testing system. In this embodiment, the dryness testing device is preferably configured to draw air from a testing environment outside of the drying and storing cabinet into the additional chamber. The air that passes though the HEPA filter is preferably release to the environment outside of the drying and storing cabinet. 
     The cabinet can optionally be a blow-drying type drying and storing cabinet where air is pumped through the medical instrument. In this embodiment, the system preferably further includes a switch that allows air to bypass the dryness testing device to pump through the internal channel of the medical instrument. 
     Preferably, the switch can control the air flow to bypass the dryness testing device or to draw air through the medical instrument into the dryness testing device. 
     In another aspect, the present invention is a method for dryness testing, the method including the steps of: 
     connecting a medical instrument to the one or more chambers of the dryness testing device as described above; 
     determining one or more flow rates, humidity and or temperature of air being drawn through the medical instrument and drawn through the one or more chambers; and 
     determining a dryness condition of the medical instrument from the one or more flow rate, humidity and/or temperature. 
     Preferably, the step of connecting the medical instrument to the one or more chambers of the dryness testing device includes connecting one or more ports of the medical instrument to the inlet of the one or more chambers. 
     Preferably, the step of determining the one or more flow rates, humidity and/or temperature of air being drawn through the medical instrument and drawn through the one or more chambers includes measuring the air flow rate, the humidity, and or temperature of the air in the one or more chambers. 
     Preferably, the step of measuring the air flow rate includes measuring the pressure of the air in the first compartment and the pressure of the air in the second compartment of the chamber. From the two pressure readings, the pressure difference is recorded and use to calculate the air flow rate between the two compartments. 
     Preferably, the step of determining the dryness condition of the medical instrument includes determining the absolute humidity value based on the air flow rate, humidity and or temperature. 
     Optionally, the method may include a disinfection value based on the results of testing a dried medical instrument for a microorganism count and extrapolate the findings to other similarly dried medical instruments. 
     Prior to the step of determining the dryness condition of the medical instrument, the method of dryness testing preferably further includes a step of determining the connection between the medical instrument to the one or more chambers of the dryness testing device. 
     Preferably, the step of determining the connection includes the steps of: 
     comparing the air flow rate associated with the medical instrument and a predetermined range of air flow rates; and 
     providing an indication of a problem associated with the drying of the medical instrument when the air flow rate associated with the medical instrument is above or below the predetermined range of air flow rates. 
     Preferably, the predetermined range of air flow rates is in the range of substantially two to three liters per minute (L/min). 
     Preferably, the problem is selected from one or more of the following: that the medical instrument is not connected, partially connected or incorrectly connected to the dryness testing device, and or that there is a blockage within the internal channel of the medical instrument and or the connection between the medical instrument and the dryness testing device. 
     Preferably, the step of providing an indication of a problem associated with the medical instrument includes the step of sending a signal to the alarm system to indicate that there is a problem associated with the drying of the medical instrument. 
     The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the present invention can be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram of a dryness testing device and an in-cabinet dryness testing system of a first preferred embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is a diagram of a chamber of the dryness testing device as shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a diagram of a dryness testing device and an out-of-cabinet dryness testing system of a second preferred embodiment; 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram that shows the communication connection between the various components of the system of the first and second preferred embodiments; 
         FIG.  5    is a three-dimension (3D) diagram that shows the entire dryness testing device with five air inlets/outlets and an outer casing cover; 
         FIG.  6    is a 3D diagram of the dryness testing device of  FIG.  5   , where the outer casing cover is transparent; 
         FIG.  7    is a 3D diagram of the chambers of the dryness testing device of  FIGS.  5  and  6   ; and 
         FIGS.  8  and  9    are 3D diagrams of the chambers for the dryness testing device of  FIG.  7   , with differential pressure sensors and humidity and temperature sensors. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , there is shown the in-cabinet dryness testing system  10  according to a first preferred embodiment. The in-cabinet dryness testing system  10  includes a cabinet  11 ; a medical instrument in the form of an endoscope  12 ; a dryness testing device  20 ; a cabinet manifold  13 , an extraction pump  17  and a HEPA filter  19 . The extraction pump  17  causes air to be drawn through the system and the endoscope  12 , then through the dryness testing device  20  and then into the cabinet manifold  13 . 
     The dryness testing device  20  includes five chambers  21 ,  41 ,  61 ,  81 ,  101  with five air inlets  25 ,  45 ,  65 ,  85 ,  105  and five air outlets  26 ,  46 ,  66 ,  86 ,  106  respectively. 
     Each of the five chambers  21 ,  41 ,  61 ,  81 , and  101  has the same configuration. With particular reference to  FIG.  2   , there is shown the chamber  21  in more details as an example for chambers  41 ,  61 ,  81 , and  101 . The chamber  21  includes a first compartment  22  and a second compartment  24  that is separated by an internal dividing wall  23 , an air inlet  25 , an air outlet  26 , a differential pressure sensor  27  and a humidity and temperature sensor  28 . The internal dividing wall  23  has an opening  29  that is substantially at the centre of the wall  23 . 
     The differential pressure sensor  27  is configured to measure the air in the first compartment  22  and second compartment  24 . The humidity and pressure sensor  28  is configured to measure the air in the second compartment  24 . 
     When in use, air enters the chamber  21  through the air inlet  25  and is drawn into the first compartment  22 , where the differential pressure sensor  27  can measure the pressure of the air in the first compartment  22 . The air is then drawn from the first compartment  22  through the opening  29  of internal dividing wall  23  into the second compartment  24 . The differential pressure sensor  27  can then measure the pressure of the air in the second compartment  24 . The humidity and the temperature of the air are also measured in the second compartment  24  by the humidity and temperature sensor  28 . The air will then be drawn from the chamber  21  through the air outlet  26 . 
     The air inlet  25  further includes a filter to filter out particles from air that is drawn through the dryness testing device  20  (not shown in the figure). Particles present in the air that enter the dryness testing device  20  can lead to a blockage at the air inlet  25  and or at the opening  29  that prevents air flowing through the first compartment  22  and the second compartment  24 . The accuracy of the sensors and the measurements of the air pressure in the first compartment  22  and second compartment  24  can be affected by the blockage. The filter at the air inlet  25  helps to prevent blockage of the air inlet  25  and or at the opening  29  by the particles. 
     The filter at the air inlet  25  can also breakup water droplets present in the air that is drawn from the endoscope  12  to the dryness testing device  20 . Water droplets from the endoscope  12  may enter and remain in the dryness testing device  20 . The presence of the water droplets in the dryness testing device  20  can affect the accuracy of the humidity and temperature sensor  28 . Breaking up the water droplets into a plurality of small water droplets by the filter increases the surface area of the water droplets to promote evaporation. The presence of the filter to promote the evaporation of the water droplets helps to reduce the error margin in determining the humidity of the air being drawn through the endoscope  12  and drawn through the second compartment  24 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  1   , the endoscope  12  includes internal channels  121 ,  123 ,  125 , and  127  and ports  122 ,  124 ,  126 , and  128  respectively on the exterior of the endoscope. In other embodiments where there are scopes with five or more internal channels, they can be monitored in a similar way using larger testing device. 
     The four air inlets  25 ,  45 ,  65 , and  85  of the dryness testing device  20  are configured to be respectively connected to the ports  122 ,  124 ,  126 , and  128  on the endoscope  12  via separate silicone tubes  14 . The air is then drawn from the internal channels  121 ,  123 ,  125 , and  127  of the endoscope  12  into the four separate chambers  21 ,  41 ,  61 ,  81  of the dryness testing device  20 . The fifth air inlet  105  of the dryness testing device  20  is configured to draw air in the cabinet  11 . That is, air is drawn from an external source via a separate silicone tube  16 . The air drawn from the external source is termed cabinet air. The cabinet air is drawn into a separate chamber  101  of the dryness testing device  20 . The pressure difference, the humidity and the temperature of the air that is drawn through the five separate chambers  21 ,  41 ,  61 ,  81 , and  101  of the dryness testing device  20  are measured. It should be noted that the air drawn into each of chambers  21 ,  41 ,  61 ,  81 , and  101  that came from different sources (that is, air from each of the internal channels  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127  and air in the cabinet) are not mixed. 
     The air outlets  26 ,  46 ,  66 ,  86 , and  106  of the dryness testing device  20  are configured to be connected to the cabinet manifold  13  via silicone tubes  18 . The cabinet manifold  13  thus collects the air that is drawn from the dryness testing device  20 . The cabinet manifold  13  is also connected to the extraction pump  17 . The collected air in the cabinet manifold  13  is then pumped through the HEPA filter  19 . The filtered air then enters a cabinet pipe  15  that is part of the cabinet manifold  13 , and return into the cabinet  11 . It should be noted that the air in the cabinet manifold  13  and the air in the cabinet pipe  15  are not mixed. 
     With reference to  FIG.  3   , there is shown the out-of-cabinet dryness testing system  30  according to a second preferred embodiment. The out-of-cabinet dryness testing system  30  is similar to the in-cabinet dryness testing system  10  as shown in  FIG.  1   . However, the out-of-cabinet dryness testing system  30  does not include a cabinet and the air is not recirculated. 
     The dryness testing device  20  as shown in  FIG.  1    can also be used in the out-of-cabinet dryness testing system  30 . In this configuration, the four air inlets  25 ,  45 ,  65 , and  85  of the dryness testing device  20  are configured to be respectively connected to the ports  322 ,  324 ,  326 , and  328  on the endoscope  32  via separate silicone tubes  34 . The air is drawn from the internal channels  321 ,  323 ,  325 , and  327  of the endoscope  32  into the four separate chambers  21 ,  41 ,  61 , and  81  of the dryness testing device  20 . The fifth air inlet  105  of the dryness testing device  20  is configured to draw air from the testing environment  31 . That is, air is drawn from an external source via a separate silicone tube  36 . The air drawn from the external source is termed testing environment air. The testing environment air is drawn into the separate chamber  101  of the dryness testing device  20 . The pressure difference, the humidity and the temperature of the air that is drawn from the endoscope  32  and from the testing environment  31  can be measured by the dryness testing device  20 . 
     The air drawn out of the dryness testing device  20  is collected in a manifold  33  via silicone tubes  38 . The manifold  33  is also connected to the extraction pump  37 . The extraction pump  37  causes air to be drawn through the out-of-cabinet dryness testing system  30  and the endoscope  32 , then through the dryness testing device  20  and then into the manifold  33 . The collected air in the manifold  33  is then pumped through the HEPA filter  39 . The filtered air then returns to the testing environment  31 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  4   , there is shown the communication connection between the various components of the system of the first and second preferred embodiment. There is a processor  51  that includes a multiplexer  52  and an interface board data processing unit  53 . The processor  51  is configured to communicate with multiple chambers  71 . The multiple chambers  71  are configured to draw air from multiple internal endoscope channels  72 . 
     The processor is also configured to communicate with one chamber  91 . The chamber  91  is configured to draw air from the testing environment  92  (in-cabinet or out-of-cabinet). 
     The processor  51  is configured to collect and process the air flow rate data  74  and the humidity and temperature data  75  from multiple chambers  71 . The processor  51  is also configured to collect and process the air flow rate data  94  and the humidity and temperature data  95  from chamber  91 . 
     The processed data from the processor  51  can be retrieved by a USB drive  54  and displayed on a computer  55  for a user. 
     The processor  51  is also configured to compare the air flow rate data  74  and a predetermined range of air flow rates, and provide an indication of a problem associated with the drying of the internal endoscope channel  72 . When the processor  51  determines that the air flow rate data  74  is above a predetermined range of air flow rates of two to three L/min, the processor  51  sends a signal to an alarm system (not shown in the figure) to indicate that the internal endoscope channel  72  is not connected, partially connected or incorrectly connected to the chamber  71 . When the processor  51  determines that the air flow rate data  74  is below a predetermined range of air flow rates of two to three L/min, the processor  51  sends a signal to the alarm system to indicate that there is a blockage within the internal endoscope channel  72  and/or the connection between the chamber  71  and the internal endoscope channel  72 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  5   , there is shown the 3D model of a dryness testing device  200  with five air inlets  205 ,  215 ,  225 ,  235 , and  245  and an outer casing cover  210 . The dryness testing device may be formed from a variety of plastics known in the art. 
     With reference to  FIG.  6   , there is shown the 3D model of the dryness testing device  200  of  FIG.  5   , where the outer casing cover  210  is transparent. The dryness testing device  200  includes five chambers  201 ,  211 ,  221 ,  231 , and  241  with five air outlets  206 ,  216 ,  226 ,  236 , and  246  and five humidity and temperature sensors  208 ,  218 ,  228 ,  238 , and  248 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  7   , there is shown the 3D model of the configuration of the five chambers  201 ,  211 ,  221 ,  231 , and  241  of the dryness testing device  200  of  FIGS.  5  and  6   . Each chambers include first compartments  202 ,  212 ,  222 ,  232 , and  242  and second compartments  204 ,  214 ,  224 ,  234  and  244 . The first compartments and second compartments are separated by internal dividing walls  203 ,  213 ,  223 ,  233 , and  243 . The internal dividing walls each has an opening  209 ,  219 ,  229 ,  239 , and  249  to allow air drawn from the first compartment into the second compartment. Each chamber also includes air inlets  205 ,  215 ,  225 ,  235 , and  245  to receive the air drawn from an endoscope, and air outlets  206 ,  216 ,  226 ,  236 , and  246  to draw air out of the chambers. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  8  and  9   , there is shown the 3D models of the chambers for the dryness testing device of  FIG.  7   , with five differential pressure sensors ( 207 ,  217 ,  227 ,  237 , and  247 ) that are in connection with the first compartments and the second compartments. Each of the chambers also has an individual humidity and temperature sensor ( 208 ,  218 ,  228 ,  238 , and  248 ). 
     Advantages 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an advantage that the dryness level of the interior of the reusable endoscope can be quantitatively tested and determined. The preferred embodiment provides a system and method of determining whether the endoscope tested has been successfully reprocessed. The preferred embodiment can also help to lower the risk of infection to a patient due to improper or unsuccessful reprocessing of the endoscope prior use. 
     In addition, the preferred embodiment can provide detailed and repeatable data sets for guidelines and recommendation for the drying time and method for each individual endoscope. The preferred embodiment can also provide validation on the drying function of the storage cabinet for the endoscope. Further, the preferred embodiment can provide validation whether or not there is continuous air flow in the internal channel for each individual endoscope during storage. 
     VARIATIONS 
     It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. 
     Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.