Patent ID: 7651672

Claim:
An endoscope processor for cleaning and sterilizing an endoscope having a body, and a first flexible tube attached to the body, the endoscope processor comprising: an operational housing; an enclosure which is attachable to and detachable from the operational housing, the enclosure being sealed from ingress of potentially contaminating microorganisms when detached from the operational housing, the enclosure comprising: a first cavity configured to receive the body of the endoscope; a second cavity at least partially separated from the first cavity, wherein the second cavity is configured to receive the first flexible tube of the endoscope in an uncoiled configuration; a support surface positioned at least partially intermediate the first cavity and the second cavity, wherein a portion of the endoscope is configured to be positioned on the support surface such that the endoscope is in a hanging orientation within the enclosure at least when he enclosure is attached to the operational housing; and movement means configured to intermittently permit a sterilant fluid to flow between the portion of the endoscope and the support surface to reduce occlusions between the portion of the endoscope and the support surface; and the operational housing comprising: a circulating system comprising at least one liquid pump having a pump outlet connected to a liquid inlet of the enclosure when the enclosure is attached to the operational housing, and a pump inlet connected to a liquid outlet of the enclosure when the enclosure is attached to the operational housing, whereby to circulate liquid through the enclosure; a source of sterilizing fluid associated with the pump; and a control system programmed to control a sterilization procedure whereby the pump circulates a liquid comprising the sterilizing fluid through the enclosure.