Patent ID: 8109871

Claim:
A method for testing the integrity of an endoscope, the method comprising: obtaining an endoscope; supplying gas to an air enclosure which includes an internal volume of said endoscope to pressurize said air enclosure; sealing said air enclosure; measuring the pressure of said gas in said air enclosure over time; detecting an first rate of decrease in air pressure; recognizing a second rate of decrease in air pressure, said second rate being less than said first rate; discarding said first rate; comparing said second rate to a predetermined target rate to determine if said second rate is sufficiently high to indicate a leak in said endoscope; and in the following consecutive sequence of steps: instructing a user to manipulate said endoscope using a computer control system while said air enclosure is pressurized, the computer control system having an output device to instruct the user and an input device to indicate manipulation of the endoscope is complete said manipulation causing movement of said endoscope; indicating to said computer control system that said manipulation of said endoscope is complete; and re-measuring the pressure of said air enclosure after said manipulation is complete to indicate a presence of a leak in said endoscope.