Patent ID: 7879289

Claim:
A method of self disinfecting a water supply filter in an endoscope reprocessor comprising an enclosure for holding an endoscope, a sterile water supply system comprising a water supply line having the filter, the filter being adapted to filter out potentially contaminating microorganisms, a fluid distribution system associated with the enclosure which is adapted to direct a germicidal fluid into the enclosure; and a passage from the fluid distribution system to an air gap, the method comprising the steps of: a) disconnecting the water supply line from the filter; b) disconnecting the passage from the air gap; c) connecting the passage to the filter; d) connecting the water supply line to the air gap; and e) directing the germicidal fluid through the filter to disinfect the filter and lines downstream thereof leading to the air gap, while maintaining isolation of the water supply line from the fluid distribution system.