Patent ID: 7740813

Claim:
An endoscope reprocessor comprising: an enclosure for holding an endoscope; a sterile water supply system comprising a water supply line and a filter adapted to filter out potentially contaminating microorganisms, the filter having an inlet and outlet, the outlet connecting to an air gap and the inlet connecting to the water supply line; a fluid distribution system associated with the enclosure which is adapted to direct germicidal fluid into the enclosure; a passage from the fluid distribution system to the air gap; a dual connector having a normal position in which the water supply line connects to the filter and the passage connects to the air gap and a self-disinfection position in which the water supply line connects to the air gap and the passage connects to the filter whereby to allow germicidal fluid to reach and disinfect the filter, while maintaining water supply to the reprocessor and isolating the water supply from the reprocessor through the air gap.