Method for examining a channel system comprising a first channel of a surgical instrument and an inlet channel of a reprocessing device, and reprocessing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for examining a channel system comprising a first channel of a surgical instrument and an inlet channel of a reprocessing device, and a reprocessing device. The surgical instrument is located in a chamber of the reprocessing device.The method comprises the following steps: applying a pressurized fluid flow to the first port, recording an acoustic response signal from the reprocessing chamber generated by the application of the pressurized fluid flow, analyzing the acoustic response signal with regard to an acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid flow in a predetermined port scenario, wherein the predetermined port scenario is indicative of the correctness or incorrectness of the fluid flow through the channel system, determining whether the acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid flow is indicative of the predetermined port scenario, and generating a first response signal if the acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid flow is indicative.

Description

The present disclosure relates to a method for examining a first connection between a first channel of a surgical instrument and a first connection part of an adapter device of a reprocessing apparatus. The invention further relates to a reprocessing apparatus.Surgical instruments, such as flexible endoscopes, must be refurbished after each use to prevent infection to patients. This is often done in refurbishers which have refurbishment chambers for receiving one or more surgical instruments to be refurbished.Complete disinfection of the surgical instrument, such as an endoscope, also requires cleaning and disinfecting its internal channels. To achieve this, re-processing devices often employ adapter means having a number of connectors to be connected to the channels of the surgical instrument. Via these connection parts, a flushing fluid, for example water, is flushed through the channels. The reprocessing devices frequently use a compressed air stream guided through the channels in order to dry them after the washing step. In the context of reprocessing, the surgical instruments can also be placed in drying cabinets in order to dry them completely before the next use.Before the re-processing operation begins, the re-processing device may check during a pre-cleaning step whether all connectors are correctly connected to the corresponding channels. This is often done by measuring a flow rate to or through the channels, for example with a sensor for measuring the volume flow and / or the inlet pressure of the flushing fluid or the compressed air. These sensors are usually located within lines of the reprocessing device which guide the flushing fluid or the compressed air to the connection parts. If one or more of the connection parts are not correctly connected to the corresponding channels, this can lead to a change in the volume flow and the pressure detectable by the sensors.However, there are certain fault scenarios for faulty connections that are difficult to detect with a volume flow measurement or a pressure measurement. For example, the influence of a connector correctly connected to a short channel with a relatively large diameter on the flow resistance is relatively small. This results in similar measurement values as if the connector were not connected to the channel. In addition, a missing channel separation element with volume flow measurements or pressure measurements can also be difficult to detect.It is an object to improve the detection of faulty connections between connection parts of a reprocessing device and channels of a surgical instrument.Such an object can be achieved by a method for examining a channel system, comprising a first channel of a surgical instrument and an inlet channel of a reprocessing device, wherein a first connection of the first channel is connected to a first connection part of an adapter device of the reprocessing device, wherein the adapter device is in turn connected to the inlet channel, wherein the surgical instrument is located in a chamber of the reprocessing device, wherein the method comprises the following steps:applying a pressurized fluid flow to the first connector,recording an acoustic response signal from the chamber generated by the application of the pressurized fluid stream,analyzing the acoustic response signal for an acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream in a predetermined port scenario, the predetermined port scenario indicative of a correctness or incorrectness of the flow of the fluid through the channel system,determining whether the acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream is indicative of the predetermined connection scenario;generating a first response signal if the acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream is indicative of the predetermined connection scenario, and transmitting the first response signal to an output unit.According to this method, an acoustic measurement examination is used to detect a misconnected first connector or blockage in the channel system. This acoustic measurement utilizes the sound generated by applying the pressurized fluid stream to the first port. The fluid may be compressed air or a flushing fluid, for example water. The sound generated by the flow of the fluid is recorded as the acoustic response signal and analyzed in view of the predetermined connection scenario. The predefined connection scenario can be, for example, a faulty attachment of the first connection part to the first channel or an omitted channel separating element during the connection of the first connection part to the first channel. The predefined connection scenario can also be a complete or partial blockage in the channel system. However, the predefined connection scenario can also be a fault-free connection without blockages, in other words a correct flow of the fluid through the channel system. If the acoustic response points to the predefined connection scenario, the first response signal is generated and transmitted to the output unit. This first response signal can be a warning signal if the predefined connection scenario is a fault scenario. The first response signal may also be an acknowledgment signal that acknowledges proper connection without blockages in the channel system. Advantageously, this acoustic measurement is able to accurately distinguish between a correct connection and a faulty connection, even if such a distinction is not possible with other types of measurement.Re-treatment of the surgical instrument includes the steps of washing and disinfecting the surgical instrument and then the step of drying the surgical instrument. Accordingly, the re-processing device may be a device for washing and / or disinfecting the surgical instrument. The reprocessing device can also be a drying cabinet for drying the surgical instrument after a washing and disinfection process. Accordingly, the chamber may be a reprocessing chamber of a washing device or a drying chamber of a drying cabinet.The pressurized fluid stream may have a predetermined pressure. Setting a predetermined pressure simplifies identifying the predetermined port scenario because the acoustic parameters of the acoustic response for that predetermined port scenario can be determined in advance by tests. The surgical instrument may be an endoscope. The output unit may have a display and / or an audio output and / or an interface. For example, the output unit may have an interface which is designed to transmit the first response signal to a receiving unit, for example a control unit of the reprocessing apparatus or a mobile device carried by a user. In another example, the first response signal may be displayed on the display as a warning message or an acknowledgment message and / or broadcast as a sound from an audio output. The reprocessing device can have a control unit which is designed to carry out one or more method steps. The control unit may be a computer or similar data processing device. Furthermore, the control unit can have a storage device.According to one embodiment, the predefined connection scenario is a predefined fault scenario which indicates an incorrectness of the first connection, wherein the first response signal is a first warning signal. Detection of predetermined fault scenarios uses the ability of acoustic measurements to determine fault scenarios that are not otherwise easy to determine. The predefined connection scenario can of course also be a correct flow scenario in which the first connection is correctly connected and there are no blockages in the channel system.Preferably, the method further comprises the following steps:recording at least one first flow value, which has a flow value and / or a pressure value, of a first flow at the first connection,determining whether the first flow value is inside or outside a first flow range, wherein a first flow value that is inside the first flow range indicates correctness of the first connection,generating a second response signal and transmitting the second response signal to the output unit.These further steps are part of an examination of the first connection via a flow measurement. The first stream can be, for example, the compressed air stream or the flushing fluid stream. The assessment by means of the flow measurement can use the same fluid as the acoustic measurement or a different fluid. The flow measurement can comprise a pressure measurement and / or volume flow measurement. The reprocessing device can have a volume flow sensor and / or pressure sensor in order to detect the at least one first flow value. The second response signal may be a warning signal if the first flow value is outside the first flow range. If the first flow value is within the first flow range, the second response signal can also be an acknowledgment signal. The first flow value generally provides a good indication of correctness of the first connection. However, in order to improve the accuracy of detection of an abnormality of the first port, the flow measurement may be combined with the acoustic measurement. The flow measurement may record the first flow value of the flow of the flushing fluid and / or the compressed air flow. The examination by means of the flow measurement can take place before, after or simultaneously with the examination by means of the acoustic measurement. For example, the compressed air stream fed to the first connection can be used to simultaneously measure both a pressure value of the compressed air stream and record the audio response signal to the compressed air stream. According to an embodiment, the acoustic measurement is only performed if at least one indistinguishable fault scenario is known for the first port. Otherwise, only the examination is carried out by means of the flow measurement, since the flow measurement is sufficient to detect all possible fault scenarios for this connection.The predefined error scenario is preferably an indistinguishable error scenario, wherein the indistinguishable error scenario cannot be distinguished from a scenario in which the first connection is correctly connected by examination by means of a flow measurement. In other words, acoustic measurement is used to check especially for fault scenarios that cannot be reliably detected with a flow measurement. In this application, the term "indistinguishable" means that by means of flow measurements, a correct connection cannot be unambiguously distinguished from a faulty connection taking account of measurement errors and error tolerances. This is the case, for example, with channels of short length and large diameter, for example with a biopsy channel or a water jet channel. Another example is a missing channel separator.If the first flow value is within the first flow range, the method preferably further comprises the step of:configuring the re-processing device according to a first configuration to detect a first indistinguishable fault scenario by recording and analysing the acoustic response signal.The first indistinguishable fault scenario may be the only indistinguishable fault scenario known for the surgical instrument, or it may be one of a number of different indistinguishable fault scenarios. By configuring the re-processing device according to the first configuration, the re-processing device is adapted to specifically detect the first indistinguishable fault scenario by capturing and analyzing the acoustic response signal. Reconfiguration may occur after the flow measurement if the flow measurement has not generated the second warning signal. Thus, if no faulty connection has been detected by the flow measurement, the reprocessing device is reconfigured to detect the first indistinguishable fault scenario via the acoustic measurement. If no first warning signal and in particular also no second warning signal has been generated and / or transmitted to the output unit, the re-processing operation of the surgical instrument can be started.If the acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream is indicative of a correct flow of the fluid through the channel system, preferably the step of applying the pressurized fluid stream, the step of recording the acoustic response signal, the step of analyzing the acoustic response signal, the step of determining whether the acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream is indicative of the predetermined port scenario, and the step of generating a first response signal for a second port are repeated, wherein the second port is a port between a second channel of the surgical instrument and the first port or a second port of the adapter device or a port of the first channel on the second port. In other words, if the acoustic measurement has determined a correct first port without blockages, the acoustic measurement is repeated for the second port. This may only take place if a predefined fault scenario is known for the second connection. If the acoustic measurement determines a correct second port, the process may be repeated for further ports with indistinguishable fault scenarios until at least one faulty port or blockage of a channel system is detected or until the steps have been performed for all known indistinguishable fault scenarios.The surgical instrument can have at least two, in particular at least six, channels. The adapter device can have at least two, in particular at least six, connection parts.Before the pressurized fluid stream is applied to the second port, the reprocessing apparatus is preferably reconfigured according to a second configuration to detect a second indistinguishable fault scenario. In other words, the reprocessing apparatus according to the second configuration is specially reconfigured to detect the second indistinguishable fault scenario before the acoustic measurement for the second port is performed. The predetermined pressure applied to the second port may be different from the predetermined pressure applied to the first port.Before the pressurized fluid stream is applied to the first port, a state of at least one valve is preferably placed in a first test state, wherein in the first test state the at least one valve is configured to act on the fluid only at the first port, wherein the at least one valve is arranged within the reprocessing apparatus in a line of the pressurized fluid stream. In the first test state, the pressurized air flow can be directed exclusively to the first port and not to any other port. This step of placing the state of the at least one valve in the first test state may be part of configuring the reprocessing apparatus according to the first configuration. Similarly, the step of configuring the reprocessing apparatus according to the second configuration may comprise the step of putting the state of the at least one valve into a second test state. In particular, the at least one valve has at least two valves. The at least one valve can be arranged within a monitoring unit of the reprocessing apparatus.Preferably, the state of the at least one valve is reset to an initial state after the acoustic response signal has been recorded. By returning the state of the at least one valve to the initial state after recording the acoustic response signal, it is ensured that further acoustic measurements and / or a drying process can be carried out unimpeded by means of a compressed air stream.The acoustic response signal is preferably recorded by at least one microphone of the reprocessing apparatus, wherein the microphone is arranged in particular within the reprocessing chamber of the reprocessing apparatus. The microphone records the acoustic response signal, which is the sound generated by the pressurized fluid stream. One or more pumps of the regeneration device may be deactivated during the recording of the acoustic response signal. Only one of the terminals of the surgical instrument may be supplied with pressurized fluid during the recording of the acoustic response signal. This is done to reduce background noise. The re-processing device may further include a plurality of planes each configured to receive a different surgical instrument. Only one of the surgical instruments may be supplied with pressurized fluid during the recording of the acoustic response signal. In this way, background noise is further reduced.Preferably, the step of analyzing the acoustic response signal for an acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream in a given port scenario comprises the step of determining a maximum amplitude of the acoustic response signal. Determining the maximum amplitude of the acoustic response signal is a quick and simple way of distinguishing a correct connection from a faulty connection. As a rule, the amplitude of the acoustic response signal measured in the chamber will be much higher if the first port is not correctly connected to the first channel, since the pressurized fluid will thereby escape into the chamber.Preferably, the step of analyzing the acoustic response signal with respect to an acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream in a predetermined port scenario comprises the step of analyzing a frequency spectrum of the acoustic response signal and comparing the frequency spectrum to an expected frequency spectrum and / or a frequency spectrum according to the predetermined port scenario, wherein the step of analyzing the frequency spectrum in particular further comprises the application of a fast Fourier transform to the frequency spectrum. Analyzing the frequency spectrum provides detailed information about the acoustic response signal. This allows detection of a correct connection or indistinguishable fault scenarios, even though the amplitude may be similar for a correct connection and a faulty connection.The step of analyzing the acoustic response signal with respect to an acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream in a predetermined connection scenario may include the step of analyzing a temporal sequence of the acoustic response signal and comparing the temporal sequence with an expected temporal sequence and / or a temporal sequence of the predetermined connection scenario.Preferably, the step of analyzing the acoustic response signal for an acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream in a given port scenario comprises the step of analyzing whether at least one acoustic parameter value of the acoustic response is outside an expected range and / or within at least one fault range. Comparing the acoustic parameter value to the predetermined range is a quick and simple way to determine whether the first port is correctly connected or whether there are blockages in the channel system. The acoustic parameter value may be the maximum amplitude of the acoustic response signal. In particular, the indistinguishable fault scenarios and / or the expected range and / or the at least one fault range and / or the first flow range are stored in the memory device.The object is furthermore achieved by a reprocessing device for reprocessing a surgical instrument, wherein the reprocessing device has a chamber for receiving the surgical instrument, wherein the reprocessing device has an adapter device with a first connection part which is designed to be connected to a first channel of the surgical instrument, wherein the reprocessing device is designed to carry out a method according to one or more of the embodiments described above.The same or similar advantages apply to the reprocessing device as were mentioned above with respect to the method for examining the first connection part.Further features will become apparent from the description of embodiments together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments may satisfy individual features or a combination of multiple features.The embodiments are described below without limiting the general inventive concept, and with regard to the disclosure of all details not explained in more detail in the text, express reference is made to the drawings.In the drawings: FIG. 1 shows a simplified perspective illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a reprocessing apparatus for reprocessing surgical instruments, FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the reprocessing apparatus, FIG. 3 shows a schematic simplified illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an adapter device having a plurality of connection parts connected to channels of the surgical instrument, FIG. 4 shows a schematic simplified illustration of the adapter and the surgical instrument according to FIG. 3 with a plurality of faulty connections, FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a reprocessing apparatus. FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a pre-cleaning step, and FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a flow diagram of an acoustic measurement step.In the drawings, the same or similar elements or corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that a corresponding renewed presentation is omitted.Figure 1 shows a schematic, simplified representation of a reprocessing apparatus 2. in the embodiment shown, the reprocessing apparatus 2 is an apparatus for washing and disinfecting surgical instruments 30. However, the reprocessing apparatus 2 can also be a drying cabinet which is used to dry the surgical instrument 30 after washing. The reprocessing apparatus 2 has a chamber 4, which in this embodiment is a washing chamber. The reprocessing apparatus 2 further comprises an output unit 11 which in this embodiment is a display 12. The display 12 is used to display relevant information and control a re-processing operation.The chamber 4 has a number of rails 14 which are designed to hold a plurality of transport containers 6 for the surgical instruments 30, for example transport baskets. In FIG. 1, a single transport container 6 is visible, which has just a surgical instrument 30 in the form of an endoscope. The surgical instrument 30 has a number of internal channels which must be cleaned and disinfected with a flushing fluid during reprocessing. In order to achieve this, the reprocessing apparatus 2 has an adapter device 8 with a plurality of connection parts in the form of lines, of which only a first connection part 41 is provided with a reference sign in FIG. 1. Each connector is connected to a corresponding channel of the surgical instrument 30. During the cleaning process, the flushing fluid is pumped through the channels. Thereafter, the channels are dried by a pressurized air stream.However, before the surgical instruments 30 can begin to be re-processed, the correct connection of the connector parts to the channels must be examined in a pre-cleaning step. In addition, it is necessary to determine that there are no blockages that impede the flow of the flushing fluid or the compressed air. For this purpose, the reprocessing device 2 can have pressure sensors and / or volume flow sensors in order to detect a pressure and / or volume flow through the connections. The pressure and / or volume flow values are compared with known values for the correct connection in order to check whether the connection parts are correctly connected to the corresponding channels. If a faulty connection is detected, a second response signal is generated and displayed on the display 12, for example as a warning message. However, there are some fault scenarios that are literally indistinguishable from correct ports by these types of flow measurements. These fault scenarios are referred to below as indistinguishable fault scenarios.Fig. 2 shows a schematic, simplified representation of the reprocessing apparatus 2. as shown in Fig. 2 the adapter device 8 is connected to the monitoring unit 10, which is designed to monitor and / or control the flow of the rinsing fluid and the compressed air flow to the surgical instrument 30. The monitoring unit 10 may comprise a control unit in the form of a computer or similar device. An air supply 15 is connected via a line 16 to the monitoring unit 10 in order to supply the adapter device 8 with compressed air. One or more valves 17 are used to direct the flow of compressed air to the desired connection parts of the adapter device 8. The air supply 15 may be an internal air supply or a connector for an external air supply. The reprocessing apparatus 2 further performs a rinsing liquid cycle to clean the outer surface and the inner channels of the surgical instruments 30. For cleaning the outer surface, the reprocessing apparatus 2 comprises a pipe 20 connecting a pump 25 to two sprinklers 22, 23 which are designed to clean the outer surface of the surgical instruments 30. The tube 20 further connects the pump 25 to the monitoring unit 10 and thus to the adapter device 8 and the channels of the surgical instrument 30 to clean the internal channels. The flushing fluid is collected in a tub 24, which supplies the flushing fluid again to the pump 25.In order to detect indistinguishable fault scenarios and / or a correct flow of fluids, the chamber 4 further comprises a microphone 18 arranged and arranged to record sound from the chamber 4. When the pressurized air stream or flushing fluid is directed to the port between the port and the channel, it generates sound in the form of an acoustic response signal. The characteristics of the acoustic response signal, for example, an amplitude and a frequency spectrum, are different for correct connection compared to a faulty connection. For example, if a connector is not connected to the respective channel, this may result in a much larger amplitude of the sound generated by the pressurized fluid stream. In addition, the sound will be different for channels free of blockage or for channels blocked. By analyzing the acoustic response signal, a faulty connection and thus an indistinguishable fault scenario can be identified. Alternatively, the correct connection can be detected without blockages. This is called an acoustic measurement study. When the indistinguishable fault scenario or correct connection is identified, a first response signal is generated and transmitted to the output unit 11. The output unit 11 may be, for example, the display 12 and audio output and / or an interface configured to further transmit the first response signal to another part of the regeneration apparatus 2 or another device.FIG. 3 shows a schematic simplified illustration of a channel system 3 which has the channels of the surgical instrument 30, the adapter device 8 and an inlet channel 54 of the reprocessing apparatus 2, via which fluid is supplied to the adapter device 8. The channels of the surgical instruments 30 are connected to the connection parts of the adapter device 8. A first channel 31, for example a biopsy channel, is connected to a first connection part 41 with a first connection 71. A second channel 32, for example a suction channel, is connected to a second connection part 42 with a second connection 72. As is made possible by a channel separating element 51, the first channel 31 and the second channel 32 merge into one another to form a single channel, for example a biopsy suction channel. Similarly, a third channel 33, for example, the water channel, a fourth channel 34, for example, an air channel, and a fifth channel 35, for example, an air / pump channel, are connected to a third connector 43, a fourth connector 44, and a fifth connector 45 through a third connector 73, a fourth connector 74, and a fifth connector 75, respectively. The channels 33, 34 and 35 merge into each other, allowed by the second channel separation element 52. A sixth channel 36, for example a water jet channel, is connected to a sixth connector 46 by a second connector 76.FIG. 4 shows some indistinguishable fault scenarios 61, 62, 63. the indistinguishable fault scenario 61 is a missing first port 71 between the first channel 31 and the first connector 41. Since the biopsy channel typically has a large diameter and is comparatively short, a faulty port between the first channel 31 and the first connector 41 is fundamentally indistinguishable by flow measurement. The same applies to the indistinguishable fault scenario 62 caused by a lack of sixth port 76 between the sixth channel 36 and the sixth port 46 because the water jet channel also typically has a large diameter. The indistinguishable fault scenario 63 is a misinsertion or lack of channel isolation element 51.Apart from fault scenarios, the acoustic response signal may also be used to identify proper connection and uninterrupted flow of the fluid through the channel system 3. There is an uninterrupted current if the connection is correct and there is no blockage in the channel system 3. Such uninterrupted flow causes a specific acoustic response signal that can be identified to determine that the channel system is operating properly. In this case, instead of a warning signal, an indicating positive response signal is generated.The investigation by means of acoustic measurement can also be used in a drying cabinet. In such a drying cabinet, the internal channels of the surgical instrument are also connected to inlet channels for applying compressed air to dry the internal channels. The proper connection without blockages can be determined exactly in the same way as in the device for washing and disinfecting shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of a reprocessing process for reprocessing the surgical instruments 30 with the reprocessing apparatus 2 according to an embodiment using water as flushing fluid. Step 101 is the beginning of the process. In step 102, an initial water intake is performed. Step 103 is the pre-cleaning step. In step 104, the water is changed for the first time. Step 105 is a cleaning phase. In step 106, the water is changed for the second time. Step 107 is a disinfection phase. In step 108, the water is changed for the third time. Step 109 denotes a flushing cycle and in step 110 the water is drained. In step 111, the process ends.Figure 6 shows a detailed flow diagram of an embodiment of the precleaning step. In step 201, a flow measurement is carried out, for example by measuring a volume flow value and / or a pressure value of the flushing fluid flow or of the compressed air flow and comparing the value with an expected range and / or a fault range. In step 202, it is determined whether at least one faulty connection between the connection parts and the channels is detected by the flow measurement. If this is the case, a second warning signal is generated in step 203 and the reprocessing process is terminated. Otherwise, it is determined in steps 204 and 205 whether at least one indistinguishable fault scenario is known for the channels and connectors. If this is not the case, the circulation and heating of the water starts in step 206. Otherwise, at least one acoustic measurement is performed in step 207. In step 208, it is determined whether at least one indistinguishable fault scenario has been detected and at least one first warning signal has been generated. If this is the case, the first warning signal or signals are transmitted in step 209 and the reprocessing process is terminated. Otherwise, the process continues in step 206.FIG. 7 shows a detailed flow diagram of an embodiment of the acoustic measurement step 207. In step 301, the process begins with a counter "i" set to one. In step 302, a configuration of the reprocessing apparatus 2 is put into a first configuration by switching a number of required valves 17 in one or more lines for the compressed air flow. In the first configuration, the compressed air flow is only guided to the first port 71. In step 303, the acoustic response signal is recorded with the microphone 18. In step 304, the acoustic response signal is analyzed, for example, by analyzing a maximum amplitude and a frequency spectrum of the acoustic response signal. By comparing the audio response signal with an expected audio signal and / or known values for the first indistinguishable fault scenario 61, it is determined whether the first connector 41 is correctly connected or whether the acoustic response signal is indicative of the first indistinguishable fault scenario 61. In the latter case, the first warning signal is generated. In step 305, the valves 17 are set to an initial state, and in step 306, the counter "i" is incremented by one. In step 307, it is determined whether there is another indistinguishable fault scenario with a number equal to "i". Thus, if there is a second indistinguishable fault scenario 62, steps 301 through 307 are repeated for this second indistinguishable fault scenario 62, and so on. If there is no more indistinguishable fault scenario to be examined, it is determined in step 308 whether at least a first warning signal has been generated. If so, the process proceeds to step 209, otherwise it proceeds to step 206.While there have been shown and described what are considered to be embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail may readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention not be limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed to cover all modifications which may fall within the scope of the appended claims.List of reference characters2 Reprocessing apparatus 3 Channel system 4 Chamber 6 Transport container 8 Adapter device 10 Monitoring unit 11 Output unit 12 Display 14 Rail 15 Air supply 16 Line 17 Valve 18 Microphone 20 Pipe 22 Sprinkler 23 Sprinkler 24 Trough 25 Pump 30 Surgical instrument 31 First channel 32 Second channel 33 Third channel 34 Fourth channel 35 Fifth channel 36 Sixth channel 41 First connection part 42 Second connection part 43 Third connection part 44 Fourth connection part 45 Fifth connection part 46 Sixth connection part 51 Channel separating element 52 Channel separating element 54 Inlet channel 61 Indistinguishable fault scenario 62 Indistinguishable fault scenario 63 Indistinguishable fault scenario 71 First connection 72 Second connection 73 Third connection 74 Fourth connection 75 Fifth connection 76 Sixth connection 101- 111 Method steps 201- 209 Method steps 301- 308 Method steps

Claims

A method for examining a canal system (3) comprising a first canal (31) of a surgical instrument (30) and an inlet canal (54) of a reprocessing apparatus (2), wherein a first connection (71) of the first canal (31) is connected to a first connection part (41) of an adapter device (8) of the reprocessing apparatus (2), wherein the adapter device (8) is in turn connected to the inlet canal (54), wherein the surgical instrument (30) is located in a chamber (4) of the reprocessing apparatus (2), wherein the method comprises the following steps: - applying a pressurized fluid stream at the first connection part (71), - recording an acoustic response signal from the chamber (4) generated by the application of the pressurized fluid stream, analyzing the acoustic response signal in view of an acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream in a predetermined connection scenario, wherein the predetermined connection scenario is indicative of a correctness or incorrectness of the flow of the fluid through the channel system, determining whether the acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream is indicative of the predetermined connection scenario; generating a first response signal if the acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream is indicative of the predetermined connection scenario, and transmitting the first response signal to an output unit (11).The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined port scenario is a predetermined fault scenario indicative of an incorrectness of the first port (71), wherein the first response signal is a first warning signal.Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: - recording at least a first flow value, which has a volume flow value and / or a pressure value, of a first current at the first port (71), - determining whether the first flow value is inside or outside a first flow range, wherein a first flow value, which is inside the first flow range, indicates correctness of the first port (71); - generating a second response signal and transmitting the second response signal to the output unit (11).Method according to Claims 2 and 3, wherein the predefined error scenario is an indistinguishable error scenario (61, 62, 63), wherein the indistinguishable error scenario (61, 62, 63) cannot be distinguished from a scenario in which the first connection (71) is correctly connected by examination by means of a flow measurement.The method according to claim 4, wherein if the first flow value is within the first flow range, the method preferably further comprises the step of: - configuring the re-processing device (2) according to a first configuration to detect a first indistinguishable fault scenario (61) by recording and analysing the acoustic response signal.The method of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein if the acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream is indicative of a correct flow of the fluid through the channel system (3), the step of applying the pressurized fluid stream, the step of recording the acoustic response signal, the step of analyzing the acoustic response signal, the step of determining whether the acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream is indicative of the predetermined port scenario, and the step of generating a first response signal for a second port are repeated, wherein the second connection (32) is a connection between a second channel (32) of the surgical instrument and the first connection part (41) or a second connection part (42) of the adapter device (8) or a connection of the first channel (31) to the second connection part (42).The method of claims 5 and 6, wherein before the pressurized fluid stream is applied to the second port (72), the reprocessing apparatus (2) is reconfigured according to a second configuration to detect a second indistinguishable fault scenario (62).Method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein before the pressurized fluid stream is applied to the first port (71), a state of at least one valve (17) is placed in a first test state, wherein in the first test state the at least one valve (17) is configured to impinge the fluid only at the first port (71), wherein the at least one valve (17) is arranged within the reprocessing device (2) in a line (16) of the pressurized fluid stream.Method according to claim 8, wherein the state of the at least one valve (17) is reset to an initial state after the acoustic response signal has been recorded.Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the acoustic response signal is recorded by at least one microphone (18) of the reprocessing device (2), wherein the microphone (18) is arranged in particular within the chamber (4) of the reprocessing device (2).The method of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the step of analyzing the acoustic response signal for an acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream in a predetermined port scenario comprises the step of determining a maximum amplitude of the acoustic response signal.The method according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the step of analyzing the acoustic response signal with respect to an acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream in a predetermined port scenario comprises the step of analyzing a frequency spectrum of the acoustic response signal and comparing the frequency spectrum to an expected frequency spectrum and / or a frequency spectrum according to the predetermined port scenario, wherein the step of analyzing the frequency spectrum in particular further comprises the application of fast Fourier transformation to the frequency spectrum.The method of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the step of analyzing the acoustic response signal for an acoustic response to the application of the pressurized fluid stream in a given port scenario comprises the step of analyzing whether at least one acoustic parameter value of the acoustic response is outside an expected range and / or within at least one fault range.A reprocessing apparatus (2) for reprocessing a surgical instrument (30), wherein the reprocessing apparatus (2) has a chamber (4) for receiving the surgical instrument (30), wherein the reprocessing apparatus (2) has an adapter device (8) with a first connection part (41), which is designed to be connected to a first channel (31) of the surgical instrument (30), wherein the reprocessing apparatus (2) is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 13.

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