Endoscope handle sterilizer

Abstract

An endoscopic system is disclosed. The endoscopic system includes an endoscope having a handle and an elongated flexible member configured to be removed from the handle and reprocessed between procedures. Meanwhile, the handle is cleaned and sanitized and disposed in a sanitizer for sterilizing destroying all microorganisms, viruses, and / or bacteria present on the handle. Once sanitized or sterilized, the handle may be fixed to a new removable elongated flexible member for another endoscopy procedure.

Description

ENDOSCOPE HANDLE STERILIZERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 637,662, filed April 23, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present disclosure is directed to a receiver for an endoscope handle, in particular a receiver having a sanitizer for sanitizing the endoscope handle.BACKGROUND

[0003] Generally, during an endoscopy procedure, an endoscope is exposed to contaminants. Once contaminated, the endoscope must be sanitized before being used on a patient. Sanitization is a time consuming process because every surface of the endoscope must be sanitized via contact with a sanitizing fluid for a prolonged period of time. Depending on the shape and configuration of the endoscope, the sanitizing fluid may be obstructed from reaching each and every surface. For example, irregularly shaped surfaces (e.g., lumens, buttons, crenulations, perturbances, grooves, divots, cavities, nooks, crannies, etc.) may obstruct the sanitizing fluid from contacting surfaces of the endoscope and preventing, or slowing the sanitization process.SUMMARY

[0004] The techniques presented herein provide a sanitization device for sanitizing a handle of an endoscope between endoscopy procedures.

[0005] According to one embodiment, the present application is directed to a sanitization device comprising a base, a receiver, and a radiation source configured to irradiate the entire outer surface of a handle of the endoscope and an internal surface of connection portion of the handle. In some instances, the radiation is ultra-violet (“UV”) radiation. Notably, the UV radiation is a high power UV band, e.g., UV-C. The UV-C radiation may have a wavelength of 100-280 nanometers (“nm”). The UV-C is radiated via radiation source (e.g., a light emitting diode (“LED”), a UV-C light bulb, laser, etc.).

[0006] In some instances, the sanitization device may further include a controller configured to control the radiation source. In some embodiments, the controller may be furtherconfigured to determine a power per area of the UV-C radiation on the surface of the handle. From the power per area determination, the controller may be further configured to determine a time until the handle is sterilized and provide an indication that the sterilization of the handle is complete. The controller may be further configured to turn off the radiation source upon determining that the handle is sterilized.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] To complete the description and in order to provide for a better understanding of the techniques presented in this application, a set of drawings is provided. The drawings form an integral part of the description and illustrate an embodiment of the present application, which should not be interpreted as restricting the scope of the present application, but just as an example of how the techniques presented herein can be carried out. The drawings comprise the following figures:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of an endoscopic system, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a partial view of an endoscope of the system of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sanitizer of the system of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a side view of the sanitizer of the system of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a hardware block diagram of a computing device of a controller of FIG.1.

[0013] Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is given solely for the purpose of describing the broad principles of the invention. Embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example, with reference to the above-mentioned drawings showing elements and results according to the present invention.

[0015] Generally, the present application is directed to a sanitizer for a removable handle of an endoscope. The sanitizer includes a main body having a receiver configured to receive a handle of endoscope between uses. The receiver may be a chamber defined by the main body and may include one or more securing elements to secure the handle within the chamber. In some implementations, the chamber may be contoured to substantially match contours of the handle of the endoscope. The sanitizer further includes at least one radiation source to irradiatethe entire surface of the handle. In some implementations, the radiation source may be an LED, laser, and / or a light bulb disposed in the chamber. In some implementations, one or more fiber optic cables (e.g., fiberglass cable and / or plastic fiber) extending may extend from the radiation source to the chamber to irradiate the handle. That is, the radiation source may be disposed exteriorly of the chamber. In some instances, the radiation source emits ultraviolet radiation within the C-band (“UV-C”) having a wavelength between about 100-280 nm. The sanitizer may further include a controller to control the radiation source. The controller may include sensors to determine receipt of the handle within the chamber, detect emission of UV-C radiation within the chamber, and determine a duration of irradiation of the handle within the chamber. The controller may further determine a sanitization level of the handle at a particular time. For example, the controller may determine the handle meets a particular sanitization standard for a particular duration such as: sanitized and sterilized. The chamber may further include one or more reflective surfaces to ensure the entire exposed surfaces of the handle are irradiated at a desired power / area level to achieve a desired sanitization level with a desired time (e.g., duration).

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, an endoscopic system 1 includes a sanitizer 100, display screen 200, endoscopy console 300 and a cart 400. The cart 400 supports the sanitizer 100, the display screen 200, and the console 300. The system 1 further includes an endoscope having a handle 10, signal cables 18, and a removable elongated flexible member 20. The cart 400 further includes wheels or casters for facilitating transportation of the system 1. The sanitizer 100 includes a controller 150 with a display for controlling a radiation source used to sanitize the handle 10. In the depicted embodiment, the handle 10 is disposed a chamber of the sanitizer 100. In some implementations, the removable elongated flexible member 20 may be removed prior to disposing the handle 10 in the sanitizer 100.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 2, the handle 10 and a portion of the removable elongated flexible member 20 is depicted. The handle 10 includes control interface 43 (e.g., wheels, nobs, etc.), signal cables 18 for connecting to a processer 17 of the console 300. The processor 17 may provide control signals to the handle 10 and removable elongated flexible member 20, and receive signals from a distal end of the removable elongated flexible member 20. For example, the processer 17 may send signals to control a light source, a camera, end effector, irrigation, or other features of the removable elongated flexible member 20. Additionally or alternatively, the processer 17 may receive a camera signal from a camera at the distal end of the removable elongated flexible member 20. The processer 17 may further control the display screen 200 and transmit signals to the display screen 200 (e.g., images from the camera).

[0018] The removable elongated flexible member 20 and the handle 10 further includes a connection interface 15 for removably coupling the removable elongated flexible member 20 to the handle 10. For example, the interface 15 may couple control elements (e.g., control wires for actuating a distal end of the removable elongated flexible member 20, control cables for transmitting signals to a light, an end effector, a camera, and / or other features of the removable elongated flexible member 20 between the removable elongated flexible member 20 and the handle 10.

[0019] The control interface 43 of the handle 10 controls the various features of the removable elongated flexible member 20. In the depicted embodiment, the control interface 43 comprises a plurality of coaxial nobs. However, the control interface 43 may be a plurality of sealed buttons, switches, capacitive switches / buttons. The endoscope (e.g., colonoscope) uses robotics technology to sense and actuate pull cables within the removable elongated flexible member 20 which is attached to the handle 10 at the time of clinical use. In the depicted embodiment, the control interface 43 of the handle 10 comprises rotary knobs configured to receive inputs from the user to command the removable elongated flexible member 20 to flex as well as provide haptic feedback based on a sensed force in the control wires / cables.

[0020] The flexible portion is only used for the one procedure where upon it is returned to the manufacturer for reprocessing which may include some level of maintenance to ensure requalification and sanitization / sterilization. The handle portion stays at the clinic. In some implementations, the knobs may be removed and disposed of after each clinical use. The remainder of the handle 10 can be wiped down with a high-level disinfectant and then placed in the chamber built into the sanitizer 100. The sanitizer 100 or console 300 may include drive units for controlling at least a portion of the removable elongated flexible member 20, as well as the video imaging hardware.

[0021] Regardless of the type of control interface 43, the exposed surfaces of the handle 10, including the control interface 43, must be sanitized after the endoscope is used on a patient for a procedure (e.g., colonoscopy).

[0022] As noted above, after the endoscopy procedure, the removable elongated flexible member 20 is cleaned, removed from the handle 10, and stored in a storage container for reprocessing. The handle 10 is disposed in the sanitizer 100 and sanitized before the next procedure. For example, the sanitizer 100 irradiates an entirety of exposed surfaces of the handle 10, including the surfaces of the control interface 43 (if not removed) and the internal surfaces of the connection interface 15 of the handle 10. Depending on the duration of theirradiation, and power level of the radiation on the surfaces, the handle may be sanitized and / or sterilized.

[0023] To irradiate the entirety of exposed surfaces of the handle 10, the chamber of the sanitizer 100 includes one or more radiation sources. The chamber may further include one or more reflective surfaces to reflect the radiation onto the exposed surfaces of the handle 10.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the sanitizer 100 is illustrated. In the depicted embodiment, the sanitizer 100 includes a main body 110, a chamber 130 having a shield or cover 132, and a controller 150. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the chamber 130 is configured to receive the handle 10. That is, the chamber 130 is sized and shaped to receive, secure, and irradiate an entirety of the handle 10 and at least a portion of the signal cables 18. For example, the chamber 130 includes a plurality of protrusions 134 configured to house one or more radiation sources 136 and secure the handle 10 and at least a portion of the signal cables 18 within the chamber 130 without obstructing the radiation from being emitted onto the surfaces of the handle 10. The plurality of protrusions 134 may be configured to engage and support the handle 10 and / or the portion of the signal cables 18.

[0025] In some embodiments, the main body 110 may house the one or more radiation sources 136. For example, the one or more radiation sources 136 may emit UV-C radiation through one or more openings or slots in the main body 110 and / or the plurality of protrusions 134. The one or more radiation sources 136 may be arranged throughout the main body 110 such that an entirety of the handle 10 is irradiated at a sufficient level such that a desired power / area ratio is met to sanitize or sterilize the handle 10 within a desired time. That is, the chamber 130 is designed to ensure that the energy (e.g., UV-C) emanating from the one or more radiation sources 136 provides a sufficiently uniform coverage of the externally exposed surfaces of the handle 10 such that they have an appropriate level of energy present to ensure all viruses and micro-organisms present are destroyed (e.g., sterilized). In addition, the materials used in the handle 10 as well as the chamber 130 may be selected to ensure that they are capable of sustaining thousands of exposures of UV-C sterilization procedures. In some implementations, the interior surfaces of the chamber 130 and / or the cover 132 may be reflective or covered with a reflective material to ensure an entirety of the handle 10 is irradiated.

[0026] The main body 110 may further include one or more sensors for detecting the handle 10 is properly disposed in the chamber and / or the amount of radiation emitted from the radiation source. For example, the one or more sensors may transmit signals to the controller 150 indicating the handle 10 is disposed in the chamber and / or an intensity of the radiation.Accordingly, the controller 150 may monitor one or more parameters of the handle 10 and sanitizer 100 from the one or more sensors when disposed in the chamber.

[0027] The controller 150 may provide feedback to a user to indicate when the handle 10 has been in the chamber 130 for sufficient time to be sanitized and / or sterilized with UV-C radiation at a particular power level. That is, the feedback indicates to the user that the handle 10 is sanitized or sterilized and safe for use for the next patient. In some implementations, the controller may record parameters of each sanitization session. The parameters for the sanitization session may include one or more of: a radiation power; an identification code indicative of a particular handle disposed in the sanitizer 100; the amount of time (e.g., duration) that the particular handle was exposed to a particular radiation power; indications of a loss of power; determination of a sanitization level (e.g., sanitized, sterilized, cleaned, not sanitized etc.) of a particular handle during a particular session, etc. The parameters may be determined from the one or more sensors and / or output signals from the controller 150 to other components of the system 1. The controller 150 may further keep a parameter log of each sanitization session for each particular handle and aggregate the parameters related to the particular handle to determine an overall length of time the handle was exposed to radiation, an overall amount of radiation power to which the particular handle was exposed, a number of sanitization sessions performed on a particular handle. The controller 150 may use these parameters to determine whether a particular handle is safe for use with a patient for an endoscopy procedure.

[0028] Moreover, the controller 150 may also record whether a particular session failed to sanitize the particular handle to a desired sanitization level. In instances where a particular handle was exposed to radiation for an insufficient time and / or insufficient power level, the controller 150 may provide feedback to the user indicating that the particular handle is not sanitized. The controller 150 may also send a signal deactivating the particular handle in response to determining that the handle has not reached a desired level of sanitization during a particular sanitization session. In such instances, the controller 150 may prevent the particular handle from being released from the sanitizer 100. For example, the controller 150 may lock the cover 132 to the main body 110 to prevent the particular handle from being released from the chamber 130. In some implementation, the plurality of protrusions 134 may prevent the particular handle from being released. Regardless of the particular means, the controller 150 may indicate the particular handle is not ready for use or prevent the particular handle from being used in response to determining that the particular handle is not sanitized or sterilized.

[0029] Accordingly, using the techniques described herein, the handle 10 may be sanitized and / or sterilized within a desired time (e.g., 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, or 30 minutes) between endoscopy procedures, while also preventing the handle 10 to be used with a patient prior to reaching a desired level of sanitization or being sterilized.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 5, a hardware block diagram of a computing device 600 that may perform functions associated with operations discussed herein in connection with the techniques depicted in FIGS. 1-4 is illustrated. In various embodiments, a computing device or apparatus, such as computing device 600 or any combination of computing devices 600, may be configured as any controller or entity / entities as discussed for the techniques depicted in connection with FIGS. 1-4 in order to perform operations of the various techniques discussed herein.

[0031] In at least one embodiment, the computing device 600 may be any apparatus that may include one or more processor(s) 602, one or more memory element(s) 604, storage 606, a bus 608, one or more network processor unit(s) 610 for connecting with one or more network input / output (VO) interface(s) 612, one or more I / O interface(s) 614, and control logic 620. In various embodiments, instructions associated with logic for computing device 600 can overlap in any manner and are not limited to the specific allocation of instructions and / or operations described herein.

[0032] In at least one embodiment, processor(s) 602 is / are at least one hardware processor configured to execute various tasks, operations and / or functions for computing device 600 as described herein according to software and / or instructions configured for computing device 600. Processor(s) 602 (e.g., a hardware processor) can execute any type of instructions associated with data to achieve the operations detailed herein. In one example, processor(s) 602 can transform an element or an article (e.g., data, information) from one state or thing to another state or thing. Any of potential processing elements, microprocessors, digital signal processor, baseband signal processor, modem, PHY, controllers, systems, managers, logic, and / or machines described herein can be construed as being encompassed within the broad term 'processor'.

[0033] In at least one embodiment, memory element(s) 604 and / or storage 606 is / are configured to store data, information, software, and / or instructions associated with computing device 600, and / or logic configured for memory element(s) 604 and / or storage 606. For example, any logic described herein (e.g., control logic 620) can, in various embodiments, bestored for computing device 600 using any combination of memory element(s) 604 and / or storage 606. Note that in some embodiments, storage 606 can be consolidated with memory element(s) 604 (or vice versa), or can overlap / exist in any other suitable manner.

[0034] In at least one embodiment, bus 608 can be configured as an interface that enables one or more elements of computing device 600 to communicate in order to exchange information and / or data. Bus 608 can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing control, data and / or information between processors, memory elements / storage, peripheral devices, and / or any other hardware and / or software components that may be configured for computing device 600. In at least one embodiment, bus 608 may be implemented as a fast kernel-hosted interconnect, potentially using shared memory between processes (e.g., logic), which can enable efficient communication paths between the processes.

[0035] In various embodiments, network processor unit(s) 610 may enable communication between computing device 600 and other systems, entities, etc., via network I / O interface(s) 612 (wired and / or wireless) to facilitate operations discussed for various embodiments described herein. In various embodiments, network processor unit(s) 610 can be configured as a combination of hardware and / or software, such as one or more Ethernet driver(s) and / or controller(s) or interface cards, Fiber Channel (e.g., optical) driver(s) and / or controller(s), wireless receivers / transmitters / transceivers, baseband processor(s) / modem(s), and / or other similar network interface driver(s) and / or controller(s) now known or hereafter developed to enable communications between computing device 600 and other systems, entities, etc. to facilitate operations for various embodiments described herein. In various embodiments, network VO interface(s) 612 can be configured as one or more Ethernet port(s), Fiber Channel ports, any other VO port(s), and / or antenna(s) / antenna array (s) now known or hereafter developed. Thus, the network processor unit(s) 610 and / or network I / O interface(s) 612 may include suitable interfaces for receiving, transmitting, and / or otherwise communicating data and / or information in a network environment.

[0036] VO interface(s) 614 allow for input and output of data and / or information with other entities that may be connected to computing device 600. For example, VO interface(s) 614 may provide a connection to external devices such as an endoscope, a keyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and / or any other suitable input and / or output device now known or hereafter developed. In some instances, external devices can also include portable computer readable (non-transitory) storage media such as database systems, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. In still some instances, external devices can be amechanism to display data to a user, such as, for example, a computer monitor, a display screen, or the like.

[0037] In various embodiments, control logic 620 can include instructions that, when executed, cause processor(s) 602 to perform operations, which can include, but not be limited to, providing overall control operations of computing device; interacting with other entities, systems, etc. described herein; maintaining and / or interacting with stored data, information, parameters, etc. (e.g., memory element(s), storage, data structures, databases, tables, etc.); combinations thereof; and / or the like to facilitate various operations for embodiments described herein.

[0038] The programs described herein (e.g., control logic 620) may be identified based upon application(s) for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment. However, it should be appreciated that any particular program nomenclature herein is used merely for convenience; thus, embodiments herein should not be limited to use(s) solely described in any specific application(s) identified and / or implied by such nomenclature.

[0039] In various embodiments, any entity or apparatus as described herein may store data / information in any suitable volatile and / or non-volatile memory item (e.g., magnetic hard disk drive, solid state hard drive, semiconductor storage device, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.), software, logic (fixed logic, hardware logic, programmable logic, analog logic, digital logic), hardware, and / or in any other suitable component, device, element, and / or object as may be appropriate. Any of the memory items discussed herein should be construed as being encompassed within the broad term 'memory element'. Data / information being tracked and / or sent to one or more entities as discussed herein could be provided in any database, table, register, list, cache, storage, and / or storage structure: all of which can be referenced at any suitable timeframe. Any such storage options may also be included within the broad term 'memory element' as used herein.

[0040] Note that in certain example implementations, operations as set forth herein may be implemented by logic encoded in one or more tangible media that is capable of storing instructions and / or digital information and may be inclusive of non-transitory tangible media and / or non-transitory computer readable storage media (e.g., embedded logic provided in: an ASIC, digital signal processing (DSP) instructions, software [potentially inclusive of object code and source code], etc.) for execution by one or more processor(s), and / or other similarmachine, etc. Generally, memory element(s) 604 and / or storage 606 can store data, software, code, instructions (e.g., processor instructions), logic, parameters, combinations thereof, and / or the like used for operations described herein. This includes memory element(s) 604 and / or storage 606 being able to store data, software, code, instructions (e.g., processor instructions), logic, parameters, combinations thereof, or the like that are executed to carry out operations in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure.

[0041] In some instances, software of the present embodiments may be available via a non- transitory computer useable medium (e.g., magnetic or optical mediums, magneto-optic mediums, CD-ROM, DVD, memory devices, etc.) of a stationary or portable program product apparatus, downloadable file(s), file wrapper(s), object(s), package(s), container(s), and / or the like. In some instances, non-transitory computer readable storage media may also be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for memory / storage in some implementations. Other examples may include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that can be inserted and / or otherwise connected to a computing device for transfer onto another computer readable storage medium.

[0042] Communications can propagate using any suitable technologies for communications including wireless communications (e.g., 4G / 5G / nG, IEEE 802.11 (e.g., Wi- Fi® / Wi-Fi6®), IEEE 802.16 (e.g., Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)), Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth™, mm. wave, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), etc.), and / or wired communications (e.g., T1 lines, T3 lines, digital subscriber lines (DSL), Ethernet, Fibre Channel, etc.). Generally, any suitable means of communications may be used such as electric, sound, light, infrared, and / or radio to facilitate communications through one or more networks in accordance with embodiments herein. Communications, interactions, operations, etc. as discussed for various embodiments described herein may be performed among entities that may directly or indirectly connected utilizing any algorithms, communication protocols, interfaces, etc. (proprietary and / or non-proprietary) that allow for the exchange of data and / or information.

[0043] To the extent that embodiments presented herein relate to the storage of data, the embodiments may employ any number of any conventional or other databases, data stores or storage structures (e.g., files, databases, data structures, data or other repositories, etc.) to store information.EXAMPLES

[0044] Clause 1. An endoscopic system comprising: an endoscope having a handle and removable elongated flexible member; and a sanitizer configured to emit radiation to irradiate exposed surfaces of the handle after an endoscopy procedure.

[0045] Clause 2. The endoscopic system of clause 1, wherein the radiation is Ultra-Violet (UV) radiation.

[0046] Clause 3. The endoscopic system of clause 2, wherein the UV radiation has a wavelength between about 100-280 nm.

[0047] Clause 4. The endoscopic system of any one of clauses 1-3, wherein the sanitizer further includes a controller configured to control the radiation source.

[0048] Clause 5. The endoscopic system of any one of clauses 1-4, wherein the sanitizer further includes one or more sensors to determine receipt of the handle within the chamber, detect emission of radiation within the chamber, and / or determine a duration of irradiation of the handle within the chamber.

[0049] Clause 6. The endoscopic system of clause 5, wherein the controller is configured to determine a sanitization level of the handle based on a received signal from the one or more sensors.

[0050] Clause 7. The endoscopic system of any one of clauses 1-6, wherein the sanitizer further includes a chamber configured to enclose a handle.

[0051] Clause 8. The endoscopic system of any one of clauses 1-7, wherein the chamber includes one or more reflective surfaces to reflect emitted radiation over the outer surfaces of the handle.

[0052] Clause 9. The endoscopic system of any one of clauses 1-8, wherein the radiation is emitted at a desired power per area level to achieve a desired sanitization level with a desired time.

[0053] Clause 10. A method comprising: removing an elongated member from a handle of an endoscope; disposing the handle in a sanitizer; and irradiating the handle with radiation for a predetermined period of time until it is sterilized.

[0054] Clause 11. The method of clause 10, further comprising: determining, via a controller, that the handle is received in the sanitizer.

[0055] Clause 12. The method of clause 10 or 11, wherein irradiating the handle with radiation comprises: emitting radiation from one or more radiation sources in response to determining that the handle is received in the sanitizer.

[0056] Clause 13. The method of any one of clauses 10-12, wherein the radiation comprisesC-band ultraviolet radiation.

[0057] Clause 14. The method of any one of clauses 10-13, further comprising: determining, via the controller, a duration of emission of radiation from the one or more radiation sources.

[0058] Clause 15. The method of any one of clauses 10-14, further comprising: indicating, via the controller, that the handle is sterilized based on the duration and deactivating the one or more radiation sources.

[0059] Clause 16. The method of any one of clauses 10-15, wherein disposing the handle in the sanitizer comprises enclosing the handle within a chamber of the sanitizer.

[0060] Clause 17. The method of any one of clauses 10-16, further comprising reflecting, via a reflective surface of an inner surface of the chamber, the emitted radiation to irradiate a portion of the handle.

[0061] Each example embodiment disclosed herein has been included to present one or more different features. However, all disclosed example embodiments are designed to work together as part of a single larger system or method. This disclosure explicitly envisions compound embodiments that combine multiple previously-discussed features in different example embodiments into a single system or method.

[0062] It is also noted that the operations and steps described with reference to the preceding figures illustrate only some of the possible scenarios that may be executed by one or more entities discussed herein. Some of these operations may be deleted or removed where appropriate, or these steps may be modified or changed considerably without departing from the scope of the presented concepts. In addition, the timing and sequence of these operations may be altered considerably and still achieve the results taught in this disclosure. The preceding operational flows have been offered for purposes of example and discussion. Substantial flexibility is provided by the embodiments in that any suitable arrangements, chronologies, configurations, and timing mechanisms may be provided without departing from the teachings of the discussed concepts.

[0063] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be apparent that various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appendedclaims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

[0064] It is also to be understood that the sanitizer 100 described herein, or portions thereof, may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials, such as plastic, metal, supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, cotton, elastomers, polyester, plastic, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics may include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, ethyl ene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or the like. Suitable foamed plastics may include expanded or extruded polystyrene, expanded or extruded polypropylene, EVA foam, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

[0065] Reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present disclosure, the devices, components, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” or other similar terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components, should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the components described herein may be oriented in any desired direction. When used to describe a range of dimensions and / or other characteristics (e.g., time, pressure, temperature, distance, etc.) of an element, operations, conditions, etc., the phrase “between X and Y” represents a range that includes X and Y.

[0066] For example, it is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment.

[0067] Further, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and / or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or configurations discussed.

[0068] Similarly, when used herein, the term “comprises” and its derivations (such as “comprising,” etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc. Meanwhile, when used herein, the term “approximately” and terms of its family (such as “approximate,” etc.) should be understood as indicating values very near to those which accompany the aforementioned term. That is to say, a deviation within reasonable limits from an exact value should be accepted, because a skilled person in the art will understand that such a deviation (e.g., 10%) from the values indicated is inevitable due to measurement inaccuracies, etc. The same applies to the terms “about” and “around” and “substantially”.

[0069] As used herein, unless expressly stated to the contrary, use of the phrase “at least one of,” “one or more of,” “and / or,” variations thereof, or the like are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation for any and all possible combination of the associated listed items. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of X, Y and Z,” “at least one of X, Y or Z,” “one or more of X, Y and Z,” “one or more of X, Y or Z” and “X, Y and / or Z” can mean any of the following: 1) X, but not Y and not Z; 2) Y, but not X and not Z; 3) Z, but not X and not Y; 4) X and Y, but not Z; 5) X and Z, but not Y; 6) Y and Z, but not X; or 7) X, Y, and Z.

[0070] Additionally, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are intended to distinguish the particular nouns they modify (e.g., element, condition, node, outlet, inlet, valve, module, activity, operation, etc.). Unless expressly stated to the contrary, the use of these terms is not intended to indicate any type of order, rank, importance, temporal sequence, or hierarchy of the modified noun. For example, “first X” and “second X” are intended to designate two “X” elements that are not necessarily limited by any order, rank, importance, temporal sequence, or hierarchy of the two elements. Further as referred to herein, “at least one of’ and “one or more of’ can be represented using the “(s)” nomenclature (e.g., one or more element(s)).

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An endoscopic system comprising: an endoscope having a handle and removable elongated flexible member; and a sanitizer configured to emit radiation to irradiate exposed surfaces of the handle after an endoscopy procedure.

2. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein the radiation is Ultra-Violet (UV) radiation.

3. The endoscopic system of claim 2, wherein the UV radiation has a wavelength between about 100-280 nm.

4. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein the sanitizer further includes a controller configured to control the radiation source.

5. The endoscopic system of claim 4, wherein the sanitizer further includes one or more sensors to determine receipt of the handle within the chamber, detect emission of radiation within the chamber, and / or determine a duration of irradiation of the handle within the chamber.

6. The endoscopic system of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to determine a sanitization level of the handle based on a received signal from the one or more sensors.

7. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein the sanitizer further includes a chamber configured to enclose a handle.

8. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein the chamber includes one or more reflective surfaces to reflect emitted radiation over the outer surfaces of the handle.

9. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein the radiation is emitted at a desired power per area level to achieve a desired sanitization level with a desired time.

10. A method comprising: removing an elongated member from a handle of an endoscope; disposing the handle in a sanitizer; and irradiating the handle with radiation for a predetermined period of time until it is sterilized.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining, via a controller, that the handle is received in the sanitizer.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein irradiating the handle with radiation comprises: emitting radiation from one or more radiation sources in response to determining that the handle is received in the sanitizer.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the radiation comprises C-band ultraviolet radiation.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: determining, via the controller, a duration of emission of radiation from the one or more radiation sources.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: indicating, via the controller, that the handle is sterilized based on the duration and deactivating the one or more radiation sources.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein disposing the handle in the sanitizer comprises enclosing the handle within a chamber of the sanitizer.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising reflecting, via a reflective surface of an inner surface of the chamber, the emitted radiation to irradiate a portion of the handle.

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