| abstract |
Biofilm/debris is removed from interior and exterior surfaces of small bore tubing by passing an aqueous cleaning solution of water, one or more surfactants and preferably a hydrogen peroxide source, optionally including small inert solid particles, together with a gas under pressure, to create a turbulent flow within the tubing which loosens the biofilm/debris so it can be flushed from the tubing. When the exterior tubing surfaces are cleaned, the tubing is inserted in a sleeve fitted with an adaptor providing a pressure-tight seal between the tubing and the sleeve. The figure schematically shows an apparatus for cleaning interior and exterior walls of endoscopy tubing: Compressor (100) carries air in line (102) through pulsation control nozzle (104) to mixing chamber (106); air flow is controlled by pressure regulator (108). Chamber (110) stores cleaning solution, passing it through line (112) to mixing chamber (106), and the resultant turbulent mixture passes through line (114) to adaptor (116) providing a pressure-tight fitting to a port of tubing (120), while line (115) carries cleaning solution to the exterior tubing surfaces. |