FLUID CONNECTION SYSTEM FOR ENDOSCOPE REPROCESSING WITH CONTROLLED LEAKAGE

A fluid disinfection or sterilization system includes spray nozzles (26) for spraying an anti-microbial fluid on the exterior of an endoscope (14) supported in a microbial decontamination chamber (10a, 10b). The endoscope includes interior lumens which are microbially decontaminated by flowing anti-microbial fluid from outlets (28) through the lumens. A port (36) is connected with a leak detector. In order to ensure that the proper leak detector and anti-microbial fluid ports of the disinfection or sterilization system are interconnected with the proper lumen ports of the endoscope, a tethered connection assembly (50) is provided. The tethered interconnection assembly includes fittings (60, 62, 64) which are uniquely configured for interconnection with an appropriate one of a high pressure port, a low pressure port, and the leak detector port. Fittings at the other end of the tube assemblies (56) are configured for interconnection with appropriate corresponding ports of the endoscope. The tube assemblies (56) are interconnected by a tether (52) to which plurality of plugs (58) for plugging appropriate ports of the endoscope are also connected. A tag (54) identifies the model(s) of endoscope that the tethered connection assembly is to be used with and provides a diagram showing the proper interconnection pattern.