Fig. 1
Endoscope Biofilm Model. [A] Schematic of the silicon/PTFE tubing loop with channels for the addition (input) and removal (waste) of media. Silicon tubing was stepped-up/-down with barbed reducing connectors. Polypropylene “T” connectors were used for isolating input/waste media tubing, and were clamped throughout circulation with gate clamps, with the open ends covered with foil. [B] Aerial schematic view of the endoscope biofilm model, [C] Profile schematic view of endoscope biofilm model. A multichannel peristatic pump, set to a flow rate of 1.25 mL min- 1, enabled continuous circulation of inoculated through 50 cm PTFE tubing sections (as surrogate endoscope operating channel) within closed tubing loops. PTFE tubing sections (within 3.7 L Pyrex® water bath) were kept at 37 °C. Foil was used to cover the water bath to reduce heat loss and evaporation.
