From cabinet to PlasmaBag: validating mobile endoscope storage with plasma technology

This study aimed to assess the microbiological performance of the mobile drying and storage system PlasmaTYPHOON+/PlasmaBAG (Plasmabiotics) by applying the test protocol defined in EN 16442:2015 standard, typically used to validate fixed storage cabinets for endoscopes. A range of endoscopes were artificially contaminated with a suspension of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (between 1.5 × 10³ and 5.0 × 10³ CFU/mL). Endoscopes were dried using the PlasmaTYPHOON+ unit and stored in single-use PlasmaBAG for durations ranging from 12 h to 744 h (31 days). Microbiological sampling was performed at each time point using validated recovery methods. Results were compared to positive controls. For all endoscopes dried with PlasmaTYPHOON+ and stored in PlasmaBAGs, the residual contamination index remained negative throughout the 744-h storage period. In contrast, endoscopes stored without drying showed a progressive increase in contamination, reaching up to 5.2 log₁₀ CFU/endoscope. Drying tests confirmed the absence of residual moisture in all channels after treatment with PlasmaTYPHOON+. The application of EN 16442 protocol to this mobile system demonstrated that PlasmaTYPHOON+/PlasmaBAG provides effective drying and long-term microbiological protection of endoscopes. These findings support the extension of EN 16442 performance criteria to mobile storage technologies and validate their integration into routine reprocessing workflows. The system also offers promising applications for the secure transport of endoscopes after maintenance.IMPORTANCEDrying and storage are critical steps in endoscope reprocessing, yet they remain insufficiently standardized compared to cleaning and disinfection. Current regulations, such as EN 16442, focus exclusively on fixed storage cabinets, leaving individual storage solutions outside the scope of validation despite their growing use in clinical practice. This study demonstrates that mobile systems combining rapid drying and controlled storage can achieve microbiological safety equivalent to EN 16442 annex E requirements. These findings highlight the need to amend existing standards to include individual storage technologies, ensuring harmonized validation criteria across all modalities. Expanding the regulatory framework will strengthen infection prevention strategies and support the safe integration of innovative solutions into healthcare workflows.