Patent EP0232170A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0232170A2
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EP
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Automated liquid sterilization system
Assignee: Steris Corp
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Filing: 1987-02-05
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-02-05
Abstract
Abstract Each of a plurality of modules (A) have fittings (14) with automatically closed check valves (16) therein such that the interior of the module is hermetically sealed. The module is selectively interconnected with a sterilizer apparatus (B). Interconnecting tubing (60) selectively supplies liquid from a reservoir (30) to the module. A sterilant injection chamber (56) receives and punctures a sterilant ampule such that incoming water mixes with the sterilant concentrate forming a sterilant solution which is carried to the reservoir. A reservoir outlet valve (70) selectively permits the sterilant solution to pass from the reservoir through the interconnecting tubing into the module until the module and interconnecting tubing are completely filled. Thereafter, the reservoir outlet valve closes holding the sterilant in the interconnecting tubing as well as the module for sufficient duration to sterilize both. Concurrently, additional tap water is heated in the reservoir until it is sterile. Thereafter, the reservoir outlet valve is opened again and the sterilant solution is drained and rinsed from the module with the sterile water. An air pump (86), a heater (84), and a submicron sterilization filter (82) supply heated, sterile drying air through the reservoir, connecting tubing, and module to dry the sterilized device.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward T. Schneider
- 👤 Raymond C. Kralovic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/42; A61L15/46; A01; A01N; A01N25/00; A01N25/34; A61L15/44; A61L2/00; A61L2/16; A61L2/18; A61L2/20; A61L2/22; A61L2/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of sterilizing a item which is enclosed in an interior of a module which is closed to the ambient atmosphere by causing a sterilant solution to flow into and remain in contact with the module interior until the item and the module interior are sterilized and draining the sterilant solution from the module interior and further characterized by: a) passing a sterile rinse fluid into the module interior to rinse the item; and, b) passing a bacteria-free drying gas through the module to dry the item and the module interior.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of sterilizing a item which is enclosed in an interior of a module which is closed to the ambient atmosphere by causing a sterilant solution to flow into and remain in contact with the module interior until the item and the module interior are sterilized and draining the sterilant solution from the module interior and further characterized by: a) passing a sterile rinse fluid into the module interior to rinse the item; and, b) passing a bacteria-free drying gas through the module to dry the item and the module interior.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
129 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the module is a storage module and wherein the steps of causing sterilant solution to flow into and remain in the module interior, draining the sterilant solution, passing the sterile rinse solution into the module, and passing the bacteria-free drying gas through the module are performed by an automated apparatus and further including the steps of plugging the module into the automated apparatus before causing the sterilant solution to flow and unplugging the module from the apparatus after drying by the bacteria-free drying gas and storing the sterilized item in the detached module until ready for use such that with a plurality of storage modules a plurality of items can be sterilized, rinsed, dried, and stored until ready for use.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by: storing the item in the module until ready for use to retain the item in a sterile condition; enclosing another item to be sterilized in another module, repeating the sterilizing, rinsing, and drying steps, and storing the other item and the other module until ready for use.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
113 words
The method as set forth in any one of the preceding claims further characterized by causing the sterilant solution to flow from a sterile rinse fluid reservoir through interconnecting tubing and into the module and retaining the sterilant solution in the module and the interconnecting tubing until the interconnecting tubing, the item, and the module interior are sterilized and wherein the sterile rinse fluid is passed from the reservoir through the sterilized interconnecting tubing into the module interior, whereby the sterile rinse solution passes only through sterilized interconnecting tubing such that contaminants are not picked up and carried by the rinse solution into contact with the sterilized item or the sterilized module interior.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the sterile rinse solution is sterilized in the reservoir by heating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as set forth in either claim 4 or 5 wherein the bacteria-free air is passed through the sterilized interconnecting tubing such that the bacteria-free drying gas does not carry non-sterile contaminants into the module interior.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in either of claims 5 or 6 wherein the heat sterilized rinse solution is cooled before rinsing the sterile item.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
31 words
The method as set forth in any of the preceding claims further characterized by passing an electrical current between the item to be sterilized and an electrode to inhibit galvanic corrosion.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
18 words
The method as set forth in any of the preceding claims wherein the item is a medical instrument.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
147 words
A sterilizing apparatus for automatically sterilizing items disposed in an interior of a module characterized by: means for passing a liquid sterilant solution into the module interior; means for draining the sterilant solution fr.om the module interior after the sterilant solution has been retained in the module interior for a sufficient duration to sterilize the item and the module interior; means for passing a sterile rinse solution into the module interior to rinse the item; means for passing a bacteria-free drying gas through the module interior to dry the item and the module interior; and, the module being characterized by being a storage module which is selectively attachable and detachable from the sterilant solution passing means, the draining means, the sterile rinse solution passing means, and the bacteria-free drying gas means such that after detachment the module is utilized as a storage module for the sterilized item.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
147 words
A sterilizing apparatus for automatically sterilizing items disposed in an interior of a module characterized by: means for passing a liquid sterilant solution into the module interior; means for draining the sterilant solution fr.om the module interior after the sterilant solution has been retained in the module interior for a sufficient duration to sterilize the item and the module interior; means for passing a sterile rinse solution into the module interior to rinse the item; means for passing a bacteria-free drying gas through the module interior to dry the item and the module interior; and, the module being characterized by being a storage module which is selectively attachable and detachable from the sterilant solution passing means, the draining means, the sterile rinse solution passing means, and the bacteria-free drying gas means such that after detachment the module is utilized as a storage module for the sterilized item.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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