US4261950A — Sterilizing apparatus and integrated sterilizer c…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 215 words

Sterilizing apparatus having a microcomputer control arrangement providing for selective operation of a sterilizer selected from a plurality of differing types, each differing type of sterilizer carrying out a different sterilization cycle or different combination of sterilization cycles comprising, in combination a sterilizing chamber, conduit means connected to the chamber for delivering fluid to and from chamber to selectively establish fluid pressure conditions within the chamber, valve means for controlling fluid flow in the conduit means, such valve means being electrically operable, sensor means operatively associated with the chamber to be responsive to at least one chamber condition, electronic microcomputer controller means for controlling opening and closing of the valve means to selectively carry out a sterilizing cycle, the electronic microcomputer controller means comprising circuit board means, mounting means for mounting the circuit board means on the sterilizer, and connector means electrically interconnecting the electronic microcomputer controller means to the sensing means and the electrically operable valve means, the circuit board means having electronic components mounted on a plurality of individual circuit boards capable of operating such plurality of differing types of sterilizers with at least one circuit board mounting electronic components utilized on all types of sterilizers capable of being operated and being a complete microcomputer controller for at least one type of sterilizer

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 215 words

Sterilizing apparatus having a microcomputer control arrangement providing for selective operation of a sterilizer selected from a plurality of differing types, each differing type of sterilizer carrying out a different sterilization cycle or different combination of sterilization cycles comprising, in combination a sterilizing chamber, conduit means connected to the chamber for delivering fluid to and from chamber to selectively establish fluid pressure conditions within the chamber, valve means for controlling fluid flow in the conduit means, such valve means being electrically operable, sensor means operatively associated with the chamber to be responsive to at least one chamber condition, electronic microcomputer controller means for controlling opening and closing of the valve means to selectively carry out a sterilizing cycle, the electronic microcomputer controller means comprising circuit board means, mounting means for mounting the circuit board means on the sterilizer, and connector means electrically interconnecting the electronic microcomputer controller means to the sensing means and the electrically operable valve means, the circuit board means having electronic components mounted on a plurality of individual circuit boards capable of operating such plurality of differing types of sterilizers with at least one circuit board mounting electronic components utilized on all types of sterilizers capable of being operated and being a complete microcomputer controller for at least one type of sterilizer

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 62 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuit board which is a complete microcomputer controller for at least one type of sterilizer includes a microcomputer having memory means, low level input/output means, D.C. drive means, and A.C. drive means, and wherein the remaining circuit board means includes additional memory means, additional input/output means, additional D.C. drive means and additional A.C. drive means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claim 1 in which the plurality of sterilizing cycles comprises at lease five separate sterilizing cycles including steam and biocidal gas sterilizing cycles.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 55 words

The apparatus of claim 3 in which the plurality of differing types of sterilizers comprises at least five separate types of sterilizers including at least one sterilizer capable of carrying out differing steam sterilizing cycles and at least one sterilizer separately capable of carrying out a steam sterilizing cycle and a biocidal gas sterilizing cycle.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 187 words

A sterilization apparatus to be identified as one of a plurality of differing types of sterilization apparatus, each different type carrying out a different stabilization cycle or a different combination of sterilization cycles, comprising a sterilization chamber, a plurality of valve means controlling conduits in operative association with the chamber for selectively admitting and removing fluid to and from the chamber, sensor means operatively associated with the chamber for sensing chamber conditions such as pressure and/or temperature, an electronic microcomputer controller means including circuit board means having a stored program for selectively controlling a cycle or combination of cycles which the apparatus to be identified can perform as well as cycles which can be performed by remaining differing types of sterilization apparatus, the electronic microcomputer controller means controlling the opening and closing of at least one valve means responsive to conditioning detected by the sensing means in accordance with such stored program, and means for automatically identifying the type of sterilization apparatus to such microcomputer controller means upon mounting of the circuit board means which provides electrical interconnection between such microcomputer controller means and the sterilization apparatus.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 187 words

A sterilization apparatus to be identified as one of a plurality of differing types of sterilization apparatus, each different type carrying out a different stabilization cycle or a different combination of sterilization cycles, comprising a sterilization chamber, a plurality of valve means controlling conduits in operative association with the chamber for selectively admitting and removing fluid to and from the chamber, sensor means operatively associated with the chamber for sensing chamber conditions such as pressure and/or temperature, an electronic microcomputer controller means including circuit board means having a stored program for selectively controlling a cycle or combination of cycles which the apparatus to be identified can perform as well as cycles which can be performed by remaining differing types of sterilization apparatus, the electronic microcomputer controller means controlling the opening and closing of at least one valve means responsive to conditioning detected by the sensing means in accordance with such stored program, and means for automatically identifying the type of sterilization apparatus to such microcomputer controller means upon mounting of the circuit board means which provides electrical interconnection between such microcomputer controller means and the sterilization apparatus.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 42 words

The apparatus of claim 5 in which the steps of a sterilization cycle may vary when performed by differing types of sterilization apparatus and wherein such microcomputer controller means is further responsive to such identification means to determine which steps to perform.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 49 words

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means for automatically identifying the type of sterilization apparatus comprises means for determining electrical status of a plurality of conducting means, including means permanently fixed in the sterilization apparatus for establishing the electrical status of a predetermined one of such conducting means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 55 words

The apparatus of claim 7 including means for originating a signal at a circuit point and circuit path means connected between such circuit point and one of such plurality of conducting means for providing such signal at one of such conducting means, such circuit path means including such means permanently fixed in the sterilization apparatus.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 59 words

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein each of such plurality of conducting means is connected to the one side of a voltage source with the remaining side of the voltage source being connected to ground, and the circuit path means includes means for switching a complete electrical circuit between ground and such one of such plurality of conducting means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 179 words

Sterilizer and control apparatus for selective operation of a sterilizer selected from a plurality of differing types of sterilizers, each differing type of sterilizer carrying out a different sterilization cycle or different combination of sterilization cycles comprising a sterilizer selected from such plurality of differing types of sterilizers, such selected sterilizer having a sterilizing chamber with conduit means and valve means for delivering fluid to and from the chamber and including sensor means operatively associated with the chamber to be responsive to at least one chamber condition, circuit board means including electronic components to which form an integrated microcomputer controller capable of controlling such plurality of differing types of sterilizers, such circuit board means having electronic components mounted on a plurality of individual circuit boards capable of operating such plurality of differing types of sterilizers with at least one circuit board mounting electronic components utilized on all types of sterilizers capable of being operated, and means electrically connecting the circuit board means to the sterilizer to carry out a sterilizing cycle capable of being performed by the selected sterilizer.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 179 words

Sterilizer and control apparatus for selective operation of a sterilizer selected from a plurality of differing types of sterilizers, each differing type of sterilizer carrying out a different sterilization cycle or different combination of sterilization cycles comprising a sterilizer selected from such plurality of differing types of sterilizers, such selected sterilizer having a sterilizing chamber with conduit means and valve means for delivering fluid to and from the chamber and including sensor means operatively associated with the chamber to be responsive to at least one chamber condition, circuit board means including electronic components to which form an integrated microcomputer controller capable of controlling such plurality of differing types of sterilizers, such circuit board means having electronic components mounted on a plurality of individual circuit boards capable of operating such plurality of differing types of sterilizers with at least one circuit board mounting electronic components utilized on all types of sterilizers capable of being operated, and means electrically connecting the circuit board means to the sterilizer to carry out a sterilizing cycle capable of being performed by the selected sterilizer.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 99 words

Sterilizer identification and control apparatus for any of a plurality of differing types of sterilizers, each differing type of sterilizer performing a differing sequence of operational steps, comprising, in combination an electronic controller programmed to selectively control such plurality of differing types of sterilizers, a sterilizer with chamber and associated structure for carrying out at least one sterilizing cycle, and means for interconnecting such controller and the sterilizer, such interconnecting means including electrically responsive structure which is separate for each differing type of sterilizer to be controlled so as to idenify the sterilizer with which such controller is interconnected.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 99 words

Sterilizer identification and control apparatus for any of a plurality of differing types of sterilizers, each differing type of sterilizer performing a differing sequence of operational steps, comprising, in combination an electronic controller programmed to selectively control such plurality of differing types of sterilizers, a sterilizer with chamber and associated structure for carrying out at least one sterilizing cycle, and means for interconnecting such controller and the sterilizer, such interconnecting means including electrically responsive structure which is separate for each differing type of sterilizer to be controlled so as to idenify the sterilizer with which such controller is interconnected.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 177 words

Sterilizer control method providing for selective operation of a sterilizer selected from a plurality of differing types of sterilizers, each differing type of sterilizer carrying out a different sterilization cycle or different combination of sterilization cycles comprising selecting a sterilizer from such plurality of differing types of sterilizers, such selected sterilizer having a sterilizing chamber with conduit means and valve means for delivering fluid to and from the chamber and including sensor means operatively associated with the chamber to be responsive to at least one chamber condition, combining electronic components on circuit board means to form an integrated microcomputer controller capable of controlling such plurality of differing types of sterilizers, such circuit board means having electronic components mounted on a plurality of individual circuit boards capable of operating such plurality of differing types of sterilizers with at least one circuit board mounting electronic components utilized on all types of sterilizers capable of being operated, and electrically connecting the circuit board means to the sterilizer to carry out a sterilizing cycle capable of being performed by the sterilizer.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 177 words

Sterilizer control method providing for selective operation of a sterilizer selected from a plurality of differing types of sterilizers, each differing type of sterilizer carrying out a different sterilization cycle or different combination of sterilization cycles comprising selecting a sterilizer from such plurality of differing types of sterilizers, such selected sterilizer having a sterilizing chamber with conduit means and valve means for delivering fluid to and from the chamber and including sensor means operatively associated with the chamber to be responsive to at least one chamber condition, combining electronic components on circuit board means to form an integrated microcomputer controller capable of controlling such plurality of differing types of sterilizers, such circuit board means having electronic components mounted on a plurality of individual circuit boards capable of operating such plurality of differing types of sterilizers with at least one circuit board mounting electronic components utilized on all types of sterilizers capable of being operated, and electrically connecting the circuit board means to the sterilizer to carry out a sterilizing cycle capable of being performed by the sterilizer.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 118 words

Sterilizer identification and control method for any of a plurality of differing types of sterilizers, each differing type of sterilizer performing a differing sequence of operational steps, comprising the steps of selecting a sterilizer from such plurality of differing types of sterilizers, such selected sterilizer including associated identification means which differentiate the selected sterilizer from remaining types of sterilizers of such plurality of differing types, assembling circuit board means to form an integrated electronic controller which is programmed to selectively control such plurality of differing sterilizers, and interconnecting such circuit board means and the sterilizer such that such associated identification means which is separate for each differing type of sterilizer automatically identifies the selected sterilizer to the controller.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 118 words

Sterilizer identification and control method for any of a plurality of differing types of sterilizers, each differing type of sterilizer performing a differing sequence of operational steps, comprising the steps of selecting a sterilizer from such plurality of differing types of sterilizers, such selected sterilizer including associated identification means which differentiate the selected sterilizer from remaining types of sterilizers of such plurality of differing types, assembling circuit board means to form an integrated electronic controller which is programmed to selectively control such plurality of differing sterilizers, and interconnecting such circuit board means and the sterilizer such that such associated identification means which is separate for each differing type of sterilizer automatically identifies the selected sterilizer to the controller.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1984-04-13	1984-10-13	1985-04-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1988-04-13	1988-10-13	1989-04-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1992-04-13	1992-10-13	1993-04-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Sterilizing apparatus and integrated sterilizer control

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