US4892706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated liquid sterilization system
Assignee: Steris Corp
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Filing: 1988-01-04
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Granted: 1990-01-09
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Expires: 2008-01-04
Abstract
Abstract Each of a plurality of modules (A) have fitings (14) with automatically closed check valves (16) therein such that the interior of the module is sealed. The module is selectively interconnected with a sterilizer apparatus (B). Interconnecting tubing (60) selectively supplied 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. Alternate means of sterilizing the rinse fluid may also be employed. 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
- 👤 Raymond C. Kralovic
- 👤 Edward T. Schneider
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:34
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: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of sterilizing medical instruments, the method comprising: disposing a medical instrument to be sterilized in a storage module; closing the module to penetration by microbial contamination; removably attaching the storage module with tubing which interconnects the attached module with a source of liquid rinse solution; completely filling the interconnecting tubing from the module to the rinse solution source and the module with a liquid sterilant which includes peracetic acid; retaining the liquid sterilant in the module and the interconnecting tubing for a pre-selected duration, which pre-selected duration is sufficiently long to sterilize the module, the medical instrument, and the interconnecting tubing; passing a sterilized liquid rinse solution from the rinse solution source only through the sterilized interconnecting tubing into the sterilized module to rinse the liquid sterilant from the interconnecting tubing, the module, and the medical instrument, whereby the liquid rinse solution passes only in contact with sterilized surfaces to prevent contamination of the liquid rinse solution; detaching the module from the interconnecting tubing while maintaining the module closed to microbial contamination; and, storing the module and the medical instrument as a unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of sterilizing medical instruments, the method comprising: disposing a medical instrument to be sterilized in a storage module; closing the module to penetration by microbial contamination; removably attaching the storage module with tubing which interconnects the attached module with a source of liquid rinse solution; completely filling the interconnecting tubing from the module to the rinse solution source and the module with a liquid sterilant which includes peracetic acid; retaining the liquid sterilant in the module and the interconnecting tubing for a pre-selected duration, which pre-selected duration is sufficiently long to sterilize the module, the medical instrument, and the interconnecting tubing; passing a sterilized liquid rinse solution from the rinse solution source only through the sterilized interconnecting tubing into the sterilized module to rinse the liquid sterilant from the interconnecting tubing, the module, and the medical instrument, whereby the liquid rinse solution passes only in contact with sterilized surfaces to prevent contamination of the liquid rinse solution; detaching the module from the interconnecting tubing while maintaining the module closed to microbial contamination; and, storing the module and the medical instrument as a unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sterilization method as set forth in claim 1 further including mixing a sterilant concentrate with tap water to form the liquid sterilant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The sterilization method as set forth in claim 1 further including: during the liquid sterilant retaining step, passing an electrical current between the medical instrument to be sterilized and an electrode in an electrical conductive relationship with the liquid sterilant to inhibit galvanic corrosion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sterilization method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the liquid sterilant is a solution which includes said peracetic acid together with a buffer, and water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sterilization method as set forth in claim 1 further including, during the liquid sterilant retaining step, the step of employing corrosion inhibitors.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of sterilizing items comprising: (a) enclosing an item to be sterilized in an interior of a module which is closed to penetration of microbial contaminants from the ambient atmosphere; (b) removeably attaching the module with tubing that connects the module with a source of sterile rinse liquid; (c) causing a liquid sterilant which includes peracetic acid to flow into and remain in contact with the module interior and the tubing which connects the module with the source of sterile rinse liquid until the item and the module interior are sterilized; (d) draining the liquid sterilant from the module interior; (e) passing a sterile rinse liquid from the source thereof into the module interior to rinse the item; (f) detaching the module while maintaining the module closed to microbial contaminants; (g) storing the item in the module to retain the item in a sterile condition.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of sterilizing items comprising: (a) enclosing an item to be sterilized in an interior of a module which is closed to penetration of microbial contaminants from the ambient atmosphere; (b) removeably attaching the module with tubing that connects the module with a source of sterile rinse liquid; (c) causing a liquid sterilant which includes peracetic acid to flow into and remain in contact with the module interior and the tubing which connects the module with the source of sterile rinse liquid until the item and the module interior are sterilized; (d) draining the liquid sterilant from the module interior; (e) passing a sterile rinse liquid from the source thereof into the module interior to rinse the item; (f) detaching the module while maintaining the module closed to microbial contaminants; (g) storing the item in the module to retain the item in a sterile condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as set forth in claim 6 further including after step (e), passing a bacteria-free gas into the module interior.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the liquid sterilant is a solution including said peracetic acid together with a buffer and water.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of sterilizing comprising: enclosing an item to be sterilized in a sterilizing chamber which is isolated from microbial contamination from the ambient atmosphere; providing interior surfaces which define a liquid rinse flow path between the chamber and a source of sterile rinse liquid; causing a liquid sterilant which includes peracetic acid to flow into the chamber and into all flow path interior surfaces which define the interconnecting flow path from the sterile liquid rinse source into the chamber and every interior surface in direct fluid communication therewith; retaining the liquid sterilant in the chamber and the interior surfaces until the interior surfaces, the item, and the chamber are sterilized, whereby sterilizing all surfaces between the rinse fluid source and the chamber assures that the liquid rinse fluid will not carry microbial contaminants from non-sterile surfaces into the chamber; draining the liquid sterilant from the chamber and the interconnecting flow path; passing the sterile liquid rinse fluid from the liquid rinse source only in contact with the sterilized flow path surfaces into the chamber to rinse the item; draining the liquid rinse fluid from the chamber and the interconnecting flow path.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of sterilizing comprising: enclosing an item to be sterilized in a sterilizing chamber which is isolated from microbial contamination from the ambient atmosphere; providing interior surfaces which define a liquid rinse flow path between the chamber and a source of sterile rinse liquid; causing a liquid sterilant which includes peracetic acid to flow into the chamber and into all flow path interior surfaces which define the interconnecting flow path from the sterile liquid rinse source into the chamber and every interior surface in direct fluid communication therewith; retaining the liquid sterilant in the chamber and the interior surfaces until the interior surfaces, the item, and the chamber are sterilized, whereby sterilizing all surfaces between the rinse fluid source and the chamber assures that the liquid rinse fluid will not carry microbial contaminants from non-sterile surfaces into the chamber; draining the liquid sterilant from the chamber and the interconnecting flow path; passing the sterile liquid rinse fluid from the liquid rinse source only in contact with the sterilized flow path surfaces into the chamber to rinse the item; draining the liquid rinse fluid from the chamber and the interconnecting flow path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 further including during the draining step, passing bacteria-free air into the chamber to dry the item and the chamber interior.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the liquid sterilant is a solution including said peracetic acid together with a buffer, and water.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said solution further includes a detergent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said solution further includes corrosion inhibitors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
154 words
A microbial contamination removing apparatus comprising: a source of liquid rinse fluid; a means operatively connected with the source for removing a microbial contamination from the liquid rinse fluid; a module including a closure means which has opened and closed configurations therefore, where in the opened configuration, said module is opened to receive an item to be decontaminated, and in the closed configuration, said module isolates the received item from the ambient atmosphere and other sources of microbial contamination; a detachable module interconnecting means; interconnecting tubing detachably connecting the source and said module means; a means for selectively filling both the interconnecting tubing and the connected module with a liquid anti-microbial solution; and, a means for selectively keeping the interconnecting tubing and the module filled with the liquid anti-microbial solution for a sufficient duration to decontaminate the module, the item, the module interconnecting means, and the interconnecting tubing from the source to the module.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
154 words
A microbial contamination removing apparatus comprising: a source of liquid rinse fluid; a means operatively connected with the source for removing a microbial contamination from the liquid rinse fluid; a module including a closure means which has opened and closed configurations therefore, where in the opened configuration, said module is opened to receive an item to be decontaminated, and in the closed configuration, said module isolates the received item from the ambient atmosphere and other sources of microbial contamination; a detachable module interconnecting means; interconnecting tubing detachably connecting the source and said module means; a means for selectively filling both the interconnecting tubing and the connected module with a liquid anti-microbial solution; and, a means for selectively keeping the interconnecting tubing and the module filled with the liquid anti-microbial solution for a sufficient duration to decontaminate the module, the item, the module interconnecting means, and the interconnecting tubing from the source to the module.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of removing microbial contamination from medical instruments, the method comprising: disposing a medical instrument to be freed from microbial contamination in a storage module; closing the module to penetration by microbial contaminates; removably attaching the storage module with tubing which interconnects the attached module with a source of liquid rinse solution; completely filling the interconnecting tubing from the module to the rinse solution source and the module with a liquid anti-microbial agent; retaining the liquid anti-microbial agent in the module and the interconnecting tubing for a preselected duration, which preselected duration is sufficiently long to eliminate microbial contamination in the module, the medical instrument, and the interconnecting tubing; passing a microbial contaminant-free liquid rinse solution from the rinse solution source only through the microbial contamination-free interconnecting tubing into the microbial contamination-free module to rinse the liquid anti-microbial agent from the interconnecting tubing, the module, and the medical instrument, whereby the liquid rinse solution passes only in contact with microbial contamination-free surfaces to prevent contamination of the liquid rinse solution.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of removing microbial contamination from medical instruments, the method comprising: disposing a medical instrument to be freed from microbial contamination in a storage module; closing the module to penetration by microbial contaminates; removably attaching the storage module with tubing which interconnects the attached module with a source of liquid rinse solution; completely filling the interconnecting tubing from the module to the rinse solution source and the module with a liquid anti-microbial agent; retaining the liquid anti-microbial agent in the module and the interconnecting tubing for a preselected duration, which preselected duration is sufficiently long to eliminate microbial contamination in the module, the medical instrument, and the interconnecting tubing; passing a microbial contaminant-free liquid rinse solution from the rinse solution source only through the microbial contamination-free interconnecting tubing into the microbial contamination-free module to rinse the liquid anti-microbial agent from the interconnecting tubing, the module, and the medical instrument, whereby the liquid rinse solution passes only in contact with microbial contamination-free surfaces to prevent contamination of the liquid rinse solution.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of removing microbial contamination from items, the method comprising: (a) enclosing an item to be freed of microbial contamination in an interior of a module which is closed to penetration of microbial contaminants from the ambient atmosphere; (b) removably attaching the module with tubing that connects the module with a source of microbial contaminant-free rinse liquid; (c) causing a liquid anti-microbial solution to flow into and remain in contact with the module interior and the tubing which connects the module with the source of rinse liquid until the item and the module interior are free of microbial contamination; (d) draining the liquid anti-microbial solution from the module interior; (e) passing a microbial contamination-free rinse liquid from the source thereof into the module interior to rinse the item; (f) detaching the module while maintaining the module closed to microbial contaminants; (g) storing the item in the module to retain its microbial contaminant-free condition.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of removing microbial contamination from items, the method comprising: (a) enclosing an item to be freed of microbial contamination in an interior of a module which is closed to penetration of microbial contaminants from the ambient atmosphere; (b) removably attaching the module with tubing that connects the module with a source of microbial contaminant-free rinse liquid; (c) causing a liquid anti-microbial solution to flow into and remain in contact with the module interior and the tubing which connects the module with the source of rinse liquid until the item and the module interior are free of microbial contamination; (d) draining the liquid anti-microbial solution from the module interior; (e) passing a microbial contamination-free rinse liquid from the source thereof into the module interior to rinse the item; (f) detaching the module while maintaining the module closed to microbial contaminants; (g) storing the item in the module to retain its microbial contaminant-free condition.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
200 words
A method of making an item free of microbial contamination, the method comprising: enclosing the item in a chamber which is isolated from microbial contamination from the ambient atmosphere; providing interior surfaces which define a liquid rinse flow path between the chamber and a source of microbial contamination-free rinse liquid; causing an anti-microbial agent solution to flow into the chamber and into all flow path interior surfaces which define the interconnecting flow path from the liquid rinse source into the chamber and every interior surface in direct fluid communication therewith; retaining the anti-microbial solution in the chamber and the interior surfaces until the interior surfaces, the item, and the chamber are free of microbial contamination, whereby freeing all surfaces between the rinse fluid source and the chamber of microbial contamination assures that the liquid rinse fluid will not carry microbial contaminants from contaminated surfaces into the chamber; draining the antimicrobial solution from the chamber and the interconnecting flow path; passing the liquid rinse fluid from the liquid rinse source only in contact with the microbial contamination free flow path surfaces into the chamber to rinse the item; draining the liquid rinse fluid from the chamber and the interconnecting flow path.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
200 words
A method of making an item free of microbial contamination, the method comprising: enclosing the item in a chamber which is isolated from microbial contamination from the ambient atmosphere; providing interior surfaces which define a liquid rinse flow path between the chamber and a source of microbial contamination-free rinse liquid; causing an anti-microbial agent solution to flow into the chamber and into all flow path interior surfaces which define the interconnecting flow path from the liquid rinse source into the chamber and every interior surface in direct fluid communication therewith; retaining the anti-microbial solution in the chamber and the interior surfaces until the interior surfaces, the item, and the chamber are free of microbial contamination, whereby freeing all surfaces between the rinse fluid source and the chamber of microbial contamination assures that the liquid rinse fluid will not carry microbial contaminants from contaminated surfaces into the chamber; draining the antimicrobial solution from the chamber and the interconnecting flow path; passing the liquid rinse fluid from the liquid rinse source only in contact with the microbial contamination free flow path surfaces into the chamber to rinse the item; draining the liquid rinse fluid from the chamber and the interconnecting flow path.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-08 | 1993-07-10 | 1994-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-08 | 1997-07-10 | 1998-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-08 | 2001-07-10 | 2002-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |