Steris Inc.

David E Minerovic

Bill R Sanford

Jude A Kral

Daniel N Kelsch

Bernard John Moss

John C Houston

James C Hlebovy

Christopher M Fricker

Alan J Greszler

Robert M Priest

Brian E Schindly

Nancy A Robinson

Joseph Tvergyak

Karen L Thomas

Todd A Christopher

John L Beiswenger

Raymond C Kralovic

Norman L Siegel

Donald J Rebele

Michael F Jusek

Pamela C Tanner

Douglas F Marshall

Samuel M Fung

A fluid delivery system ( ) for an automated processor (A) delivers washing, microbial decontaminant, and rinse fluids to spray nozzles ( ) in a chamber ( ) for sequentially spraying the fluids over a lumened device (B), such as an endoscope. The fluid delivery system also delivers the fluids to connection ports ( ) which connect with internal passages ( ) of the device for delivering the fluids thereto. Leaking connectors ( ) connect the automated processor connection ports with inlet ports ( ) of the device and allow a portion of the washing, decontaminant, and rinsing solutions to leak from each inlet port. A computer control system ( ) controls cleaning, decontamination, rinsing, and drying stages of a cycle, which are all carried out within the chamber, obviating the need for human contact with the device during processing. A door locking and latching mechanism ( ) ensures that the door remains locked during the washing, decontamination, and rinse cycle to avoid accidental injury to an operator from strong chemicals used in the system.

Liquid cleaning and sterilization system

A method of washing, microbially decontaminating, and rinsing of a lumened device (B), such as an endoscope includes positioning the device in a chamber ( ) of an automated processor (A). Spray nozzles ( ) within the chamber sequentially spray washing, microbial decontaminant, and rinse fluids over the device. Fluid connection ports ( ) connect with internal passages ( ) of the device for delivering the fluids thereto. Leaking connectors ( ) connect the automated processor connection ports with inlet ports ( ) of the device and allow a portion of the washing, decontaminant, and rinse solutions to leak from each inlet port. A computer control system ( ) controls leak testing, cleaning, decontamination, rinsing, and drying stages of a cycle, which are all carried out within the chamber, obviating the need for human contact with the device during processing. A door locking and latching mechanism ( ) ensures that the door remains locked during the washing, decontamination, and rinse cycle to avoid accidental injury to an operator from strong chemicals used in the system.

Liquid cleaning and sterilization method

An outer, first container portion (,) has a peripheral wall (,) which has an opening at a first end (,) and at a second end (,). A porous filter (,) covers the second end. An inner, second container portion (,) has a peripheral wall (,) with a region which is formed from a first material which is impermeable to the powdered reagents but is permeable to water and to solutions containing dissolved reagents. The first and second container portions are configured such that the second container portion peripheral wall abuts and is connected to the first end of the outer first container portion. The first and second container portions define a first powdered reagent receiving chamber in the first container portion for receiving a first reagent and a second powdered reagent receiving chamber in the second container portion for receiving a second reagent. The porous filter is impermeable to the first reagent but permeable to water and to solutions containing dissolved reagents.

Antimicrobial composition delivery system with an integrated filler

An outer, first cup portion having a peripheral wall which has an opening at a first end and at a second end. An inner, second cup portion having a region which is formed from a first material which is impermeable to the powdered reagents but is permeable to water and to solutions containing dissolved reagents, the first and second cup portions being configured such that the second cup portion peripheral wall abuts and is connected to the first end of the outer first cup portion, the first and second being configured such that a first powdered reagent receiving chamber is defined in the first cup portion for receiving a first reagent and a second powdered reagent receiving chamber is defined in the second cup portion for receiving a second reagent, a closure secured to and closing the second end of the outer first cup portion, the closure being impermeable to the first reagent.

Multi-compartment plastic woven mesh dry chemistry container

The body portion (A) of a small portable sterilizer has a face panel (46) against which a door (B) is selectively closed. The face panel defines an access opening for a sterilization chamber (10) which receives a cassette (C), an access opening for an anti-microbial concentrate chamber (20) which receives a powdered or other sterilant concentrate, and an outlet opening (50) from a microbe filter which filters microbes from incoming rinse water. The face plate and the door define fluid flow channels (48, 52) therebetween for selectively directing sterilant solutions and rinse solutions among the anti-microbial concentrate chamber, the sterilization chamber, and the microbial filter. The cassette is configured to assure that it is inserted into the sterilization chamber with a unique orientation such that its fluid inlet apertures (114) and outlet apertures (124) are at preselected locations. The door includes generally U-shaped projections (116) which abut an outer surface of the cassette in the sterilization chamber partially surrounding the fluid inlet apertures. The U-shaped projections assure that the cassette is seated in the sterilization chamber and provide a well which directs the circulating fluids into the cassette inlet apertures. A pair of gaskets (56, 86) surround the active portion of the face panel. A vacuum pump (90) selectively draws a vacuum in an annular region (88) between the gaskets, which vacuum locks the door against the face plate in a sealed, closed position. To assure a fluid tight seal, the gaskets are O-rings which are pressed by the vacuum into V-shaped grooves (82, 84).

Office size instrument sterilization system

Growing community of inventors

Concord, OH, United States of America

David E Minerovic