American Sterilizer Company

Steris Inc.

Karl Ludwig

Jude A Kral

Christopher A Jethrow

Donald A Sargent

Jeffrey R Horacek

Victor M Selig

Alan M Solomon

John J Mayer

Peter A Burke

Francis John Zelina

John C Houston

Phillip S Mallory

Phillip Mallory

An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices comprised of a deactivation chamber movable between a loading position and a deactivation position. A circulation system is provided to circulate a deactivating fluid through the deactivation chamber. The circulation system is connectable to the deactivation chamber when the deactivation chamber is in the deactivation position.

Apparatus for deactivating instruments and devices

A container for holding items to be microbially deactivated in a reprocessor. The container is comprised of a generally cup shaped tray having a bottom wall and a continuous side wall extending to one side from the periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall and the side wall defining a cavity for receiving instruments and items to be microbially deactivated. A lid is attachable to the tray. The lid is dimensioned to cover the cavity. An inlet port is formed in the tray to communicate with the cavity. An outlet port is formed in the tray to communicate with the cavity. A barrier element is disposed within one of the ports. The barrier element controls flow through the one port. The barrier element is comprised of a material that is permeable to gas and water vapor but impermeable to liquid, bacteria and organisms. The barrier element is movable between a first position wherein fluid flow through the one port is restricted to flow through the barrier element a second position wherein fluid flow through the one port is unrestricted.

Container for holding items to be microbially deactivated in a reprocessor

An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices having a circulation system for circulating fluids through the apparatus and a chemical delivery assembly for generating a deactivation fluid to circulate through the circulation system. The chemical delivery assembly is comprised of a chemistry housing that has a first receptacle and a second receptacle formed therein. A first fluid inlet communicates with the first receptacle. A second fluid inlet communicates with the second receptacle. A first fluid outlet is disposed near an upper portion of the first receptacle to establish a predetermined fluid level in the first receptacle when fluid is introduced into the first receptacle. A second fluid outlet is disposed near an upper portion of the second receptacle to establish a predetermined fluid level in the second receptacle when fluid is introduced into the second receptacle. A lid is attached to the chemistry housing. The lid is movable between a first position and a second position. The lid seals the chemistry housing and isolates the first receptacle from the second receptacle when the lid is in the first position. The first receptacle and the second receptacle are accessible when the lid is in the second position.

An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices. The apparatus has a housing structure and a drawer disposed in the housing structure. The drawer has a recess formed therein and a planar surface formed about the periphery of the recess. The recess is dimensioned to receive medical instruments and devices to be microbially deactivated. A circulation system is provided within the housing structure to circulate a microbial deactivation fluid through the recess. A drawer-sealing assembly is located in the housing structure. The drawer-sealing assembly is operable to engage the drawer assembly and fluidly seal the recess to create a decontamination chamber.

The present invention provides a method of operating a reprocessor that has a chamber for receiving items to be sterilized. The reprocessor is filled with water that has passed through a first and a second filter element that both comprise a filtration system. A liquid sterilant is generated by mixing the water with dry chemical reagents. The liquid sterilant is circulated through a fluid circulation system and the filtration system wherein a portion of the liquid sterilant is directed through a bypass conduit and another portion is directed through the first and second filter elements. After a predetermined exposure time, the reprocessor is drained. Then the reprocessor is filled with water for rinsing that has passed through the first and the second filter elements. The water for rinsing is heated prior to being introduced into the reprocessor.

Filter assembly for a reprocessor

A system for microbially deactivating items. The system includes a circulation system for circulating a microbial decontamination fluid through a deactivation chamber that forms a part of the circulation system. A container for holding items to be deactivated is provided. The container has a sealable cavity in which the items to be deactivated may be placed, and at least one valve element that is movable between an open and a closed position to regulate fluid flow into the cavity. An actuator in the deactivation chamber is operable to move the valve element to an open position when the container is disposed within the deactivation chamber, wherein the cavity within the container is in fluid communication with the circulation system when the valve element is in the open position.

Method and device for deactivating items and for maintaining such items in a deactivated state

A reprocessor for microbially deactivating items. The reprocessor has a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid through a deactivation chamber that forms part of the circulation system. A container is provided for insertion into the deactivation chamber for holding items to be microbially deactivated. The container includes a tray and a lid. The tray and lid have interlocking, integrally formed, rigid seal elements formed thereon to form a seal between the tray and the lid.

Device for deactivating items and for maintaining such items in a deactivated state

A method of microbially deactivating items and storing the same, comprising the steps of:

Method for deactivating and maintaining items in a deactivated state

A reprocessor having a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid through a chamber that forms a part of the circulation system. The reprocessor includes a water filtration system for filtering water used in the reprocessor. The water filtration system includes a fluid feed line connectable to a source of pressurized water. A first filter and second filter elements are disposed in the fluid feed line for filtering fluids flowing therethrough. The second filter element is downstream from the first filter element and has the capacity to filter particles smaller than the first filter element. The fluid feed line forms a fluid path for water entering the reprocessor, and defines a portion of a path for microbial deactivation fluid circulated through the circulation system.

An inflatable seal member for providing a fluid-tight seal. The inflatable seal member is particularly well suited to sealing a processing chamber having pressurized fluids therein. Outward forces (exerted by air pressure) to the inner surfaces of the seal member counteract inward forces (exerted by fluid pressure) to the outer surfaces of the seal member.

Growing community of inventors

Girard, PA, United States of America

Karl Ludwig