Other

Sanderson; Roger S.

Roger S Sanderson

Robert C Whelchel

Mark S Whitlow

Mark Chester

Kevin Lamb

Fernando Romo Lopez

Paul Richard Ryan

Jeffrey D Farris

Jeff Noll

Robert Vincent McGovern

A high temperature dynamic seal and methods of assembly and use. The dynamic seal is provided as a rotating seal, which includes a stationary ring and rotating ring assembly, with a seal ring that is positioned between the stationary ring member and the rotating ring assembly. One or more high temperature seals create a seal between the stationary ring member and a device in which the dynamic seal is used. Similarly one or more high temperature seals create a seal between the rotating ring assembly and a rotating shaft of the device. One or more of the high temperature seals are formed from a metallic material with various cross-sectional shapes.

High temperature dynamic seal

A method for sterilizing and storing articles wherein a bag for containing articles to be sterilized is automatically sealed by means responsive to a sterilizing environment applied to the bag. One or more actuators are releasably attached to the bag to automatically close one or more valves at the appropriate point in a sterilizing cycle to result in a vacuumized sterile package.

Method of sterilizing and storing articles

A method of operating an expandable chamber formed with a valve opening in a wall of the chamber, which permits the surrounding environment, such as high temperature steam, to enter the chamber is used. A temperature responsive delay valve closes the chamber to capture a quantity of the steam in an autoclave sterilizing cycle. The closing of the valve is delayed until the high temperature steam has been applied for a predetermined time. A later reduction in pressure surrounding the chamber causes the chamber to expand, which provides an indication that an adequate sterilizing cycle has been provided. The expansion force may also be used to permit a container to close at the end of a sterilizing cycle.

Method of operating an expandable chamber with delay valve

A bag for containing articles to be sterilized is automatically sealed by means responsive to a sterilizing environment applied to the bag. One or more actuators are releasably attached to the bag to automatically close one or more valves at the appropriate point in a sterilizing cycle to result in a vacuumized sterile package.

Sterile bag

A container lid (12) is held open by a support plate (18) carrying a chamber (20) which expands at a predetermined point in a sterilizing cycle to react against the lid, moving the plate outwardly to permit the lid to drop onto the container base. A resilient gasket (16) prevents fluid flow into the container after the lid is fallen, but permits fluid flow outwardly past the gasket when interior pressure exceeds exterior pressure. When the container is to be opened, a relief valve (60) relieves the vacuum within the container and filters air entering the container at that time.

Sterilized storage container

Surgical instrument holder

A container lid is released at a desired point in a sterilizing cycle with the actuating movement being provided by an expandable chamber having a quantity of sterilizing environment captured during the sterilizing cycle.

Autoclave container

A sealed container provides with a plug valve which employs a heat responsive band having one end attached to the side of the plug which is on the outer side of the plug when the plug is positioned in the container wall. The other end of the band extends around the edge of the plug holding the edge away from a valve opening in the wall of the container. This inner end of the band is connected through a wire to a fusable pin centrally positioned on the inner side of the plug. At the desired time, the fuse melts releasing the wire and the ban shrinks or retracks, releasing the edge of the valve member allowing it to seal against the container wall.

Sterilizing and storing medical items

Actuator for maintaining the position of a container cover

A container is provided with a valve opening at its bottom wall to permit steam to circulate into the container and to permit any condensation to drain from the container while the valve is open. The valve is closed by an expandable chamber in response to the pressure drop at the end of a sterilizing cycle. A valve controlling the flow of steam into the expandable chamber closes when subjected to the high temperature steam, thus capturing steam within the chamber. This steam expands when the pressure drops to close the valve in the container. The container lid and gasket permit steam to be withdrawn from the container but prevent air flow into the container. A vacuum created in the container at the end of the sterilizing cycle holds the container lid in place and holds the valve closed.

Growing community of inventors

Dana Point, CA, United States of America

Roger S Sanderson