Steris Inc.

Petrolite Corporation

Sayed Sadiq Shah

Gerald J Kielar

John C Bliley

Michael A Duckett

Shahin Shahin Keller

Bernardus A Oude Alink

Herb J Kaiser

Anthony W Raymond

Jacob Mathew

Thomas G Braga

William F Fahey

Mildred R Bernando

Alkaline and acid cleaning solutions ( ), are used sequentially for removing organic and inorganic residues, respectively, from the chamber. The two cleaning solutions are stored in separate storage containers ( ) carried by the cart. The alkaline cleaning fluid preferably includes a strong base, such as potassium or sodium hydroxide. The acid cleaning solution includes a strong acid, such as phosphoric acid, which passivates the chamber during the cleaning process. After cleaning is complete, the two cleaning fluids are mixed together to form a neutral or near neutral solution which is disposable in a sanitary sewer system without further treatment.

Process for removing deposits from enclosed chambers

A cleaning composition includes a detectable substance which is relatively stable in the cleaning composition, for indicating whether the cleaning composition has been thoroughly removed from a vessel following a cleaning process. For pharmaceutical applications, the detectable substance is preferably a low-foaming surfactant that is detectable by high performance liquid chromatography at concentrations of around 10 ppm, or less. The surfactant is thus detectable in the same analytical procedure as are traces of pharmaceutical residues which have not been removed from the vessel. The analytical procedure is used to develop a cleaning protocol for future cleaning processes by determining the number of rinses needed for reducing the surfactant, and hence the cleaning product, and also the pharmaceutical residues, in the rinse water to predetermined acceptable levels.

Detection of residual cleaning product with analyzable surfactant

A cleaning unit (A) includes a movable cart ( ) which carries a cleaning system for cleaning baked-on residues from walls ( ) of a sterilizer chamber ( ). Alkaline and acid cleaning solutions ( ), for removing organic and inorganic residues, respectively, from the chamber, are stored in a multi-compartment container carried by the cart and having two storage compartments ( ). The alkaline and acid solutions are sequentially sprayed over the chamber walls and returned to their respective compartments. After cleaning is complete, a wall ( ) which separates the two compartments is punctured. The two cleaning fluids are thereby mixed together to form a neutral or near neutral solution which is disposable in a sanitary sewer system without further treatment.

Method of cleaning a surface with a system having a two compartment container for neutralizing used cleaning solutions

A cleaning unit (A) includes a movable cart ( ) which carries a cleaning system for cleaning baked-on residues from walls ( ) of a sterilizer chamber ( ). The cleaning system includes a lid ( ) which is mounted over an opening ( ) to the chamber. In one embodiment, the door ( ) of the chamber provides the lid. An articulating nozzle ( ) extends from the lid into the interior of the chamber. Alkaline and acid cleaning solutions ( ), for removing organic and inorganic residues, respectively, from the chamber, are stored in two storage containers ( ) carried by the cart. A first pump ( ), mounted on the cart, pumps first the alkaline, then the acid cleaning solution to the nozzle. A second pump ( ), mounted on the cart, connects with a scavenge fitting ( ) in the chamber to return the cleaning fluid to the respective storage container. After cleaning is complete, the two cleaning fluids are mixed together to form a neutral or near neutral solution which is disposable in a sanitary sewer system without further treatment.

Apparatus for removing deposits from enclosed chambers

A method for treating medical instruments after a surgical procedure, which leaves blood or other body fluid on the instrument, includes applying a gel composition that inhibits the fluid from drying on the instruments. The gel composition is preferably a low viscosity gel exhibiting both sufficient flow and coating characteristics. The viscosity is preferably from about 700 to about 4,000 centipoise (cps), preferably around 3,000 cps. Applying a gel to post-surgical medical instruments contains and keeps protein containing fluids moist for extended periods of time and facilitates subsequent transportation, cleaning, and sterilization of such instruments.

Safe transport gel for treating medical instruments

Two compartment container for neutralizing used cleaning solutions

Cleaning product with analyzable and stable surfactant

A method for inhibiting corrosion of a metal surface in a liquid medium is described. The method comprises incorporating into the medium a corrosion inhibiting amount of a combination of a surfactant that forms a bilayer on the metal surface in the fluid and a corrosion inhibitor that solubilizes in the medium in the presence of the surfactant. The amount of surfactant is sufficient to produce a bilayer on the metal surface in the medium. The combination is a. an anionic surfactant that forms a bilayer on the metal surface and a cationic corrosion inhibitor; b. a cationic surfactant that forms a bilayer on the metal surface and an anionic corrosion inhibitor; c. an ionic surfactant that forms a bilayer on the metal surface and an ionic corrosion inhibitor having a pendent, generally straight chain hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms; or d. an ionic surfactant that forms a bilayer on the metal surface and a non-ionic corrosion inhibitor. Related compositions and methods are also disclosed.

Corrosion inhibition with bilayer-forming surfactants

A method for inhibiting corrosion of ferrous surfaces in an acidic, aqueous medium is disclosed. The method comprises incorporating into the medium a corrosion-inhibiting amount of a pyridine salt composition (comprising a quaternary pyridine salt composition and/or a pyridine.HCL salt composition) and a cationic surfactant that forms a bilayer on the ferrous surfaces in the medium. Highly quaternized pyridine salt compositions useful in such method and a method for preparation of such compositions are also disclosed.

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St. Louis, MO, United States of America

Sayed Sadiq Shah