Other

Calgene Corporation

Stephen D. Carter

Stephen D Carter

James W Brazell

Kenneth Arthur Cunefare

An apparatus and associated method for decontaminating contaminated matter, such as an object or substance, with ultrasonic transient cavitation is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a container for containing a contaminated object, a pressure source for pressurizing the container to a predetermined pressure, a vibration source operably connected to the container, and a cleaning solution comprising a predetermined concentration of a volatile substance. The presence of the volatile substance in the cleaning solution, along with the pressurization and vibration thereof, enhances the effect of ultrasonic transient cavitation and improves decontamination of the contaminated matter. An associated method of decontaminating contaminated matter further comprises submerging the contaminated matter, such as a medical or dental instrument, in a cleaning solution having a predetermined concentration of a volatile substance, pressurizing the container, and vibrating the cleaning solution to produce ultrasonic transient cavitation therein.

Apparatus and associated method for decontaminating contaminated matter with ultrasonic transient cavitation

Methods for sterilizing an instrument contaminated with biological matter are disclosed. The apparatus generally includes a container for containing a room temperature antimicrobial solution and a lid that can seal the container such that a gas is trapped within the container and above the antimicrobial solution. The apparatus provides a pressure, independent of heat, within the sealed container to greater than one atmosphere. Vibration is also provided to vibrate the container, and its contents, such that biological matter on the instruments is removed and all microbes on the instrument are exposed to the antimicrobial solution. The pressure drives and forces the antimicrobial solution into the cracks and crevices of the instrument and also into the outer membrane of the microbe, which can be first softened or attenuated by the vibrations. The method of sterilization generally includes submerging the instrument in the room temperature antimicrobial solution, sealing the container to trap a gas above the antimicrobial solution, increasing the pressure, independent of heat, within the container to force the antimicrobial solution into the cracks and crevices of the instrument and into contact with the microbe(s), and vibrating the container to remove matter from the instrument and to soften the outer membrane of the microbe.

Method for the heat independent sterilization of microbially

The apparatus of this invention can be used to disinfect a writing instrument used by a health care professional when working with a patient. The apparatus includes an absorbent material pad that has a breach formed, for example, with a slit or a series of slits extending entirely through the pad. The pad is soaked with disinfecting fluid, and a writing instrument is inserted through the breach in the pad to disinfect the writing instrument. To hold the pad in a fixed position, the apparatus includes a holder with first and second members that can be joined together or separated to allow insertion or removal of the pad. The first and second members of the holder define respective apertures that are aligned with the breach in the pad when the first and second members are joined together to enclose the pad. The holder is attached to a body that supports the holder at a sufficiently high level that the writing instrument, when inserted through the pad and the holder, will not be obstructed by the surface upon which the apparatus rests. The apparatus also includes several features to stabilize the apparatus and to minimize spillage or waste of the disinfecting fluid. In addition, the invention includes a related method.

Apparatus and method for disinfecting writing instruments

Disinfecter for writing instruments

A sterilization apparatus has a chamber within a housing in which the materials to be sterilized are placed and the chamber is supplied with liquid under pressure. A pressure sensitive, rapid acting implosion cartridge is in communication with the chamber and acts to depressurize the chamber in milliseconds when the desired sterilization pressure is reached. The cartridge then reseals the chamber for a subsequent pressure build-up.

Growing community of inventors

Stone Mountain, GA, United States of America

Stephen D Carter