The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 14, 2000
Filed:
May. 28, 1998
Bruce R McLeod, Bozeman, MT (US);
J William Costerton, Bozeman, MT (US);
The Research and Development Intstitute, Bozeman, MT (US);
Abstract
In order to completely sterilize all of the surfaces of a medical instrument on which biofilms are apt to form, the device is immersed in a container containing an antibiotic solution in a manner wherein all of the contaminated surfaces are forced into intimate contact with the antibiotic solution. A first current is applied to a first electrode disposed at one end of the container to establish a first current flow about the exterior of the instrument between the first electrode and a second distal electrode which is either proximate or in direct contact with an end portion of the device. A second current is passed between a third electrode which is either in electrical contact with a part of the instrument that is not immersed in the antibiotic solution, or immersed in the solution has been forced into the interior of the device, and the second electrode via a second current path which extends through the interior of the instrument. The two currents are applied for a predetermined time selected to achieve the sterilization of any biofilms which have formed.