Methods and apparatus for sterilizing contaminated devices

Abstract

A self-contained, single manual step unit for thermally sterilizing dental and medical instruments is disclosed. The unit, which requires only activation of a single manual switch and which controls an autoclaving cycle by monitoring temperature of matter which changes states between solid and liquid at a predetermined temperature, provides an effective autoclaving instrument. In disclosed embodiments, each unit comprises a protective housing with a pressure containing releasible lid, a heated vessel and a cooling assembly. Thermal regulation and autoclaving timing is determined by mass and thermal characteristics of the matter and by an electrical control circuit comprised primarily of electric heaters and thermally controlled switches. Steam for autoclaving is provided by capsules or other water containers disposed within a well of the vessel at the beginning of an autoclaving cycle. Also disclosed are parts containers or transporters or which may be displaced into the well along with contents to be sterilized. Such parts containers or transporters may be sharps containers, bags and medical device wraps. The bags may be bicompartmental in form wherein one of the compartments contains water and is perforateable to deliver autoclaving steam for sterilizing items disposed in the other compartment. Parts of sharps containers may be sealed together as a result of melting of synthetic resinous material resident on the sharps container during a sterilization cycle.