Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080236621 | INTEGRATED WASHER AND STERILIZER - A method and apparatus provides for cleaning and sterilizing a device in one machine. The method comprises the steps of: a) placing the device into a container; b) placing the container into a washing/sterilization apparatus; c) the washing/sterilization apparatus washing the device by applying a washing fluid to an interior of the container to wash the device; d) after washing the device, and without removing the device from the washing/sterilization apparatus, the washing/sterilization apparatus packaging the device in a bacteria impermeable package; e) the washing/sterilization apparatus sterilizing the device by exposing the device to a sterilizing vapor; and f) removing the device while it remains in the package whereby to preserve its sterility until use. | 10-02-2008 |
20080236631 | WASHER AND DECONTAMINATOR WITH LID CONTROL - A method and apparatus provide for automatically cleaning and decontaminating medical instruments. The method comprising the steps of: a) placing the medical instruments into a container after their use in a medical procedure; b) closing the container to seal the instruments inside whereby to prevent personnel contact with the instruments and any contaminants which might be thereon; c) inserting the sealed container into a washer/decontaminator and sealing the washer/decontaminator; d) the washer/decontaminator automatically opening the container and applying a washing fluid thereto to wash the instruments within the container; and e) the washer/decontaminator automatically applying a disinfectant to the container to disinfect the instruments whereby to allow safe handling thereof by personnel. | 10-02-2008 |
20080240979 | CONTAINER STERILIZER WITH LID CONTROL - A method and apparatus provides for sterilizing a device in a container. The method comprising the steps of: a) placing the device into the container; b) processing the device, the container and a lid for the container in a sterilization process with the lid separated from the container; and c) after sterilizing a contact surface on the container where the lid meets the container, and while maintaining the container and the lid in a sterile environment, placing the lid onto the container, whereby to prevent contamination of the device upon its removal from the container via contact with the contact surface. | 10-02-2008 |
20090107529 | DELIVERY OF FLUID TO MEDICAL DEVICE LUMENS - A method and device provide for delivering fluid for cleaning and/or decontamination to a lumen in a medical device. A tube having a plurality of openings therethrough is inserted into the lumen of the medical device the fluid is flowed through the tube, out of the openings and into the lumen. | 04-30-2009 |
20090110708 | ANIMATE TISSUE ANTISEPSIS - A method and device provide for inactivating microorganisms on tissue exposed through a surgical incision. The method includes the steps of: applying a coating of a solution comprising hydrogen peroxide to the tissue; and force drying the solution on the tissue so as to concentrate the solution on the tissue. The concentrated solution kills microorganisms. | 04-30-2009 |
20090263499 | AREA DECONTAMINATION VIA LOW-LEVEL CONCENTRATION OF GERMICIDAL AGENT - Provided is a method of decontaminating an area, and related device. The method comprises releasing a germicidal agent into the area from a germicidal source, controlling the germicidal agent concentration in the area to a predetermined concentration that does not exceed a Permissible Exposure Limit, and contacting microorganisms in the area with the germicidal agent to decontaminate the area. The device comprises a releasing mechanism configured to release a germicidal agent from a germicidal source at a predetermined concentration into the area such that the predetermined concentration of germicidal agent in the area does not exceed a Permissible Exposure Limit. | 10-22-2009 |
20090324445 | STERILIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD AND ORIFICE INLET CONTROL APPARATUS THEREFOR - A chemical vapor sterilization process is enhanced by concentrating a germicide via exploitation of the difference between the vapor pressures of the germicide and its solvent. A diffusion restriction can be placed into the diffusion path to assist this process and the path then opened to provide rapid diffusion of the thus concentrated germicide. The path through the diffusion restriction can be closed to allow the pressure in a sterilization chamber to be lowered prior to receiving the concentrated germicide. | 12-31-2009 |
20100224224 | WASHER AND DECONTAMINATOR WITH LID CONTROL - A method and apparatus provide for automatically cleaning and decontaminating medical instruments. The method comprising the steps of: a) placing the medical instruments into a container after their use in a medical procedure; b) closing the container to seal the instruments inside whereby to prevent personnel contact with the instruments and any contaminants which might be thereon; c) inserting the sealed container into a washer/decontaminator and sealing the washer/decontaminator; d) the washer/decontaminator automatically opening the container and applying a washing fluid thereto to wash the instruments within the container; and e) the washer/decontaminator automatically applying a disinfectant to the container to disinfect the instruments whereby to allow safe handling thereof by personnel. | 09-09-2010 |
20110169260 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING FLOW TO ENDOSCOPE CHANNELS - A method provides flow to multiple channels in an endoscope during an endoscope decontamination procedure. A member is inserted into a chamber in a body of an endoscope through an opening into the chamber, the chamber being intersected by a first lumen and a second lumen. The member separates fluidly the first lumen from the second lumen. Fluid is flowed through a first channel through the member into the first lumen and through a second channel through the member into the second lumen. Additional lumens can be so treated at the same time. Fluids can include detergents and other cleaning fluids, disinfectants and sterilants. | 07-14-2011 |
20120125197 | DECONTAMINATION APPARATUSES AND METHODS - A decontamination apparatus is disclosed. The decontamination apparatus comprises a mist generator configured to generate a mist, a first conduit in fluid communication with the mist generator and configured to receive the mist, a stream movement device configured to move a stream, and a heating device configured to heat the stream moved by the stream movement device. The decontamination apparatus comprises a second conduit in fluid communication with the stream movement device and configured to receive the heated stream. The first conduit comprises a first outlet configured to pass the mist therethrough and the second conduit comprises a second outlet configured to pass the heated stream therethrough. The second outlet is positioned proximate to the first outlet. A portion of the mist evaporates into a vapor for decontamination of an environment when mixed with the heated stream outside of the first outlet, the second outlet, and the decontamination apparatus. | 05-24-2012 |
20120275952 | Method for Reducing the Concentration of Disinfectant, Decontamination Apparatuses and Systems and Related Methods of Employing the Same - A method of reducing the concentration of disinfectant in an environment having a concentration of disinfectant of about 500 ppm or less for a period of time to a lower concentration is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of dehumidifying the environment for the period of time to remove disinfectant, and humidifying the environment with moisture during the period of time to maintain a difference between a lower relative humidity and an upper relative humidity of the environment ranging from about 20 to 50%. A system for decontaminating an environment is also disclosed, comprising a source of disinfectant, a source of moisture, one or more spray generators, and a dehumidifier. | 11-01-2012 |
20120275953 | METHOD FOR REDUCING THE CONCENTRATION OF DISINFECTANT, DECONTAMINATION APPARATUSES AND SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS OF EMPLOYING THE SAME - A method of reducing the concentration of disinfectant in an environment having a concentration of disinfectant of about 500 ppm or less for a period of time to a lower concentration is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of dehumidifying the environment for the period of time to remove disinfectant, and humidifying the environment with moisture during the period of time to maintain a difference between a lower relative humidity and an upper relative humidity of the environment ranging from about 20 to 50%. A system for decontaminating an environment is also disclosed, comprising a source of disinfectant, a source of moisture, one or more spray generators, and a dehumidifier. A method of decontaminating an environment or enclosure is disclosed, comprising the steps of introducing disinfectant, maintaining liquid disinfectant on surfaces, and dehumidifying the environment to increase the disinfectant concentration is also disclosed. | 11-01-2012 |
20130156640 | STERILIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD AND ORIFICE INLET CONTROL APPARATUS THEREFOR - A chemical vapor sterilization process is enhanced by concentrating a germicide via exploitation of the difference between the vapor pressures of the germicide and its solvent. A diffusion restriction can be placed into the diffusion path to assist this process and the path then opened to provide rapid diffusion of the thus concentrated germicide. The path through the diffusion restriction can be closed to allow the pressure in a sterilization chamber to be lowered prior to receiving the concentrated germicide. | 06-20-2013 |