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WO1987005520A1 - Conteneur pour sterilisation "eclair" - Google Patents

Conteneur pour sterilisation "eclair" Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1987005520A1
WO1987005520A1 PCT/US1987/000490 US8700490W WO8705520A1 WO 1987005520 A1 WO1987005520 A1 WO 1987005520A1 US 8700490 W US8700490 W US 8700490W WO 8705520 A1 WO8705520 A1 WO 8705520A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
pressure
bellows
valve
valves
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1987/000490
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Edward D. Riley
Original Assignee
Riley Medical Incorporated
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Riley Medical Incorporated filed Critical Riley Medical Incorporated
Publication of WO1987005520A1 publication Critical patent/WO1987005520A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/26—Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A61L2/04—Heat
    • A61L2/06—Hot gas
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A61L2/04—Heat
    • A61L2/06—Hot gas
    • A61L2/07—Steam
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2202/12—Apparatus for isolating biocidal substances from the environment
    • A61L2202/121—Sealings, e.g. doors, covers, valves, sluices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2202/12—Apparatus for isolating biocidal substances from the environment
    • A61L2202/122—Chambers for sterilisation

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a container for articles to be sterilized by exposure to steam. More particularly it relates to a container used for so called “flash sterilization,” in which articles to be sterilized are exposed to high temperature steam for a short interval.
  • the invention concerns the sterilization of surgical instruments and the like in an autoclave where they are exposed to steam at an elevated temperature.
  • the time required for sterilization depends on the temperature and in order to reduce this time to a minimum the instruments are exposed briefly to steam at a temperature higher than that normally used in autoclaves.
  • This "flash sterilization” is accomplished by suddenly filling the autoclave with saturated steam at an elevated pressure, e.g. 30 psig.
  • Flash sterilization works well in situations where the instruments are to be used immediately following sterilization and in proximity to the autoclave. In that case the instruments may be merely wrapped in a towel or disposed in an open basket the autoclave so that they will be exposed to the hot steam immediately on introduction of the latter to the autoclave.
  • problems arise if the instruments are not to be used immediately or must be transported an appreciable distance to the place of use. In order to prevent contamination before use, they must be kept in a closed container. In the autoclave the use of such a container has retarded the application of the hot steam to the instruments and thus has defeated the objective of flash sterilization, i.e. to rapidly render harmless microbial forms of life.
  • filters in one or more walls of the container so that the steam can enter through the filters.
  • filters which have a sufficiently fine structure to prevent the entry of contaminants after removal of the container from the autoclave impede the inflow of steam to such an extent that flash sterilization is not reliably accomplished.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a sterilization container that quickly exposes articles contained therein to high pressure steam when the latter is introduced into an autocIave.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a sterilization container of the above type which protects the contents thereof from contamination after removal from the autoclave and which is easily opened for quick access to the contents when the latter are to be used.
  • a sterilization container incorporating the invention has relatively large top and bottom apertures that are closed by pressure-sensitive valves.
  • the valves seal the apertures at normal, i.e. atmospheric, pressure.
  • the increase in pressure causes the valves to open, providing for relatively unhindered flow through both the bottom and the top the container.
  • relatively cool air in the container flows down and out through the bottom aperture and hot steam enters through the top to replace the exiting air.
  • the hot steam thus rapidly pervades the interior of the container and thereby rapidly sterilizes the contents thereof.
  • the valves close, thereby sealing the apertures.
  • the sterilization container includes a cover that is removably sealed to a base unit by a gasket-and-toggle clamp arrangement. Together with the valves this seal isolates the interior of the container and thus prevents contamination of the contents thereof.
  • the clamps can be quickly released for removal of the cover and rapid access to the contents.
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top view of a sterilization container incorporating the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a view, partly in section, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
  • a sterilization container embodying the invention comprises a base unit generally indicated at 10 a a cover unit, generally indicated at 12, removably sealed to the base unit.
  • a perforated tray 14 supported on the base unit contains articles (not shown) to be sterilized in the container.
  • the base unit is provided with an aperture 16 at its bottom and the cover unit 12 has an aperture 13 at the top of the container.
  • the apertures 16 and 18 are sealed by pressure-actuated valves generally indicated at 20 and 22, respectively.
  • the cover unit 12 is secured to the base unit 10 by means of a series of toggle clamps 24. More specifically, the base unit 10 has sidewalls 26 that slope downwardly and inwardly toward the aperture 16 at the bottom.
  • the upper ends of the sidewalls 26 terminate at a horizontal shelf 28 that supports the tray 14.
  • the outer edge the shelf 28 in turn terminates at a lip 30, having an inverted cross-section.
  • the lip 30 is used in sealing the cover unit 12 to the bottom unit 10 as described below.
  • the base unit 10 also includes a set of legs 32, integrally formed with the sidewalls 26, to support the container with the bottom aperture 10 and valve 20 spaced above the surface 34 on which the container rests.
  • valves 20 and 22 are preferably of identical construction.
  • the valve 22 comprises moveable valve member 36 which, in the closed position of the valve, bears against a seat surface 38A on a seating ring 38.
  • Both the valve member 36 and the seat ing ring 38 are preferably of elastomeric material.
  • the member 36 is fitted onto a plate 40 attached to the upper end of a bellows 42.
  • the other end of the bellows is attached to a second plate 44 that seats against a U-shaped bracket 46.
  • the bracket 46 in turn is fastened to a pair of arms 48A and 48B that extend downward from a ring 48C whose inner diameter is preferably the same as that of the aperture 18.
  • the ring 48C and the bracket 46 supported thereby are maintained in place by the seating ring 38.
  • the ring 38 has a mid-portion 38B whose outer diameter corresponds with the diameter of the aperture 22.
  • At opposite ends of the aid-portion 38B are annular extensions 38C and 38D above and below the top wall 49 of the cover unit 12.
  • the ring 48C is sandwiched between the extension 38D and the cover unit 12. To assemble these parts to the cover unit the ring 48C held in position and the ring 38 is then "popped" into place.
  • the bellows 42 is preferably an evacuated metal bellows that is urged into its extended position by an internal compression spring 50.
  • the spring 50 exerts a force causing the moveable valve member 36 to bear against the seat surface 3 and to thereby close the valve.
  • the resulting force on the bellows contracts the Bellows against the force of the spring 50, thereby moving the valve member 36 away from the seat 38A. This opens the valve and provides communication between the interior and the exterior of the container through the aperture 18.
  • the ends of the bellows 42 are fitted with internal studs 42A and 42B. The studs provide a compression limit for the bellows 42, thereby protecting the bellows from over pressure.
  • the base unit 10 also includes an aperture 52 fitted wi th filter assembly 54.
  • the filter assembly 54 comprises an e l as t omeric ring 56 formed with outer annular extensions 56A and inner annular extensions 56B.
  • the outer extensions 56A serve to fasten the filter assembly in place in the aperture 52.
  • the inner extensions 56B secure a filter disk 58.
  • the purpose of the filter assembly 54 is to equalize the internal pressure in the container 12 with the external atmospheric pressure.
  • the filter disk 58 has a sufficiently fine structure to prevent contaminants from entering the container through the filter assembly.
  • a seal between the cover unit 12 and the base unit 10 is accomplished by means of a circular gasket 60 fitted to a lip 62 at the periphery of the cover unit 12.
  • the gasket 60 seats against the lip 30 of the base unit 10 and it is held in p l ace b y the clamps 24.
  • the clamps 24 can be simple over-center toggle clamps hinged to ears 64 that extend from and are integral with the cover unit 12.
  • the container In use, the container, with the clamps 24 in the secure position as shown on the left in FIG. 2, is inserted into an autoclave. For flash sterilization steam is suddenly introduced into the autoclave and the pressure rises rather rapidly. As soon as the pressure reaches a few pounds above atmospheric pressure it is sufficient to open the valves 20 and 22.
  • the valve-opening force may be augmented somewhat by a pressure differential between the exterior and interior of the container, since the filter disk 58 can provide a sufficient restriction to air flow therethrough to retard the equalization of the internal and external pressures.
  • the valves open the relatively cool air within the container flows downwardly and out through the valve 20, while steam from within the autoclave flows into the container through the valve 22.
  • the rapid turnover of atmosphere within the container is aided by the slopes of t he sidewalls 26 which guide air from the outer portions of the container downwardly and inwardly toward the valve 20.
  • the relatively large diameters of the moveable valve members 36 and the seat surfaces 38A provide a large cross-section for air flow through the valves when they are open.
  • the valves thus offer negligible impedance to the flow required to bring high temperature steam rapidly into the interior of the container.
  • the attainment of a large flow cross-section through the valves is assisted by evacuation of the bellows 42 so that the reaction force against the valve-opening pressure is a linear force provided by the spring 50. If, instead, gas pressure within the bellows were used to provide the bellows restoring force, the "spring constant" of the bellows would increase with bellows compression and the valve would therefore not open as much for a given pressure differential across it, given the same initial pressure required to unseat the valve member 36 from the seating surface 38A. Evacuation of the bellows 42 also largely eliminates temperature sensitivity of the restoring (closing) force of the valves.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)

Abstract

Un conteneur, servant à la stérilisation "éclair" d'articles enfermés dans ledit conteneur, comprend une unité de base (10) et une unité servant de couvercle (12), fixées de façon détachable l'une à l'autre. Le conteneur comprend en outre des soupapes à actionnement par pression (20, 22) disposées dans des ouvertures (16, 18) situées en haut et en bas du conteneur et destinées à permettre l'ouverture des soupapes (22) à une pression supérieure à la pression atmosphérique. Un filtre supplémentaire (58) est prévu pour égaliser les pressions internes et externes.
PCT/US1987/000490 1986-03-11 1987-03-06 Conteneur pour sterilisation "eclair" WO1987005520A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US83863886A 1986-03-11 1986-03-11
US838,638 1986-03-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1987005520A1 true WO1987005520A1 (fr) 1987-09-24

Family

ID=25277665

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1987/000490 WO1987005520A1 (fr) 1986-03-11 1987-03-06 Conteneur pour sterilisation "eclair"

Country Status (2)

Country Link
JP (1) JPH01502399A (fr)
WO (1) WO1987005520A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2596652A1 (fr) * 1986-04-07 1987-10-09 Bemis Mfg Co Recipient de sterilisation d'instruments
EP0729759A1 (fr) * 1995-03-01 1996-09-04 Merck Biomaterial France Conditionnement de stérilisation et de conservation de matières organiques
EP0729760A1 (fr) * 1995-03-01 1996-09-04 Merck Biomaterial France Boîtier protecteur de stérilisation et de conservation de matière ou de matériel organique et ensemble en faisant application
WO1997000699A1 (fr) * 1995-06-20 1997-01-09 Riley Edward D Bac a sterilisation pour instrument chirurgicaux avec mecanisme de verrouillage ameliore

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH08131521A (ja) * 1994-11-07 1996-05-28 Sueko Osada 高圧蒸気滅菌装置および該装置における排気方法
US6572819B1 (en) * 1996-06-28 2003-06-03 Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc. Instrument sterilization container having improved drainage and support for an instrument mat

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1687641A (en) * 1921-02-26 1928-10-16 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Fluid-pressure tank
US2754062A (en) * 1952-08-02 1956-07-10 Detroit Controls Corp Balanced thermostatic valve
US3409037A (en) * 1965-07-30 1968-11-05 Fred B. Nelson Pressure relief or flow control valve
US3974936A (en) * 1974-09-20 1976-08-17 Blau Kg Fabrik Fur Kraftfahrzeugteile Closure cap
WO1979000077A1 (fr) * 1977-08-01 1979-02-22 R Sanderson Boite d'emmagasinage sterile et procede d'utilisation
US4157072A (en) * 1978-02-06 1979-06-05 Apv Corporation Combination pressure-vacuum relief and antipollution valve
US4251482A (en) * 1977-08-01 1981-02-17 Roger S. Sanderson Sterilized storage container
WO1981002108A1 (fr) * 1980-01-28 1981-08-06 R Sanderson Recipient de stockage sterilise
US4374570A (en) * 1978-04-10 1983-02-22 Sanderson Roger S Sterilized storage container
US4551311A (en) * 1981-11-23 1985-11-05 Georg Wagner Kg Sterilizer container

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1687641A (en) * 1921-02-26 1928-10-16 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Fluid-pressure tank
US2754062A (en) * 1952-08-02 1956-07-10 Detroit Controls Corp Balanced thermostatic valve
US3409037A (en) * 1965-07-30 1968-11-05 Fred B. Nelson Pressure relief or flow control valve
US3974936A (en) * 1974-09-20 1976-08-17 Blau Kg Fabrik Fur Kraftfahrzeugteile Closure cap
WO1979000077A1 (fr) * 1977-08-01 1979-02-22 R Sanderson Boite d'emmagasinage sterile et procede d'utilisation
US4251482A (en) * 1977-08-01 1981-02-17 Roger S. Sanderson Sterilized storage container
US4157072A (en) * 1978-02-06 1979-06-05 Apv Corporation Combination pressure-vacuum relief and antipollution valve
US4374570A (en) * 1978-04-10 1983-02-22 Sanderson Roger S Sterilized storage container
WO1981002108A1 (fr) * 1980-01-28 1981-08-06 R Sanderson Recipient de stockage sterilise
US4551311A (en) * 1981-11-23 1985-11-05 Georg Wagner Kg Sterilizer container

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2596652A1 (fr) * 1986-04-07 1987-10-09 Bemis Mfg Co Recipient de sterilisation d'instruments
BE1001375A3 (fr) * 1986-04-07 1989-10-17 Bemis Mfg Cy Recipient de sterilisation d'instruments.
EP0729759A1 (fr) * 1995-03-01 1996-09-04 Merck Biomaterial France Conditionnement de stérilisation et de conservation de matières organiques
EP0729760A1 (fr) * 1995-03-01 1996-09-04 Merck Biomaterial France Boîtier protecteur de stérilisation et de conservation de matière ou de matériel organique et ensemble en faisant application
FR2731155A1 (fr) * 1995-03-01 1996-09-06 Impact Conditionnement de sterilisation et de conservation de matieres organiques
FR2731156A1 (fr) * 1995-03-01 1996-09-06 Impact Boitier protecteur de sterilisation et de conservation de matiere ou de materiel organique et ensemble en faisant application
US5945075A (en) * 1995-03-01 1999-08-31 Merck Biomaterial France Protective box for sterilizing and preserving organic matter or material and assembly applying same
WO1997000699A1 (fr) * 1995-06-20 1997-01-09 Riley Edward D Bac a sterilisation pour instrument chirurgicaux avec mecanisme de verrouillage ameliore

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH01502399A (ja) 1989-08-24

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