WO1991011204A1 - Purifying device for a sterilizing vessel - Google Patents
Purifying device for a sterilizing vessel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1991011204A1 WO1991011204A1 PCT/GB1991/000125 GB9100125W WO9111204A1 WO 1991011204 A1 WO1991011204 A1 WO 1991011204A1 GB 9100125 W GB9100125 W GB 9100125W WO 9111204 A1 WO9111204 A1 WO 9111204A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- vessel
- purifying device
- membrane
- sterilizing
- trough
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 32
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 239000003206 sterilizing agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000012982 microporous membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 5
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000012153 distilled water Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 241000219289 Silene Species 0.000 description 2
- 230000008021 deposition Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000005871 repellent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002940 repellent Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004821 distillation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002861 polymer material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004810 polytetrafluoroethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001343 polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000001556 precipitation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000036316 preload Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000008399 tap water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020679 tap water Nutrition 0.000 description 1
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
- A61L2/07—Steam
Definitions
- This invention relates to a purifying device, particularly for use in liquid charged sterilizing vessels, wherein the liquid used is normally water.
- Known water-charged sterilizing vessels generally operate by boiling a quantity of water in a pressurised sealed vessel incorporating a pressure release valve to control pressure.
- the objects to be sterilized are placed in the vessel but out of contact with the water so that they will be exposed only to water vapour.
- the vessel is then closed, sealed and heated to achieve sterilizing temperature and pressure.
- this procedure generally results in deposition in varying degrees, according to local water composition, of mineral salts which are normally in solution in the water, onto the objects being sterilized.
- this may present a problem. For example, in the case of sterilization of hypodermic sy ⁇ ringes, deposition of salts onto the syringe seal can cause abrasion and catastrophic wear when the syringes are used.
- the present invention seeks to provide a purifying device for use in a sterilizing vessel which enables tap water, rain water or indeed water from any source to be used in the sterilizing vessel without the precipitation of mineral salts onto the objects being sterilized.
- a principal area of application of such a device is for sterilization of medical equipment (mainly hypodermic syringes) in primitive environments, mainly in Africa, where the need for medical facilities is intense but the facilities are sparse.
- a purifying device for use in a sterilizing vessel, characterized in that said device comprises means for providing a barrier to be interposed between a liquid sterilizing agent and one or more objects to be sterilized contained in the vessel, said barrier means including a icroporous membrane constructed to be substantially im ⁇ permeable to contaminants or impurities in the liquid sterilizing agent and permeable to vapour produced by said liquid sterilizing agent.
- any impurities existing in solution in the liquid sterilizing agent are inhibited from coming into contact with the objects to be sterilized, and thus the objects are sterilized by substantially pure vapour.
- the membrane has the property of being hydrophobic, which is particularly suit ⁇ able for use with water as the liquid sterilizing agent, which is most commonly employed.
- the membrane is preferably protected on one or both of its sides by a protective mesh.
- the membrane and the mesh may be retained together by a pressed rim extending around the peripheries of the membrane and the mesh.
- the barrier means includes means for sealing against the internal wall or walls of the sterilizing vessel so as to inhibit the seepage of liquid sterilizing agent between the periphery of the barrier means and the vessel walls.
- the barrier means may be shaped to form a trough or recess between the membrane and the sealing means within which a support for supporting objects to be sterilized can stand.
- the trough or recess may also act as a drain to prevent a layer of condensed vapour or condensate from building up on the membrane.
- At least the trough or recess, and preferably also the sealing means are integrally moulded from plastics material, and the diameter of the device is over-sized with respect to the diameter of the vessel prior to installation of the device in the vessel, such that upon installation in the vessel the periphery of the device is deflected inwardly to generate a pre-loading of the trough, which creates an outward force on the trough towards the wall of the steri ⁇ lizing vessel upon heating of the vessel.
- the sealing action of the sealing means against the wall of the sterilizing vessel is enhanced.
- the barrier means comprises one or more side walls and a base and is shaped to fit closely within the sterilizing vessel, the membrane being mounted in the base.
- the barrier means may be formed with a locating flange around its periphery for supporting the barrier means within the sterilizing vessel above the level of liquid sterilizing agent contained within the vessel.
- purifying is intended to mean removal of mineral salts or other impurities or contaminants normally present in solution in water or other liquid sterilizing agent which are precipi ⁇ tated from the water or other liquid under the effect of temperature and/or pressure.
- Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view through • a conventional sterilizing vessel
- Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view through a' purifying device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
- Fig. 3 is an enlarged schematic sectional view of part of the device shown in Fig. 2;
- Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the purify ⁇ ing device shown in figs. 2 and 3 installed in a steriliz ⁇ ing vessel;
- Fig. 5 is a schematic enlarged sectional view of part of another embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a purifying device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, which is shown installed in a sterilizing ves ⁇ sel.
- a conventional steriliz ⁇ ing vessel which is generally cylindrical and comprises a container 1 having a lid 2, which may be sealed in its closed position by means of a seal 3.
- the lid includes a pressure relief valve 4.
- Two support racks 5 in the form of inverted dishes are free standing within the vessel, and each have perforations at their base 6 to accommodate the objects to be sterilized, for example, hypodermic syringes 7.
- the vessel is charged with a specified quantity of water 8 or other liquid sterilizing agent, and the vessel is then closed, sealed, and heated to the sterilizing temperature.
- Water vapour or steam produced by the heated water rises up into the vessel and sterilizes the objects supported by the racks 5.
- contaminants in the water such as mineral salts, are deposited on the sterilized objects as described hereinabove.
- the present invention thus provides a purifying device which permits the sterilized objects to be subjected only to substantially pure vapour.
- one embodiment of a purifying device in accordance with the present invention comprises an hydrophobic or water repellent, microporous membrane 11 protected on either side by a mesh 12, for example being a metallic or polymer material, and assembled into a pressed rim 13, for example of stainless steel or preferably of moulded plastics material, at the periphery.
- the membrane assembly is bonded for example by resin bond ⁇ ing, to a shaped plate or manifold 14 including a seal 15 around its periphery.
- the manifold 14 may be manufactured in any suitable material.
- the seal 15 may either be bond ⁇ ed, in the case where the manifold is made from a metallic material, or integrally formed if the manifold is made from moulded plastic.
- Moulded plastic confers the addi ⁇ tional characteristic of enhanced sealing between the manifold 14 and container 1 arising from the differential thermal expansion between the plastic manifold and the aluminiu or stainless steel vessel, as described in more detail hereinbelow in connection with Fig. 5.
- the materi ⁇ al of the membrane is for example expanded PTFE, but any material which is impermeable and repellent to water and the contaminants in the water but permeable to water vapour may be used.
- the purifying device 10 is fitted into a conventional sterilizing vessel 1 and sealed against the vessel wall by the seal 15.
- Introduction of the purifying deyice lb provides a barrier to isolate the water charge 8 from the objects 7 ensuring that only sub ⁇ stantially pure water vapour reaches the objects.
- the manifold 14 provides a trough or recess 16 at the periphery of the container 1, in which the lower rack 5 stands.
- the manifold 14 and the seal 15 are integrally formed from moulded plastics material and the diameter of the device prior to installation in the sterilizing vessel 1 is slightly over-sized.
- the over ⁇ sized diameter of the device, or at least outer wall 25 of the trough 16 is forced to be deflected inwardly which pre-loads the manifold and ensures a good sealing action of seal 15 against the vessel wall.
- the sealing effect is further enhanced by virtue of the differential thermal expansion ratio of approximately 3:1 between the moulded plastics manifold and the stainless steel or aluminium sterilizing vessel. More " specifically, outward force generated along the direction of arrow A in Fig. 5 due to the differential expansion on heating is enhanced at the sealing point by a lever or pivotal effect of the outer wall 25 of the trough 16 towards the wall of the steriliz ⁇ ing vessel.
- the device is in the form of a thin gauge dish 20 having side walls 21 and a base 22.
- the dish is free fitting within the sterilizing vessel 1 with the side walls 21 close to the vessel walls, and is provided with a peripheral flange 23 which rests on rim 24 of the- vessel 1 to support the dish just above the normal water level.
- a membrane assem ⁇ bly as described in connection with the first embodiment is incorporated in the base 22 of the dish 20.
- the interior condition of saturated steam which results in a permanent layer of water at the base of the system may be modified.
- the water layer may remain at the base of the sterilizing vessel resulting in a dry membrane at the vapour side which greatly increases its efficiency.
- Construction of the embodiment of Fig. 6 may be in metal fabrication, moulded plastic, or a combination of both.
- it may include a spun metal dish with a replaceable moulded plastic membrane assembly.
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
A purifying device (10) for use in a sterilizing vessel (1) comprises a barrier formed by a microporous, hydrophobic membrane (11) which, in one example, is mounted in a shaped plate or manifold (14) which has a peripheral seal (15) for sealing against the internal walls of the vessel (1). The membrane (11) is constructed so as to be impermeable to contaminants or impurities contained in the water (8) or other liquid sterilizing agent but permeable to steam or vapour produced by the liquid agent for sterilization of objects (7) in the vessel (1). In another example, the barrier is dish-shaped and fits closely, but freely, within the vessel (1) with the membrane (11) mounted in the base of the dish. The dish has a peripheral flange to support it above the level of the water (8) or other liquid in the vessel (1).
Description
PURIFYING DEVICE FOR A STERILIZING VESSEL
This invention relates to a purifying device, particularly for use in liquid charged sterilizing vessels, wherein the liquid used is normally water.
Known water-charged sterilizing vessels generally operate by boiling a quantity of water in a pressurised sealed vessel incorporating a pressure release valve to control pressure. The objects to be sterilized are placed in the vessel but out of contact with the water so that they will be exposed only to water vapour. The vessel is then closed, sealed and heated to achieve sterilizing temperature and pressure. Unless distilled water is used, this procedure generally results in deposition in varying degrees, according to local water composition, of mineral salts which are normally in solution in the water, onto the objects being sterilized. Depending on the nature of the objects being sterilized, this may present a problem. For example, in the case of sterilization of hypodermic sy¬ ringes, deposition of salts onto the syringe seal can cause abrasion and catastrophic wear when the syringes are used.
However, in the varied conditions and locations in which such sterilizing vessels are used, distilled water may not be readily available and the installation of a water distillation plant would be prohibitively expensive.
Thus , the present invention seeks to provide a purifying device for use in a sterilizing vessel which enables tap water, rain water or indeed water from any source to be used in the sterilizing vessel without the precipitation of mineral salts onto the objects being sterilized. A principal area of application of such a device is for sterilization of medical equipment (mainly hypodermic syringes) in primitive environments, mainly in Africa, where the need for medical facilities is intense but the facilities are sparse.
According to the present invention, there is pro¬ vided a purifying device for use in a sterilizing vessel,
characterized in that said device comprises means for providing a barrier to be interposed between a liquid sterilizing agent and one or more objects to be sterilized contained in the vessel, said barrier means including a icroporous membrane constructed to be substantially im¬ permeable to contaminants or impurities in the liquid sterilizing agent and permeable to vapour produced by said liquid sterilizing agent.
Thus, any impurities existing in solution in the liquid sterilizing agent are inhibited from coming into contact with the objects to be sterilized, and thus the objects are sterilized by substantially pure vapour.
In a preferred arrangement, the membrane has the property of being hydrophobic, which is particularly suit¬ able for use with water as the liquid sterilizing agent, which is most commonly employed.
The membrane is preferably protected on one or both of its sides by a protective mesh. The membrane and the mesh may be retained together by a pressed rim extending around the peripheries of the membrane and the mesh.
In one' embodiment, the barrier means includes means for sealing against the internal wall or walls of the sterilizing vessel so as to inhibit the seepage of liquid sterilizing agent between the periphery of the barrier means and the vessel walls. The barrier means may be shaped to form a trough or recess between the membrane and the sealing means within which a support for supporting objects to be sterilized can stand. The trough or recess may also act as a drain to prevent a layer of condensed vapour or condensate from building up on the membrane.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, at least the trough or recess, and preferably also the sealing means, are integrally moulded from plastics material, and the diameter of the device is over-sized with respect to the diameter of the vessel prior to installation of the device in the vessel, such that upon installation in the vessel the periphery of the device is deflected inwardly to
generate a pre-loading of the trough, which creates an outward force on the trough towards the wall of the steri¬ lizing vessel upon heating of the vessel. In this way, the sealing action of the sealing means against the wall of the sterilizing vessel is enhanced.
In another embodiment, the barrier means comprises one or more side walls and a base and is shaped to fit closely within the sterilizing vessel, the membrane being mounted in the base. The barrier means may be formed with a locating flange around its periphery for supporting the barrier means within the sterilizing vessel above the level of liquid sterilizing agent contained within the vessel.
Throughout this specification, the term "purifying" is intended to mean removal of mineral salts or other impurities or contaminants normally present in solution in water or other liquid sterilizing agent which are precipi¬ tated from the water or other liquid under the effect of temperature and/or pressure.
•The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference" to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view through • a conventional sterilizing vessel;
Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view through a' purifying device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged schematic sectional view of part of the device shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the purify¬ ing device shown in figs. 2 and 3 installed in a steriliz¬ ing vessel;
Fig. 5 is a schematic enlarged sectional view of part of another embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a purifying device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, which is shown installed in a sterilizing ves¬ sel.
In Fig. 1, there is shown a conventional steriliz¬ ing vessel which is generally cylindrical and comprises a container 1 having a lid 2, which may be sealed in its closed position by means of a seal 3. The lid includes a pressure relief valve 4. Two support racks 5 in the form of inverted dishes are free standing within the vessel, and each have perforations at their base 6 to accommodate the objects to be sterilized, for example, hypodermic syringes 7. The vessel is charged with a specified quantity of water 8 or other liquid sterilizing agent, and the vessel is then closed, sealed, and heated to the sterilizing temperature. Water vapour or steam produced by the heated water rises up into the vessel and sterilizes the objects supported by the racks 5. However, if the water is not distilled water, contaminants in the water, such as mineral salts, are deposited on the sterilized objects as described hereinabove.
The present invention thus provides a purifying device which permits the sterilized objects to be subjected only to substantially pure vapour.
Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, one embodiment of a purifying device in accordance with the present invention comprises an hydrophobic or water repellent, microporous membrane 11 protected on either side by a mesh 12, for example being a metallic or polymer material, and assembled into a pressed rim 13, for example of stainless steel or preferably of moulded plastics material, at the periphery. The membrane assembly is bonded for example by resin bond¬ ing, to a shaped plate or manifold 14 including a seal 15 around its periphery. The manifold 14 may be manufactured in any suitable material. The seal 15 may either be bond¬ ed, in the case where the manifold is made from a metallic material, or integrally formed if the manifold is made from moulded plastic. Moulded plastic•confers the addi¬ tional characteristic of enhanced sealing between the manifold 14 and container 1 arising from the differential thermal expansion between the plastic manifold and the
aluminiu or stainless steel vessel, as described in more detail hereinbelow in connection with Fig. 5. The materi¬ al of the membrane is for example expanded PTFE, but any material which is impermeable and repellent to water and the contaminants in the water but permeable to water vapour may be used.
As shown in Fig. 4, the purifying device 10 is fitted into a conventional sterilizing vessel 1 and sealed against the vessel wall by the seal 15. Introduction of the purifying deyice lb provides a barrier to isolate the water charge 8 from the objects 7 ensuring that only sub¬ stantially pure water vapour reaches the objects. The manifold 14 provides a trough or recess 16 at the periphery of the container 1, in which the lower rack 5 stands.
Referring now to the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, in this device at least the manifold 14 and the seal 15 are integrally formed from moulded plastics material and the diameter of the device prior to installation in the sterilizing vessel 1 is slightly over-sized. Upon instal¬ lation of the device in the sterilizing vessel, the over¬ sized diameter of the device, or at least outer wall 25 of the trough 16, is forced to be deflected inwardly which pre-loads the manifold and ensures a good sealing action of seal 15 against the vessel wall. The sealing effect is further enhanced by virtue of the differential thermal expansion ratio of approximately 3:1 between the moulded plastics manifold and the stainless steel or aluminium sterilizing vessel. More " specifically, outward force generated along the direction of arrow A in Fig. 5 due to the differential expansion on heating is enhanced at the sealing point by a lever or pivotal effect of the outer wall 25 of the trough 16 towards the wall of the steriliz¬ ing vessel.
Referring now to Fig. 6, there- is shown another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the device is in the form of a thin gauge dish 20 having side walls 21 and a base 22. The dish is free fitting within
the sterilizing vessel 1 with the side walls 21 close to the vessel walls, and is provided with a peripheral flange 23 which rests on rim 24 of the- vessel 1 to support the dish just above the normal water level. A membrane assem¬ bly as described in connection with the first embodiment is incorporated in the base 22 of the dish 20.
It is a characteristic of the embodiment in Fig. 6 that the need for sealing between the water and vapour sides of the membrane is eliminated. Although there is no seal, the steam will take the easiest route into the steri¬ lizing chamber, which is through the membrane. Elimination of sealing results in a pressure balanced system within the sterilizing vessel. As a result of this, there will be no pressure differential across the membrane and any tendency of contaminants or impurities to impact on the membrane will be reduced.
The interior condition of saturated steam which results in a permanent layer of water at the base of the system may be modified. In the embodiment of Fig. 6 the water layer may remain at the base of the sterilizing vessel resulting in a dry membrane at the vapour side which greatly increases its efficiency.
Elimination of the water layer in the first and second embodiments in Figs. 2-5 will be obtained by collec¬ tion of the water in the trough or recess. Thus, the trough acts as a drain to prevent a layer of condensed vapour or condensate from building up on the membrane.
Construction of the embodiment of Fig. 6 may be in metal fabrication, moulded plastic, or a combination of both. For example it may include a spun metal dish with a replaceable moulded plastic membrane assembly.
Claims
1. A purifying device (10) for use in a sterilizing vessel (1), characterized. in that said' device (10) com¬ prises means (11,14; 11,22) for providing a barrier to be interposed between a liquid sterilizing agent (8) and one or more objects (7) to be sterilized contained in the vessel (1), said barrier means (11,14; 11,22) including a microporous membrane (11) constructed to be substantially impermeable to contaminants or impurities in the liquid sterilizing agent (8) and permeable to vapour produced by said liquid sterilizing agent (8) .
2. A purifying device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane (11) has the property of .being hydro- phobic, for use with water as the liquid sterilizing agent (8).
3. A purifying device (10) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the membrane (11) is protected on one or both of its sides by a protective mesh (12).
4. A purifying device (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the membrane (11) and the mesh (12) are retained together by a pressed rim (13) extending around the periph¬ eries of the membrane (11) and the mesh (12).
5. A purifying device (10) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said barrier means (11,22) includes means (15) for sealing against the internal wall or walls of the sterilizing vessel (1) so as to inhibit the seepage of liquid sterilizing agent (8) between the periphery of the barrier means (11,22) and the vessel walls.
6. A purifying device (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein a part (14) of the barrier means located between the membrane (11) and the sealing means (15) is shaped to form a trough (16) within which a support (5) for support¬ ing objects (7) to be sterilized can stand.
7. A purifying device (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said trough (16) is arranged to act as a drain to prevent a layer of condensed vapour from building up on said membrane (11).
8. A purifying device (10) as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein at least the trough (16) is formed from moulded plastics material and the diameter of the device (10) is over-sized with respect to the diameter of the vessel (1) prior to installation of the device (10) in the vessel (1), such that upon installation in the vessel (1) the periphery of the device (10) is deflected inwardly to generate a pre-loading of the trough (16), which creates an outward force on the trough (16) towards the wall of the steriliz¬ ing vessel (1) upon heating of the vessel (1).
9. A purifying device (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sealing means (15) and the trough (16) are integrally formed from moulded plastics material.
10. A purifying device (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the barrier means (11,22) comprises one or more side walls (21) and a base (22) and is shaped to fit closely within the sterilizing vessel, the membrane (11) being mounted in the base (22).
11. A purifying device (10) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the barrier means (11,22) is formed with a locating flange (23) around its periphery for supporting the barrier means (11,22) within the sterilizing vessel (1) above the level of liquid sterilizing agent (8) contained within the vessel (1) .
12. A sterilizing vessel (1) intended to contain a liquid sterilizing agent (8) and one or more objects (7) to be sterilized by vapour produced by said liquid sterilizing agent (8), said vessel (1) including a purifying device (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9001933.2 | 1990-01-29 | ||
GB909001933A GB9001933D0 (en) | 1990-01-29 | 1990-01-29 | Water purifier for water charged sterilizing vessels |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1991011204A1 true WO1991011204A1 (en) | 1991-08-08 |
Family
ID=10670045
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB1991/000125 WO1991011204A1 (en) | 1990-01-29 | 1991-01-29 | Purifying device for a sterilizing vessel |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU7181091A (en) |
GB (1) | GB9001933D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1991011204A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE4319400A1 (en) * | 1993-06-14 | 1994-12-22 | Stiefenhofer Gmbh C | Steam filter arrangement for a steam steriliser |
WO2002040063A1 (en) * | 2000-11-20 | 2002-05-23 | Becton Dickinson France | Multipurpose packages for sterilised products or products to be sterilised |
WO2002040065A1 (en) * | 2000-11-20 | 2002-05-23 | Becton Dickinson France | Package for products to be sterilised with a high-temperature sterilising fluid |
WO2002040064A1 (en) * | 2000-11-20 | 2002-05-23 | Becton Dickinson France | Package for sterile products |
WO2011110666A1 (en) * | 2010-03-12 | 2011-09-15 | Newco | Sterilising apparatus |
CN101415455B (en) * | 2006-02-28 | 2011-11-23 | 株式会社大协精工 | Piston suit piece for injector |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE838803C (en) * | 1949-12-03 | 1952-05-12 | Franz Lautenschlaeger | Method and device for the sterilization of needles |
DE933054C (en) * | 1941-11-22 | 1955-09-15 | Franz Lautenschlaeger | Sterilization container that is permeable to steam and air |
FR2375869A1 (en) * | 1976-12-29 | 1978-07-28 | Aesculap Werke Ag | Medical steriliser pan with internal filter sheet - retained by pressure plate which locks down automatically |
GB2188549A (en) * | 1986-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | Bemis Mfg | Instrument sterilization container |
-
1990
- 1990-01-29 GB GB909001933A patent/GB9001933D0/en active Pending
-
1991
- 1991-01-29 WO PCT/GB1991/000125 patent/WO1991011204A1/en unknown
- 1991-01-29 AU AU71810/91A patent/AU7181091A/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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DE933054C (en) * | 1941-11-22 | 1955-09-15 | Franz Lautenschlaeger | Sterilization container that is permeable to steam and air |
DE838803C (en) * | 1949-12-03 | 1952-05-12 | Franz Lautenschlaeger | Method and device for the sterilization of needles |
FR2375869A1 (en) * | 1976-12-29 | 1978-07-28 | Aesculap Werke Ag | Medical steriliser pan with internal filter sheet - retained by pressure plate which locks down automatically |
GB2188549A (en) * | 1986-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | Bemis Mfg | Instrument sterilization container |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE4319400A1 (en) * | 1993-06-14 | 1994-12-22 | Stiefenhofer Gmbh C | Steam filter arrangement for a steam steriliser |
FR2816926A1 (en) * | 2000-11-20 | 2002-05-24 | Becton Dickinson France | Plastic package used to transport medical or pharmaceutical items that are to be sterilized, comprises a box with a cover, which allows the passage of radiation through a window and also selective passage of sterilizing fluids |
WO2002040065A1 (en) * | 2000-11-20 | 2002-05-23 | Becton Dickinson France | Package for products to be sterilised with a high-temperature sterilising fluid |
WO2002040064A1 (en) * | 2000-11-20 | 2002-05-23 | Becton Dickinson France | Package for sterile products |
FR2816924A1 (en) * | 2000-11-20 | 2002-05-24 | Becton Dickinson France | Plastic package used to transport medical or pharmaceutical items that are to be sterilized, comprises a box with a selectively sealed cover, which allows the passage of radiation. |
FR2816925A1 (en) * | 2000-11-20 | 2002-05-24 | Becton Dickinson France | Plastic package used to transport medical or pharmaceutical items that are to be sterilized, comprises a box with a cover, which has a means of compensating for the thermal deformation of the box, and the cover |
WO2002040063A1 (en) * | 2000-11-20 | 2002-05-23 | Becton Dickinson France | Multipurpose packages for sterilised products or products to be sterilised |
KR100842015B1 (en) * | 2000-11-20 | 2008-06-27 | 벡톤 디킨슨 프랑스 | General purpose packaging for sterilization products or products to be sterilized |
KR100847333B1 (en) * | 2000-11-20 | 2008-07-21 | 벡톤 디킨슨 프랑스 | Packaging containers for sterile products |
KR100877237B1 (en) * | 2000-11-20 | 2009-01-07 | 벡톤 디킨슨 프랑스 | Package for products to be sterilised with a high-temperature sterilising fluid |
CN101415455B (en) * | 2006-02-28 | 2011-11-23 | 株式会社大协精工 | Piston suit piece for injector |
WO2011110666A1 (en) * | 2010-03-12 | 2011-09-15 | Newco | Sterilising apparatus |
CN102933238A (en) * | 2010-03-12 | 2013-02-13 | 新酷公司 | Sterilising apparatus |
AU2011226042B2 (en) * | 2010-03-12 | 2014-04-17 | Milton International | Sterilising apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU7181091A (en) | 1991-08-21 |
GB9001933D0 (en) | 1990-03-28 |
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