Fluid over-flow/make-up air assembly for reprocessor
First Claim
1. In a system for sterilizing or microbially deactivating instruments and devices, said system having a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid through a chamber for containing said instruments and devices, said chamber forming a portion of said circulation system, a fluid over-flow and make-up air assembly, comprised of:
- a manifold having an inner cavity that is in fluid communication with said circulation system;
an overflow port in said manifold;
an overflow valve assembly disposed in said manifold allowing fluid flow from said cavity to said overflow port when a pressure in said cavity exceeds a pressure in said overflow port by a predetermined amount; and
a filter assembly attached to said manifold, said filter assembly having a filter valve assembly in communication with said cavity, said filter assembly operable to allow air through said filter assembly into said cavity when the pressure within said cavity is a predetermined amount less than the pressure within said filter assembly.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for sterilizing or microbially deactivating instruments and devices. The system includes a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid through a chamber for containing the instruments and devices. The chamber forms a portion of the circulation system. The system further includes a fluid over-flow/make-up air assembly. The fluid over-flow/make-up air assembly includes a manifold having an inner cavity that is in fluid communication with the circulation system, an overflow port in the manifold, and an overflow valve assembly disposed in the manifold allowing fluid flow from the cavity to the overflow port when a pressure in the cavity exceeds a pressure in the overflow port by a predetermined amount. A filter assembly is attached to the manifold. The filter assembly has a filter valve assembly in communication with the cavity. The filter assembly is operable to allow air through the filter assembly into the cavity when the pressure within the cavity is a predetermined amount less than the pressure within the filter assembly.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. In a system for sterilizing or microbially deactivating instruments and devices, said system having a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid through a chamber for containing said instruments and devices, said chamber forming a portion of said circulation system, a fluid over-flow and make-up air assembly, comprised of:
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a manifold having an inner cavity that is in fluid communication with said circulation system;
an overflow port in said manifold;
an overflow valve assembly disposed in said manifold allowing fluid flow from said cavity to said overflow port when a pressure in said cavity exceeds a pressure in said overflow port by a predetermined amount; and
a filter assembly attached to said manifold, said filter assembly having a filter valve assembly in communication with said cavity, said filter assembly operable to allow air through said filter assembly into said cavity when the pressure within said cavity is a predetermined amount less than the pressure within said filter assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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- 11. A filter assembly for use on a sterilization or microbial deactivation apparatus for providing filtered air thereto, said filter assembly having an air inlet, an air outlet and an air passage extending between said air inlet and said air outlet, a filter medium disposed within said air passage between said air inlet and said air outlet, said bacteria-retentive filter medium, a directional valve assembly disposed within said passage between said filter medium and said air outlet for regulating the flow of air through said passage, said valve assembly permitting air flow only in a direction from said air inlet to said air outlet, said air passage between said filter medium and said directional valve assembly being sterile or microbially deactivated.
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15. A filter assembly for use on a sterilization or microbial deactivation system for providing filtered air thereto, said assembly comprised of:
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a filter canister containing a filter medium, said filter canister having an air inlet opening and an outlet opening;
a mounting assembly attached to said canister having a fluid passage therethrough, said fluid passage having a first end and a second end, said first end of said fluid passage being in fluid connection with said outlet opening of said canister; and
a directional valve assembly disposed within said fluid passage between said first end and said second end for regulating flow through said fluid passage, said valve assembly allowing only flow in a direction from said first end to said second end of said fluid passage, the portion of said fluid passage between said valve assembly and said filter medium being sterilized or microbially deactivated. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. In a system for sterilizing or microbially deactivating instruments and devices, said system having a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid through a chamber for containing said instruments and devices, said chamber forming a portion of said circulation system, a fluid over-flow and make-up air assembly, comprised of:
a filter assembly for providing air to said circulation system, said filter assembly having an air inlet, an air outlet and an air passage extending between said air inlet and said air outlet, a filter medium disposed within said air passage between said air inlet and said air outlet, a directional valve assembly disposed within said passage between said filter medium and said air outlet for regulating the flow of air through said passage, said valve assembly permitting air flow only in a direction from said air inlet to said air outlet, said air passage between said filter medium and said directional valve assembly being sterile or microbially deactivated, said filter assembly being mounted to said system with said air outlet in fluid communication with said circulation system. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
Specification