Device and method for instrument steralization
First Claim
1. An instrument sterilization apparatus comprising:
- at least two electrodes wherein at least one electrode comprises at least one cathode and at least one electrode comprises at least one anode, said at least one cathode comprising a tray for holding and providing electrical contact to an instrument and said at least one anode comprising a tank;
at least one insulator for separating said anode and said cathode; and
electrolyte disposed in said tank;
wherein an electrical potential between said anode and said cathode causes an electrical charge to pass through said electrolyte, thereby generating at least one oxidant in the electrolyte.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrolytic device and method for generating a sterilizing solution that utilizes hydrogen produced at the cathode as a further means to discharge biofilm material, microorganisms, and other organic material from the cathode surface. The device to be cleaned is typically electrically conductive and acts as a cathode, preferably by being in electrical contact with the cathode tray of the system. Aqueous Chlor-oxygen disinfectants produced within the device can be circulated through internal components of devices or instruments that may have internal passages. Gasses generated from the electrolysis operation, primarily hydrogen that is liberated at the cathode surface, are passively or forcibly vented from the system or are neutralized by a catalytic recombiner.
28 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. An instrument sterilization apparatus comprising:
-
at least two electrodes wherein at least one electrode comprises at least one cathode and at least one electrode comprises at least one anode, said at least one cathode comprising a tray for holding and providing electrical contact to an instrument and said at least one anode comprising a tank;
at least one insulator for separating said anode and said cathode; and
electrolyte disposed in said tank;
wherein an electrical potential between said anode and said cathode causes an electrical charge to pass through said electrolyte, thereby generating at least one oxidant in the electrolyte. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for sterilizing and instrument, the method comprising the steps of:
-
disposing electrolyte in a tank;
placing an instrument in a tray, the tray electrically insulated from the tank;
providing an electrical potential between the tank and the tray so that the tank becomes an anode in an electrolytic reaction and the tray becomes a cathode in the reaction; and
generating at least one oxidant in the electrolyte. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification