Apparatus for sterilizing and transporting medical implements
First Claim
1. An apparatus for storing and sterilizing medical implements, comprising:
- (a) a support structure;
(b) collection means for collecting sterilization fluid, said collection means removably held within said support structure;
(c) storage means for storing and sterilizing medical implements, said storage means coupled to said support structure above said collection means;
(d) a well, said well coupled to said storage means, said well shaped to communicate with a medical implement placed therein, said well having an open first end and an open second end; and
(e) fluid transport means for receiving said medical implement and for transporting sterilization fluid between said well and said collection means, said fluid transport means coupled to an end of said well, said fluid transport means having a regulation means for regulating the passage of said sterilization fluid between said well and said collection means, said regulation means having a first state wherein said sterilization fluid remains in said well and said fluid transport means, and a second state wherein said sterilization fluid flows through said fluid transport means into said collection means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for sterilizing and transporting medical implements (52). A rectangular, cabinet-like, support structure (12) surrounds a self-contained sterilization system generally defined by a storage rack (58), a container-like collection vessel (34) and a tube-like fluid transport line (42). Storage rack (58) includes wet wells (46a) and dry wells (46b). Wet wells (46a) are filled with sterilization fluid, and medical implements (52) are immersed therein. Following sterilization, medical implements (52) are placed in dry wells (46b), for storage. Subsequently, the used sterilization fluid in wet wells (46a) can be drained through fluid transport line (42) into collection vessel (34). The apparatus (10) is transportable for easily sterilizing medical implements (52) at different locations.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for storing and sterilizing medical implements, comprising:
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(a) a support structure; (b) collection means for collecting sterilization fluid, said collection means removably held within said support structure; (c) storage means for storing and sterilizing medical implements, said storage means coupled to said support structure above said collection means; (d) a well, said well coupled to said storage means, said well shaped to communicate with a medical implement placed therein, said well having an open first end and an open second end; and (e) fluid transport means for receiving said medical implement and for transporting sterilization fluid between said well and said collection means, said fluid transport means coupled to an end of said well, said fluid transport means having a regulation means for regulating the passage of said sterilization fluid between said well and said collection means, said regulation means having a first state wherein said sterilization fluid remains in said well and said fluid transport means, and a second state wherein said sterilization fluid flows through said fluid transport means into said collection means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A transportable sterilizing apparatus, comprising:
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(a) a support structure, said support structure having a base, a top and a plurality of sides extending between said base and said top; (b) collection means for collecting sterilization fluid; (c) holding means for removably holding said collection means in place, said holding means coupled to said support structure; (d) storage means for storing and sterilizing medical implements, said storage means coupled to said top of said support structure; (e) at least one wet well, said wet well coupled to said storage means, said wet well having an open first end and an open second end; (f) at least one dry well, said dry well coupled to said storage means; and (g) fluid transport means for receiving a medical implement and for transporting sterilization fluid between said wet well and said collection means, said fluid transport means coupled to an end of said wet well, said fluid transport means having a regulation means for regulating the passage of said sterilization fluid between said wet well and said collection means, said regulation means having a first state wherein said sterilization fluid remains in said wet well and said fluid transport means, and a second state wherein said sterilization fluid flows through said fluid transport means into said collection means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for storing and sterilizing cystonephroscopes, comprising:
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(a) a support structure, said support structure having a base, a top, a first side, a second side, a partition, a rear compartment and a front compartment; (b) collection means for collecting sterilization fluid, said collection means being held inside said rear compartment of said support structure; (c) holding means for removably holding said collection means in place, said holding means coupled to said support structure inside said rear compartment; (d) storage means for storing and sterilizing said medical implements, said storage means coupled to said top of said support structure; (e) a wet well, said wet well coupled to said storage means, said wet well having an open first end and an open second end; (f) a dry well, said dry well coupled to said storage means; (g) fluid transport means for transporting sterilization fluid between said wet well and said collection means, said fluid transport means coupled to an end of said wet well, said fluid transport means having a regulation means for regulating the passage of said materials between said wet well and said collection means, said regulation means having a first state wherein said sterilization fluid remains in said wet well and said fluid transport means, and a second state wherein said sterilization fluid flows through said fluid transport means into said collection means; and (h) transportation means for transporting said apparatus between locations, said transportation means coupled to said base.
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Specification