Endoscope cleaner/sterilizer

• US 5,443,801 A
• Filed: 05/14/1993
• Issued: 08/22/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Parametrik Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kew Import and Export Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Langford, Terrence R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Housel, James C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): EDWARDS, LAURA ESTELLE
• Application Number:
  US08/062,958
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 422/28, 422/29, 422/33, 422/108, 422/294, 422/296, 422/297, 422/305, 422/186.07, 422/186.08, 422/186.14, 422/186.20, 422/119, 422/112, 422/102, 422/104, 422/29 2, 134/137, 134/147, 134/161, 366/208, 366/333, 383/43
• US Class Current: 422/294
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00059 provided with identification means for the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/123 using washing machines
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 11/00 Methods specially adapted for refuse disintegrating medical waste B02C19/0075; disposal of medical waste B09B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 12/122 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/183 Ozone dissolved in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/202 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 13/02 for receptacle or instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0293 for liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 13/008 Devices specially adapted for cleaning contact lenses

Abstract

A cleansing/sterilizing apparatus which is a transportable apparatus and method for inside-outside and sterilization of various complex reusable medical/dental instruments, including but not limited to laparoscopic instruments and dental handpieces. The apparatus avoids the use of heat, pressure, severe agitation, or corrosive chemicals which might damage delicate equipment. The apparatus preserves each processed instrument hermetically sealed in a sterile dry environment within a detachable/portable capsule until its next use.

Claims

1. A tubing cleaning mechanism comprising:

a) a capsule for holding said tubing, said capsule having,

1) a liquid inlet port and a liquid outlet port, said liquid inlet port and said liquid outlet port automatically sealing upon disengagement,

2) a resealable entry port for depositing said tubing in said capsule, and,

3) a flexible peristaltic zone being deformable under pressure, said peristaltic zone forming a wall portion of said capsule;

b) a diaphragm placed in said capsule and encircling said tubing, said diaphragm forming a partial seal in said capsule and dividing said capsule into a first section and a second section;

c) a liquid source providing as chosen liquid; and

,

d) an agitator having,

1) a tray for accepting and holding said capsule,

2) pressure means for applying pressure to said flexible peristaltic zone,

3) motor means for moving said pressure means over a portion of said peristaltic zone proximate to said diaphragm,

4) communication means for communicating said liquid from said liquid source to said capsule via the liquid inlet port, and,

5) control means for,

A) causing said communication means to communicate said liquid to said capsule,

B) directing said motor means to cycle said pressure means over said peristaltic zone for a selected period of time, and,

C) opening the liquid outlet port to drain liquid from said capsule.

2. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 1 further including:

a) a detergent reservoir containing detergent therein;

b) mixing means for mixing liquid from said liquid source and detergent from said detergent reservoir; and

,

c) means for selectively communicating a mixture of liquid and detergent from said mixing means to said capsule via said liquid inlet port.

3. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said capsule further includes a vapor inlet port and a vapor outlet port, and further including a sterile gas source providing a sterile gas, further including means for selectively communicating said sterile gas to said capsule via said vapor inlet port.

4. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 3 further including:

a) an ozone generator means for generating ozone gas; and

,

b) means for selectively mixing ozone frog said ozone generator means with said sterile gas prior to communicating said sterile gas to said capsule.

5. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said control means includes drying means for selectively opening the vapor outlet port of said capsule.

6. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said agitator includes:

a) an operator interface for receipt of identifier data which identifies said endoscope; and

,

b) a memory unit for storage of said identifier data.

7. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 6 wherein said agitator further includes a display means for displaying alphanumeric information to an operator, and wherein said control means includes means for:

a) maintaining a running count of the number of times said endoscope in said capsule has been placed on said tray; and

,

b) communicating said identifier data from said memory unit and said running count to an operator via said display means.

8. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 7 wherein said control means has means for refusing operation when said running count reaches a preselected value.

9. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 7 wherein said capsule further includes:

a) a display means for communicating alphanumeric characters to the operator; and

,

b) a processing means for establishing status information on said display means in response to signals from the control means of said agitator.

10. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 9 further including sensor means generating a signal indicative of the open/closed state of said resealable entry port of said capsule and wherein said processing means in said capsule is responsive to the signal from said sensor means in generating said status information.

11. An endoscope cleaning apparatus comprising:

a) a capsule for holding said endoscope, said capsule having,

1) a resealable entry port for depositing said endoscope into said capsule, and,

2) a flexible peristaltic zone being deformable under pressure;

b) a diaphragm encircling said endoscope within said capsule and providing a partial Seal within said capsule;

c) a liquid contained within said capsule; and

,

d) an agitator having,

1) a tray for accepting said capsule,

2) pressure means for applying pressure to said flexible peristaltic zone of said capsule, and,

3) motor means for oscillating said pressure means over a section of said flexible peristaltic zone.

12. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said capsule further includes at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port, said inlet port and said outlet port automatically sealing upon disconnection.

13. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said agitator includes:

a) means for generating an ozone gas; and

,

b) means for selectively communicating said ozone gas into said capsule via said inlet port.

14. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said liquid is inserted into said capsule via said inlet port and further including means for mixing said ozone gas in said liquid.

15. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said agitator includes:

a) means for purifying water from a water source;

b) a detergent reservoir means for holding detergent; and

,

c) means for communicating water from said means for purifying and detergent from said detergent reservoir means to said capsule.

16. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said agitator includes:

a) an operator interface for receipt of identifier data which identifies said endoscope; and

,

b) a memory unit for storage of said identifier data.

17. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said agitator further includes a display means for displaying alphanumeric information to an operator, and wherein said control means includes means for:

a) maintaining a running count of the number of times said endoscope in said capsule has been placed on said tray; and

,

b) communicating said identifier data from said memory unit and said running count to an operator via said display means.

18. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said control means has means for refusing operation when said running count reaches a preselected value.

19. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said capsule further includes:

a) a display means for communicating alphanumeric characters to the operator; and

,

b) a processing means for establishing status information on said display means in response to signals from the control means of said agitator.

20. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 19 further including sensor means Generating a signal indicative of the open/closed state of said resealable entry port of said capsule and wherein said processing means in said capsule is responsive to the signal from said sensor means in generating said status information.

21. A tubing sterilizing mechanism comprising:

a) a capsule for holding said tubing, said capsule having,

1) a liquid inlet port and a liquid outlet port, said liquid inlet port and said liquid outlet port automatically sealing upon disengagement,

2) a resealable entry port for depositing said tubing in said capsule,

3) a vapor inlet port and a vapor outlet port, said vapor inlet port and said vapor outlet port automatically sealing upon disengagement,

4) a flexible peristaltic zone being deformable under pressure, said peristaltic zone forming a wall portion of said capsule;

b) a diaphragm placed in said capsule and encircling said tubing, said diaphragm forming a partial seal in said capsule and dividing said capsule into a first section and a second section;

c) a detergent reservoir containing detergent therein;

d) a liquid source providing a chosen liquid;

e) mixing means for mixing liquid from said liquid source and detergent from said detergent reservoir;

f) a sterile gas source providing a sterile gas;

g) an ozone generator means for generating ozone gas; and

,

h) an agitator having,

1) a tray for accepting and holding said capsule, said tray having four valves for engaging said liquid inlet port, the liquid outlet port, the vapor inlet port, and the vapor outlet port,

2) pressure means for applying pressure to said flexible peristaltic zone,

3) motor means for moving said pressure means over a portion of said peristaltic zone proximate to said diaphragm,

4) communication means for communicating said liquid from said liquid source to said capsule via the liquid inlet port, and,

5) control means for,

A) communicating a mixture of liquid and detergent from said mixing means to said capsule via said liquid inlet port;

B) causing said communication means to communicate said liquid to said capsule,

C) directing said motor means to cycle said pressure means over said peristaltic zone for a selected period of time, and,

D) opening the liquid outlet port to drain liquid from said capsule

E) mixing ozone from said ozone generator means with said sterile gas,

F) communicating sterile gas and ozone to said capsule via said vapor inlet port; and

,

G) exhausting excess sterile gas from said capsule via said vapor outlet port.

22. The tubing sterilizing mechanism according to claim 21 wherein said agitator includes:

a) an operator interface for receipt of identifier data which identifies said endoscope; and

,

b) a memory unit for storage of said identifier data.

23. The tubing sterilizing mechanism according to claim 22 wherein said agitator further includes a display means for displaying alphanumeric information to an operator, and wherein said control means includes means for:

a) maintaining a running count of the number of times said endoscope in said capsule has been placed on said tray; and

,

b) communicating said identifier data from said memory unit and said running count to an operator via said display means.

24. The tubing sterilizing mechanism according to claim 23 wherein said control means has means for refusing operation when said running count reaches a preselected value.

25. The tubing sterilizing mechanism according to claim 23 wherein said capsule further includes:

a) a display means for communicating alphanumeric characters to the operator; and

,

b) a processing means for establishing status information on said display means in response to signals from the control means of said agitator.

26. The tubing sterilizing mechanism according to claim 25 further including sensor means generating a signal indicative of the open/closed state of said resealable entry port of said capsule and wherein said processing means in said capsule is responsive to the signal from said sensor means in generating said status information.

27. The tubing sterilizing mechanism according to claim 26 further including pressure sensor means generating a pressure signal indicative of the pressure difference between an interior portion of said capsule and an ambient pressure, and wherein said processing means is responsive to said pressure signal in generating said status information.

28. A device for holding an endoscope during sterilization, said device comprising:

a capsule having a first end, said first end including a resealable entry port for depositing said endoscope into said capsule;

a middle portion including a flexible peristaltic zone being deformable under pressure; and

a second end including

     1) a processing means for establishing a status condition within said capsule, and

     2) a display means for communicating alphanumeric characters indicating said status condition of said capsule to an operator.

29. The capsule according to claim 28 wherein said first end further includes sensor means generating a status signal indicative of an open/closed state of said resealable entry port of said capsule and wherein said processing means is responsive to the status signal from said sensor means in generating said status condition.