Multi-compartment sterilization system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for the sterilization of a medical device, comprising:
- a. a multi-chambered compartment having at least a first rigid chamber and a second rigid chamber therein, wherein each of said first and second chambers has a door, a pumping source, and a source of sterilant such that each of said chambers is adapted to independently serve as a sterilization chamber and can be operated independently;
b. an openable and closeable interface between said first and second chamber; and
c. a source of sterilant, said source adapted to provide said sterilant in said first and/or second chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for the sterilization of a medical device includes a multi-chambered compartment having at least a first and a second rigid chamber therein. Each of the first and second chambers is adapted to independently serve as a sterilization chamber and can be operated independently. The apparatus also has a removable interface between the first and second chamber. The interface can have an opening for receiving a lumen device in such a way that the first and second chamber is put in fluid communication through the lumen. A source of sterilant is also included in the apparatus. This source is adapted to provide the sterilant in the first and/or second chamber. Containers sealed with gas-permeable, but microorganism-impermeable membrane can be used in the apparatus so that the sterility of the devices in the container is kept after the completion of a sterilization cycle.
90 Citations
52 Claims
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1. An apparatus for the sterilization of a medical device, comprising:
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a. a multi-chambered compartment having at least a first rigid chamber and a second rigid chamber therein, wherein each of said first and second chambers has a door, a pumping source, and a source of sterilant such that each of said chambers is adapted to independently serve as a sterilization chamber and can be operated independently; b. an openable and closeable interface between said first and second chamber; and c. a source of sterilant, said source adapted to provide said sterilant in said first and/or second chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method for sterilizing an interior and exterior of a lumen device, comprising:
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a. placing said device in a multi-chambered compartment having a first chamber, a second chamber, and an interface with at least one opening, such that said lumen is partly in said first chamber and partly in said second chamber across the interface; b. introducing a sterilant from a source of sterilant in said multi-chambered compartment; and c. creating directional flow of said sterilant with a pump from said first chamber, through said lumen, through said second chamber, through said pump, and back to said first chamber. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method for sterilizing an interior and exterior of a lumen device, comprising:
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a. placing said device in a sterilant vapor-permeable and microorganism-impermeable container, said container maintaining the sterility of said device following sterilization; b. placing said device in said container in a multi-chambered compartment having a first chamber, a second chamber, and an interface with at least one adjustable opening, such that said lumen is partly in said first chamber and partly in said second chamber across the interface; c. introducing a sterilant from a source of sterilant in said multi-chambered compartment; and d. creating a flow of sterilant between said first chamber and said second chamber through said lumen.
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47. A method for sterilizing an interior and exterior of a lumen device, comprising:
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a. placing said device in a multi-chambered compartment having a first chamber, a second chamber, and an interface with at least one adjustable opening, such that said lumen is partly in said first chamber and partly in said second chamber across the interface, wherein either or both of said first and second chambers is a diffusion restricted environment; b. introducing a sterilant from a source of sterilant in said multi-chambered compartment; and c. creating a flow of sterilant between said first chamber and said second chamber through said lumen.
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48. A method for sterilizing an interior and exterior of a lumen device, comprising:
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a. placing said device in a multi-chambered compartment having a first chamber, a second chamber, and an interface with at least one adjustable opening, such that said lumen is partly in said first chamber and partly in said second chamber across the interface, wherein said opening forms a tight-fitting seal around said lumen, said seal comprising a gas and/or liquid permeable material; b. introducing a sterilant from a source of sterilant in said multi-chambered compartment; and c. creating a flow of sterilant between said first chamber and said second chamber through said lumen.
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49. A method for sterilizing an interior and exterior of a lumen device, comprising:
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a. placing said device in a multi-chambered compartment having a first chamber, a second chamber, and an interface with at least one adjustable opening, such that said lumen is partly in said first chamber and partly in said second chamber across the interface; b. warming said device to be sterilized at a pressure below atmospheric pressure; c. introducing a sterilant from a source of sterilant in said multi-chambered compartment, wherein step (b) occurs prior to step (c); and d. creating a flow of sterilant between said first chamber and said second chamber through said lumen.
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50. A method for sterilizing an interior and exterior of a lumen device, comprising:
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a. placing said device in a multi-chambered compartment having a first chamber, a second chamber, and an interface with at least one adjustable opening equipped with an iris diaphragm which can seal around the device, such that said lumen is partly in said first chamber and partly in said second chamber across the interface; b. introducing a sterilant from a source of sterilant in said multi-chambered compartment; and c. creating a flow of sterilant between said first chamber and said second chamber through said lumen.
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51. A method for sterilizing an interior and exterior of a lumen device, comprising:
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a. placing said device in a multi-chambered compartment having a first chamber, a second chamber, and an interface with at least one adjustable opening defined by two plates, wherein said lumen is partly said first chamber and partly in said second chamber across the interface, said plates having compressible material at edges or on surfaces adjacent said opening, wherein at least one of the plates is movable, so that the plates can be brought toward each other to hold and seal around said device; b. introducing a sterilant from a source of sterilant in said multi-chambered compartment; and c. creating a flow of sterilant between said first chamber and said second chamber through said lumen.
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52. A method for sterilizing a medical device, comprising the steps of:
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a. placing said device in a sterilant vapor-permeable and microorganism-impermeable container, said container maintaining the sterility of said device following sterilization; b. placing said device in said container in a multi-chambered compartment having a first rigid chamber, a second rigid chamber, and an adjustable interface between said first and second chambers, wherein step (a) occurs prior to step (b); c. adjusting the interface so that a device too big to fit into the first or second chamber can be sterilized in a bigger chamber formed by said first and second chamber; and d. introducing a sterilant from a source of sterilant in said multi-chambered compartment.
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Specification