Sterilization device for sterilization of lumen devices

• US 7,300,638 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2004
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Sterilizer Company (Steris Corporation)
• Original Assignee: American Sterilizer Company (Steris Corporation)
• Inventors: Williams, Kevin O., Justi, Christopher J.
• Primary Examiner(s): McKane; E. Leigh
• Application Number:
  US10/848,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20050260097A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 422/292
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/121 provided with means for cleaning post-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/206 Ethylene oxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/208 Hydrogen peroxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/122 Chambers for sterilisation

Abstract

An apparatus for the sterilization of lumen devices. The apparatus for sterilizing lumen devices is comprised of a chamber defining a region for sterilization, an expansion tank assembly, and a mixing member. The chamber is adapted to receive the expansion tank. The expansion tank is adapted to fluidly connect to at least one lumen device. The mixing member is disposed within the expansion tank to mix gaseous sterilant within residual gas that may include contaminants.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the sterilization of a lumen device with a gaseous sterilant, comprising:

an expansion tank assembly fluidly connectable with at least one lumen device, said expansion tank assembly including an expansion tank;

a housing defining a sterilization chamber being dimensioned to receive said expansion tank assembly; and

at least one mixing member disposed within said expansion tank to produce turbulent fluid flow therein, said mixing member comprised of a plurality of vanes.

2. The apparatus for the sterilization of a lumen device of claim 1 wherein said mixing member further comprises:

a center post and an annular ring, said plurality of vanes extending between said center post and said annular ring.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said gaseous sterilant includes at least one chemical selected from the group consisting of the following:

vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP), ozone, ethylene dioxide, and chlorine dioxide.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said expansion tank includes a chamber having a volume at least equal to a volume of said lumen device being sterilized.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said expansion tank includes a chamber, said at least one mixing member located within the chamber.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said chamber has a first port and a second port, said apparatus having a first mixing member located adjacent to the first port and a second mixing member located adjacent to the second port.

3. An apparatus for the sterilization of a lumen device with a gaseous sterilant, the apparatus comprising:

an expansion tank assembly including an expansion tank and a manifold fluidly connected with said expansion tank, wherein said manifold includes;

a conduit, and

at least one port for fluidly connecting with a lumen device;

a housing defining a sterilization chamber being dimensioned to receive said expansion tank assembly; and

at least one mixing member disposed within said expansion tank assembly to produce turbulent fluid flow therein.

4. The apparatus for the sterilization of a lumen device of claim 3, wherein said at least one mixing member is disposed within said conduit.

5. The apparatus for the sterilization of a lumen device of claim 4, wherein said mixing member is a venturi nozzle.

6. The apparatus for the sterilization of a lumen device of claim 4, wherein said mixing member disposed within said conduit is comprised of a plate disposed across a diameter of said conduit, said plate having an orifice therethrough.

7. An apparatus for the sterilization of a lumen device with a gaseous sterilant, comprising:

an expansion tank assembly fluidly connectable with at least one lumen device, the expansion tank assembly including;

an expansion tank; and

a manifold fluidly connected with the expansion tank, wherein said manifold is comprised of a conduit having a first diameter and a second diameter, said second diameter smaller than said first diameter;

a housing defining a sterilization chamber being dimensioned to receive said expansion tank assembly; and

a mixing member to produce turbulent flow within the expansion tank assembly, said mixing member comprised of a portion of said conduit having said second diameter.

8. An apparatus for the sterilization of a lumen device with a gaseous sterilant, comprising:

an expansion tank assembly fluidly connectable with at least one lumen device, the expansion tank assembly including;

an expansion tank; and

a manifold fluidly connected with the expansion tank, wherein said manifold is comprised of a conduit having a first diameter and a second diameter, said second diameter smaller than said first diameter, and

a housing defining a sterilization chamber being dimensioned to receive said expansion tank assembly; and

a mixing member to produce turbulent flow within the expansion tank assembly, said mixing member comprised of a portion of said conduit having said first diameter.