Apparatus and method for cleaning an instrument
Inventors
Vasquez, Jose • Diaz, Luis • Peterson, Dan • Cantey, Ed • Berkey, Jody • Fowler, Dan • Thomas, Brian • Gonzalez, Miguel J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10022189-B2
Publication Date
2018-07-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
An apparatus for cleaning an instrument with a cleaning fluid includes a vessel defining a chamber and a port for at least partially filling the chamber with the fluid. The apparatus further includes an ultrasonic transducer for delivering ultrasonic energy to the fluid, and a vacuum pump for depressurizing the chamber. The apparatus further includes a rotatable device removably disposable in the chamber and having a rack defining a cavity for supporting the instrument. The rotatable device also has a fluid delivery member extending toward the cavity and having a fluid channel between an inlet and an outlet. The apparatus further includes a fluid transmission system in fluid communication with the chamber and the fluid channel of the fluid delivery member for circulating the fluid from the chamber through the fluid channel of the fluid delivery member. A method of cleaning an instrument is also provided.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an apparatus for cleaning an instrument with a cleaning fluid, where the instrument has a lumen. A vessel defines a chamber and includes a port for at least partially filling the chamber with the cleaning fluid, and an ultrasonic transducer operatively coupled to the vessel delivers ultrasonic energy to the cleaning fluid in the chamber.
The apparatus further includes a vacuum pump operatively coupled to the vessel to depressurize the chamber. A rotatable device is removably disposable in the chamber, defines a longitudinal axis, and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis, and the rotatable device has a rack defining a cavity for supporting the instrument.
The rotatable device includes a projection extending towards the cavity for jetting the cleaning fluid into the lumen, with a projection inlet, a projection outlet, and a fluid channel extending along the length between the inlet and the outlet. A fluid transmission system in fluid communication with the chamber and the fluid channel circulates the cleaning fluid from the chamber through the fluid channel for jetting into the instrument lumen.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 covers an instrument-cleaning apparatus defined by a vessel chamber with a port, ultrasonic energy delivery, vacuum depressurization, a rotatable rack supporting an instrument lumen, and a fluid delivery projection that jets cleaning fluid into the lumen using a fluid channel circulated by a fluid transmission system. Three additional inventive features are captured in the claim set.
Vessel defining a chamber with a port for cleaning fluid
A vessel defining a chamber and a port for at least partially filling said chamber with the cleaning fluid.
Ultrasonic transducer delivering ultrasonic energy to the chamber cleaning fluid
An ultrasonic transducer operatively coupled to said vessel for delivering ultrasonic energy to the cleaning fluid in said chamber.
Vacuum pump depressurizing the chamber
A vacuum pump operatively coupled to said vessel for depressurizing said chamber.
Rotatable device with rack cavity supporting the instrument
A rotatable device removably disposable in said chamber and defining a longitudinal axis with said rotatable device being rotatable about said longitudinal axis and having a rack defining a cavity for supporting the instrument.
Projection jetting cleaning fluid into the instrument lumen with inlet, outlet, and fluid channel
Said rotatable device further having a projection extending towards said cavity of said rack for jetting the cleaning fluid into the lumen of the instrument with said projection having a length for at least partially extending into the lumen of the instrument and said projection defining an inlet for receiving the cleaning fluid, an outlet for jetting the cleaning fluid into the lumen of the instrument, and a fluid channel extending along said length between said inlet and said outlet.
Fluid transmission system circulating cleaning fluid from chamber through the projection fluid channel
A fluid transmission system in fluid communication with said chamber and said fluid channel of said projection for circulating the cleaning fluid from said chamber through said fluid channel of said fluid delivery member.
Claim clm-00001 establishes the combination of a vessel chamber with a port containing cleaning fluid, ultrasonic energy delivery to that fluid, vacuum pump depressurization, a rotatable rack supporting an instrument, and a longitudinal projection having inlet, outlet, and a fluid channel that jets circulated cleaning fluid into the instrument lumen.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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