WO1997033630A1 - Method and accessory adaptor apparatus of disinfecting medical and dental instruments - Google Patents

Method and accessory adaptor apparatus of disinfecting medical and dental instruments Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997033630A1
WO1997033630A1 PCT/US1997/004357 US9704357W WO9733630A1 WO 1997033630 A1 WO1997033630 A1 WO 1997033630A1 US 9704357 W US9704357 W US 9704357W WO 9733630 A1 WO9733630 A1 WO 9733630A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
instrument
medical
sterilant
disinfectant
flow
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/004357
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Paul L. Simmons
Original Assignee
Simmons Paul L
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Simmons Paul L filed Critical Simmons Paul L
Priority to AU25836/97A priority Critical patent/AU2583697A/en
Publication of WO1997033630A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997033630A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C19/00—Dental auxiliary appliances
    • A61C19/002—Cleaning devices specially adapted for dental instruments
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/16—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
    • A61L2/18—Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/26—Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment

Definitions

  • U.S. 5,266,275 describes a medical instrument sterilization system utilizing humidified ozone as a sterilization agent or sterilizing effluent providing ozone generation, humidification of that ozone and its transfer to for circulation in a primary sterilization chamber wherein medical instruments are scoured clean and sterilized by passage of the humidified ozone therethrough and venting the used ozone to a destruction chamber for heat destruction.
  • the invention is in a secondary safety chamber for containing the primary sterilization chamber where the sterilization operation takes place during the sterilization cycle and provides for separately sensing and venting any sterilizing agent as escaping from the primary sterilization chamber.
  • 5,407,354 teaches a multiple stage anti-microbial apparatus to process a handpiece including soaking, de- overburdening through ultrasonic energy, treating with exposing to anti-microbial heat, accommodating coordinated though separate autoclaving and accommodating continuously packaging in a heat shrunk sheath after multiple anti-microbial treatment to prevent later contamination through the air.
  • the distal portion of the heat shrunk sheath is initially removed along weakened paths to expose the operative head of the handpiece, accommodating grasping of the handpiece handle through the remainder of the sheath during use of the handpiece on the patent. After such use the remainder of the sheath is removed along a weakened path and discarded.
  • the anti-microbial apparatus comprises a portable casing with one or more exterior lids or covers.
  • An ultrasonic basin provides a bath for soaking, liquid anti-microbial activity and removal of debris.
  • a heat chamber accommodates facile manual introduction and movement therein of the distal end and a substantial portion of the handle of the handpiece following the bath treatment, to dry and expose the handpiece to anti ⁇ microbial heat and anti-contamination sheath upon the handpiece.
  • U.S. 5,334,355 describes a spent sterilization agent destruct and ambient air mixing device for inclusion with an instrument sterilization system that utilizes humidified ozone 03 and oxygen 02 and provides, within the device, for exposure of that spent sterilization to both a catalytic converter and to an application of heat that converts ozone 03 to 02, thereby rendering the sterilization agent inert and provides for mixing that inert flow
  • U.S. 4,955,402 shows a rectangular container having a divider at one end of the container separating the container into a large processing region and a second region from which the solvent fluid is drained from the container.
  • the divider acts as a weir over which the solvent flows from the processing region into the second region. Contaminating particles which fall onto the surface of the solvent and are momentarily trapped by surface tension are quickly removed from the processing region by the overflow action into the second region.
  • Applicant's invention provides a removable accessory to a bath, ultrasound bath, or other stand alone liquid container to circulate disinfectant or sterilant solution within and against internal surfaces, mechanisms of small, intricate medical and dental instruments.
  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for disinfecting or sterilizing medical and dental instruments.
  • a circulation conduit means comprising a supply conduit and a return conduit is coupled to a circulation pump to circulate disinfectant or sterilant through the system as described more fully hereinafter.
  • the circulation conduit means is operatively coupled to a support member by an adjustable mounting member.
  • An instrument coupling member or fitting is configured to feed disinfectant or sterilant from the circulation conduit means to a medical or dental instrument detachably coupled thereto.
  • the operation of the apparatus is controlled and monitored by a control means comprising a control switch and a flow detection means including a flow detector and a flow detection circuit and an indicator to detect and indicate when the disinfectant or sterilant is circulating through the apparatus.
  • a control means comprising a control switch and a flow detection means including a flow detector and a flow detection circuit and an indicator to detect and indicate when the disinfectant or sterilant is circulating through the apparatus.
  • the disinfectant or sterilant is discharged from the medical or dental instrument into the reservoir through the medical or dental instrument and/or a return channel formed in the instrument coupling member or fitting.
  • a medical or dental instrument is attached to the instrument coupling member of fitting.
  • the medical or dental instrument and the instrument coupling member or fitting are immersed into the disinfectant or sterilant by lowering the adjustable mounting member on the support member.
  • a securing means or set knob is tightened to secure or hold the medical or dental instrument in place on the support member.
  • the control switch is then actuated to start the circulation pump to circulate the disinfectant or sterilant through the medical or dental instrument.
  • the flow detector detects flow of the disinfectant or sterilant such that the indicator provides an indication that the disinfectant or sterilant is circulating through the apparatus and the medical or dental instrument.
  • the indicator may generate an indication of a blockage or obstruction to flow of the disinfectant or sterilant in the apparatus or medical or dental instrument.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of the apparatus for disinfecting or sterilizing medical and dental instruments. Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. Best Mode for Carrying Out the invention
  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for disinfecting or sterilizing medical and dental instruments generally including lumens channels or orifices formed therein.
  • the apparatus includes a securing means or set knob 1 to permit vertical adjustment of a portion of the apparatus along a substantially vertical support member or post 2 as described more fully hereinafter.
  • a circulation conduit means or tubing generally indicated as 3 comprising a supply conduit and a return conduit is disposed to circulate disinfectant or sterilant through the system as described more fully hereinafter.
  • a control means comprising a flow detection means including a flow detector and a flow detection circuit or detection electronics and an indicator 4 to detect and indicate when disinfectant or sterilant is circulating through the apparatus and a control switch or timer 5.
  • a circulation pump 6 operatively disposed within a housing 7 is coupled to the circulation conduit means or tubing 3 by a pump conduit means or tubing generally indicated as 8 comprising a pump outlet conduit and a pump inlet conduit.
  • the flow detector comprises a fiber optic element 9 or other suitable detector/sensor operatively coupled to the flow detection circuit or detection electronics and indicator 4 to detect flow of disinfectant or sterilant through a flow chamber 11 and indicate flow of disinfectant or sterilant through the apparatus as described more fully hereinafter.
  • the flow detection circuit or detection electronics and indicator 4 includes means to generate an audio and/or visual flow indication or indicator signal when the disinfectant or sterilant is circulating through the apparatus and the medical or dental instrument 13 and to generate an audio and/or visual obstruction indication or indicator signal when an obstruction to flow of the disinfectant or sterilant in the apparatus or the medical or dental instrument 13 is present.
  • the circulation conduit means or tubing 3 and the fiber optic element or detector/sensor 9 are operatively coupled to the substantially vertical support member or post 2 by a vertically adjustable mounting member or block 10.
  • An instrument coupling member or fitting 12 is disposed to feed disinfectant or sterilant from the circulation conduit means or tubing 3 to a medical or dental instrument 13 detachably coupled thereto.
  • the instrument coupling member or fitting 12 and the medical or dental instrument 13 are disposed within a reservoir or container 14 that retains a disinfectant or sterilant 15 in liquid form.
  • the disinfectant or sterilant 15 is discharged from the medical or dental instrument 13 into the reservoir or container 14 through the medical or dental instrument 13 and/or a return channel 16 formed in the instrument coupling member or fitting 12.
  • a return flow filter 17 is disposed within an instrument support member or header 18 affixed to the circulation conduit means 3 or tubing and configured to support the instrument coupling member or fitting 12 and the medical or dental instrument 13 in operating relationship relative to the flow chamber 11 formed therein.
  • a supply conduit 19 of the circulation conduit means or tubing 3 is coupled between the circulation pump 6 through a pump outlet conduit 20 of the pump conduit means or tubing 8 and the medical or dental instrument 13 through the flow chamber 11 formed in the instrument support member or header 18 and a supply channel 21 formed in the instrument coupling member or fitting 12 to supply the disinfectant or sterilant 15 from the circulation pump 6 to the medical or dental instrument 13.
  • a return conduit 22 of the circulation conduit means or tubing 3 is coupled between the circulation pump 6 through a pump inlet conduit 23 of the pump conduit means or tubing 8 and the disinfectant or sterilant 15 retained in the reservoir or container 14 through the return flow filter 17 removably disposed within a filter chamber 24 formed in the instrument support member or header 18 to return the disinfectant or sterilant 15 from the reservoir or container 14 to the circulation pump 6.
  • a medical or dental instrument 13 is attached to the instrument coupling member or fitting 12.
  • instrument coupling member or fitting 12 and instrument support member or header 18 are immersed into the disinfectant or sterilant 15 by lowering the vertically adjustable conduit mounting member or block 10 on the substantially vertical support member or post 2.
  • the securing means or set knob 1 When so positioned, the securing means or set knob 1 is tightened to secure or hold the medical or dental instrument 13 in place on the substantially vertical support member or post 2.
  • the control switch or timer 5 is then actuated to start the circulation pump 6 to circulate the disinfectant or sterilant 15 through the medical or dental instrument 13.
  • the flow detector 9 operatively coupled to the detection circuit or detection electronics 4 is disposed relative to the flow chamber 11 to detect flow of the disinfectant or sterilant 15 therethrough such that the detection circuit or detection electronics and indicator 4 generates the audio or visual flow indication or indicator signal that the disinfectant and sterilant 15 is circulating through the apparatus and the medical or dental instrument 13.
  • the detection circuit or detection electronics 4 generates the audio and/or visual obstruction indication or indicator signal to indicate stoppage in the system, in addition, the detection circuit or detection electronics and indicator 4 includes means or circuitry to shut off the circulation pump 6.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
  • Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus for use in combination with a reservoir (14) containing disinfectant or sterilant (15) therein for disinfecting or sterilizing medical and dental instruments (13) comprising an instrument support assembly configured to operatively support the medical or dental instrument (13) to be disinfected or sterilized, a circulation assembly (3/6/8) to selectively circulate disinfectant or sterilant (15) from the reservoir (14) through the apparatus and the medical or dental instrument (13), and a control (4/5) including circuitry to control the operation of the apparatus.

Description

DESCRIPTION Method and Accessory Adaptor Apparatus of Disin ecting Medical and Dental Instruments Technical Field
This is a regular patent application claiming priority and converted from the provisional patent application filed March 12, 1996 assigned application number 60/013,268. Background Art
Method and apparatus for disinfecting or sterilizing medical and dental instruments. various methods and devices have been developed to disinfect and/or sterilize instruments such as air-driven dental drills, hoses and other devices which are used in medicine or dentistry, some instruments cannot withstand the autoclaving process and in addition are difficult to clean prior to sterilization. Manual exterior washing with a commercially available disinfectant/sterilant, such as glutarldehyde or pure alcohol is not always practical or effective. Because of serious life threatening diseases such as AIDS (Acquired immune Deficiency Syndrome), not only is there an extreme anxiety among patients, but extraordinary positive methods must be implemented to prevent cross-contamination among patients. Manual washing alone does not force solution within and surrounding small intricate parts such as the turbine assembly of a dental air drill.
U.S. 5,266,275 describes a medical instrument sterilization system utilizing humidified ozone as a sterilization agent or sterilizing effluent providing ozone generation, humidification of that ozone and its transfer to for circulation in a primary sterilization chamber wherein medical instruments are scoured clean and sterilized by passage of the humidified ozone therethrough and venting the used ozone to a destruction chamber for heat destruction. The invention is in a secondary safety chamber for containing the primary sterilization chamber where the sterilization operation takes place during the sterilization cycle and provides for separately sensing and venting any sterilizing agent as escaping from the primary sterilization chamber. U.S. 5,407,354 teaches a multiple stage anti-microbial apparatus to process a handpiece including soaking, de- overburdening through ultrasonic energy, treating with exposing to anti-microbial heat, accommodating coordinated though separate autoclaving and accommodating continuously packaging in a heat shrunk sheath after multiple anti-microbial treatment to prevent later contamination through the air. The distal portion of the heat shrunk sheath is initially removed along weakened paths to expose the operative head of the handpiece, accommodating grasping of the handpiece handle through the remainder of the sheath during use of the handpiece on the patent. After such use the remainder of the sheath is removed along a weakened path and discarded. The anti-microbial apparatus comprises a portable casing with one or more exterior lids or covers. An ultrasonic basin provides a bath for soaking, liquid anti-microbial activity and removal of debris. A heat chamber accommodates facile manual introduction and movement therein of the distal end and a substantial portion of the handle of the handpiece following the bath treatment, to dry and expose the handpiece to anti¬ microbial heat and anti-contamination sheath upon the handpiece.
U.S. 5,334,355 describes a spent sterilization agent destruct and ambient air mixing device for inclusion with an instrument sterilization system that utilizes humidified ozone 03 and oxygen 02 and provides, within the device, for exposure of that spent sterilization to both a catalytic converter and to an application of heat that converts ozone 03 to 02, thereby rendering the sterilization agent inert and provides for mixing that inert flow
with ambient air and venting to atmosphere.
U.S. 4,955,402 shows a rectangular container having a divider at one end of the container separating the container into a large processing region and a second region from which the solvent fluid is drained from the container. The divider acts as a weir over which the solvent flows from the processing region into the second region. Contaminating particles which fall onto the surface of the solvent and are momentarily trapped by surface tension are quickly removed from the processing region by the overflow action into the second region.
Additional examples of the prior art are found in; U.S.
5,252,290; U.S. 5,281,401; U.S. 5,368,816 and U.S. 5,453,245
Applicant's invention provides a removable accessory to a bath, ultrasound bath, or other stand alone liquid container to circulate disinfectant or sterilant solution within and against internal surfaces, mechanisms of small, intricate medical and dental instruments.
Disclosure of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for disinfecting or sterilizing medical and dental instruments.
A circulation conduit means comprising a supply conduit and a return conduit is coupled to a circulation pump to circulate disinfectant or sterilant through the system as described more fully hereinafter. The circulation conduit means is operatively coupled to a support member by an adjustable mounting member. An instrument coupling member or fitting is configured to feed disinfectant or sterilant from the circulation conduit means to a medical or dental instrument detachably coupled thereto.
The operation of the apparatus is controlled and monitored by a control means comprising a control switch and a flow detection means including a flow detector and a flow detection circuit and an indicator to detect and indicate when the disinfectant or sterilant is circulating through the apparatus. in operation, the disinfectant or sterilant is discharged from the medical or dental instrument into the reservoir through the medical or dental instrument and/or a return channel formed in the instrument coupling member or fitting. in use, a medical or dental instrument is attached to the instrument coupling member of fitting. Thus assembled, the medical or dental instrument and the instrument coupling member or fitting are immersed into the disinfectant or sterilant by lowering the adjustable mounting member on the support member. When so positioned, a securing means or set knob is tightened to secure or hold the medical or dental instrument in place on the support member. The control switch is then actuated to start the circulation pump to circulate the disinfectant or sterilant through the medical or dental instrument. The flow detector detects flow of the disinfectant or sterilant such that the indicator provides an indication that the disinfectant or sterilant is circulating through the apparatus and the medical or dental instrument. Alternately, the indicator may generate an indication of a blockage or obstruction to flow of the disinfectant or sterilant in the apparatus or medical or dental instrument.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
Brief Description of the Drawings
For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of the apparatus for disinfecting or sterilizing medical and dental instruments. Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. Best Mode for Carrying Out the invention
As shown in Fig. 1, the present invention relates to an apparatus for disinfecting or sterilizing medical and dental instruments generally including lumens channels or orifices formed therein.
The apparatus includes a securing means or set knob 1 to permit vertical adjustment of a portion of the apparatus along a substantially vertical support member or post 2 as described more fully hereinafter.
A circulation conduit means or tubing generally indicated as 3 comprising a supply conduit and a return conduit is disposed to circulate disinfectant or sterilant through the system as described more fully hereinafter.
The operation of the apparatus is controlled and monitored by a control means comprising a flow detection means including a flow detector and a flow detection circuit or detection electronics and an indicator 4 to detect and indicate when disinfectant or sterilant is circulating through the apparatus and a control switch or timer 5.
A circulation pump 6 operatively disposed within a housing 7 is coupled to the circulation conduit means or tubing 3 by a pump conduit means or tubing generally indicated as 8 comprising a pump outlet conduit and a pump inlet conduit.
The flow detector comprises a fiber optic element 9 or other suitable detector/sensor operatively coupled to the flow detection circuit or detection electronics and indicator 4 to detect flow of disinfectant or sterilant through a flow chamber 11 and indicate flow of disinfectant or sterilant through the apparatus as described more fully hereinafter. The flow detection circuit or detection electronics and indicator 4 includes means to generate an audio and/or visual flow indication or indicator signal when the disinfectant or sterilant is circulating through the apparatus and the medical or dental instrument 13 and to generate an audio and/or visual obstruction indication or indicator signal when an obstruction to flow of the disinfectant or sterilant in the apparatus or the medical or dental instrument 13 is present.
The circulation conduit means or tubing 3 and the fiber optic element or detector/sensor 9 are operatively coupled to the substantially vertical support member or post 2 by a vertically adjustable mounting member or block 10. An instrument coupling member or fitting 12 is disposed to feed disinfectant or sterilant from the circulation conduit means or tubing 3 to a medical or dental instrument 13 detachably coupled thereto. The instrument coupling member or fitting 12 and the medical or dental instrument 13 are disposed within a reservoir or container 14 that retains a disinfectant or sterilant 15 in liquid form. The disinfectant or sterilant 15 is discharged from the medical or dental instrument 13 into the reservoir or container 14 through the medical or dental instrument 13 and/or a return channel 16 formed in the instrument coupling member or fitting 12. A return flow filter 17 is disposed within an instrument support member or header 18 affixed to the circulation conduit means 3 or tubing and configured to support the instrument coupling member or fitting 12 and the medical or dental instrument 13 in operating relationship relative to the flow chamber 11 formed therein. A supply conduit 19 of the circulation conduit means or tubing 3 is coupled between the circulation pump 6 through a pump outlet conduit 20 of the pump conduit means or tubing 8 and the medical or dental instrument 13 through the flow chamber 11 formed in the instrument support member or header 18 and a supply channel 21 formed in the instrument coupling member or fitting 12 to supply the disinfectant or sterilant 15 from the circulation pump 6 to the medical or dental instrument 13. A return conduit 22 of the circulation conduit means or tubing 3 is coupled between the circulation pump 6 through a pump inlet conduit 23 of the pump conduit means or tubing 8 and the disinfectant or sterilant 15 retained in the reservoir or container 14 through the return flow filter 17 removably disposed within a filter chamber 24 formed in the instrument support member or header 18 to return the disinfectant or sterilant 15 from the reservoir or container 14 to the circulation pump 6. in use, a medical or dental instrument 13 is attached to the instrument coupling member or fitting 12. Thus assembled, the medical or dental instrument 13, instrument coupling member or fitting 12 and instrument support member or header 18 are immersed into the disinfectant or sterilant 15 by lowering the vertically adjustable conduit mounting member or block 10 on the substantially vertical support member or post 2. When so positioned, the securing means or set knob 1 is tightened to secure or hold the medical or dental instrument 13 in place on the substantially vertical support member or post 2. The control switch or timer 5 is then actuated to start the circulation pump 6 to circulate the disinfectant or sterilant 15 through the medical or dental instrument 13. The flow detector 9 operatively coupled to the detection circuit or detection electronics 4 is disposed relative to the flow chamber 11 to detect flow of the disinfectant or sterilant 15 therethrough such that the detection circuit or detection electronics and indicator 4 generates the audio or visual flow indication or indicator signal that the disinfectant and sterilant 15 is circulating through the apparatus and the medical or dental instrument 13. in the event there is an obstruction within the system such as in the apparatus or the lumen(s), channel(s) or orifice(s) in the medical or dental instrument 13, the detection circuit or detection electronics 4 generates the audio and/or visual obstruction indication or indicator signal to indicate stoppage in the system, in addition, the detection circuit or detection electronics and indicator 4 includes means or circuitry to shut off the circulation pump 6. it will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. it is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
Now that the invention has been described,

Claims

Claims:
1. An apparatus for use in combination with a reservoir containing disinfectant or sterilant therein for disinfecting or sterilizing medical and dental instruments comprising an instrument support means configured to operatively support the medical or dental instrument to be disinfected or sterilized, a circulation means to selectively circulate disinfectant or sterilant from the reservoir through said apparatus and the medical or dental instrument, and a control including means to control the operation of said apparatus.
2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said circulation means comprises a supply conduit and a return conduit and a circulation pump coupled to said supply conduit and said return conduit by a pump outlet conduit and a pump inlet conduit respectively.
3. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein said instrument support means comprises an instrument coupling member disposed to feed disinfectant or sterilant from said circulation pump through said supply conduit means to the medical or dental instrument detachably coupled thereto.
4. The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein said instrument coupling member includes a supply channel formed therein to supply the disinfectant or sterilant from said circulation pump to the medical or dental instrument.
5. The apparatus of Claim 4 wherein said instrument coupling member further includes a return channel to return the disinfectant or sterilant from the medical or dental instrument into the reservoir.
6. The apparatus of Claim 5 wherein said instrument support means further comprises an instrument support member affixed to said circulation means and configured to support said instrument coupling member and the medical or dental instrument in operating relationship relative to each other.
7. The apparatus of Claim 6 wherein said instrument support member includes a flow chamber formed between said supply conduit and said supply channel.
8. The apparatus of Claim 7 wherein said instrument support member further includes a return flow filter disposed within a filter chamber formed therein to filter the disinfectant or sterilant from the reservoir to said circulation pump.
9. The apparatus of Claim 7 wherein said control means comprises a flow detection means including a flow detector disposed to detect when disinfectant or sterilant is circulating through said flow chamber.
10. The apparatus of Claim 9 wherein said flow detector comprises a fiber optic element operatively coupled to said flow detection means to detect flow of disinfectant or sterilant through said flow chamber and indicate flow of the disinfectant or sterilant through said apparatus.
11. The apparatus of Claim 9 wherein said flow detection means includes means to generate a flow signal when the disinfectant or sterilant is circulating through said apparatus and the medical or dental instrument.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said flow detection means includes means to generate an obstruction indicator signal when an obstruction to flow of the disinfectant or sterilant in said apparatus or the medical or dental instrument is detected.
13. The apparatus of Claim 12 wherein said detection means deactivates said circulation pump when said obstruction indicator signal is generated.
14. The apparatus of Claim 9 wherein said detection means generates a visual flow indicator signal to indicate that the disinfectant and sterilant is circulating through said apparatus and the medical or dental instrument and said detection means generates a visual obstruction indicator signal to indicate flow stoppage through the apparatus and medical or dental instrument.
15. The apparatus of Claim 6 wherein the medical or dental instrument, said instrument coupling member and said instrument support member are immersed into the disinfectant or sterilant in the reservoir by lowering a conduit mounting member on a support member.
PCT/US1997/004357 1996-03-12 1997-03-10 Method and accessory adaptor apparatus of disinfecting medical and dental instruments WO1997033630A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU25836/97A AU2583697A (en) 1996-03-12 1997-03-10 Method and accessory adaptor apparatus of disinfecting medical and dental instruments

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US1326896P 1996-03-12 1996-03-12
US60/013,268 1996-03-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997033630A1 true WO1997033630A1 (en) 1997-09-18

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITUD20090142A1 (en) * 2009-08-05 2011-02-06 Steelco S R L Unipersonale CONNECTION DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4752444A (en) * 1985-12-09 1988-06-21 Bowen Ltd. Method for sterilizing a dental handpiece
US5137689A (en) * 1987-07-01 1992-08-11 Cantrell Stephen B Method and apparatus for cleaning instruments
US5279799A (en) * 1990-10-23 1994-01-18 Hamo Ag Apparatus for cleaning and testing endoscopes
US5326492A (en) * 1991-11-18 1994-07-05 Medical Polymers, Inc. Disinfectant mixture containing water soluble lubricating and cleaning agents and method

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4752444A (en) * 1985-12-09 1988-06-21 Bowen Ltd. Method for sterilizing a dental handpiece
US5137689A (en) * 1987-07-01 1992-08-11 Cantrell Stephen B Method and apparatus for cleaning instruments
US5279799A (en) * 1990-10-23 1994-01-18 Hamo Ag Apparatus for cleaning and testing endoscopes
US5326492A (en) * 1991-11-18 1994-07-05 Medical Polymers, Inc. Disinfectant mixture containing water soluble lubricating and cleaning agents and method

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITUD20090142A1 (en) * 2009-08-05 2011-02-06 Steelco S R L Unipersonale CONNECTION DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS

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