DE102007044703A1 - Transportable sterilization container for collecting clinical sterile, has test body that is provided inside sterilization container for testing air space or sterilization control, and indicator that is arranged at viewing window - Google Patents

Abstract

The transportable sterilization container (10) has a lower part (12) and a cover (14). The sterilization container is made from a metal or a hard plastic. A sterile is steam-sterilized in the sterilization container. An opening is provided for an exchange of medium of air-steam during the steam sterilization process. A test body is provided inside the sterilization container for testing air space or sterilization control. An indicator is arranged at a viewing window (18) such that the indicator is observed from outside of the sterilization container.

Description

The The present invention relates to a sterilization container according to the preamble of claim 1.

In medical institutes, z. In hospitals, the items used for surgery must be sterilized to prevent infection. It is customary to accommodate surgical instruments or other items in a portable Sterilisierbehälter, this sterilization container is closed air and vapor permeable, without germs can penetrate into the container. A sterilization container equipped with clinical sterile material is then placed in a steam sterilization unit, wherein the clinical sterile material contained in the sterilization container is steam-sterilized. Such a portable Sterilisierbehälter is from the German utility model DE-G 81 34 095 known.

To check the correctness of the Dampfsterilisiervorgangs a test specimen is placed in the sterilization, together with the clinical Sterilisgut, as he, for example, from EP 0 628 814 A1 is known. This test specimen comprises a chemo indicator, by means of which discoloration the correctness of the steam sterilization process can be read off. However, because this specimen is located inside the sterilization container, a check of the specimen can only take place if the sterilization container is opened accordingly. The sterile material is again contaminated with unsterile germs and the like. For this reason, the Sterilisierbehälter remains closed and is brought with the clinical Sterilgut in it to the place of its destination, for example, to the operating room, and opened only when the clinical Sterilgut is also used. Once the sterilization container has been opened, the specimen is also checked to see if the steam sterilization process has been completed correctly. If this is not the case, then the entire sterilization container, including the clinical sterile material contained therein, is not used and forwarded for renewed sterilization. In order to ensure that there is always enough of the required clinical sterile material at the place of use, several such sterilization containers and their contents must be provided. This is complicated and may possibly also lead to the delay of the corresponding operation, since time is lost by the respective checking of the test specimen.

From the EP 0 982 039 A1 is a steam sterilizer with an integrated test specimen known, the indicator is read from the outside. However, such a steam sterilizer is very large and heavy and not suitable for transporting the clinical sterile items needed for the operation within the hospital.

From the US 6,488,890 B1 For example, a machine-readable sterilization indicator is known that is attachable to an outside of a container. However, such a sterilization indicator is very expensive, and it has also been found that this is not very reliable.

From that The present invention is based on the object, a sterilizing container of the type mentioned above create a control of the sterilization process immediately after the steam sterilization can be done without doing the sterile goods contaminated.

When technical solution to this problem is inventively a Sterilization container with the features of the claim 1 proposed. Advantageous developments of this sterilization container are to be taken from the subclaims.

One trained according to this technical teaching sterilization container has the advantage that by the sterilizing container attached viewing window can be seen from the outside, whether Steam sterilization carried out according to regulations without opening the lid of the sterilization container got to. Consequently, such inventively trained Sterilization tank checked immediately after completion of the steam sterilization process so that a sterilization container with an insufficient Steam sterilization process not even in the appropriate department, especially in the operating room is forwarded. Much more Now the steam sterilization process can be repeated directly so that only properly sterilized sterilization container to get redirected. This not only allows transportation costs be lowered, since no sterilization container useless it can be transported, but it can be the number the existing sterilization container and the amount of sterilization material can be reduced because a corresponding stock level, z. In the Operating room, now unnecessary.

One Another advantage is that the attending physician can be sure can, that the sterile goods needed by him actually is sufficiently sterile, so that opening the sterilization container is dispensable for checking the sterile goods, so that the sterilization container only much later, d. H. be opened shortly before using the respective sterile items needs. Through this subsequent opening of the sterilization container also reduces the risk of contamination of the sterile goods.

By placing the measuring chamber directly on the viewing window and by the simultaneous Providing an opening for media exchange at the measuring chamber, it is possible to use a so-called chemo indicator as an indicator for the test specimen. This is a chemically prepared paper that discolors according to the amount of residual air. Such an indicator is very reliable and yet inexpensive, so that only little additional costs arise for the sterilizing container according to the invention.

It has been found in such sterilized containers the critical point for measuring the vacuum at the bottom of the container is. So that the measuring chamber and thus the viewing window but still It can be attached to a side wall of the base proved to be advantageous to the measuring chamber a hose connect, the end advantageously close to Bottom of the base reaches. This creates a direct connection from the measuring chamber to the bottom of the base, making this critical Range can be reliably measured.

The Attachment of the hose to a side wall of the lower part, in particular if the hose thereby meandered laid is very space efficient, allowing the usable volume of the sterilized Container is not significantly reduced thereby.

In In another preferred embodiment, the measuring chamber closed with a removable knurled nut. By removing the knurled nut it is possible in a simple way to approach the indicator to exchange this.

In Another preferred embodiment is the viewing window attached to a narrow side of the base. This has the advantage that usually arranged side by side with their long sides Sterilization container when moving out of the corresponding Carrying device from the steam sterilization system quickly and in can be checked easily without raising or lifting each sterilization container needs to be turned.

In a preferred embodiment, it has proved to be advantageous to place the viewing window in an upper corner of a side wall, because the viewing window and the associated specimen least disturbing at this point. At the same time can This hose is particularly easy and, above all, kink-free are connected, and then preferably on the adjacent side wall to be laid meander-shaped, so that the free end the hose ends near the bottom of the base.

Further Advantages of the sterilization container according to the invention result from the attached drawing and the below described embodiments. Likewise the above-mentioned and still further features According to the invention in each case individually or in any Combinations are used together. The mentioned Embodiments are not exhaustive Enumerating to understand, but rather have exemplary Character. Show it:

1 a schematic perspective view of a sterilization container according to the invention with an indicated specimen including hose;

2 a sectioned partial view of the sterilization container according to 1 , cut along line II-II in 1 ;

3 a plan view of the lower part of the sterilization container according to 1 :
In the 1 to 3 is a sterilizing container according to the invention 10 represented, which a lower part 12 and a lid 14 includes. The lower part 12 is made of a single piece, and in the lid openings are provided to ensure a media exchange air-steam. On the inside of the lid, in turn, an inner lid, not shown here, is provided with a valve that can not come from the outside germs into the interior of the sterilization after the lid 14 on the lower part 12 was locked.

Such a sterilization container is used for steam sterilization of clinical sterile material, wherein still sterile material is placed in the Sterilisierbehälter before the lid 14 on the lower part 12 is locked. Subsequently, the entire, sealed sterilization container 10 placed in a steam sterilization plant in which the corresponding steam sterilization process takes place. Through the openings in the lid 14 For example, the interior of the sterilization container can be evacuated and then re-steamed to sterilize the sterile material inside the sterilization container. After steam sterilization, the sterilization container remains 10 closed and is in this closed state at its destination, eg. B. in an operating room in a hospital brought. Only shortly before the use of the sterilized, z. As part of an operation, the sterilization container is opened.

In order to be able to check whether the steam sterilization process has run properly, is on a narrow side 16 of the lower part 12 a viewing window 18 let in, behind which a measuring chamber 20 is trained. In this measuring chamber 20 is an indicator 22 is provided, which indicates by the nature of its discoloration, whether the steam sterilization process has passed properly or not.

In particular 2 it can be seen, is in a recess 24 in a narrow side 16 of the lower part 12 of the sterilization container 10 a circular insert 26 inserted, in the middle of the viewing window 18 is held. This use 26 is done by means of screws 28 on the narrow side 16 attached, with at least one O-ring 30 for sealing between the insert 26 and the narrow side 16 is arranged.

On the insert 26 is a circumferential, circular shoulder 32 formed with internal thread, which enters the interior of the sterilization container 10 extends. In this shoulder 32 is a knurled nut 34 screwed in, being between an end face of the shoulder 32 and the knurled nut 34 another o-ring 36 is introduced for sealing. The knurled nut 34 is designed so that between the end of the knurled nut 34 under the viewing window 18 a free space remains, which the measuring chamber 20 forms. In this measuring chamber 20 there is a chemo indicator 22 , This is preferably a paper treated with chemicals, which reacts color sensitive to air and steam, so that it can be read on the basis of the color of this indicator, whether the Dampfsterilzeretzungsprozess has run properly.

At a bottom of the measuring chamber 22 is an opening 38 provided to allow the measuring chamber 20 with the interior of the sterilization container 10 a media exchange can perform air-steam. Through this connection of the measuring chamber and the interior of the sterilization chamber, it is possible that the indicator perceives the actual conditions inside the sterilization chamber and displays accordingly.

At this opening 38 is a metal tube 40 attached to which a hose 42 made of Teflon by means of a hose clamp 44 is held. This hose 42 is on an elongated sidewall 46 of the lower part 12 attached meandering, in particular glued, wherein the free end of the hose 42 close to the bottom of the base 12 comes to the plant. As a result, there is a direct connection from the measuring chamber 20 to the bottom of the sterilization container 10 , As the bottom of the sterilization container 10 always represents the critical point in a steam sterilization, this can be checked very reliable, if the steam sterilization process was performed properly.

As the chemo indicator 22 After each steam sterilization process is consumed, a new indicator must enter the measuring chamber before the next steam sterilization process 20 be inserted. All you need is the knurled nut 34 out of action 26 be unscrewed, remove the old indicator and insert the new indicator before inserting the knurled nut back into the thread 26 is screwed in.

The use 26 with the viewing window 18 is at an upper right corner of the narrow side 16 of the lower part 12 appropriate. This allows the hose 42 without having to bend it great, at the measuring chamber 20 attached and on an elongated side wall 46 be moved.

In another, not shown embodiment, the tube is vertical to the narrow side 16 to the bottom of the base 12 guided and laid on the ground meandering. Again, the free end of the hose 42 directly on the ground and thus can be the critical point of the sterilization container 10 check.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the measuring chamber is 20 at the bottom of the narrow side 16 of the lower part 12 arranged so that the hose can be dispensed with. In yet another embodiment, the tube is replaced by a metal tube.

10

sterilization

12

lower part

14

cover

16

narrow side

18

window

20

measuring chamber

22

indicator

24

recess

26

commitment

28

screw

30

O-ring

32

shoulder

34

knurled nut

36

O-ring

38

opening

40

metal tube

42

tube

44

hose clamp

46

Side wall

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 8134095 [0002]
• - EP 0628814 A1 [0003]
• EP 0982039 A1 [0004]
• - US 6488890 B1 [0005]

Claims (10)

Transportable sterilizing container made of metal or hard plastic for receiving clinical sterile material, wherein the sterile material in the sterilization container is steam-sterilizable, with a lower part ( 12 ), with a lid ( 14 ) and with openings for facilitating the media exchange of air-vapor during the steam sterilization process, wherein the openings for germs are sufficiently impermeable and yet sufficiently vapor-permeable for steam sterilization, characterized in that the sterilization container ( 10 ) a viewing window ( 18 ), that in the interior of the sterilization container ( 10 ) a test body for checking the air removal and / or sterilization control is provided, which is an indicator ( 22 ) and that the indicator ( 22 ) on the viewing window ( 18 ) is arranged so that the indicator ( 22 ) is visible from the outside. Sterilization container according to claim 1, characterized in that the test body is a measuring chamber ( 20 ), in which the indicator ( 22 ), wherein the measuring chamber ( 20 ) an opening ( 38 ), over which takes place during the Dampfsterilisiervorganges a media exchange air-steam. Sterilization container according to claim 2, characterized in that the measuring chamber ( 20 ) a hose ( 42 ) connected. Sterilization container according to claim 3, characterized in that at the opening ( 38 ) permanently a metal tube ( 40 ) is attached, at the free end of the hose ( 42 ) is attached. Sterilization container according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the free end of the tube ( 42 ) near the bottom of the lower part ( 12 ) is provided. Sterilization container according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the hose ( 42 ) on a side wall ( 46 ) of the lower part ( 12 ) is laid meandering. Sterilization container according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the measuring chamber ( 20 ) with a knurled nut ( 34 ) is releasably closed. Sterilization container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the viewing window ( 18 ) on a narrow side of the lower part ( 12 ) is attached. Sterilization container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the viewing window ( 18 ) in an upper corner of a side wall ( 46 ) of the lower part ( 12 ), in particular the narrow side ( 16 ) is appropriate. Sterilization container according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the hose ( 42 ) at one on the narrow side ( 16 ) adjacent side wall ( 46 ) of the lower part ( 12 ) is attached.