Classifications

• • 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
• • 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
  • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
  • A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
  • A61L2202/12—Apparatus for isolating biocidal substances from the environment
• • 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
  • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
  • A61L2202/20—Targets to be treated
  • A61L2202/24—Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps

Definitions

• the present invention relates to apparatus for handling liquids, and to a sterilisation apparatus including the liquid-handling apparatus.
• An example of apparatus in which it is desirable to handle liquids without skin contact or airlock formation is apparatus for sterilising items of medical equipment such as endoscopes using a liquid sterilant such as glutaraldehyde.
• Endoscopes must be thoroughly cleaned and sterilised after use on one patient, before use on another patient.
• a number of washer-disinfectors are known for carrying out such cleaning and sterilising procedures.
• WO 2008/020770 discloses sterilisation apparatus which includes a tray for receiving an item to be sterilised, and a drain having a valve which is operated by an electronic controller.
• the controller is configured to operate opening and closing of the drain valve to control exposure time of equipment to sterilisation fluid in the tray.
• the controller can also keep a log of various parameters relating to sterilisation cycles, including sterilisation times and dates, and details of equipment and operators.
• the controller opens a valve to allow sterilant to drain from the sterilising compartment.
• Apparatus in accordance with the invention enables an operator to handle a liquid without coming into contact with it.
• the apparatus reduces or eliminates airlocks both when filling and when emptying.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of sterilisation apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
• Figure 2 is an exploded view of a cap of an apparatus for handling liquids in accordance with another aspect of the invention.
• Figures 3-5 are views of the cap of Figure 2 from different angles;
• Figure 6 is a sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 5;
• Figures 7a-7c are views of parts of the cap of Figure 2, showing the relationship between the valve tongue and base plate in different configurations;
• FIGS 8a and 8b show apparatus for handling liquids in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
• Figures 9 and 10 are part-sectional views of an embodiment of a locking mechanism in the cap of Figure 2;
• FIG 1 1 shows the valve tongue of the cap of Figure 2, with the locking member in two alternative positions
• Figure 12 shows the vessel of the apparatus of Figure 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• the sterilisation apparatus shown in Figure 1 comprises a tray 14, apparatus 2 for handling liquids, and at least one support bracket 24 for supporting the apparatus 2.
• the tray 14 in this embodiment is formed from a moulded plastics material and has a sterilisation compartment 28 for receiving an item to be sterilised; for example an item of medical equipment such as an endoscope.
• the sterilisation compartment 28 is surrounded by an overflow compartment 30 to allow it to be filled without risk of spillage from the tray 14.
• the sterilisation compartment 28 has a drain outlet 18 which in this embodiment is configured to be opened and closed by a valve (not shown) controlled by an electronic controller 16.
• the tray may optionally be provided with a lid.
• the tray 14 and controller 16 are known per se from WO 2008/020770.
• two identical apparatuses 2 for handling liquids are used. One is positioned above the tray 14 for filling the sterilisation compartment 28 with sterilising liquid via a connector hose 12 and fill nozzle 20; the other is positioned below the tray 14 for receiving drained sterilising liquid from the drain outlet 18.
• Each apparatus 2 comprises a vessel 4 for containing a liquid, a cap 6 having a liquid passage for flow of liquid into or out of the vessel, and a switch member 10 which is movable selectively to open or close the liquid passage and vent passages within the cap 6 to reduce or prevent airlocks, as will be described in more detail later.
• each vessel 4 is a flagon made of a moulded plastics material such as HDPE.
• Each vessel 4 has an integrally-moulded front handle 8 and an external circumferential groove 25 which co-operates with a flagon bracket 26 on the support bracket 24. With the generally parallel arms of the flagon bracket 26 engaged in the groove 25, the flagon body 4 is securely mounted on the support bracket 24.
• a lower support bracket 24b is bolted to the underside of the tray 14.
• An upper support bracket 24a is secured to a robust side bracket 23 which is bolted to the underside of the tray 14. It will be understood that various bracket arrangements may be employed to support the flagon bodies 4 and various fixing means well known per se to those skilled in the art of engineering may be employed to secure the or each bracket 24 relative to the tray 14.
• the controller 16 opens the drain outlet 18 and sterilising liquid (for example glutaraldehyde) is transferred under gravity from the sterilisation compartment 28 to the lower apparatus 2.
• sterilising liquid for example glutaraldehyde
• the two apparatuses 2 may then be disconnected from the hoses 12, swapped over, and the hoses 12 reconnected so that the full flagon 4 is suspended above the tray 14 and the empty flagon 4 is positioned below the tray 14. It will be appreciated that a single apparatus 2 could be used.
• the apparatus 2 with an initially full flagon 4 is positioned above the tray 14 to fill the sterilisation compartment.
• the emptied apparatus 2 may then be removed from the bracket 24a and switched to the lower position shown in Figure 1 , on the support bracket 24b, and connected to the drain outlet 18. After draining of the sterilisation compartment, the now-full apparatus 2 is returned to its 'fill' position above the tray. Underneath the flagon 4, a base handle 9 ( Figure 8b) is provided in this embodiment, to facilitate lifting of the flagon 4 when the flagon 4 is upside down.
• the cap 6 has a top member 36 with a spout 32 for ingress and egress of liquids, and a screw thread 37 for securing the cap 6 to the flagon 4 by engagement with a corresponding screw thread 27 on the neck 29 of the flagon 4 ( Figure 12).
• a base plate 50 in the cap 6 has a liquid passage 56, a first vent passage 58, and a second vent passage 60.
• a vent tube 62 is fluidly connected to the second vent passage 60 and is disposed between the base plate 56 and a location near the base of the flagon 4 remote from the cap 6.
• the switch member 10 is pivotable about a spindle 52 between a first position in which it causes or permits the liquid passage 56 and the first vent passage 58 to be open and the second vent passage 60 to be closed, and a second position in which it causes or permits the liquid passage 56 and the second vent passage 60 to be open and the first vent passage 58 to be closed.
• the cap 6 is assembled from the top member 36, base plate 50, top plate 72 and valve tongue 42, using suitable fixing means.
• the valve tongue 42 comprises a valve plate 44 which in this embodiment is integrally formed with the switch member 10 and a rotary bolt 46.
• the valve plate 44 is pivotally mounted on the spindle 52 between the base plate 50 and top plate 72.
• the switch member 10 is disposed through a front opening 70 in the top member 36 for operation by a user.
• the fixing means are threaded inserts 38 which are received in sockets 54 on the top member 36 and the base plate 50, and bolts 40 which have a screw-threaded shank and a head with a hexagon socket, which are screwed into the inserts 38.
• the base plate 50 is secured to the top plate 72 by nine bolts 40 which are disposed through holes 73 in the top plate, one of which bolts 40 is received in a socket in the spindle 52.
• the top member 36 is secured to the base plate 50 by three bolts 40.
• O'-rings 34 are provided at each location where fluid openings are located and where a fluid-tight seal needs to be made.
• the base plate 50 has a front flange 53 which has a cut-out or slot portion 55, for engagement with a corresponding stop tab 33 on an upper surface 31 of the flagon body ( Figure 12).
• the top plate 72 has an upper vent opening 74 which communicates with the atmosphere via the front opening 70 in the top member 36.
• the top plate 72 also has an upper liquid opening 76 which is in register with the spout 32 and the liquid passage 56 in the base plate 50.
• the top plate 72 is provided with a moulded upper cage member 77 which in use co-operates with a lower cage member 79 to form a locking cage structure, the use of which will be described in more detail later.
• the valve plate 44 has a pair of valve plate liquid openings 66, either of which can be brought into and out of alignment with the liquid passage 56.
• the valve plate 44 also has a first vent opening 68 and a second vent opening 69, which can be brought into and out of alignment with, respectively, the first vent passage 58 and the second vent passage 60 in the base plate 50.
• the valve plate 44 is provided with an arcuate slot 64 through which is disposed a rotation-limiting pin 61 on the base plate.
• the pin 61 is structurally identical to the sockets 54 and serves as such a socket, but additionally serves to limit the extent to which the switch member 10 (and hence the valve plate 44) can be turned.
• the apparatus 2 further comprises a lock mechanism for preventing movement of the switch member 10 to one of the first position and the second position.
• the lock mechanism is gravity-operated and comprises a locking member 78 (Figure 6), in this example a ball bearing, which is trapped within the cage structure defined by the upper 77 and lower 79 cage members.
• the locking member 78 is free to move axially under gravity between the two extreme positions shown in Figure 1 1 , but is substantially prevented from transverse movement relative to the axis by ribs 51 on the base plate 50 and on the underside of the top plate 72.
• the rotary bolt 46 on the valve plate 44 comprises a first bolt member 82 and a second bolt member 84.
• Each bolt member has a respective inward facing surface 86,88 facing towards the locking member 78.
• Each bolt member also has an arcuate groove 90 which is shaped to receive a projecting part of a rib 51 on the top plate 72 or the base plate 50.
• the user can move the switch member from the third (closed) position to the second position in which the vent tube is open to atmosphere and the first vent passage is closed.
• the first bolt member 82 cannot be turned clockwise as shown in Figure 9 to any significant extent because its face 86 will bear against the locking member 78 which is prevented from transverse movement by a rib 51 .
• the switch member 1 0 cannot be moved to the first position when the apparatus 2 is upside down. This prevents a user from accidentally opening the first vent passage 56 at a time when liquid in the flagon would pass through it and create a potentially dangerous spillage.
• valve plate which in the illustrated embodiment is rotary could alternatively be adjustable by translational motion between the first and second positions and the optional third position.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
• Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
• Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=43500918

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

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Family Cites Families (6)

• 2010
  • 2010-12-01 GB GB201020345A patent/GB2486010B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2011
  • 2011-11-30 EP EP11794219.3A patent/EP2646062A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2011-11-30 WO PCT/GB2011/052360 patent/WO2012073021A1/en active Application Filing
• 2012
  • 2012-12-04 HK HK12112487.1A patent/HK1171713A1/xx not_active IP Right Cessation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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