EP4719500A1

EP4719500A1 - Drainage plate, tray and system for moist heat sterilization

Info

Publication number: EP4719500A1
Application number: EP24731119.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco CARDENAS-CARMONA; Alan Michael SOLOMON; Youlue LIN; Mark Edward Pasmore
Original assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA; Baxter International Inc
Current assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA; Baxter International Inc
Priority date: 2023-06-02
Filing date: 2024-05-09
Publication date: 2026-04-08
Also published as: CN119055813A; WO2024249049A1

Abstract

A drainage plate, a tray and a system for moist heat sterilization are provided. The drainage plate has a plurality of apertures sized to allow the fluid to pass through and includes a first region having a first aperture ratio; a second region having a second aperture ratio; and a third region having a third aperture ratio. The first region, the second region and the third region are sequentially arranged in a widthwise direction of the drainage plate, and the second aperture ratio is greater than the first aperture ratio and the third aperture ratio.

Description

DRAINAGE PLATE, TRAY AND SYSTEM FOR MOIST HEAT STERILIZATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application generally relates to a moist heat sterilization technology, and more particularly, to a drainage plate, and a tray for moist heat sterilization, and a moist heat sterilization system.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In the prior art, medical solutions are stored in medical containers, and in a treatment process, the medical solutions in medical containers are administered from the medical containers to patients. The medical solutions may be any type of medical fluids, such as replacement solutions, dialysis solution, and solutions containing a medicament (drug). Oftentimes, after medical containers are filled with medical solutions, the medical containers should be sterilized before packing.

[0003] For one prior sterilization method, multiple filled medical containers are placed on a sterilization tray, one or more trays carrying medical containers are placed on a shelf in a vertical direction, and then the shelf with the medical containers supported thereon is put into a heating sterilization apparatus, such as an autoclave, or a moist heat sterilization apparatus by means of hot steam or water. During a moist heat sterilization process by hot steam or water, the medical containers and the medical solutions inside the medical containers are sterilized together by means of hot steam/water supplying to two opposite edges of the trays. However, the farther the container is away from edges of the tray, the lower the amount of hot steam/water reaching the container is, which means the amount of hot steam/water heating the containers will drop with the distance to the edges, resulting in non-uniform ly heating of the medical containers placed on the tray. Accordingly, the medical containers placed at the middle area of the tray need longer time to be heated up to a sterilization temperature than the medical containers placed at the edge area. [0004] Therefore, a need exists for improving heating management of the moist heat sterilization system, so as to achieve more uniform and quicker heating effects.

SUMMARY

[0005] An objective of the present application is to provide a drainage plate, a tray and a system for moist heat sterilization, which can improve heat management, and achieve more uniform and quicker moist heat sterilization effect.

[0006] According to an aspect of embodiments of the present application, a drainage plate for moist heat sterilization is provided. The drainage plate may include: a first region having a first aperture ratio; a second region having a second aperture ratio; and a third region having a third aperture ratio; wherein the first region, the second region and the third region are sequentially arranged in a widthwise direction of the drainage plate, and the second aperture ratio is greater than the first aperture ratio and the third aperture ratio.

[0007] According to another aspect of embodiments of the present application, a tray for moist heat sterilization is provided. The tray may include: a support plate for supporting articles subject to moist heat sterilization; and a drainage plate disposed under and connected with the support plate, wherein the drainage plate has a plurality of apertures sized to allow the fluid to pass through and comprises: a first region having a first aperture ratio; a second region having a second aperture ratio; and a third region having a third aperture ratio; wherein the first region, the second region and the third region are sequentially arranged in a widthwise direction of the drainage plate, and the second aperture ratio is greater than the first aperture ratio and the third aperture ratio. The drainage plate is spaced apart from the main body to form a space between the drainage plate and the main body, and the main body is perforated for draining fluid into the space.

[0008] According to yet another aspect of embodiments of the present application, a moist heat sterilization system is provided. The moist heat sterilization system may include: a heating chamber having a first inner wall and a second inner wall opposite to each other; a plurality of trays of the foregoing aspect for supporting articles subject to moist heat sterilization; at least one rack disposed inside the chamber along the first inner wall or the second inner wall; and a plurality of nozzles. The rack comprises: multiple pairs of guide rails arranged in a vertical direction at an interval. Each pair of guide rails are configured to guide and support opposite lengthwise edges of at least one tray, and the widthwise direction of the drainage plate on each of the at least one rack is substantively perpendicular to the first inner wall or the second inner wall. The plurality of nozzles are disposed on the first inner wall and the second inner wall and configured to spray fluid for moist heat sterilization onto respective trays substantially in the widthwise direction of the drainage plate.

[0009] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention. Further, the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The drawings referenced herein form a part of the specification. Features shown in the drawing illustrate only some embodiments of the application, and not of all embodiments of the application, unless the detailed description explicitly indicates otherwise, and readers of the specification should not make implications to the contrary.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a tray for moist heat sterilization in the prior art.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a moist heat sterilization system of the prior art.

[0013] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate a drainage plate for moist heat sterilization according to an embodiment of the present application. [0014] FIG. 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F illustrate some examples of the apertures of the drainage plate.

[0015] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate a drainage plate for moist heat sterilization according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a drainage plate for moist heat sterilization according to a further embodiment of the present application.

[0017] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrate a composite drainage plate for moist heat sterilization according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a drainage plate for moist heat sterilization according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0019] FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C illustrate a tray for moist heat sterilization according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a tray for moist heat sterilization according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates a rack for supporting articles subject to moist heat sterilization according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates a moist heat sterilization system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0023] The same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the application refers to the accompanying drawings that form a part of the description. The drawings illustrate specific exemplary embodiments in which the application may be practiced. The detailed description, including the drawings, describes these embodiments in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the application. Those skilled in the art may further utilize other embodiments of the application, and make logical, mechanical, and other changes without departing from the spirit or scope of the application. Readers of the following detailed description should, therefore, not interpret the description in a limiting sense, and only the appended claims define the scope of the embodiment of the application.

[0025] In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise. In this application, the use of “or” means “and/or” unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the term “including” as well as other forms such as “includes” and “included” is not limiting. In addition, terms such as “element” or “component” encompass both elements and components including one unit, and elements and components that include more than one subunit, unless specifically stated otherwise. Additionally, the section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only, and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0026] As used herein, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “above”, “over”, “on”, “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “side”, “lengthwise”, “widthwise” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly. It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly connected to or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. It should be understood that the term “aperture ratio” refers to a proportion of the apertures in a region to an overall area of the region.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a tray 110 for moist heat sterilization in the prior art. The tray 110 has a plurality of apertures 112 evenly distributed thereon to allow hot fluid (e.g. steam and/or water) to flow through the apertures 112, and medical containers 120 can be placed on the tray 110 for moist heat sterilization. FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional side view of a moist heat sterilization system in the prior art. Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of trays 110 may be vertically stacked on a rack 210, and hot steam or water spraying on an upper tray can flow through the apertures 112 of the tray to a lower tray. The rack 210 can be moveably disposed inside a heat chamber 230. A plurality of nozzles 232 are disposed on two opposite inner walls of the heating chamber 230, and are configured to spray, along a spraying direction X, hot steam or water for moist heat sterilization onto respective trays 110 of the rack 210.

[0028] However, the containers on the tray 110 near the edges perpendicular to the spraying direction X of the hot steam/water will hinder the hot steam/water from reaching the central region of the tray 110. So less hot steam/water can reach the central region of the tray 110 than the side regions. Referring to FIG. 2, the thicknesses of the three arrow lines represent the amounts of hot steam/water flowing through the left-side region, the central region, and the right-side region of the trays 110 respectively, showing that the steam/water flows are unevenly distributed in the heating chamber 230 along the spraying direction X. As the heat delivered by the hot steam/water is unevenly distributed in the heating chamber 230, the temperature in the central region will increase slower than that of the side regions, reducing the efficiency and uniformity of the moist heat sterilization.

[0029] In order to solve at least one of the above problems, a drainage plate for redirecting fluid for moist heat sterilization is provided in embodiments of the present application. The drainage plate itself can be used as a tray for moist heat sterilization, or can be attached to or mounted below a support plate that supports medical containers for moist heat sterilization. By strategically designing and organizing apertures on the drainage plate, the drainage plate can redirect hot steam/water for moist heat sterilization in the moist heat sterilization apparatus to improve the efficiency and uniformity of the moist heat sterilization.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 3A and 3B, a drainage plate 300 is provided according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 3A is a top view of the drainage plate 300, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the drainage plate 300 along a section line A1-A2 shown in FIG. 3A.

[0031] The drainage plate 300 may be made of metal (for example, stainless steel, iron, copper, etc.), thermoformed polystyrene material or any other material capable of withstanding several sterilization cycles without significant changes to its characteristics. In some embodiments, the drainage plate 300 may be coated with an anti-fouling layer to prevent it from scaling after long-term use.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3A, the drainage plate 300 is perforated to form a plurality of apertures 302 thereon. The apertures 302 are sized to allow the fluid for moist heat sterilization (for example, hot steam or water) to pass through.

[0033] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the drainage plate 300 includes a first region 310, a second region 320 and a third region 330 sequentially arranged in a widthwise direction X of the drainage plate 300. Specifically, the first region 310 may have a first aperture ratio n, the second region 320 may have a second aperture ratio r? greater than the first aperture ratio n, and the third region 330 may have a third aperture ratio r3 less than the second aperture ratio r?. The aperture ratio in the present application represents a ratio of an area of apertures in a specific region to an overall area of the specific region.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first aperture ratio n and the third aperture ratio r3 may be less than or equal to 10% (for example, 0%, 1 %, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, etc.), and/or the second aperture ratio r? may range from 20% to 80% (for example 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% etc.). In some embodiments, the first aperture ratio n may be equal to the third aperture ratio r3.

[0035] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the first aperture ratio n and the third aperture ratio r3 are equal to 0. That is, the drainage plate 300 may have no apertures in the first region 310 and the third region 330. Using the drainage plate 300, in a moist heat sterilization process, the fluid for moist heat sterilization cannot pass through the drainage plate 300 via the first region 310 and the third region 330 to a lower tray, but can only reach the lower tray by passing through the apertures in the second region 320. [0036] In some other embodiments, the first aperture ratio n and the third aperture ratio r3 may be greater than 0, that is, there are one or more apertures formed in the first region 310 and the third region 330. As long as the second aperture ratio f2 of the second region 320 is greater than the first aperture ratio n of the first region 310 and the third aperture ratio r3 of the third region 330, the drainage plate 300 can direct more fluid to the second region 320 of a lower tray beneath the drainage plate 300.

[0037] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the plurality of apertures 302 may each have a circular shape and a diameter of about 6 mm. However, it could be understood that the number, the shape and the size of the apertures 302 shown in FIG. 3A are only for illustrative purpose and not limiting. In some embodiments, there may be more or less apertures in the second region 320, and the apertures may have an oval shape, a triangular shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a pentagonal shape, or other polygonal shape. In a case as shown in FIG. 3C, the aperture 302 has a circular shape, and the diameter d of the aperture may range from 2mm to 20 mm, for example, 3mm, 6mm, 10mm, 15mm, etc. In cases where the apertures have a non-circular shape (for example, a hexagon-shaped aperture 302 shown in FIG. 3D, an oval-shaped aperture 302 shown in FIG.3E or a triangleshaped aperture 302 shown in FIG.3F), the diameter d of the maximum inner circle fitting completely in the inner boundary of the apertures may range from 2mm to 20 mm. Especially, when the apertures have a triangular shape as shown in FIG. 3F, the triangular aperture may be arranged in such a way that a base 302b of the triangle 302 is positioned more inside on the drainage plate 300 in the spraying direction X than a vertex 302v of the triangle 302. With such arrangement, the triangular aperture can direct the majority of the fluid going through the apertures toward the center of the drainage plate. In some embodiments, the apertures in the second region 320 may having different shapes and/or different sizes. For example, some of the apertures may have a circular shape, while others may have an oval shape.

[0038] Moreover, in the example shown in FIG. 3A, the plurality of apertures 302 are evenly distributed in the second region 320. However, the present application is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the second aperture ratio f2 of the second region 320 may linearly or nonlinearly increase from both sides toward the center of the second region 320, such that the fluid can pass through the second region 320 more uniformly.

[0039] Now referring to FIG. 3B, the first region 310 and the third region 330 are angled upwards with respect to the second region 320 at a predetermined angle a. With such a structure, when the fluid for moist heat sterilization is sprayed on the drainage plate 300, the first region 310 and the third region 330 can direct the fluid sprayed thereon toward the second region 320 and thus the fluid can reach the second region 320 more quickly. Consequently, compared with a flat drainage plate, less fluid can pass through the first region 310 and the third region 330, but more fluid would pass through the apertures in second region 320 to reach a lower tray. The amount and speed of fluid capable of being directed from the first region 310 and the third region 330 to the second region 320 can be adjusted by strategically designing the degree of the angle a.

[0040] In some embodiments, the predetermined angle a may range from 0.3 to 10 degrees, for example, 0.3 degrees, 1 degree, 2 degrees, 3 degrees, 4 degrees, 5 degrees, 6 degrees, 7 degrees, 8 degrees, 9 degrees, 10 degrees, etc. It is preferred that the predetermined angle a is not greater than 10 degrees, because a larger angle would result in a greater thickness T (as illustrated in FIG. 3B) of the whole drainage plate 300, which will occupy more space in the moist heat sterilization apparatus and reduce the number of articles to be sterilized in the same space.

[0041] It could be understood that the drainage plate 300 shown in FIG. 3B is only for illustrative purpose and not limiting. In some other embodiments, only one of the first region 310 and the third region 330 is angled with respect to the second region 320, or neither of the first region 310 and the third region 330 is angled with respect to the second region 320 (namely, the drainage plate is flat).

[0042] Referring to FIG. 4A and 4B, a drainage plate 400 is provided according to another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 4A is a top view of the drainage plate 400, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the drainage plate 400 along a section line B1-B2 shown in FIG. 4A. The drainage plate 400 includes a first region 410 having a first aperture ratio ri, a second region 420 having a second aperture ratio r₃ and a third region 430 having a third aperture ratio r3. The first region 410, the second region 420 and the third region 430 are sequentially arranged in a widthwise direction X of the drainage plate 400, and the second aperture ratio r₃ is greater than the first aperture ratio n and the third aperture ratio r₃.

[0043] Generally, the drainage plate 400 has a similar configuration as the drainage plate 300 shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, except that the second region 420 of the drainage plate 400 further includes a first sub-region 420a, a second sub-region 420b and a third sub-region 420c sequentially arranged in the widthwise direction X of the drainage plate 400.

[0044] Specifically, the second region 420 of the drainage plate 400 is perforated to form a first plurality of apertures 402a in the first sub-region 420a, a second plurality of apertures 402b in the second sub-region 420b, and a third plurality of apertures 402c in the third sub-region 420c. The first sub-region 420a may have a fourth aperture ratio r greater than the first aperture ratio n of the first region 410, the second sub-region 420b may have a fifth aperture ratio r₃ greater than the fourth aperture ratio r# of the first sub-region 420a, and the third sub-region 420c may have a sixth aperture ratio r& less than the fifth aperture ratio r₃ of the second sub-region 420b but greater than the third aperture ratio r₃ of the third region 430.

[0045] In some embodiments, the first aperture ratio n and the third aperture ratio r₃ may be less than or equal to 10% (for example, 0%, 1 %, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, etc.), and/or the fourth aperture ratio r and the sixth aperture ratio r& may range from 5% to 50% (for example, 6%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 45%, etc.), and/or the fifth aperture ratio rs may ranges from 25% to 85% (for example, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, etc.). In some embodiments, the first aperture ratio n may be equal to the third aperture ratio r₃, and/or the fourth aperture ratio r# may be equal to the sixth aperture ratio re. [0046] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the first aperture ratio n and the third aperture ratio r3 are equal to 0, and the fifth aperture ratio rs is twice the fourth aperture ratio r# or the sixth aperture ratio re. For example, the fourth aperture ratio r4 and the sixth aperture ratio re may be 20%, and the fifth aperture ratio rs may be 40%. Thus, in a moist heat sterilization process, the fluid for moist heat sterilization could flow from the first region 410 to the first sub-region 420a and then to the second sub-region 420b, or from the third region 430 to the third sub-region 420c and then to the second sub-region 420b, such that more fluid would pass through the second sub-region 420b to a second region 420 of a lower tray.

[0047] Moreover, as shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the first plurality of apertures 402a, the second plurality of apertures 402b and the third plurality of apertures 402c are evenly distributed in the first sub-region 420a, the second subregion 420b and the third sub-region 420c, respectively. However, the present application is not limited thereto. In some other embodiments, the apertures in one or more sub-regions are not evenly distributed.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 4B, similar as the drainage plate 300 shown in FIG. 3B, the first region 410 and the third region 430 are also angled upwards with respect to the second region 420 at a predetermined angle a, such that the fluid for moist heat sterilization can be further directed to the central area of the drainage plate 400.

[0049] It should be noted that, the division of the regions or sub-regions in the above embodiments is only for illustrative purpose and not limiting. In some embodiments, the drainage plate may include more regions or sub-regions. For example, FIG. 5 illustrates a drainage plate 500, which has a similar configuration as the drainage plate 400 shown in FIG. 4A, except that the perforated area 520 of the drainage plate 500 includes five sub-regions 520a, 520b, 520c, 520d and 520e sequentially arranged in a widthwise direction X of the drainage plate 500. Among the five sub-regions 520a, 520b, 520c, 520d and 520e, the central sub-region 520c may have the maximum aperture ratio, while the outmost sub-regions 520a and 520e have the minimum aperture ration, such that most of the fluid for moist heat sterilization can be directed to the central area of the drainage plate 500. [0050] In some embodiments, the aperture ratio of the second region may gradually increase from two lengthwise sides of the second region to the center of the drainage plate. And in some embodiments, the aperture ratio of the drainage plate may gradually increase from the two outmost edges to the center of the drainage plate along the widthwise direction. When the aperture ratio increases gradually, there may be no clear boundaries between the first, second and third regions, but can also achieve the object of the present invention, and thus is within the scope of the invention. In other words, the drainage plate can be divided into three regions by two lines at any positions in the left half and the right half of the drainage plate.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 6A, a perspective view of a composite drainage plate 600 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present application. The drainage plate 600 comprises six sub-plates 600-1 , 600-2, 600-3, 600-4, 600-5 and 600-6, each of which may have a configuration similar as the drainage plate 400 shown in FIG. 4A, and will not be elaborated herein.

[0052] The six sub-plates 600-1 , 600-2, 600-3, 600-4, 600-5 and 600-6 may be connected together along a lengthwise direction Y, which is perpendicular to the widthwise direction X. For example, the six sub-plates 600-1 , 600-2, 600-3, 600-4, 600-5 and 600-6 may be connected with one another by welding, adhesive, screws, snap-fasteners, bolts, rivets, or any other suitable attachment means, as long as the attachment means secures the sub-plates 600-1 , 600-2, 600-3, 600-4, 600-5 and 600-6 to one another and does not interfere with the operation of the drainage plate 600. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, two opposite edges along the widthwise direction X of each sub-plate are crimped to increase the bending stiffness of the drainage plate 600. By connecting multiple sub-plates together, the drainage plate 600 can have a larger area to support more medical containers for moist heat sterilization, as shown in FIG. 6B.

[0053] Besides, the composite drainage plate 600 includes a dam 605 extending upward and surrounding the six sub-plates 600-1 , 600-2, 600-3, 600-4, 600-5 and 600-6. The dam 605 can keep more fluid for moist heat sterilization flowing over the drainage plate 600, and further increase the bending stiffness of the drainage plate 600.

[0054] It could be understood that the number, and/or the size of the sub-plates shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are only for illustrative purpose and not limiting. In some other embodiments, there may be more or less sub-plates connected together to form a composite drainage plate. And the specific configuration of each sub-plate can be modified to the ones shown in FIG. 3A or 5 or other suitable form.

[0055] In FIG. 7, a perspective view of a drainage plate 700 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present application. The drainage plate 700 includes a pair of hollow support rails 710a and 710b along the widthwise direction X. The drainage plate 700 may include a plate part which has a similar configuration as any one of the drainage plates of FIGS. 3A-3B, 4A-4B, 5 and 6A-6B. However, the plate part of the drainage plate 700 is omitted in FIG. 7 to show the pair of hollow support rails 710a and 710b clearer.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 7, each of the support rails 710a and 710b may bend downward from a respective edge of the drainage plate 700 and extend along the widthwise direction X. Each of the support rails 710a and 710b has an outer wall defining a channel 711. A plurality of holes 714 may be formed in the top of the outer wall and configured to allow fluid to flow into the channel 711. Further, at least one cutout 714 is formed in the bottom of the outer wall and directed to the central area of the drainage plate 700. Through the holes 712 and the cutouts 714, the fluid sprayed onto the drainage plate 700, especially ono the support rails 710a and 710b can flow into the channels 711 , and then exits from the channels 711 and enters a space under the central area of the drainage plate 700 via the cutouts 714.

[0057] According to another aspect of the present application, a tray for moist heat sterilization is provided. The tray can be used to support medical containers for moist heat sterilization. In some embodiments, the above drainage plates described with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B, 4A-4B, 5, 6A-6B and 7 can be directed used as a tray. In some embodiments, the drainage plates described in the above embodiments can be connected with a support plate to form a tray for moist heat sterilization. [0058] Referring to FIG. 8A and 8B, a tray 800 for moist heat sterilization is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8A, the tray 800 may include a support plate 810 and a drainage plate 820. The support plate 810 is configured to have a surrounding edge extending upward from the plate. The support plate 810 can receive and support articles subject to moist heat sterilization (for example, medical containers). The support plate 810 may be made of metal (for example, stainless steel, iron, copper, etc.), thermoformed polystyrene material or any other material capable of withstanding several sterilization cycles without significant changes to its characteristics. In some embodiments, the support plate 810 may be coated with an anti-fouling layer to prevent it from scaling after long-term use.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A, the support plate 810 is perforated at regions where the articles subject to moist heat sterilization is placed. However, the present application is not limited thereto. In some other embodiments, the support plate 810 may be uniformly perforated, or perforated according to actual needs.

[0061] The drainage plate 820 is similar to the drainage plate 400 shown in FIG. 4A. Specifically, the drainage plate 820 includes a first region 821 , a second region 822 and a third region 823 sequentially arranged in a widthwise direction X of the drainage plate 820, which are similar to the first region 410, the second region 420 and the third region 430 of the drainage plate 400 shown in FIG. 4A, respectively. Moreover, the second region 822 of the drainage plate 820 further includes a first sub-region 822a, a second sub-region 822b and a third sub-region 822c, which are also similar to the first sub-region 420a, the second sub-region 420b and the third sub-region 420c shown in FIG. 4A, respectively. Thus, more detail of the drainage plate 820 may refer to the above embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4A, and will not elaborate herein.

[0062] Continuing referring to FIG. 8B, the drainage plate 820 is disposed under and connected with the support plate 810. For example, the drainage plate 820 is connected with the support plate 810 by welding, adhesive, screws, snap-fasteners, bolts, rivets, or any other suitable attachment means. As shown in FIG. 8C, the first region 821 and the third region 823 are angled upwards with respect to the second region 822 at a predetermined angle, such that the drainage plate 820 is spaced apart from the support plate 810 to form a space 840 therebetween. The fluid for moist heat sterilization can be drained from the apertures of the support plate 810 into the space 840, and then is directed to the second region 822 of the drainage plate 820 and passes through the apertures in the second region 822 to a lower tray.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 9, a tray 900 for moist heat sterilization is illustrated according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 9, the tray 900 may include a support plate 910 and a drainage plate 920. The drainage plate 920 is disposed under and connected with the support plate 910. Different from the support plate 810 shown in FIG. 8A, the support plate 910 of FIG. 9 only has apertures in the two side regions 911 , 913 extending along the lengthwise direction Y, and there is no aperture in the central region 912 of the support plate 910. The drainage plate 920 is similar to the drainage plate 300 shown in FIG. 3A. Specifically, the drainage plate 920 only has apertures in the central region 922 extending along the lengthwise direction Y, and there is no aperture in the two side regions 921 and 912. By strategically organizing apertures on the support plate 910 and the drainage plate 920, the support plate 910 can force mixing of the fluid for moist heat sterilization coming from a tray above with the fluid sprayed from the nozzles, and the drainage plate 920 can direct the mixed fluid coming from the support plate 910 to another tray below.

[0065] It could be understood that the tray 800 shown in FIGS. 8A-8C and the tray 900 shown in FIG. 9 are only for illustrative purpose and not limiting. Other drainage plates described in the above embodiments can also be used in the tray, which will not be detailed herein.

[0066] According to another aspect of the present application, a rack for supporting articles subject to moist heat sterilization is provided.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 10, a rack 1000 for moist heat sterilization is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present application. Specifically, the rack 1000 may include multiple pairs of guide rails 1015. The multiple pairs of guide rails 1015 are arranged in a vertical direction Z at an interval. Each pair of guide rails 1015 are configured to guide and support opposite lengthwise edges of at least one tray 1020 (or the drainage plate) in the lengthwise direction of the tray, which is perpendicular to the page. More detail of the tray 1020 may refer to the embodiments described above and will not elaborated herein.

[0068] However, the present application is not limited to the above aspect. In some embodiments, the tray (or the drainage plate) would be self-standing and stackable, such that the rack would not be necessary in the moist heat sterilization system.

[0069] According to still another aspect of the present application, a moist heat sterilization system is provided.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 11 , a moist heat sterilization system 1100 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present application. Specifically, the moist heat sterilization system 1100 may include a heating chamber 1130, which has a first inner wall 1130a and a second inner wall 1130b opposite to each other. One or more racks 1000 can be moveably disposed inside the heating chamber 1130 along the first inner wall 1130a or the second inner wall 1130b.

[0071] It should be noted that the widthwise direction X of the drainage plates of the racks 1000 are substantially perpendicular to the first inner walH 130a or the second inner wall 1130b. The moist heat sterilization system 1100 may further include a plurality of nozzles 1132 disposed on the first inner wall 1130a and the second inner wall 1130b. The plurality of nozzles 1132 are configured to spray fluid for moist heat sterilization onto medical containers 1050 disposed on the trays 1020 of the racks 1000 substantially in the widthwise direction X, so as to conduct moist heat sterilization on the medical container 1050.

[0072] As described above, the drainage plate and the tray of the present application can direct and distribute the fluid for moist heat sterilization, such that there will be more fluid reaching the central region of the heat sterilization system 1100. Referring to FIG. 11 , the thicknesses of the three arrow lines represent the amounts of fluid flowing through the left-side region, the central region, and the right-side region of the heat sterilization system 1100 respectively, showing that the fluid flows are more evenly distributed in the heat sterilization system 1100. Consequently, the heat delivered by the fluid can be evenly distributed in the heat sterilization system 1100, and the temperature in the central region can rise to a sterilization temperature synchronously and quickly as that in the side regions, improving the efficiency and uniformity of the moist heat sterilization.

[0073] However, the present application is not limited to the above embodiments. In some other embodiments, an orientation of the tray may vary depending on different arrangements of the guide rails of the rack, so as to further direct the fluid to desired locations.

[0074] Continuing referring to FIG. 11 , each pair of guide rails of the rack 1000 may include a first guide rail 1015a and a second guide rail 1015b parallelly arranged on two opposite sidewalls of the rack 1000. The first guide rail 1015a is configured to guide and support a first lengthwise edge 1020a of a tray 1020, and the second guide rail 1015b is configured to guide and support a second lengthwise edge 1020b of the tray 1020. For example, the first lengthwise edge 1020a and the second lengthwise edge 1020b may be two opposite edges of the drainage plate 300 illustrated in FIG. 3B, the drainage plate 400 illustrated in FIG. 4B or the tray 800 shown in 8C, which extend into and out of the page.

[0075] In the example shown in FIG.11 , the first guide rail 1015a and the second guide rail 1015b are arranged in the same horizontal plane, such that the tray 1020 can be parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0076] In other examples, the first guide rail 1015a and the second guide rail 1015b may be arranged at different levels in the rack 1000, such that the tray 1020 is sloped relative to a horizontal plane in the widthwise direction X. That is, the edges of the tray 1020 extending along the widthwise direction X are sloped relative to the horizontal plane.

[0077] In still other examples, two opposite ends of each of the first guide rail 1015a and the second guide rail 1015b may be arranged at different levels in the rack 1000, such that the first lengthwise edge1020a and the second lengthwise edge 1020b of the tray 1020 are sloped relative to the horizontal plane in a lengthwise direction extending into and out of the page.

[0078] The discussion herein included numerous illustrative figures that showed various portions of a tray, rack and moist heat sterilization system. For illustrative clarity, such figures did not show all aspects of each example assembly. Any of the example assemblies and/or methods provided herein may share any or all characteristics with any or all other assemblies and/or methods provided herein.

[0079] Various embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. Further, other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of one or more embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended, therefore, that this application and the examples herein be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following listing of exemplary claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . A drainage plate for moist heat sterilization, wherein the drainage plate has a plurality of apertures sized to allow the fluid to pass through and comprises: a first region having a first aperture ratio; a second region having a second aperture ratio; and a third region having a third aperture ratio; wherein the first region, the second region and the third region are sequentially arranged in a widthwise direction of the drainage plate, and the second aperture ratio is greater than the first aperture ratio and the third aperture ratio.

2. The drainage plate of claim 1 , wherein the second aperture ratio ranges from 20% to 80%, and/or the first aperture ratio and the third aperture ratio are less than or equal to 10%.

3. The drainage plate of claim 2, wherein the first aperture ratio and the third aperture ratio are equal to 0.

4. The drainage plate of any one of claims 1 -3, wherein the first region and the third region are angled with respect to the second region at a predetermined angle.

5. The drainage plate of claim 4, wherein the predetermined angle ranges from 0.3 to 10 degrees.

6. The drainage plate of claim 1 , wherein the second region is divided into a first sub-region, a second sub-region and a third sub-region that are sequentially arranged in the widthwise direction, wherein the first sub-region having a fourth aperture ratio greater than the first aperture ratio; the second sub-region having a fifth aperture ratio greater than the fourth aperture ratio; and the third sub-region having a sixth aperture ratio less than the fifth aperture ratio but greater than the third aperture ratio.

7. The drainage plate of claim 6, wherein the first aperture ratio is equal to the third aperture ratio, and/or the fourth aperture ratio is equal to the sixth aperture ratio.

8. The drainage plate of claim 6 or 7, wherein the first aperture ratio and the third aperture ratio are less than or equal to 10%, and/or the fourth aperture ratio and the sixth aperture ratio range from 5% to 50%, and/or the fifth aperture ratio ranges from 25% to 85%.

9. The drainage plate of any one of claims 6-8, wherein the first aperture ratio and the third aperture ratio are equal to 0, and/or the fifth aperture ratio is twice the fourth aperture ratio or the sixth aperture ratio.

10. The drainage plate of any one of claims 6-9, wherein the first sub-region, the second sub-region and the third sub-region have apertures with the same shape and size.

11 . The drainage plate of any one of claims 1 -5, wherein apertures are evenly distributed in in the first region, the second region, and the third region, respectively.

12. The drainage plate of any one of claims 6-10, wherein apertures are evenly distributed in the first sub-region, the second sub-region, the third sub-region, the first region, and the third region, respectively.

13. The drainage plate of any one of claims 1 -12, further comprises: a pair of hollow support rails extending along the widthwise direction, each of the support rails is formed by bending a respective edge of the drainage plate downward, wherein each support rail has: an outer wall defining a channel; a plurality of holes formed at top of the outer wall and configured to allow fluid to flow into the channel; and at least one cutout formed at bottom of the outer wall and directing to the second region.

14. A tray for moist heat sterilization, comprising: a support plate for supporting articles subject to moist heat sterilization; and a drainage plate disposed under and connected with the support plate, wherein the drainage plate is spaced apart from the support plate to form a space between the drainage plate and the support plate, and the support plate is perforated for draining fluid into the space, and wherein the drainage plate has a plurality of apertures sized to allow the fluid to pass through and comprises: a first region having a first aperture ratio; a second region having a second aperture ratio; and a third region having a third aperture ratio; wherein the first region, the second region and the third region are sequentially arranged in a widthwise direction of the drainage plate, and the second aperture ratio is greater than the first aperture ratio and the third aperture ratio.

15. The tray of claim 14, wherein the drainage plate is connected with the support plate by at least one of the following connecting means: welding, adhesive, screws, snap-fasteners, bolts, or rivets.

16. The tray of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the drainage plate and/or the support plate are coated with an anti-fouling layer.

17. The tray of any one of claims 14-17, wherein the support plate comprises a first side region, a central region, and a second side region sequentially arranged in the widthwise direction, and the support plate is only perforated in the first side region and the second side region.

18. A moist heat sterilization system, comprising: a heating chamber having a first inner wall and a second inner wall opposite to each other; a plurality of trays of any one of claims 14-17 for supporting articles subject to moist heat sterilization; at least one rack disposed inside the heating chamber along the first inner wall or the second inner wall, wherein the rack comprises: multiple pairs of guide rails arranged in a vertical direction at an interval; wherein each pair of guide rails includes a first guide rail configured to guide and support a first lengthwise edge of a respective tray, and a second guide rail parallel to the second guide rail and configured to guide and support a second lengthwise edge of the respective tray; and a plurality of nozzles disposed on the first inner wall and the second inner wall and configured to spray fluid for moist heat sterilization onto respective trays substantially in the widthwise direction of the drainage plate.

19. The moist heat sterilization system of claim 18, wherein the first guide rail and the second guide rail are arranged in a horizontal plane, such that the tray is parallel to the horizontal plane.

20. The moist heat sterilization system of claim 18, wherein the first guide rail and the second guide rail are arranged at different levels, such that two opposite widthwise edges of the tray are sloped relative to a horizontal plane.

21 . The moist heat sterilization system of claim 18, wherein two opposite ends of each of the first guide rail and the second guide rail are arranged at different levels, such that the first lengthwise edge and the second lengthwise edge of the tray are sloped relative to a horizontal plane.