ITMI20100230A1 - DEVICE FOR STERILIZATION / DISINFECTION OF OBJECTS - Google Patents

Description

DEVICE FOR THE STERILIZATION / DISINFECTION OF

OBJECTS

The present invention refers to a device for the sterilization / disinfection of objects, in particular removable dental prostheses and small dental tools.

Nowadays, sector studies have shown that the current environment in which man lives and carries out his usual daily tasks is actually extremely contaminated by harmful substances that are dangerous for his health.

In fact, it has been found that the quality of both the air that is breathed and the water supplied by the public network is often very poor and below the common hygienic-sanitary thresholds established by the laws in force.

Among the most frequent harmful substances are bacteria, viruses, pesticides, metals and many other pollutants.

Consequently, it is recognized by all that to sterilize / disinfect any object it is not at all sufficient to rinse it with running water alone.

A common practice to sterilize / disinfect an object, mainly in the home, is to bring water to a boil and then immerse the object to be sterilized for a few minutes.

However, it has been shown that this procedure does not always eradicate some viruses, such as legionella, which can resist even temperatures above boiling point, which among other things varies according to altitude.

In work environments, such as hospitals and / or dental offices where users often have injuries or wounds with a high risk of infection, the need to have sterilized / disinfected equipment, prostheses and grafts takes on a very high level importance.

For this purpose, devices equipped with a water tank in which to store the object to be sterilized / disinfected and where particular solvents or chemical disinfectants are introduced are known and available on the market.

However, these devices have the disadvantage that before being able to use the sterilized / disinfected object, in particular prostheses and grafts, it is necessary to carry out a further treatment to eliminate the residues, harmful to the body, of such chemical solvents.

Other devices are also known, which however are extremely complex, difficult to use, slow and very expensive.

The object of the present invention is that of realizing a device for the sterilization / disinfection of objects capable of solving the aforementioned drawbacks of the known art in an extremely simple, economical and particularly functional way.

Another purpose is to create a device for the sterilization / disinfection of objects capable of eliminating in a very rapid way all the microorganisms harmful to the organism present on such objects, such as bacteria and viruses, without releasing on the object itself any residue harmful to the body.

These objects according to the present invention are achieved by realizing a device for the sterilization / disinfection of objects as set forth in claim 1.

Further characteristics of the invention are highlighted by the subsequent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of a device for the sterilization / disinfection of objects according to the present invention will become more evident from the following description, which is an example and not a limitation one, referring to the attached schematic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic block representation of the elements that make up a first example of a device for the sterilization / disinfection of objects according to the present invention; And

Figure 2 is a schematic block representation of the elements that make up a second example of a device for the sterilization / disinfection of objects according to the present invention.

With reference to the figures, the elements that make up the device for the sterilization / disinfection of objects according to the present invention are shown by means of block diagrams.

This device comprises a container 11 for receiving the object to be sterilized / disinfected of the hermetically sealed type and provided with a movable lid 12.

Inside the device there is an ozone generator 13 for the introduction of ozone, through an ozone introduction duct 18, into the container 11.

The ozone generator 13 for introducing ozone into the container 11 is fed with air by means of a pump 14 to which it is connected via the air delivery duct 19.

The pump 14 can take air from the external environment or through a return duct 17 and can be fed by the air coming out of the container 11. In this last case, a closed loop is created, as shown in the figures. defined by pump 14, ozone generator 13 and container 11.

Both the ozone generator 13 and the relative pump 14 are controlled by relative electronic means, for example a control unit, and can be operated by the user by means of a switch 15.

According to a preferential embodiment, the switch 15 can be of the timer type in such a way as to activate the ozone generator 13 and the relative pump 14 for a determined time interval which can be modified at will.

Associated with switch 15, a multicolored LED can be provided to visually signal the activation of the ozone generator 13.

The operation of this first embodiment, visible in Figure 1, of a device for sterilizing objects is extremely simple but at the same time effective and advantageous.

After connecting the device to a normal power socket, the LED signals to the user that the device is ready to be used, for example by switching on a green light bulb.

At this point it is necessary to open the lid 12, place the object in the container 11 and close the lid 12 itself.

Once the object to be sterilized / disinfected has been positioned in the container 11, to activate the device it is sufficient to operate the timer switch 15 until the desired time value is reached, normally 5 minutes.

During operation, the LED, changing color and becoming, for example, red, notifies the user that the air pump 14 and the ozone generator 13, which remain active for the entire time of the cycle, are activated. of sterilization / disinfection.

At the end of the cycle, the pump 14 and the ozone generator 13 stop working and the LED turns green again, indicating that the sterilized / disinfected object can be removed and that the device is possibly ready for another cycle.

According to the present invention, therefore, the sterilization / disinfection of the desired object takes place through the exposure of the latter to a flow of ozonated air where ozone, being a very powerful oxidant, eliminates any spores, bacteria, staphylococci, amoebae, colibacteria and, in general, all microorganisms harmful to the organism present on the object.

It also eliminates other harmful substances, such as chlorine and some metals, such as iron and manganese.

Advantageously, at the end of its action, unlike many chemical disinfectants available on the market, ozone does not release harmful residues for the body, but instead releases pure oxygen, a precious substance for human health.

This first embodiment is advantageous since, contrary to what usually happens in the known art, the sterilization / disinfection is carried out `` dry '' and not in the bath, thus avoiding the subsequent drying phase of the sterilized object. / disinfected.

In the second embodiment shown in Figure 2, the container 11 is a tank partially filled with water to which, preferably, an ultrasound transducer 16 for emitting ultrasounds into the water is associated.

This ultrasound transducer 16 acts as a stirring means 16 for the water into which the ozone is introduced.

In this embodiment, the tank 11 can be of the removable type, so as to be filled manually, or it can be directly connected to the water distribution network.

To optimize the diffusion of ozone in the water, a micro-bubble diffuser 20 is provided inside the tank container 11.

Furthermore, along the duct 18 for the introduction of the ozone into the container 11 it is possible to provide a valve 21 for regulating the flow of the ozone itself.

The operation of this second embodiment shown in Figure 2 is also extremely simple.

After connecting the device to a normal power socket, you will notice the lighting up, preferably in green color, of the LED light bulb.

At this point it is necessary to open the lid 12, place the object in the container 11 filled with water up to a predetermined level 22, for example indicated inside the container 11, and close the lid 12.

Once the object to be sterilized / disinfected has been positioned in the container 11, to activate the device it is sufficient to operate the timer switch 15 until the desired time value is reached, normally 5 minutes.

During operation, the LED, changing color and becoming red, for example, communicates to the user that the pump 14, the ozone generator 13 and the ultrasound transducer 16 are activated, which remain active for the entire time of the sterilization / disinfection.

At the end of the cycle, the LED light bulb turns green and the pump, generator and transducer stop working.

Now it is possible to pick up the object while the device is possibly ready for another cycle. Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the device for the sterilization / disinfection of objects according to the present invention.

Inside the hermetic container 11 equipped with a lid 12 there is a raised housing 30 for supporting the objects where in particular this support surface of this raised housing 30 with respect to the bottom of the container 11 is a grid 31.

In this example, below the hermetic container 11 equipped with a lid 12 there is a casing 11â € ™ inside which the components that can be operated by the timer-switch 15 are arranged, i.e. the ozone generator 13, the air pump 14, and the Control electronics, such as for example the timer-switch 15.

Schematically also the timer-switch 15 has been shown inside the casing 11â € ™.

In particular, in this example a first and a second valve 32, 33 are provided, for example solenoid valves 32, 33, arranged respectively upstream and downstream of the ozone generator 13 and electronically connected to the timer-switch 15.

The operation of this third example is the following. After connecting the device to a normal power socket, as in the other previous examples, the indicator light turns on in green color.

At this point it is necessary to open the lid 12 and place the object to be treated on the shelf 31 and close the lid 12 and operate the timer-switch 15 until the desired time value is reached, typically five minutes.

Once the timer-switch 15 has been set, the indicator light turns red and the air pump 14 and the ozone generator 13 come into operation, which remain active for a time T1 shorter than the total time set, for example four minutes.

During the phase described above, the two solenoid valves 32 33 are â € œat restâ €, as shown in the functional diagram of figure 3, to create a circuit entirely similar to that of the embodiment shown in figure 1.

In the remaining time T2 that is missing at the end of the cycle, i.e. after the first 4 minutes, the ozone generator 13 is switched off and the two solenoid valves 32 33 are switched to the â € œworkingâ € position, dashed in figure 3, in which they exclude from the circuit the ozone generator 13.

In this configuration the air pump 14 remains in operation which however no longer supplies the ozone generator 13 but directs the ozone residues present on the lower part of the container 11 into the atmosphere through a first opening 34 of the casing 11â € ™.

in this configuration a second opening 35 is also provided in the casing 11â € ™ which intercepts the solenoid valve 32 creating a circuit which introduces normal air, not ozonated, into the container 11.

This air advantageously pushes the residual gases present in the container 11 towards the pump 14 and therefore towards the outside through first the valve 33 and then the opening 34 of the casing 11 '.

At the end of the minute of time T2 the cycle is completed; the pilot light returns to green, the pump 14 stops working and both solenoid valves 32 33 return to the â € œof restâ € position.

This last embodiment therefore allows to eliminate at the end of the cycle any excess ozone mixture present in the container 11.

It has thus been seen that a device for the sterilization / disinfection of objects according to the present invention achieves the purposes highlighted above.

In fact, the device for the sterilization / disinfection of objects of the present invention is able to eliminate in a very rapid way all the microorganisms harmful to the organism present on such objects, such as bacteria and viruses, without releasing harmful residues for the organism. .

It is also possible, in particular thanks to the first embodiment envisaged, to sterilize / disinfect a â € œdryâ € object.

By way of example, the results of experiments carried out using a device according to the present invention are reported in which, through 5-minute cycles, the killing of over 99% of certified bacteria on samples of plates spatulated by strains has been verified. typical of the oral cavity and always present on our original teeth or replaced by removable prostheses.

In particular, the certified bacterial strains used for the tests were strains of Candida Albicans, Staphilococcus Aureus and Enterococcus Faecalis, a very close relative of Streptococcus Mutans.

Finally, it should be emphasized that scientific studies have shown that the use of ozone does not cause any mechanical damage to the removable dental prostheses nor does it alter their taste, on the contrary it helps to eliminate bad odors mainly due to the presence of bacteria on them. surface.

By opening the lid of the device, the residual ozone will recombine almost instantly with the air molecules present in the environment without causing any problems to the user.

Alternatively, the embodiment shown in Figure 3 allows at the end of the cycle to extract any ozone present in the container before opening the lid of the container itself.

The device for the sterilization / disinfection of objects of the present invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the same inventive concept; moreover, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as their dimensions, can be of any type according to the technical requirements.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1) Device for the sterilization / disinfection of objects comprising a hermetically sealed container (11) provided with a movable lid (12), an ozone generator (13) for introducing ozone into said container (11), said device comprising electronic control means (15) for said ozone generator (13) and a pump (14) for feeding air to said ozone generator (13). 2) Device according to claim 1 characterized by the fact of comprising a return pipe (17) to said pump (14) of the ozonated air introduced into said container (11). 3) Device according to any preceding claim characterized in that said electronic means comprising a switch (15) for controlling said ozone generator (13) and said pump (14). 4) Device according to claim 3 characterized in that said switch (15) is a timer type switch. 5) Device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a LED indicating the operation of said ozone generator (13). 6) Device according to any preceding claim characterized by the fact of comprising two valves (32, 33) respectively upstream and downstream of said ozone generator (13), said two valves (32, 33) identifying a rest position for connection of said ozone generator (13) to said pump (14) and said container (11) respectively, and a working position in which they exclude said ozone generator (13) by connecting said pump (14) and said container (11) to the ™ external environment. 7) Device according to claim 6 characterized by the fact of comprising a casing (11â € ™) arranged under said container (11), said casing (11â € ™) housing said ozone generator (13), said pump (14 ) and said valves (32, 33), said valves (32, 33) in said working position being connected to two openings (34, 35) of said casing (11â € ™). 8) Device according to any preceding claim characterized in that said container (11) is a tank partially filled with water. 9) Device according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises means (16) for stirring said ozonated water. 10) Device according to claim 9 characterized in that said means for stirring said ozonated water comprise an ultrasound transducer (16) for introducing ultrasounds into said ozonated water.