US20150259122A1 - Vacuum storage system - Google Patents

Vacuum storage system Download PDF

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Publication number
US20150259122A1
US20150259122A1 US14/431,072 US201314431072A US2015259122A1 US 20150259122 A1 US20150259122 A1 US 20150259122A1 US 201314431072 A US201314431072 A US 201314431072A US 2015259122 A1 US2015259122 A1 US 2015259122A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
storage system
vacuum storage
inner chamber
article
outer chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/431,072
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English (en)
Inventor
George Christopher Parker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MEDICAL INNOVATIONS Ltd
Cantel UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Medicart International Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Medicart International Ltd filed Critical Medicart International Ltd
Assigned to MEDICART INTERNATIONAL LIMITED reassignment MEDICART INTERNATIONAL LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PARKER, GEORGE CHRISTOPHER
Publication of US20150259122A1 publication Critical patent/US20150259122A1/en
Assigned to MEDICAL INNOVATIONS LIMITED reassignment MEDICAL INNOVATIONS LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MEDICART INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Assigned to CANTEL (UK) LIMITED reassignment CANTEL (UK) LIMITED CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MEDICAL INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00142—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
    • B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65D81/2007—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under vacuum
    • B65D81/2015—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under vacuum in an at least partially rigid container
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00142—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
    • A61B1/00144—Hygienic packaging
    • A61B19/0271—
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B50/30—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B50/30—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
    • A61B50/33—Trays
    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/04—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/16—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas
    • B65D51/1633—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby venting occurs by automatic opening of the closure, container or other element
    • B65D51/1644—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby venting occurs by automatic opening of the closure, container or other element the element being a valve
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D53/00—Sealing or packing elements; Sealings formed by liquid or plastics material
    • B65D53/02—Collars or rings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
    • B65D81/26—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators
    • B65D81/266—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators for absorbing gases, e.g. oxygen absorbers or desiccants
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B2017/00535—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets pneumatically or hydraulically operated
    • A61B2017/00561—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets pneumatically or hydraulically operated creating a vacuum
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B2017/00681—Aspects not otherwise provided for
    • A61B2017/00734—Aspects not otherwise provided for battery operated
    • A61B2019/0267—
    • A61B2019/0286—
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B2050/005—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers with a lid or cover
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B2050/005—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers with a lid or cover
    • A61B2050/0066—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers with a lid or cover with additional sealing means, e.g. O-ring
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B2050/005—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers with a lid or cover
    • A61B2050/0067—Types of closures or fasteners
    • A61B2050/0086—Types of closures or fasteners closed by or under vacuum
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B50/30—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
    • A61B2050/3015—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments transparent
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B50/30—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
    • A61B2050/314—Flexible bags or pouches
    • 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
    • A61L2202/18—Aseptic storing means
    • A61L2202/181—Flexible packaging means, e.g. permeable membranes, paper

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method and apparatus for storing an article.
  • the invention relates to a method and apparatus for storing an article of medical equipment, such as a flexible medical endoscope, in a state of high level disinfection following processing (cleaning and disinfection) thereof.
  • an article of medical equipment such as a flexible medical endoscope
  • the method and apparatus of the present invention may find use in the storage of a wide range of articles, such as museum artefacts, botanical samples, or indeed any other articles for which storage in a reduced oxygen atmosphere would be beneficial.
  • disinfecting is used herein in preference to the term “sterility” since the latter implies the complete absence of pathogenic organisms, which in practice is rarely, if ever, achievable. It is to be appreciated however that the ultimate aim of disinfecting medical equipment is indeed to get as close to absolute sterility as is practicable.
  • the terms “vacuum”, “evacuation”, “evacuate” and “evacuated” as used herein should be understood in their everyday sense to mean a partial vacuum such as can readily be achieved with standard commercial or laboratory equipment.
  • the present invention has been developed particularly for use in connection with the storage of flexible medical endoscopes in a state of high level disinfection following processing (cleaning and disinfection), and therefore will be described herein with particular emphasis on this application. It is envisaged however, that the method of the present invention may be utilised for the storage of substantially all types of medical, surgical, dental and veterinary equipment, apparatus, and instruments, and indeed in other applications outside the medical field, such as museum artefacts, botanical samples, or any other articles where storage in an evacuated container or a reduced oxygen atmosphere may be desirable.
  • endoscopes After use in an endoscopic procedure, flexible medical endoscopes are usually subjected to “processing”, consisting of rigorous manual cleaning followed by placing the endoscope in an Automated Endoscope Re-processor (AER) which effects a further cleaning and disinfecting procedure to bring the endoscope to High Level Disinfection Status (HLDS).
  • AER Automated Endoscope Re-processor
  • HLDS High Level Disinfection Status
  • the endoscope must then be stored in a clean environment. Under normal storage conditions, the degree of disinfection of the endoscope can only be maintained at an acceptable level for a relatively short period, usually about 3 hours. This is due to the multiplication of residual pathogens which may remain on the endoscope after disinfection, or which may be present in the atmosphere. If the endoscope is not used in a further endoscopic procedure within this time, then further processing will be necessary prior to its next use.
  • the quality of the partial vacuum achieved will generally be restricted to a low to medium vacuum (100 kPa to 1 kPa) by the limitations of the standard commercial or laboratory evacuation equipment utilised, as well as the physical properties of the evacuation chamber.
  • the integrity of the seal by which the evacuation chamber is closed becomes a major factor in determining the extent to which the viable storage time of an endoscope can be prolonged. This is of particular concern when utilising standard vacuum storage bags of flexible pouch construction, as the zip seals on such bags tend to fail or leak after a period of time, thus compromising the high level disinfection status of the endoscope.
  • the present invention seeks to address the above issue by providing a vacuum storage system incorporating a fail-safe arrangement such that the vacuum within the storage chamber is maintained even if the integrity of the seal if compromised.
  • a vacuum storage system for storing an article comprising:
  • the article to be stored may be an article of medical equipment, such as a flexible medical endoscope.
  • the inner chamber may itself be a flexible pouch or bag. However, it is much preferred that the inner chamber comprises a tray and a lid, preferably of generally rigid construction.
  • the one-way valve is preferably formed in the lid.
  • a gasket seal is preferably provided between the tray and the lid.
  • the gasket seal is preferably housed in the lid and arranged to extend around the perimeter of the tray, when the lid and tray are engaged. Upon evacuation of the system, the lid is urged onto the tray, thus compressing the gasket seal to seal the inner chamber.
  • the interior of the tray may be desirably be shaped or sculpted so as securely to house the article to be stored.
  • This may be take the form of upstanding elements arranged to embrace and protect an article, or parts of an article, such as the coils of a flexible medical endoscope.
  • the outer chamber preferably comprises a flexible pouch or bag, having an opening to enable insertion of the inner chamber.
  • the opening is preferably provided with a zip seal and/or an adhesive seal.
  • An evacuation valve adapted for connection to a suction device, is provided in one wall of the pouch.
  • the evacuation valve may itself be a one-way valve.
  • evacuation of the outer chamber pouch causes the one-way valve in the tray lid to open, thus enabling evacuation of the inner chamber.
  • Evacuation of the outer chamber pouch also causes the pouch to urge the lid onto the tray, thus causing compression of the gasket seal, and so sealing the inner chamber.
  • the inner and outer chamber are preferably both transparent, to enable the contents of the vacuum storage system to be conveniently viewed.
  • an oxygen scavenging agent may optionally be provided within the inner chamber, as further to reduce the oxygen content of the atmosphere in which the article is stored.
  • the method may optionally include an additional step of providing an oxygen scavenging agent within the inner chamber, as further to reduce the oxygen content of the atmosphere in which the article is stored.
  • FIG. 1 shows a tray, constituting a first part of an inner chamber of a preferred embodiment of vacuum storage system according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a lid, constituting a second part of the inner chamber
  • FIG. 3 shows the tray of FIG. 1 combined with the lid of FIG. 2 to form the inner chamber
  • FIG. 4 shows a flexible pouch, constituting an outer chamber of the vacuum storage system
  • FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the inner chamber of FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 6 shows an enlarged detail of the inner chamber of FIG. 5 ;
  • FIG. 7 shows the inner chamber of FIG. 3 being inserted into the outer chamber of FIG. 4 , to form the vacuum storage system of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 shows the inner chamber of FIG. 3 and outer chamber of FIG. 4 combined to form the vacuum storage system of the present invention, in the process of being evacuated.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a tray 10 of generally rigid construction, constituting a first part of an inner chamber of a preferred embodiment of vacuum storage system according to a first aspect of the present invention.
  • the tray 10 is shaped and sculpted with upstanding elements 11 arranged to embrace and protect the coils of a flexible medical endoscope (not shown) when stored therein.
  • a lid 12 constituting a second part of the inner chamber of the vacuum storage system according to the present invention.
  • the lid 12 is also of generally rigid construction, and is of complementary size and shape to the tray 10 , and adapted to engage therewith.
  • the lid 12 has a one-way valve 13 formed therein to enable evacuation of the inner chamber, as will be described in more detail below.
  • the lid 12 is transparent, to enable the contents of the inner chamber to be viewed, and has finger grips 14 to facilitate removal of the lid 12 from the tray 10 after use.
  • FIG. 3 this shows the lid 12 engaged with the tray 10 in order to form a sealable inner chamber, generally indicated 20 , of a vacuum storage system according to the present invention.
  • the one-way valve 13 now communicates with the air-space within the chamber 20 , as defined by the lid 12 and tray 10 .
  • FIG. 4 there is shown a flexible pouch 16 constituting a sealable outer chamber 30 of the vacuum storage system according to the present invention.
  • the pouch 16 is transparent to enable the contents to be viewed.
  • the pouch 16 has an opening 17 , to enable insertion of the inner chamber 20 , provided with a double zip seal 18 and an adhesive seal 19 .
  • An evacuation valve 21 adapted for connection to a suction device (not shown) for evacuation of the pouch 16 , is provided in one wall thereof.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 there are shown cross-sectional views of the inner chamber 20 , comprising the tray 10 and the lid 12 .
  • FIG. 6 shows an enlarged detail of the circled area of FIG. 5 .
  • the tray 10 is formed with a rim 22 defining the periphery thereof.
  • the lid 12 is formed with a lip 23 of complementary size and shape to the tray rim 22 , extending around the periphery of the lid 12 , and adapted to engage with the tray rim 22 .
  • a gasket seal 24 is housed within the lid lip 23 , and also extends around the periphery of the lid 12 . When the lid 12 is engaged with the tray 10 , as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the gasket seal 24 is compressed, to seal the inner chamber 20 .
  • FIG. 7 this shows the inner chamber 20 , comprising the tray 10 and lid 12 engaged therewith, being inserted into the flexible pouch 16 constituting the outer chamber 30 . This is done via the opening 17 in the pouch 16 , which is subsequently sealed with the double zip seal 18 and adhesive seal 19 .
  • FIG. 8 this shows the inner chamber 20 now fully housed within the outer chamber 30 , to form a vacuum storage system, generally indicated 40 , according to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.
  • the system 40 is now ready for evacuation, by connecting the evacuation valve 21 to a suction device (not shown).
  • a method, according to a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, of storing a flexible medical endoscope in the vacuum storage system 40 , according to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 .
  • a flexible medical endoscope (not shown) is placed in the tray 10 , as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the endoscope is arranged such that its coils are embraced and protected by the upstanding elements 11 .
  • the lid 12 as shown in FIG. 2 , is then placed on top of the tray 10 , with the lid lip 23 engaging with the tray rim 22 , as shown in FIGS. 3 , 5 and 6 .
  • the inner chamber 20 of the vacuum storage system 40 is thus formed, with gasket seal 24 disposed between the tray rim 22 and the lid lip 23 .
  • the inner chamber 20 is then inserted into the pouch 16 , constituting the outer chamber of the vacuum storage system 40 , as shown in FIG. 4 . As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the inner chamber 20 is inserted through the opening 17 . The double zip seal 18 and the adhesive seal 19 , are then used to seal the outer chamber 30 . The vacuum storage system 40 is thus now fully formed, as shown in FIG. 8 .
  • the evacuation valve 21 is then connected to a suction device (not shown) for evacuation of the outer chamber 30 .
  • Activation of the suction device evacuates the outer chamber 30 , and the reduction in pressure in the outer chamber 30 causes the one-way valve 13 in the lid 12 to open, thus also resulting in evacuation of the inner chamber 20 .
  • the reduction in pressure also causes the pouch 16 to collapse around the inner chamber 20 , thus urging the lid 12 onto the tray 10 , and compressing the gasket seal 24 , so as to seal the inner chamber 20 .
  • the suction device is then deactivated and disconnected, and the evacuation valve 21 closed. Deactivation of the suction device also causes the one-way valve 13 to close, thus fully sealing the inner chamber 20 .
  • the vacuum storage system 40 of the present invention thus incorporates a fail-safe mechanism in that, even if the vacuum in the outer chamber 30 is compromised due to leaking of the seals 18 , 19 or the valve 21 , the inner chamber 20 will remain in an evacuated state due to the one-way valve 13 remaining in a closed position, and the compressed gasket seal 24 .
  • the endoscope within the inner chamber 20 can thus be stored in a viable HLDS condition for considerably longer than with conventional storage systems.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Endoscopes (AREA)
  • Vacuum Packaging (AREA)
  • Instruments For Viewing The Inside Of Hollow Bodies (AREA)
US14/431,072 2012-09-26 2013-09-19 Vacuum storage system Abandoned US20150259122A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1217216.9 2012-09-26
GB1217216.9A GB2506370B (en) 2012-09-26 2012-09-26 Vacuum storage system
PCT/GB2013/052456 WO2014049337A1 (en) 2012-09-26 2013-09-19 Vacuum storage system

Related Parent Applications (1)

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PCT/GB2013/052456 A-371-Of-International WO2014049337A1 (en) 2012-09-26 2013-09-19 Vacuum storage system

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US16/293,131 Continuation-In-Part US11324392B2 (en) 2012-09-26 2019-03-05 Vacuum storage system

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US20150259122A1 true US20150259122A1 (en) 2015-09-17

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US14/431,072 Abandoned US20150259122A1 (en) 2012-09-26 2013-09-19 Vacuum storage system
US16/293,131 Active US11324392B2 (en) 2012-09-26 2019-03-05 Vacuum storage system

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US (2) US20150259122A1 (ja)
EP (1) EP2900117B1 (ja)
JP (1) JP6389182B2 (ja)
CN (1) CN104768445B (ja)
AU (1) AU2013322405B2 (ja)
CA (1) CA2886238C (ja)
GB (1) GB2506370B (ja)
WO (1) WO2014049337A1 (ja)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020190459A1 (en) * 2019-03-19 2020-09-24 Medivators Inc. Vented endoscope tray covers, systems and methods
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US10858129B2 (en) * 2015-06-05 2020-12-08 Sunbeam Products, Inc. Food storage appliance
US11883213B2 (en) 2018-12-26 2024-01-30 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical device containment and transportation systems and methods
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WO2020190459A1 (en) * 2019-03-19 2020-09-24 Medivators Inc. Vented endoscope tray covers, systems and methods
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US11974721B2 (en) 2019-06-20 2024-05-07 Medivators Inc. Endoscope storage cart, system and methods
US11696811B2 (en) 2019-12-24 2023-07-11 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical device transportation systems
US11911191B2 (en) 2019-12-24 2024-02-27 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical device transportation systems
WO2021173405A1 (en) * 2020-02-25 2021-09-02 Medivators Inc. Stackable endoscope storage tray and method of use
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US20190191972A1 (en) 2019-06-27
GB2506370B (en) 2014-10-15
WO2014049337A1 (en) 2014-04-03
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AU2013322405A1 (en) 2015-04-30
AU2013322405B2 (en) 2017-11-02
GB201217216D0 (en) 2012-11-07
EP2900117A1 (en) 2015-08-05
JP2015532131A (ja) 2015-11-09
US11324392B2 (en) 2022-05-10
CA2886238A1 (en) 2014-04-03
EP2900117B1 (en) 2017-09-13
JP6389182B2 (ja) 2018-09-12

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