US2127932A - Sterilizing apparatus for surgical and dental appliances and the like - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 23, 19382 J, PEL'LKOFER 2,127,932

STERILIZING APPARATUS FQR SURGICAL AND DENTAL APPLIANCES AND THE LIKE Filed July 24, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 L Q 15 14 .5 u 7 22 5, 2? 5k 40 14 u 55 6'1 3/4 at? 5 I; 4 33 1:2 .43 .1;

Jose h, Fukcger N v: N PDQ J. PELLKOFER STERILIZING APPARATUS FQR SURGICAL AND DENTAL APPLI ANCES AND THE LIKE Filed .m 24, 1937 s sneets shetz Sea-2 k "Kc e f Aug. 23, 1938. I J. PELLKOFER 2,127,932 STERILIZING APPARATUS FOR SURGICAL AND DENTAL APFLIANCES AND THE LIKE Filed July 24, 193"! 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 &

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STERILIZING APPARATUS FOR SURGICAL AND DENTAL APPLIANCES AND THE LIKE Joseph Pellkoter, Regensburg, Germany Application July 24, 1937, Serial No. 155,479

Germany August 3, 1936 6 Claims. --(CI. 21-93) With the usual methods of sterilizing surgical and dental instruments, bandages and other appliances the sterilized article is transferred from the sterilizing apparatus to a cabinet which has not itself been sterilized and contamination may occur both in this cabinet and during the transfer. It is also the case that the bench or table on which such instruments are used cannot generally be sterilized after each operation, so that in most cases a paper or cloth cover must be used, which can be changed at frequent intervals. This is inconvenient and causes loss of time.

The object of my invention is to remove these disadvantages. For this purpose I provide for the articles a cabinet having numerous compartments which surround a tube or pipe delivering hot air or other gas for sterilizing purposes, this tube or pipe having branches which can be opened and closed separately so that the gas can be admitted to the compartments as required, and the cabinet, with the tube or pipe, being rotatable about the axis of the pipe, so that by turning the cabinet the user can obtain access to any selected compartment without changing his position.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, one embodiment thereof being shown in Fig. 1, which is a vertical section, thereof,

Fig. 2 being a section on the line A-B of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows to a larger scale, in section, the device for admitting hot air to one of the compartments, and

Fig. 4 is a section on the line C-D of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 being a plan view of this device, and

Fig. 6 a section on the line E-F of Fig. 3.

Fig. l is a perspective view of a detail of the mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional plan view to a larger scale than Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 shows a dish for holding sterilized articles.

Fig. 10 is an electric circuit diagram.

Fig. 11 is an elevation of a cabinet of somewhat different construction.

Fig. 12 being a section on the line G--H Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 shows partof this apparatus to a larger scale,

Fig. 1a is a sectional view, fication. x

The apparatus shown-in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a cylindrical cabinet I of heat proof material, but alternatively the cabinet may be polygonal,

lustrating a modiresistances is shown, marked 06.

It is divided into compartments by horizontal partitions 2 and internal walls 3. Through the center of the cabinet passes a vertical tube 4,- with the lower part of which the outside wall of the cabinet is connected by struts 5. The tube has ball or roller bearings 6 and l, and these engage a short pillar 9 on a foot or bed plate 8, so that the tube and cabinet can easily be rotated about this pillar.

The lowest horizontal partition, marked 2 supports an electromotor l0, and with this is coupled a fan or blower ll. The electromotor is supplied with current by means of contacts l2 on the plate 8. The delivery pipe l3 of the blower opens into the tube 4, and hot air is by this means blown into the tube. For each compartment in the cabinet the tube 4 has a short branch tube M with a nozzle l5. Electric heating resistances are disposed in the pipe l3, tube 4 or branches H, for heating the air. The electric circuit is shown in Fig. 10, in which one of the The number of resistances used, and the manner in which they are disposed, varies according to requirements.

Each branch pipe 14 is controlled by a valve l8 disposed therein at the inner end of the nozzle l5 (Fig. 3), the valve being rotatable about pivots l1 and being controlled by a spring l9 (Figs. 3 and 6), which tends to rotate the valve into its closed position. Fixed to the valve is a tongue 20, and in the cold state of the apparatus this tongue is pressed by the spring action against a composite metal strip 2l inside the nozzle l5 (Fig. 4), the valve being thus held open. The strip 2| consists of two metals having widely diiferent coefiicients of expansion under heat, so that when the strip is heated by hot air it bends, as indicated by broken lines in Fig. 4, and releases the valve, which then moves into its closed position.

Some of the compartments in the cabinet have upon the floor thereof a sliding tray 22, which can be pulled outwards, the movement being limited by screws 24 which pass through slots 23 (Fig. 2). From the rear edge of the tray projects an arm 28, bent at its free end to form a short transverse spindle 21 (Fig. 7), upon which a normally upright finger 26 is pivoted. This finger has a hooked arm 29 resting on the arm 28, so that it cannot swing forwards from the upright position in which it isl normally held by the weight of the arm 29. Consequently, when the tray is pushed inwards the-finger strikes an arm 25 fixed 'to one of the pivots ll of the valve l8,

and opens the valve. When the tray is pulled outwards the finger 26 is able to yield, as indicated by the arrow 30 in Fig. 7, and can thus move past the arm 25.

The other pivot ll of the valve has fixed thereto an electric contact arm M (Fig. 3) which by the opening of the valve is placed between two spring contacts 32, thereby closing the motor circuit. For each compartment there is a pilot lamp 33, fixed externally to the door 34 of the compartment. to show that the circuit is closed. Instead of a lamp some other visual signal may be used, or-an acoustic signal.

As shown in Fig. 8 the doors 34 are hinged to the trays 22.

The partition walls 3 have air passages 35, and each sterilizing compartment has a non-return valve 36 opening out of it into one of these air passages. The air passages lead to the chamber 3? containing the blower ll. This chamber is open to the outer atmosphere through an opening 39 in the partition on which the blower stands, and the gap 38 round the plate 8 supporting the cabinet.

The articles to be sterilized are placed in dishes 4% having lids 42 with hinges 4|. Each dish has in its wall an opening 43, placed so that when the dish is pushed into one of the sterilizing compartments the nozzle l5 enters the opening. Facing the opening 43 the dish has several holes 44 for emission of the hot air which has passed through it from the nozzle.

As shown in Fig. 2 the dish 40 can be pivotally connected to the tray 22 by means of a pin inserted into a hole in the tray. The dish 40, when removed from the tray, may for example be placed on a bracket 46 (Fig. 9), to which it is fixed by means of a nut 41.

The tube 4 passes through the top 48 of the cabinet and has outside the cabinet a union 49 with a cock 5B, enabling hot air from the tube to be used for purposes outside the cabinet, e. g. for softening guttapercha or wax. A pipe 5! leads from the union to a nozzle 54 at which the operator can dry his hands by means of hot air after washing them under a sprayer 53 placed over a wash bowl and controlled by a foot lever 52.

Trays 55 are hinged to the cabinet in suitable positions for receiving waste material, such as used cotton wool. Electric heating resistances 56 are provided in or on these trays, with switches 51 (Fig. 10) for closing their circuit, for the purpose of burning the waste material.

In the circuit closed by the contacts 3 I, 32 there is a relay 5 9, which automatically breaks the motor circuit when all the valves l8 are closed. There is a main switch 58 enabling the motor circuit to be opened by hand.

The manner of using the apparatus is as follows.

The article to be sterilized is placed in the dish 40 and the lid 42 thereof is closed. Then the dish is placed on a tray 22 and pushed into the respective compartments of the cabinet. The finger 26 opens the valve l8 controlling the nozzle l5 in that compartment, and the contacts 3|, 32 close the motor circuit. The valve at first remains open, owing to the engagement of the tongue 20 with the moderately elastic composite strip 2|. The blower ll consequently propels air into the compartment, this air being heated by the action of the resistances, and the article in the dish is by this means sterilized. At the same time the dish itself, including its lid, is sterilized by the heat. The lamp 32 on the door of the compartment lights up, and thus shows which compart ment is in use. The hot air passes out of the compartment through the passage and flows to the chamber 31, where it is mixed with fresh air. The blower sucks air from this chamber.

At a predetermined temperature, say 170 0., calculated to be fully adequate for the sterilization required, the bending of the strip 2| releases the valve l8, which is closed by the spring IS,

the contacts 3|, 32 being opened at the same time.

The sterilized article is left in the cabinet till it is required again for use. At any time the cabinet can be rotated in order to obtain easy access to some other compartment thereof. With the tray 22 pulled out, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the dish 42 standing thereon and held by the pin 45 can very conveniently be used as a temporary table for the article, unless thesame is to be used at some distance from the cabinet, as may be the case where several operators share the use of the cabinet.

It will be clear that instead of hot air some other gaseous medium may be used, for example steam. Even where hot air is used it may be of advantage to provide for sterilization by steam in one or more of the compartments, e. g. compartments used for bandages.

Provision may be made for cooling the cabinet, after sterilization, by passing through it a stream of cold air, or by some other convenient means.

The equipment of the cabinet depends of course on the particular purpose for which it is to be used. For dental work compartments for tumbiers, drills and so on may with advantage be provided.

The cabinet may very well be installed in ambulances and other vehicles for road or held use,

military or otherwise. The heating of the air or other gas may be effected by other than electric means, e. g. by means of a stove, and instead of using a blower or fan the gas may be taken from cylinders in which it is stored under pressure.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 11 to 13 the cabinet a, likewise of cylindrical shape, is likewise divided into numerous compartments surrounding a central tube 1) having branches 0 opening into these compartments. A pipe d connects the tube b to a compressed air cylinder e outside the cabinet. This method of supplying the compressed air (or may be other gas) has the advantage of simplicity, no motor and blower or fan being required. A single cylinder may serve several cabinets. It may be a drum which is antomatically recharged. As the air or gas is usually at a fairly high pressure in such cylinders or drums the conduits through which the air is discharged may be of smaller diameter than when a blower or fan is used, and this makes them easier to insulate, and also saves space. The flow of air through the pipe d is controlled by means of a throttle valve h. For heating the air Fig. 11 shows an electric heating resistance f in the pipe d. In the circuit of this resistance there is a switch q, which may be connected to the throttle valve 50 that the switch is closed by opening'the valve, and opens when the valve is closed. Of course the heating may be effected in some other part of the air path, or in the cylinder or drum itself, if desired.

A pipe k, best shown in Fig. 12, is branched off the pipe d within the hollow foot on which the cabinet revolves, and passes through a cooling chamber 1 inside the foot, then re-joining the pipe 11 close to its junction with the vertical tube b. The cooling chamber may be served with water or any other cooling medium. Where the pipe I: branches oi! the pipe d there is a valve m. This valve can be set as shown by full lines in Fig. 12 so that air on its way to the tube is cannot pass through the branch tube, but it can also be set as indicated by broken lines, so that all. the air must pass through the branch pipe before reaching'the tube b. This latter setting of the valve is for the purpose oi cooling the articles in th cabinet after they have been The valve m is automatically controlled by the device shown in Fig. 13. An electric circuit has therein a thermal switch 1:. whereby the circuit is automatically closed when the switch is exposed to a predetermined temperature. The switch is located in any convenient part of the apparatus. when the circuit is closed a relay moves the valve m from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 13 to the position in which it deilects the air to the cooling apparatus. A catch 9 retains the valve in this position when the switch n has become cold again. The circuit of the heating resistance I may be opened by hand, or automatically by means of a thermal or relay controlled switch q.

It will be obvious that a cooling chamber for the air, and means for deflecting the air through it, may also be incorporated in the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Idg. 14 shows a modification in which each of the branch pipes or nozzles c has'therein a heating resistance a and a valve i controlling the discharge oi air into the respective compartments.

The principle of heating a stream of air so that it is sterilized, and then cooling it so that it can be used in a sterilized but cold state, can be applied to purposes other than the service of sterilizing apparatus, for example to dental work I. in which cold, sterilized air is used for the treatment oi teeth or gums.

What I claim as my invention and desire to 1slecure by Letters Patent otthe United States 1. sterilizing apparatus comprising a cabinet having therein a plurality oi sterilizing compartments, a straight tubular conduit for a gaseous sterilizing medium in said cabinet, said compartments being grouped around 'said conduit, and branch conduits for discharging gaseous sterilizing medium from said straight 'conduit into said compartments severally, said cabinet and said straight conduit being rotatable about the axis of the latter.

2. sterilizing apparatus comprising a cabinet having therein a plurality of sterilizing compartments, a straight tubular conduit for a gaseous sterilizing medium in said cabinet, said compartments being grouped around said conduit, means (or heating said gaseous sterilizing medium, and branch conduits for discharging gaseoussterilizingmediumtromsaidstraightconduit into said compartments severally, said cabisterilizing medium in said cabinet, said compartments being grouped around said conduit, means 1 for heating said gaseous sterilizing medium,

branch conduits for discharginggaseous sterilizing medium from said straight conduit into said compartments severally, and thermally controlled devices automatically controlling the discharge of the gaseous medium from said branch conduits, said cabinet and said straight conduit being rotatable about the axis of the latter.

4. sterilizing apparatus comprising a cabinet having therein a plurality of sterilizing compartments, a straight tubular conduit for a gaseous sterilizing medium in said cabinet, said compartments being grouped around said conduit, means for heating said gaseous sterilizing medium, branch conduits for discharging gaseous sterilizing medium from said straight conduit into said compartments severally, and thermally controlled devices automatically controlling the discharge of the gaseous medium from said branch conduits, and also controlling said means for heating said gaseous medium, said cabinet and said straight conduit being rotatable about the axis of the latter.

5. sterilizing apparatus comprising a cabinet having therein a plurality of sterilizing compartments, a straight tubular conduit for a gaseous sterilizing medium in said cabinet, said compartments being grouped around said conduit, means for heating said gaseous sterilizing medium, branch conduits for discharging gaseous sterilizing medium from said straight conduit into said compartments severally, thermally controlled devices automatically controiling the discharge of gaseous medium from said branch conduits, and signalling devices, one for each compartment, automatically indicating when discharge of gaseous medium into the respective compartments is taking, place, said cabinet and said straight conduit being rotatable about the axis of the latter.

6. sterilizing apparatus comprising a cabinet having therein a plurality of sterilizing compartments, astraight tubular conduit for a gaseous sterilizing medium in said cabinet, said compartments being grouped around said conduit, branch conduits for discharging gaseous sterilizing medium from said straight conduit into said compsrtments severally, and containers in said compartments having openings into which said branch conduits extend and having also openings for the escape oi gaseous medium discharged thereinto from said branch conduits, said cabi-- net and said straight conduit being rotatable about the axis of the latter.

JOSEPH PILLKOI'IR.

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