Method and apparatus for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical instruments

US4710233A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Eugen Hohmann · Bensheim, DE
• Konrad Mund
• Erhard Weidlich · Spardorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 15, 1985
• Grant date: Dec 1, 1987
• Expiry date: Aug 15, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C02F1/4674
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing medical instrument with a sequence of method steps performed in a single apparatus. The method steps include precleaning the instruments in a container containing a first fluid bath subjected to ultrasonic energy, subsequently emptying the first fluid bath from the container and replacing it with a second fluid bath containing a cleaning agent and a sodium chloride, fine cleaning and disinfecting the instruments by subjecting the second bath to ultrasonic energy and circulating the second bath through an electrolytic cell having a voltage applied to the electrodes to create anotic oxidation, then emptying the second bath and replacing it with a rinse bath, rinsing instruments while subjecting the rinse bath to an ultrasonic energy and circulating the bath through the electrolytic cell subsequently emptying the rinse bath, and drying the instruments by means of heated air.