Apparatus and methods for dispensing water to a sterilizing chamber of an autoclave
US5132084A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jul 21, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01J19/0006
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
There is disclosed an autoclave system incorporating a sterilization chamber and a reservoir. The reservoir is coupled to the sterilization chamber by means of a selectively operated valve. A microcontroller in conjunction with timing means computes a time necessary to place a predetermined amount of water into the sterilization chamber to assure that a proper sterilization cycle will be implemented. The apparatus determines the amount of time required to operate the valve based on the water level in the reservoir. The system is initilized with a full reservoir of water and bases all successive computations for valve operation from this point. Thus the valve is operated according to a given time duration, which time duration is computed according to the number of sterilization cycles previously performed by the autoclave system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.