Patent · US Expired

Instrument cleaner with converging steam jets

US5524357A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
13References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 23, 1994
Grant dateJun 11, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 23, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB08B2230/01
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A surgical instrument cleaner includes a containment chamber with an intake opening on a front thereof and an exhaust vent on a rear thereof. A manifold is positioned in the intake opening, and connected to a steam source. Nozzles arranged around the manifold emit converging steam jets at a single point positioned away from a plane defined by the nozzles. The steam jets are directed rearwardly into the containment chamber, so that they create a front-to-rear airflow between the intake and the exhaust vent. An instrument is positionable at the jet convergence point for cleaning. The airflow carries steam and airborne debris blasted from the instrument safely away from the user.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.