Pressure chamber for steam sterilization of articles
US5571476A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 5, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2/07
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A process, system and pressure chamber for the automated sterilization of articles, particularly medical or dental instruments is disclosed, which is simple to use and economically efficient by comparison with conventional autoclaves and steam sterilizing system. Steam is generated by the pulsed injection of a controlled quantity of water into a heated boiler whenever it runs dry. The boiler is coupled in a closed-loop system to a relatively small pressure chamber in the form of a cassette that is readily inserted and removed from a holder comprising means for connecting the chamber to a steam inlet conduit and a venting conduit, the latter being closed off during pressurization of the chamber. By automated monitoring of the boiler and chamber temperatures, conditions in the chamber are measured and the boiler and valves in the system controlled to effect a sterilization cycle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.