Disinfection of dead-ended lines in medical instruments
US6153102A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 28, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D2321/08
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of disinfection of a dead-ended fluid line in a medical instrument such as a dialysis machine is described. The method comprises introducing a heated fluid into the fluid line, allowing the fluid to remain in the line for an experimentally determined optimal dwell period, removing the fluid from the fluid line, and then repeating the cycle for a time period sufficient to achieve a disinfection of the fluid line. The optimum dwell period and frequency for exchanging the heated fluid is determined so that the heated fluid is left resident in the line to exert a cidal effect but not so long that the it cools to the point of being ineffective, nor changed so frequently that that the time spent with no hot water resident in the line begins to detract (e.g., unduly prolong) the disinfection process. A representative cycle is introducing water at a temperature of about 85 degrees C, allowing it to reside in the fluid line for about 10 seconds, withdrawing the water, and then reintroducing water at 85 degrees C. The process continues for 1-2 hours. Variation from the representative cycle will be expected based on parameters such as the degree to which disinfection is to be achieve…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.