US 10,238,760 B2 · System and method for probe cleaning and disinfecting

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are directed to apparatuses and methods for cleaning and disinfecting probes. A cleaner is utilized to remove foreign materials (e.g., bioburden, soil, and other like material) from the probe after it is removed from the patient by soaking and/or flushing the foreign materials from the probe. The cleaner may be an enzymatic detergent that has bacteriostatic properties to inhibit bacterial growth within the apparatus. The multiple enzymes in the cleaner attack the foreign material, and include low-foam properties for effective recirculation across cycles within the cleaning step. The probe is rinsed after the cleaning step, and after rinsing a disinfectant process is applied to the probe. The disinfectant soaks and/or flushes the probe for a specified amount of time across cycles of recirculation to disinfect the surface of the probe, and afterwards the probe is rinsed thoroughly to remove the disinfectant from the probe.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting a transesophageal echocardiograph (TEE) probe, wherein the probe comprises a first portion that is inserted into a patient and a second portion having a handle and an electrical connection, the apparatus comprising:

a probe reservoir assembly, wherein the probe reservoir assembly is configured for securing at least a portion of the first portion of the probe for the cleaning and the disinfecting while at least a portion of the second portion is located outside of the probe reservoir assembly;
a cleaner assembly operatively coupled to the probe reservoir assembly, wherein the cleaner assembly is configured for providing a cleaner to the probe reservoir assembly for the cleaning of the probe before the disinfecting;
and
a disinfectant assembly operatively coupled to the probe reservoir assembly, wherein the disinfectant assembly is configured for providing a disinfectant for the disinfecting of the probe after the cleaning.

1 more element

a probe reservoir assembly comprising a probe reservoir, wherein the probe reservoir assembly is configured for securing the second portion of the probe such that at least a portion of the second portion of the probe is located outside of the probe reservoir;
a probe tube operatively coupled to the probe reservoir, wherein the probe tube is configured for securing at least a portion of the first portion of the probe within the probe tube for the cleaning and the disinfecting;
a cleaner assembly comprising a cleaner reservoir configured for storing a cleaner, and a cleaner dispenser configured for dispensing the cleaner, wherein the cleaner assembly is operatively coupled to the probe reservoir assembly, wherein the cleaner assembly is configured for providing the cleaner to the probe for the cleaning before the disinfecting;
and
a disinfectant assembly comprising a disinfecting reservoir configured for receiving a single use disinfectant container with a disinfectant, wherein the disinfectant assembly is operatively coupled to the probe reservoir assembly, and wherein the disinfectant assembly is configured for providing the disinfectant to the probe for the disinfecting of the probe after the cleaning of the probe.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for probe cleaning and disinfecting

Life of this patent

System and method for probe cleaning and disinfecting

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19