# US 11,305,222 B2 · Sterilizing method and apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,222 B2 - Document ID: US11305222B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/809,080 - Filed: 2020-03-04 - Published: 2020-06-25 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2014-01-29 - Assignees: Turbett Surgical, Inc. - Applicants: Turbett Surgical, Inc. - Inventors: Robert E. Turbett; Richard D. Richmond - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305222B2 ## CPC - A61L 2/26: Accessories - B01D 46/0005: {Mounting of filtering elements within casings, housings or frames (B01D46/2422 takes precedence)} - A61L 2/07: Steam - A61L 2/28: Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation or disinfection, e.g. indicators which change colour - B01D 46/0002: {Casings; Housings; Frame constructions} - B01D 46/10: Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces - B01D 46/62: connected in series - B01D 46/64: arranged concentrically or coaxially - A61L 2/02: using physical processes - A61L 2/04: Heat (radiation A61L2/08) - A61L 2/08: Radiation - A61L 2/14: Plasma, i.e. ionised gases - A61L 2/20: Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours - A61L 2103/15: Laboratory, medical or dentistry appliances, e.g. catheters or sharps - A61L 2202/122: Chambers for sterilisation - A61L 2202/15: Biocide distribution means, e.g. nozzles, pumps, manifolds, fans, baffles, sprayers - B01D 2279/35: for venting arrangements - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Methods and apparatus for sterilization are presented. An exemplary embodiment includes a sterilizing cabinet assembly. The sterilizing cabinet includes a cabinet having an access port, a door connected to the cabinet, the door moveable between an open position permitting passage through the access port to an interior of the cabinet and a closed position precluding passage through the access port. The sterilizing cabinet assembly also includes at least one of the cabinet and the door having a vent port. The sterilizing cabinet has a primary filter overlying the vent port and forming a sealed interface with an adjacent portion of the one of the cabinet and the door and a secondary filter overlying at least a portion of the primary filter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for sterilizing a plurality of medical instruments, the apparatus comprising: (a) a sterilizing cabinet having a top wall, a bottom wall, sidewalls connecting the top wall and the bottom wall, and a rear wall, at least one of the sidewalls including at least one vent, the sterilizing cabinet having an access port sized to pass a plurality of trays for holding the plurality of medical instruments; (b) a door moveable relative to the access port between an open position and a closed position; (c) a first filter holder for a first filter, the first filter sized to overlie the at least one vent in the at least one of the sidewalls, the first filter holder moveable between a first position permitting placement of the first filter relative to the at least one vent in the at least one of the sidewalls and a second position retaining the first filter relative to the at least one vent in the at least one of the sidewalls, and (d) a first filter hanger extending from the at least one of the sidewalls including the at least one vent, wherein the first filter hanger is separate and spaced from the first filter holder in the first position, and wherein the first filter hanger is configured to hang at least one of the first filter and the first filter holder. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second position of the first filter holder retains the first filter against an adjacent portion of the sterilizing cabinet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a removable spacer configured to be located within the sterilizing cabinet to support at least one of the plurality of medical instruments or the plurality of trays holding the plurality of medical instruments separate from the bottom wall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a clamp configured to engage the first filter holder to an adjacent portion of the at least one of the sidewalls having the at least one vent. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first filter holder is a clamp configured to form a seal between the first filter and an adjacent portion of the at least one of the sidewalls having the at least one vent. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second filter hanger spaced apart from the first filter hanger and configured to hang at least one of the first filter and the first filter holder. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first filter hanger is configured to hang a second filter to overlie at least a portion of the first filter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first filter holder includes a clamp moveable to releasably retain at least one of the first filter and the second filter to the sterilizing cabinet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a second filter holder, the second filter holder moveable between a first position permitting placement of the second filter relative to the at least one vent in the at least one of the sidewalls and a second position retaining the second filter relative to the at least one vent in the at least one of the sidewalls. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second position of the second filter holder creates a seal between the second filter and one of the first filter and the first filter holder. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second position of the first filter holder creates a seal between the first filter and an adjacent portion of the sterilizing cabinet. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sidewalls are vertical, and wherein the second position of the first filter holder retains the first filter against an adjacent portion of one of the vertical sidewalls of the sterilizing cabinet. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first filter hanger is configured to hang both the at least one of the first filter and the first filter holder. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first filter hanger projects from the at least one of the sidewalls. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first filter hanger projects from the at least one of the sidewalls and is configured to hang the first filter and a second filter relative to the at least one of the sidewalls. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first filter hanger is configured to hang the filter to be engaged by the first filter holder. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus for sterilizing a plurality of medical instruments of claim 1, wherein the first filter hanger is a non-hinged protrusion extending from the at least one of the sidewalls of the sterilizing cabinet. ### Claim 18 An apparatus for sterilizing a plurality of medical instruments, the apparatus comprising: (a) a sterilizing cabinet having a top wall, a bottom wall, sidewalls connecting the top wall and the bottom wall, and a rear wall, at least one of the sidewalls including at least one vent, the sterilizing cabinet having an access port sized to pass a plurality of trays for holding the plurality of medical instruments; (b) a door moveable relative to the access port between an open position and a closed position; (c) a filter holder moveable between (i) a first position permitting placement of a first filter sized to overlie the at least one vent in the at least one of the sidewalls relative to the at least one vent in the at least one of the sidewalls and a second filter relative to the first filter, the second filter sized to overlie at least a portion of the first filter and (ii) a second position retaining the first filter relative to the at least one vent in the at least one of the sidewalls and the second filter relative to the first filter; and (d) a first filter hanger extending from the at least one of the sidewalls including the at least one vent, wherein the first filter hanger is separate and spaced from the first filter holder in the first position, and wherein the first filter hanger is configured to hang at least one of the first filter and the first filter holder. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first filter hanger is configured to hang the first filter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first filter hanger is configured to hang the second filter. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the filter holder is configured to impart a sealed periphery between the second filter and the first filter. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the filter holder is configured to directly contact the second filter with the first filter. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the filter holder is configured to locate the first filter to directly contact the at least one of the sidewalls. ### Claim 24 An apparatus for sterilizing a plurality of medical instruments, the apparatus comprising: (a) a sterilizing cabinet having a top wall, a bottom wall, sidewalls connecting the top wall and the bottom wall, and a rear wall, at least one of the sidewalls including at least one vent, the sterilizing cabinet having an access port sized to pass a plurality of trays for holding the plurality of medical instruments; (b) a door moveable relative to the access port between an open position and a closed position; (c) a first filter sized to overlie the at least one vent in the at least one of the sidewalls; (d) a second filter sized to overlie at least a portion of the first filter; (e) a first filter holder moveable between a first position permitting placement of the first filter relative to the at least one vent in the at least one of the sidewalls and a second position retaining the first filter relative to the at least one vent in the at least one of the sidewalls; and (f) a first filter hanger extending from an exterior surface of the at least one of the sidewalls including the at least one vent, wherein the first filter hanger is separate and spaced from the first filter holder in the first position, and wherein the first filter hanger is configured to hang at least one of the first filter and the first filter holder. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first filter hanger is configured to hang at least one of the first filter and the first filter holder. ### Claim 26 A method of sterilizing a plurality of medical instruments, the method comprising: (a) loading a plurality of medical instruments to be sterilized into a sterilizing cabinet having a door, a top wall, a bottom wall, sidewalls connecting the top wall and the bottom wall, and a rear wall, at least one of the sidewalls including at least one vent, the sterilizing cabinet having an access port sized to pass a plurality of trays for holding the medical instruments; (b) hanging a first filter on a hanger extending from the at least one of the sidewalls of the sterilizing cabinet, the first filter sized to overlie and occlude the at least one vent in the at least one of the sidewalls of the sterilizing cabinet; and (c) engaging a separate filter holder with the sterilizing cabinet to retain the first filter relative to the at least one vent in the at least one of the sidewalls. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method of sterilizing a plurality of medical instruments of claim 26, further comprising passing steam through the first filter and into the sterilizing cabinet. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of sterilizing a plurality of medical instruments of claim 27, wherein the step of hanging the first filter on the at least one of the sidewalls of the sterilizing cabinet further comprises attaching the first filter and the filter holder to the hanger extending from the at least one of the sidewalls. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The method of sterilizing a plurality of medical instruments of claim 26, further comprising the step of hanging the filter holder on the at least one of the sidewalls of the sterilizing cabinet. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The method of sterilizing a plurality of medical instruments of claim 26, wherein the step of engaging the separate filter holder comprises clamping the filter holder. ### Claim 31 (depends on 26) The method of sterilizing a plurality of medical instruments of claim 26, wherein engaging a separate filter holder with the sterilizing cabinet includes forming a first sealed interface between the sterilizing cabinet and at least one of the first filter and the first filter holder.