Mobile apparatus and method for sterilizing one or more surgical trays with integrable transfer and storage system
AssigneeSteriCUBE Surgical Systems, LLC
InventorsBarry M. Snyder, Clarence J. Snyder, III, Michele Mauzerall, Maryellen Keenan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved mobile apparatus for sterilizing surgical trays serves as a self-contained autoclave, allowing sterilization of the interior of the apparatus and its contents. A method of sterilization using the apparatus is presented as well. By means of a dedicated transfer and storage system, the apparatus, integrable with respect to a transfer cart and a lift device, may be moved easily between a location of sterilization, a storage area, and an operating room, and more than one such apparatus may be stacked vertically for storage to enhance storage efficiency.
Claims20
A method of sterilizing a surgical instrument, the method comprising:
- loading a sterilization cabinet onto a transfer cart, wherein the sterilization cabinet comprises an interior sterilization chamber, wherein a surgical tray containing a surgical instrument is received within the interior sterilization chamber, and wherein the interior sterilization chamber is in a sealed configuration;
- positioning the sterilization cabinet at a sterilization location adjacent to an autoclave using the transfer cart;
- transferring the sterilization cabinet from the transfer cart into the autoclave using mechanical guides;
- after sterilization of the surgical instrument within the interior sterilization chamber positioning the sterilization cabinet onto the transfer cart while the sterilization cabinet is in the sealed configuration;
- and
- relocating the sterilization cabinet from the sterilization location using the transfer cart, while in the sealed configuration the surgical instrument remains sterile.
A method for sterilizing a surgical instrument, the method comprising:
- loading a sterilization cabinet on a dock of a transfer cart, the sterilization cabinet comprising an interior sterilization chamber, wherein a surgical tray containing the surgical instrument is received within the interior sterilization chamber, and wherein the interior sterilization chamber is in a sealed configuration;
- positioning a connecting rail of the transfer cart in an extended position;
- and
- transferring the sterilization cabinet from the dock into an autoclave via the connecting rail.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.