# US 2014/0150827 A1 · Washer / disinfector having a water inlet diffuser

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- Number: US 2014/0150827 A1
- Document ID: US20140150827A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/787,899
- Filed: 2013-03-07
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30
- Assignees: STERIS Inc.
- Applicants: Steris Inc.
- Inventors: Louis Martineau; Maxime Robert
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150827A1

## CPC

- B08B 3/10: with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration
- A61B 90/70: Cleaning devices specially adapted for surgical instruments
- A61L 2/24: Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
- A61L 9/14: using sprayed or atomised substances {including air-liquid contact processes}
- B08B 3/02: Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
- A47L 15/16: with rigidly-mounted spraying devices
- A47L 15/22: Rotary spraying devices
- A61L 2103/15: Laboratory, medical or dentistry appliances, e.g. catheters or sharps
- A61L 2202/14: Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
- A61L 2202/17: Combination with washing or cleaning means
- B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- 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)
- A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08)

## Abstract

A washer having a plurality of water inlet diffusers, each diffuser connected to a water inlet line for directing the flow of fluid into the washing chamber. The water is directed, i.e., sprayed against the surfaces of the washing chamber to modify (adjust) the temperature of the washing chamber gradually prior to the start of a particular phase of a washing cycle.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A washing apparatus for washing medical devices, said washing apparatus having:
a washing chamber,
a sump at the bottom of the washing chamber for collecting and holding fluids,
a heating element in said sump for heating fluids in said sump,
a sprayer for spraying said fluids on said medical devices to be cleaned;
a pump for pumping fluids in said sump to said sprayer; and
two or more fluid inlet lines for providing fluid to said washing chamber, each of said fluid lines connected to a fluid diffuser that is mounted to a wall defining said washing chamber, said diffuser comprised of a tubular body portion having a domed portion at one end thereof, said domed portion having an inner chamber, said inner chamber communicating with the exterior of said domed portion through a plurality of apertures extending through said domed portion, said apertures directed toward said wall defining said washing chamber, wherein fluid entering said washing chamber through said fluid inlet lines is directed toward said wall.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said apertures are equi-spaced about an axis extending through said domed portion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2)

A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein said domed portion includes an end wall, said end wall having an aperture extending therethrough.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said diffuser is generally symmetrical about an axis, and said domed portion includes an end wall that is generally perpendicular to said axis, said end wall having a slightly concave inner surface and an aperture extending therethrough from said concave inner surface to said exterior of said diffuser.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A washing apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said diffuser is adapted to be mounted to said wall of said washing chamber, wherein said axis is in a vertical orientation and wherein said aperture in said domed position is disposed at the lowermost part of said diffuser.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A washing apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said aperture through said end wall is aligned with said axis.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said domed portion has an outer cylindrical surface that is larger in diameter than the outer cylindrical surface of said body portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said domed portion includes an annular slot for mounting said diffuser to a wall of said washing chamber.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said tubular body portion defines a bore that communicates with said inner chamber in said domed portion, said apertures extending through said domed portion being dimensioned such that the total cross-sectional area of all said apertures is equal to or slightly less than the cross-sectional area of said bore.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said diffuser is generally symmetrical about an axis, said domed portion has an end wall generally perpendicular to said axis, and said apertures are directed away from said end wall.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

A washing apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said apertures are directed away from said end wall at an angle of about 10° relative to a plane perpendicular to said axis.

### Claim 12

A method of washing medical devices in a washing apparatus, said washing apparatus having:
a washing chamber,
a sump at the bottom of the washing chamber for collecting and holding fluids,
a sprayer for spraying said fluids on said medical devices to be cleaned, and
a pump for pumping fluids in said sump to said sprayer;
said method comprising the steps of:
introducing water at a first temperature in said washing chamber through a first diffuser having a plurality of apertures directing said water toward a wall defining said washing chamber;
collecting said water in said sump;
initiating said pump to start a first phase of a washing cycle;
deactivating said pump;
draining said water from said washing chamber;
introducing water at a second temperature in said washing chamber through a second diffuser having a plurality of apertures directing said water toward a wall defining said washing chamber;
collecting said water in said sump; and
initiating said pump to start a second phase of a washing cycle.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

A method of washing medical devices in a washing apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprising the steps of:
introducing rinse water at or below room temperature in said washing chamber through a third diffuser having a plurality of apertures directing said rinse water toward a wall defining said washing chamber;
collecting said water in said sump;
initiating said pump to start a first phase of a washing cycle; and
deactivating said pump;

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

A method of washing medical devices in a washing apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said water introduced through said first diffuser is cold water from a building's water line and has a first temperature that is below room temperature.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

A method of washing medical devices in a washing apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said water introduced through said second diffuser is hot water from a building's water line and has a second temperature that is above room temperature.