Instrument disinfector
AssigneeUvas, LLC
InventorsJeffery L. Deal, David R. Deal, Philip J. Ufkes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A disinfector disinfects an object having channels therein, such as an endoscope, by one or more light emitting diodes that emit UV-C radiation. The object, including interior channels of the object, is exposed to emissions of UV-C radiation. One or more light emitting diodes provide UV-C radiation to the interior channels of the object. Operation of the device through the channels is responsive to cumulative levels of radiation received by the sensor(s) associated with the light emitting diode(s).
Claims15
A device for disinfecting an object having an interior channel, comprising:
- a cable connected to a velocity controlled motor;
- a light emitting diode that emits UV-C radiation positioned near an end of the cable;
- a sensor associated with the light emitting diode and constructed and arranged to not receive a material amount of direct UV-C radiation from the light emitting diode;
- a device for measuring a dosage of UV-C radiation received by the sensor;
- and
- a controller for controlling a velocity of the velocity controlled motor and attached cable and for controlling a rate of progression of the light emitting diode through the interior channel of the object in response to a UV-C radiation dosage received by the sensor.
A process of disinfecting an interior channel of an object, comprising the steps of:
- progressively exposing the interior channel of the object to UV-C radiation emitted from a light emitting diode that transmits UV-C radiation by progressively transporting said light emitting diode and a sensor associated with the light emitting diode through the interior channel of the object;
- measuring a dosage of UV-C radiation received by the sensor;
- and
- adjusting a rate of progression of the light emitting diode through the interior channel of the object in response to a UV-C radiation dosage received by the sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.