# US 2015/0147232 A1 · Removable sterilization rack and sterilization apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2015/0147232 A1 - Document ID: US20150147232A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/404,767 - Filed: 2012-06-14 - Published: 2015-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-14 - Assignees: Getinge Sterilization AB - Inventors: Jonas Andersson; Ola Kristiansson; Henrik Einarsson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150147232A1 ## CPC - A61L 2/26: Accessories - A61L 2/04: Heat (radiation A61L2/08) - A61L 2/07: Steam - A61L 2/18: Liquid substances - A61L 2202/15: Biocide distribution means, e.g. nozzles, pumps, manifolds, fans, baffles, sprayers - 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) ## Abstract The present invention relates to a removable sterilization rack for supporting objects to be sterilized inside a sterilization apparatus, said sterilization rack comprising: a support structure for supporting said objects; at least one opening for directing a flow of a fluid towards said objects when the objects are supported by said support structure; a docking port for docking with a fluid supply port comprised in said sterilization apparatus and receiving said fluid from the fluid supply port of the sterilization apparatus; and a conduit arranged and configured to bring said docking port in fluid flow connection with said at least one opening, wherein said sterilization rack comprises a marker configured to provide a contactless positioning indication to said sterilization apparatus when said docking port is in a position to receive said fluid from the fluid supply port of the sterilization apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A removable sterilization rack for supporting objects to be sterilized inside a sterilization apparatus, said sterilization rack comprising: a support structure for supporting said objects; at least one opening for directing a flow of a fluid towards said objects when the objects are supported by said support structure; a docking port for docking with a fluid supply port comprised in said sterilization apparatus and receiving said fluid from the fluid supply port of the sterilization apparatus; and a conduit arranged and configured to bring said docking port in fluid flow connection with said at least one opening, wherein said sterilization rack comprises a marker configured to provide a contactless positioning indication to said sterilization apparatus when said docking port is in a position to receive said fluid from the fluid supply port of the sterilization apparatus. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The removable sterilization rack according to claim 1, wherein said marker comprises a magnet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The removable sterilization rack according to claim 1, wherein said marker is comprised in said docking port. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The removable sterilization rack according to claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises a tubular frame, said tubular frame constituting at least a part of said conduit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The removable sterilization rack according to claim 4, wherein the tubular frame comprises at least one opening for directing a flow of a fluid towards said objects when said objects are supported by said support structure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The removable sterilization rack according to claim 4, wherein said support structure further comprises a shelf having a tubular portion, said tubular portion being in fluid flow connection with said tubular frame and having at least one opening for directing a flow of a fluid towards said objects when said objects are supported by said support structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The removable sterilization rack according to claim 6, wherein said shelf is releasably attached to said tubular frame using at least one fastener configured to mechanically attach said tubular portion of the shelf to said tubular frame and to provide a flow channel between said tubular frame and said tubular portion of the shelf. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The removable sterilization rack according to claim 7, wherein the fastener comprises a hollow screw to provide a flow channel between said tubular frame and said tubular portion of the shelf. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A sterilization apparatus, for sterilization of objects to be sterilized, said sterilization apparatus comprising: a sterilization chamber configured to receive the removable sterilization rack according to any one of the preceding claims; an inlet for admission of a sterilization medium into said sterilization chamber; an outlet for controllable evacuation of said sterilization medium from said sterilization chamber; a fluid supply port (20) comprising a connecting device and controllable fluid supply outlet; a sensor arranged and configured to provide a positioning signal indicative of a presence of said marker comprised in the sterilization rack according to claim 1 when said docking port of the sterilization rack according to claim 1 is in a position to receive fluid from said fluid supply port; and a control unit connected to said sensor and said connecting device and configured to control said connecting device to bring the outlet of said fluid supply port in fluid flow connection with said docking port comprised in the sterilization rack according to any one of the preceding claims in response to said positioning signal from the sensor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The sterilization apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said connecting device comprises an inflatable seal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The sterilization apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said sensor is configured to detect a magnet. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The sterilization apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said sensor is arranged outside said sterilization chamber and is separated from an interior of said sterilization chamber by a chamber wall. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The sterilization apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the fluid supply port comprises a fluid supply conduit and a fluid supply outlet, wherein said fluid supply conduit leads to said fluid supply outlet. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The sterilization apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the fluid supply port further comprises a drain pipe being fluid flow connectable to said fluid supply outlet for draining said removable sterilization rack. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The sterilization apparatus according claim 14, wherein the fluid supply port further comprises a valve arranged along said fluid supply conduit, said valve being arranged to close and open said fluid supply conduit to said fluid supply outlet, wherein said drain pipe is arranged such that a fluid path is provided between said fluid supply conduit and said drain pipe when said valve is arranged to close said fluid supply conduit from said fluid supply outlet.