US 5,310,524 A · Catheter reprocessing and sterilizing system

Abstract

A system for reprocessing and sterilizing a previously used catheter having at least one lumen is disclosed. The catheter is provided with a housing and enclosed within the housing. Heated sterilant is provided to the housing and the catheter. The lumen is tested during the reprocessing and sterilizing cycle for blockages and integrity. If the catheter is of a type having a balloon tip, the balloon is also tested for integrity by inflating and deflating it a plurality of times. The housing is pressurized to a level above the ambient pressure and maintained at such pressure whereby the sterility of the catheter is maintained for up to one week. Further disclosed is an apparatus for selectively coupling used catheters to a source of sterilant. The apparatus includes a housing having a tray for holding the catheter in place during reprocessing, a door for enclosing and locking the catheter within the housing, and a plurality of valves for coupling the housing to a source of sterilant. In addition, the apparatus includes a cap for maintaining the sterility of the catheter during storage.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method for reprocessing and sterilizing a previously used catheter comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a catheter receiving housing and a catheter, having at least one lumen and a balloon member;
(b) enclosing said catheter within said catheter receiving housing;
(c) heating an external source of a sterilant to a temperature of about 53.degree. C.;
(d) introducing said sterilant into said catheter receiving housing;
(e) causing said sterilant to circulate throughout said catheter receiving housing and around and within said catheter, said at least one lumen and said balloon member while constantly maintaining said temperature of about 53.degree. C.;
(f) draining said sterilant from said catheter receiving housing;
(g) pressurizing said catheter receiving housing to a pressure level above said ambient pressure;
(h) maintaining said pressure level within said catheter receiving housing whereby the sterility of said catheter is maintained in a dry, sterile environment for at least one week by retaining said catheter in said pressurized catheter receiving housing.

5 more elements

An apparatus for selectively coupling a previously used catheter to a source of sterilant for reprocessing and sterilizing said catheter, and for storing said catheter in a sterile environment for at least one week, said apparatus comprising:

(a) housing means for receiving a catheter, said housing means including sidewalls defining a catheter receiving chamber having a mouth portion, said mouth portion having an outer perimeter for permitting access to said catheter receiving chamber, and latch means coupled to said sidewalls;
(b) removable door means detachably coupled to said housing means for selectively enclosing a catheter having at least one lumen within said catheter receiving chamber;
(c) a plurality of valves operably carried by said removable door means for selectively coupling said housing means to a source of sterilant;
(d) sealing means operably engageable with said removable door means and said plurality of valves for selectively maintaining pressure within said housing means for at least one week when said housing means is removed from said source of sterilant;
and
(e) a sterility maintaining cap detachably engageable with said plurality of valves and said door means, said sterility maintaining cap defining a plurality of interior valve receiving pockets and an interior channel extending substantially the length of said sterility maintaining cap, said interior channel being in fluid communication with each of said plurality of interior valve receiving pockets.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Catheter reprocessing and sterilizing system

Life of this patent

Catheter reprocessing and sterilizing system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14