US 5,580,530 AGranted

Device for vapor sterilization of articles having lumens

AssigneeJohnson & Johnson Medical, Inc.

InventorsReinhard Kowatsch, Toby Soto, Charles Howlett

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A method and device for enhancing the vapor sterilization of the lumen of medical instruments and like articles under reduced pressure. A vessel containing a small amount of a vaporizable liquid antimicrobial solution is attached to the lumen. The antimicrobial vaporizes and flows directly into the lumen of the article as the pressure is reduced for the sterilization cycle. Preferred embodiments illustrate a sealed chamber containing the antimicrobial and an opener for opening the chamber with the device already attached to the article. Preferably, the opener comprises a hollow spike. A ring between the opener and chamber must be removed prior to opening the chamber and removal of the ring destroys the ring so that it can not be replaced.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A device for delivering an antimicrobial vapor to a lumen of an article during solution vapor sterilization, the device comprising:

a first member comprising a vessel having an inner sealed chamber containing an antimicrobial solution and a wall forming at least a portion of the chamber;
a connector in communication with the wall for connecting the vessel to the article lumen;
a second member connected to the first member in moveable relation thereto, the second member comprising an opening member whereby movement of the second member in a predetermined direction relative to the first member moves the opening member toward wall to open the wall and place the chamber into fluid communication with the article lumen;
wherein the chamber containing the antimicrobial solution may be opened and placed into communication with the article lumen with the connector connected to the article lumen whereby a user is thereby isolated from the antimicrobial solution during a process of opening the chamber.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/436,999Filed 8 May 1995 · continuation in part
Priority: 30 Jul 1987
Granted: 3 Dec 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

A61L 2/208
Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours: hydrogen peroxide
A61B 1/121
With cooling or rinsing arrangements: provided with means for cleaning post-use
A61L 2/14
Using physical processes: plasma, i.e. ionised gases
A61L 2/20
Using chemical substances: gaseous substances, e.g. vapours

Family

Serial79,550Parent of this division · filed 30 Jul 1987
Serial464,843Parent of this continuation · filed 16 Jan 1990
US 4,943,414 AParent of this division · filed 24 Jul 1990
Serial864,151Parent of this continuation · filed 2 Apr 1992
Serial120,303Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 13 Sep 1993
US 5,580,530 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.