Dual current method and apparatus for sterilization of medical devices

An apparatus for sterilizing an instrument comprising:

• a container having an opening, said container containing a liquid containing an antibiotic;
• seal means disposed at the opening of said container, said seal being arranged to permit the insertion of an instrument into the container and to establish a fluid-tight seal about the periphery of the instrument and prevent fluid communication between the interior of the container and an ambient atmosphere;
• a first electrode disposed in a first portion of the container;
• a second electrode disposed in a second portion of the container, said second electrode being distal from said first electrode and adapted to be proximate an end of the instrument upon its insertion into said container;
• a first electrical circuit electrically interconnecting the first and second electrodes, said first electrical circuit including a power source for selectively applying current across the first and second electrodes and through a first current path interconnecting the first and second electrodes;
• and
• a second electrical circuit, said second electrical circuit including a third electrode which is in contact with a portion of the instrument, said second electrical circuit being electrically connected with said second electrode and including a power source for selectively supplying a current through a second current path which extends from said third electrode, through the instrument, to said second electrode.

An apparatus for sterilizing an instrument comprising:

• means for immersing a portion of the instrument in a liquid containing an antibiotic in a manner wherein at least a portion of the liquid is pressurized and forced into cavities within the instrument;
• means for passing a first current along a first current path which extends through the liquid solution surrounding the exterior of the instrument to an electrode which is proximate a portion of the instrument which is immersed in the liquid;
• and
• means for passing a second current through an interior passage structure of the instrument to the electrode along a second current path which extends through the interior of the instrument.

A method for sterilizing an instrument comprising the steps of:

• immersing a portion of the instrument in a liquid containing an antibiotic in a manner wherein at least a portion of the liquid is pressurized and forced into cavities included within the instrument;
• passing a first current through the liquid surrounding the instrument to an electrode which is proximate a portion of the instrument which is immersed in the liquid to effect sterilization of an exterior surface of the instrument;
• and
• passing a second current through an interior of the instrument to the electrode in contact the instrument to effect sterilization of an interior surface of the instrument.

A method of sterilizing a medical instrument that has a biofilm on an exterior surface and a biofilm on an interior surface comprising:

• immersing the exterior surface and the interior surface having the biofilms thereon in a liquid electrolyte;
• establishing a first electric current path along the exterior surface, and establishing a second electric current path along the interior surface;
• and
• passing a first electric current through the first current path, and passing a second electric current through the second current path.

Apparatus for sterilizing a medical instrument that has an elongated inner tube with a first end and a second end mounted in an elongated housing that has an external peripheral surface, wherein said elongated inner tube has an interior surface surrounding a passage with a first opening at said first end and a second opening at or adjacent the second end, comprising:

• a container with a top end and a bottom end, said container having an aperture in said top end that is large enough to allow insertion of said medical instrument through said opening into said container;
• liquid electrolyte in said container;
• a first electrode disposed in said electrolyte adjacent said top end;
• second electrode disposed in said liquid electrolyte adjacent said bottom end;
• a voltage source connected to said first electrode and to said second electrode;
• and
• a second voltage source connected electrically to a third electrode in said passage and to a stud electrode disposed in said liquid electrolyte adjacent said bottom end of said container.

Apparatus for sterilizing a medical instrument that has an elongated inner tube with a first end and a second end mounted in an elongated housing wherein said elongated inner tube has an interior surface surrounding a passage with a first opening at said first end and a second opening at or adjacent the second end, comprising:

• a container with a top end and a bottom end, said container having an aperture in said top end that is large enough to allow insertion of said medical instrument through said opening into said container;
• liquid electrolyte in said container;
• an external electrode positioned in said liquid electrolyte adjacent said bottom end;
• a voltage source connected electrically to said external electrode, and a means for connecting said voltage source to an internal electrode in the passage.