Method and apparatus for processing device with reduced occlusion
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorSzu-Min Lin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and an apparatus are disclosed to reduced or eliminate the occlusion of the device in the container during the cleaning or sterilizing process, preferably with the use of a support and a controllable opening or interface. By changing the configuration of the support, the contact pattern between the device and the support can be modified to reduce occlusion during a cleaning, disinfecting or sterilization procedure.
Claims18
A method of supporting a device during a cycle, the cycle comprising bathing the device in a fluid for the purpose of at least one of cleaning, disinfecting or sterilizing;
- wherein during a first portion of the cycle the device is supported upon a support member within the fluid, the support member having at least a first contact point and a second contact point which are in contact with the device whereby to support the device;
- and
- wherein during a second portion of the cycle at least a portion of the support member is moved so that at least one of the first contact point and second contact point is out of contact with the device whereby to reduce occlusive contact between the support member and the device during the cycle.
An apparatus for cleaning, disinfecting or sterilizing a device, the apparatus comprising an enclosure having a support member therein for supporting the device, the support member having at least a first contact point and a second contact point, the enclosure having a first configuration in which the first contact point and second contact point are in contact with the device while it is supported on the support member and a second configuration in which at least one of the first contact point and second contact point are out of contact with the device while the device is supported on the support member and a mechanism for moving the support member between the first and second configurations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.