Mobile sterilization apparatus and method for using the same

A sterilization system comprising:

• an apparatus for holding equipment to be sterilized and/or for storing sterilized equipment, the apparatus comprising:
• a bottom panel, a top panel, two side panels, a back panel and a door configured so as to define an interior chamber;
• a plurality of casters or wheels mounted to the bottom panel;
• a plurality of perforations formed in at least one of the bottom panel, top panel, two side panels and back panel;
• at least one filter configured to cover said plurality of perforations;
• wherein at least one of the bottom panel, top panel, two side panels, back panel and door comprise a see-through material;
• a transfer cart, the transfer cart comprising:
• an upper platform for receiving the apparatus, wherein the upper platform comprises a pair of transfer cart tracks extending longitudinally along the upper platform, wherein each of the transfer cart tracks comprises a lateral projection;
• and
• adaptor railings detachably connected to the upper platform, wherein the adaptor railings are adjustable and are configured to connect the pair of transfer cart tracks with an interior of an autoclave or a storage rack such that the apparatus is configured to slide along the pair of transfer cart tracks and the adaptor railings when transferred into the autoclave or onto the storage rack.

A method of manufacturing a sterilization system, the method comprising:

• manufacturing a sterilization cabinet, comprising:
• providing a bottom panel, a top panel, a left side panel, a right side panel, a back panel and a door;
• securing the bottom panel, the top panel, the left side panel, the right side panel and the back panel together with a seal therebetween so as to form a rectangular chamber having an opening for receiving the equipment to be sterilized;
• mounting a plurality of casters or wheels to the bottom panel, each of the plurality of casters or wheels being mounted to the bottom panel by a caster or wheel bracket, wherein the caster or wheel bracket comprises a lateral projection;
• mounting a door to at least one of the bottom panel, top panel, right side panel and left side panel so as to close off the chamber;
• placing the sterilization cabinet on a transfer cart, the transfer cart comprising:
• an upper platform for receiving the sterilization cabinet, the upper platform comprising a pair of transfer cart tracks extending longitudinally along the upper platform, wherein each of the transfer cart tracks comprises a lateral projection;
• adaptor railings detachably connected to the upper platform, wherein the adaptor railings are adjustable and are configured to connect the pair of transfer cart tracks with an interior of an autoclave or a storage rack such that the sterilization cabinet is configured to slide along the pair of transfer cart tracks and the adaptor railings when transferred into the autoclave or onto the storage rack;
• and
• a lower support structure for supporting the upper platform;
• wherein the sterilization cabinet is placed on the transfer cart such that the lateral projections of the caster or wheel brackets engage the lateral projections of the transfer cart tracks to prevent side-to-side and up-and-down movement of the sterilization cabinet relative to the transfer cart.

A method for sterilizing medical instruments, the method comprising:

• providing a mobile sterilization system comprising:
• a sterilization cabinet, the sterilization cabinet comprising:
• a cabinet bottom, a cabinet top, cabinet side walls, a cabinet back wall and a door configured so as to define an interior chamber;
• perforations formed in at least one of the cabinet bottom, cabinet top and cabinet side walls;
• and
• at least one filter configured to cover said perforations;
• and
• placing the sterilization cabinet on a transfer cart, the transfer cart comprising:
• an upper platform for receiving a sterilization cabinet, the upper platform comprising a pair of transfer cart tracks extending longitudinally along the upper platform, wherein each of the transfer cart tracks comprises a lateral projection, wherein the upper platform further comprises adaptor railings detachably connected to the upper platform, wherein the adaptor railings are adjustable and are configured to connect the pair of transfer cart tracks with an interior of an autoclave;
• and
• a lower support structure for supporting the upper platform and for receiving wheels;
• positioning the medical instruments to be sterilized in the sterilization cabinet;
• closing the door of the sterilization cabinet;
• sliding the sterilization cabinet into the autoclave over the pair of transfer cart tracks and the adaptor railings;
• and
• sterilizing the medical instruments in the autoclave.

Apparatus for transporting a container along a surface, the apparatus comprising:

• an upper platform for receiving the container, wherein the upper platform comprises a locking mechanism for releasably securing the container to the upper platform and a pair of transfer tracks extending longitudinally along the upper platform, wherein each of the transfer tracks comprises a lateral projection configured to engage with a complementary lateral projection on the container,
• wherein the upper platform further comprises adaptor railings detachably connected to the upper platform, wherein the adaptor railings are adjustable and are configured to connect the pair of transfer tracks with an interior of an autoclave or a storage rack such that the container is configured to slide along the pair of transfer tracks and the adaptor railings when transferred into the autoclave or onto the storage rack;
• and
• a support structure for supporting the upper platform, the support structure comprising wheels for moving the support structure along the surface;
• wherein the support structure is configured to raise and lower the upper platform relative to the surface.