# US 9,872,931 B2 · Removable sterilization rack and sterilization apparatus

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- Number: US 9,872,931 B2
- Document ID: US9872931B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/404,767
- Filed: 2012-06-14
- Published: 2015-05-28
- Granted: 2018-01-23
- Earliest claimed: 2012-06-14
- Assignees: Getinge Sterilization AB
- Applicants: Jonas Andersson; Ola Kristiansson; Henrik Einarsson
- Inventors: Jonas Andersson; Ola Kristiansson; Henrik Einarsson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872931B2

## CPC

- A61L 2/26: Accessories
- A61L 2/04: Heat (radiation A61L2/08)
- A61L 2/07: Steam
- A61L 2/18: Liquid substances
- A61L 2202/15: Biocide distribution means, e.g. nozzles, pumps, manifolds, fans, baffles, sprayers
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)

## Abstract

A removable sterilization rack for supporting objects to be sterilized inside a sterilization apparatus is disclosed. The sterilization rack includes a support structure for supporting the objections; at least one opening for directing a flow of a fluid towards the objects when the objects are supported by the support structure; a docking port for docking with a fluid supply port in the sterilization apparatus and for receiving the fluid from the fluid supply port of the sterilization apparatus; and a conduit arranged and configured to bring the docking port in fluid connection with the at least one opening. The sterilization rack further includes a marker configured to provide a contactless positioning indication to the sterilization apparatus when the docking port is in a position to receive the fluid from the fluid supply port of the sterilization apparatus.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A removable sterilization rack for supporting objects to be sterilized inside a sterilization apparatus, the sterilization rack comprising:
a support structure for supporting the objects, the support structure comprising a frame and at least one shelf releasably attached to the frame using at least one fastener configured to mechanically attach the shelf to the frame and to provide a flow channel between the frame and the at least one shelf;
at least one opening in the support structure for directing a flow of a fluid towards the objects when the objects are supported by the support structure;
a docking port for docking with a fluid supply port of the sterilization apparatus and for receiving fluid from the fluid supply port of the sterilization apparatus; and
a conduit configured to provide a fluid flow path between the docking port and the at least one opening,
wherein the sterilization rack comprises a marker configured to provide a contactless positioning indication to the sterilization apparatus when the docking port is in a position to receive fluid from the fluid supply port of the sterilization apparatus.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The removable sterilization rack according to claim 1, wherein the marker comprises a magnet.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The removable sterilization rack according to claim 1, wherein the marker is disposed in the docking port.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The removable sterilization rack according to claim 1, wherein the frame is a tubular frame,
the tubular frame constituting at least a part of the conduit.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The removable sterilization rack according to claim 4, wherein the at least one opening is in the tubular frame.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The removable sterilization rack according to claim 4, wherein the at least one shelf has a tubular portion in fluid flow connection with the tubular frame, wherein the at least one opening is in the tubular portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The removable sterilization rack according to claim 6, wherein the fastener comprises a hollow screw to provide a flow channel between the tubular frame and the tubular portion of the at least one shelf.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The removable sterilization rack according to claim 1, wherein the frame is a tubular frame and the at least one fastener comprises a hollow screw to provide a flow channel between the tubular frame and a tubular portion of the at least one shelf.