GB2398501A

GB2398501A - Cleaning and/or sterilising device

Info

Publication number: GB2398501A
Application number: GB0304165A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Brian Clayton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-02-24
Filing date: 2003-02-24
Publication date: 2004-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-24
Also published as: GB2398501B; GB0304165D0

Abstract

A cleaning or sterilising device 1 comprising a cylindrical pressure chamber 26, such as an autoclave. The pressure chamber is provided with internal fluid dispensing means in the form of elongate spray bars 6 and 7 adapted to move around the items 10 to be sterilised or cleaned. The items 10, which may be dental equipment, are placed in a removable wire basket 9 which is supported by a frame 8 which rests on the chamber floor at one end, and is supported at the other by the spray bar hub assembly 16. The spray bars 6 and 7 are constructed from substantially "L" shaped pipes, which extend radially from the hub 16, then along the length of the chamber. During operation the spray bars are rotated around the basket and support frame, thereby providing jets of fluid 25 which are directed all around the equipment 10 to be cleaned. The cleaning process is followed by a sterilisation process, in which steam is administered via valve 14 and the chamber temperature and pressure controlled. The hub assembly may be provided with one or more central fluid cavities (34, Fig. 2) to which items with a lumen (38, Fig. 2) may be attached to clean the inside of said lumen. Ultrasonic fluid treatment means may be provided in the central cavity. Lubricating fluids may be introduced into the chamber during the cleaning and/or sterilising processes. Apertures may be provided in a wall of the pressure chamber, and a manifold may be releasably attached to the outside of the wall to enable components to access the apertures.

Description

Device for cleaning and sterilising dental equipment This invention

relates to a device for cleaning and/or sterilizing, which is particularly, but not exclusively for use to clean dental and medical instruments and devices that may be contaminated with pathogens and other infectious agents.

It is known to provide apparatus to automatically clean and disinfect medical instruments. A purpose of such a system is to ensure a consistent, repeatable and recordable cleaning process that minimises the opportunity for human error.

Another purpose of such systems is to minimise exposure of health-care workers to the hazards involved in manually cleaning sharp and infected instruments.

Examples of such hazards include indirect infection via infected dental picks accidentally piecing an individual's skin and inhalation of infectious aerosols produced by removing infected material by brushing.

Such apparatus takes a variety of forms including a chamber provided with radially extending rotating spray arms which may be assisted, where space and load geometry permits, by a central rotating spray column directing jets outwards.

This type of apparatus suffers from the problem that the cleaning action is directed from the plane of the spray arms and does not encompass the load to be cleaned. In addition, such apparatus requires the load to be physically removed and placed in a separate apparatus when sterilization by autoclaving is required.

An alternative form of cleaning apparatus, which enables cleaning to take place within a pressure vessel suitable for autoclaving is described in US 723 090.

The cleaning apparatus disclosed in this Patent comprises a plurality of stationary spray arms extending from the rear of a rectangular shaped chamber.

This arrangement suffers from the problem of requiring a complex valve arrangement, a proliferation of spray arms and the use of a compressed air and water mixture to create a cleaning action which approximately encompasses the load. Further, the compression chamber is rectangular in shape, which requires greater structural strength than a more costeffective cylindrical shape.

The present invention in intended to overcome some of these problems.

Therefore, according to the present invention, a cleaning and/or sterilizing device comprises a pressure chamber provided with internal fluid dispensing means adapted to move around the items to be cleaned and/or sterilized.

Preferably the device is adapted to both clean and sterilize the items.

In a preferred construction the internal fluid dispensing means comprises one or more elongate pipes provided with fluid dispensing apertures along their length.

The pipes can be provided with rotation means adapted to rotate them around a platform, upon which the items to be cleaned are placed.

In one embodiment the chamber may be cylindrical in shape. Further, the fluid dispensing pipes can be formed from substantially L" shaped spray bars, which are radially attached at their inner end to a hub assembly provided at the inner end of the cylinder, and extend alongthe length of the chamber towards the opening. Any number of spray bars can be provided, but in a preferred embodiment two opposing spray bars may be provided.

Cleaning fluids can be admitted to the chamber via known types of inlets and valves, and the fluids can be pumped into the hub and into the spray bars and out of the apertures along their length by a suitable pump.

The hub assembly and spray bars can be moved around the items to be cleaned via the rotation of the hub by a suitable motor.

The items to be cleaned can be disposed on a platform disposed within the cyclical movement area of the spray bars. In a preferred construction the items are placed in a wire tray, which is supported in the middle of the chamber.

The pressure chamber can be provided with a suitable door and sealing means.

In one alternative embodiment cleaning fluid can also be administered through a central cavity of the hub, and into a connecting device, to which an item of equipment with a lumen is attached. With this arrangement the inside of such an instrument can also be cleaned.

Preferably the device is adapted to clean and/or sterilize dental equipment.

In a preferred construction the device is characterized in that one or more apertures are provided in one wall of the pressure chamber, and that a manifold is releasably attached to the outside of said wall and is adapted to carry one or more components adapted to access said apertures, as disclosed in the applicant's co- pending patent application.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but two embodiments will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross- sectional side view of a device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional side view of a section of the device as show in Figure 1; and, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic cross- sectional side view of a section of a second device according to the present invention.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 a cleaning and sterilising device 1 comprises a cylindrical pressure chamber 26 provided with internal fluid dispensing means in the form of elongate spray bars 6 and 7 adapted to move around the items, in the form of dental equipment 10, to be cleaned.

The device 1 is provided with a spray bar hub assembly 16 adapted to provided washing fluids to the spray bars, and to rotate them around the equipment 10.

The device 1 further comprises a pressure chamber door 2 which is attached to the chamber 26 by hinge 4 and retained in the shut and sealed position by catch 3. The rear of the chamber 26 is sealed against manifold block 5, to which valves 14 and 15, motor 13, pump 12 and valve 11 are also connected. (These items are drawn diagrammatically for convenience, and may be housed beyond the block 5, or attached directly to it.) Equipment 10 is placed in a removable wire basket 9, which is supported in the chamber 26 by support frame 8, which rests on the chamber floor at one end, and is supported at the other by spray bar hub assembly 16.

The spray bars 6 and 7 are constructed from a substantially "L" shaped pipes, which extend radially from the hub assembly 16, then along the length of the chamber 26. In Figures 1 and 2 two spray bars are provided, but it will be appreciated that any number of bars can be provided in alternative embodiments.

Further components of the device 1 are described in greater detail below.

In use, the equipment 10 is placed in the basket 9, which is placed on the support 8 within the chamber 26. The door 2 is shut and sealed, and a controlled operation cycle is started via an automatic controlling means (not shown).

Cleaning fluids are admitted to the chamber 26 via a valve 15. When sufficient cleaning fluids are present in the chamber 26, pump 12 is started and the valve 15 is closed. Cleaning fluids are extracted from the chamber 26 via the outlet C and pass through the pump 12 to re-enter the chamber 26 under pressure via inlet B. Within the chamber 26 cleaning fluids flow through passages within the spray bar stator 20 into cavity 27 between the spray bar stator 20 and the spray bar rotor 21 and which is sealed at one end by the outer bearing 18 and the inner bearing 19.

Cleaning fluids leave the cavity 27 via passages 23 within the spray bars 6 and 7, and exit the spray bars 6 and 7 via nozzles 24, forming jets of fluid 25 which are directed at the equipment to be cleaned 10.

During the above described process the spray bars 6 and 7 are rotated around the basket 9 and support 8, thereby providing jets of fluid 25 all around the equipment 10 to be cleaned. Motor 13 drives pinion 17, which engages teeth 22 formed in the rotor 21, which turns to rotor 21 and the bars 6 and 7.

The above described cleaning process can follow any type of cleaning cycle, and in particular the conventional process used in medical washerdisinfectors, which is well known and will not be further described here.

Following the cleaning process, drain valve 11 is opened and cleaning fluids are discharged to the drain via outlet C and towards a suitable drain D. The cleaning process is followed by a sterilization process, in which steam is administered via valve 14, and the chamber temperature and other parameters are controlled in any of the conventional ways, for example by a chamber heater, which are known and will not be further described here.

Once the pressurised sterilization process is completed the door 2 can be opened and the clean and sterile equipment 10 removed.

In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 3, device 30 comprises a cylindrical pressure chamber 31 provided with internal spray bars 32 and 33. The device 30 is substantially similar in construction to device 1 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, however, the cleaning fluid can also be pumped into the chamber 31 through a central cavity 34 provided in stator 35.

The wire basket 36 is provided with a resilient and hollow connecting member 37, which releasably engages the cavity 34 during loading. Equipment 38, which is provided with a lumen 39 is engaged to the rear of connecting member 37 by means of screw thread 40.

Further, an additional fluid input structure 41 is provided. When valve 42 opens, lubricating fluids and the like can be provided, which can form part of the cleaning and sterilizing process, in particular for the inside of the equipment 38.

In use the device 30 functions in the same way as device 1 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Cleaning fluids are administered to the chamber via inlet E, and when sufficient fluids are provided the fluids are extracted from the chamber 31 via outlet F. and pass through pump 43 to re-enter the chamber 31 under pressure via inlet G. The cleaning fluid passes through the cavity 34 and the connecting member 37, and cleans the inside of the equipment 38. At the same time, fluids pass through aperture 44 provided in the stator 35, and into cavity 45. From there the fluids are passed to the spray bars 32 and 33, and the above described cleaning process takes place. Lubricating fluids and the like can be introduced to the cleaning operation cycle via valve 42 at any appropriate time.

In one alternative embodiment ultra sonic treatment means can be provided in the area of the cavity 35, in order to influence the fluid passing through and further clean the inside of the equipment 39.

In another alternative embodiment a number of cavities and connecting members can be provided so that a number of items of equipment with lumens can be cleaned.

In further alternative embodiments, (not shown) the cavity 27 or 46 and other passages in the device can be formed so as to provide higher pressures and flow rates in particular spray bar portions and/or positions.

In one other alternative embodiment, (not shown) the spray bars, 6 and 7 or 32 and 33 can be connected to a support ring at their outer ends, thereby to prevent the spray bars from sagging and moving apart in use.

In preferred alternative embodiments the device is characterized in that one or more apertures are provided in one wall of the pressure chamber, and that a manifold is releasably attached to the outside of said wall and is adapted to carry one or more components adapted to access said apertures. These embodiments include all those disclosed in the applicant's co-pending patent application.

Thus there is provided a means of adequately reprocessing dental and medical instruments for reuse without the need for manual cleaning or intervention between cleaning and sterilization processes and without the need for more than one apparatus.

Claims

Claims 1. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device comprising a pressure

chamber provided with internal fluid dispensing means adapted to move around the items to be cleaned and or sterilized.
2. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the device is adapted to clean and sterilize the items.
3. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in Claim 2 in which the internal fluid dispensing means comprises one or more elongate pipes provided with fluid apertures along their length.
4. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in Claim 3 in which the pipes are provided with rotation means adapted to rotate them around a platform, upon which the items to be cleaned are disposed.
5. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the chamber is cylindrical.
6. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in Claim 5 in which the fluid dispensing pipes are formed from substantially L" shaped spray bars, which are radially attached at their inner end to a hub assembly provided at the inner end of the cylinder, and extend substantially along the length of the chamber.
7. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in Claim 6 in which pump means are provided to pump cleaning and/or sterilizing fluid into the spray bars via the hub assembly.
8. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in Claim 7 in which the fluid is admitted to the chamber via an inlet aperture, and exited from the chamber via an outlet aperture
9. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in Claim 8 in which the fluid exiting the outlet aperture is passed to the pump means, then pumped into the spray bars.
10. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 9 in which the rotation means comprises a motor adapted to rotate the hub, or a rotor attached to the hub and supporting the spray bars, so that the spray bars rotate around the items to be cleaned and/or sterilized.
11. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in Claim 10 in which the platform comprises a wire basket, which is supported within the cyclical movement area of the spray bars by support means.
12. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the hub assembly is provided with one or more central fluid cavities to which items with a lumen can be attached.
13. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in Claim 12 in which ultra sonic fluid treatment means are provided in the area of the central cavity, which are adapted to influence fluid passing through the inside of the item with a lumen.
14. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which an automatic controlling means is provided, which is adapted to control cleaning and/or sterilizing operation cycles.
15. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which steam is provided to the internal fluid dispensing means, and the chamber temperature can be controlled by heating means.
16. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the fluid passages are formed so as to provide different pressure and flow rates at pre-determined spray bar portions and/or positions.
17. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 16 in which the spray bars are connected to a support ring at their outer ends, which is adapted to prevent the spray bars from sagging and moving apart.
18. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which lubricating fluids and the like are introduced to the chamber during the cleaning and/or sterilizing process.
19. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the device is adapted to clean and/or sterilise dental equipment.
20. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the device is characterized in that one or more apertures are provided in one wall of the pressure chamber, and that a manifold is releasably attached to the outside of said wall and is adapted to carry one or more components adapted to access said apertures.
21. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

21. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows t1 8. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in Claim 7 in which the fluid is admitted to the chamber via an inlet aperture, and exited from the chamber via an outlet aperture 9. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in Claim 8 in which the fluid exiting the outlet aperture is passed to the pump means, then pumped into the spray bars.

10. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 9 in which the rotation means comprises a motor adapted to rotate the hub, or a rotor attached to the hub and supporting the spray bars, so that the spray bars rotate around the items to be cleaned and/or sterilized.

11. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in Claim 10 in which the platform comprises a wire basket, which is supported within the cyclical movement area of the spray bars by support means.

12. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 11 in which the hub assembly is provided with one or more central fluid cavities to which items with a lumen can be attached.

13. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in Claim 12 in which ultra sonic fluid treatment means are provided in the area of the central cavity, which are adapted to influence fluid passing through the inside of the item with a lumen.

14. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which an automatic controlling means is provided, which is adapted to control cleaning and/or sterilizing operation cycles.

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15. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which steam is provided to the internal fluid dispensing means, and the chamber temperature can be controlled by heating means.

16. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of Claims 6 to in which the fluid passages are formed so as to provide different pressure and flow rates at pre-determined spray bar portions and/or positions.

17. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 16 in which the spray bars are connected to a support ring at their outer ends, which is adapted to prevent the spray bars from sagging and moving apart.

18. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which lubricating fluids and the like are introduced to the chamber during the cleaning and/or sterilizing process.

19. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the device is adapted to clean and/or sterilise dental equipment. : 20. A cleaning and/or sterilizing device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the device is characterized in that one or more apertures are provided in one wall of the pressure chamber, and that a manifold is releasably attached to the outside of said wall and is adapted to carry one or more components adapted to! access said apertures.