The present invention relates generally to the field of cleaning and disinfecting devices with narrow lumens, and more particularly to cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments, such as minimally invasive (MIS) instruments.
Fluid microbial cleaning and disinfecting systems are typically designed to cause microbes on an item to be removed or disinfected by a fluid anti-microbial agent. Such systems operate in a variety of ways, including spraying the item(s) with the anti-microbial solution, immersing an item(s) in an anti-microbial solution, surrounding the item(s) with anti-microbial vapor and the like. It has been proposed that one way to clean lumens in medical instruments is to force the anti-microbial solution through the internal lumens of the instrument. In this respect, the anti-microbial solution is supplied to the medical instrument under pressure which is sufficient to force the solution through the lumens and passageways of the medical instrument. In cleaning medical instruments in such a fashion, it is important that the pressure of the anti-microbial solution be maintained at a pressure below that which could damage delicate components within the medical instrument. Operating at pressures above the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) safe recommended levels could damage the devices. Systems that restrict flow or direct flow through narrow passages often increase the actual pressure exerted on the medical instruments.
It is known to microbially disinfect medical instruments and equipment in washers by exposing the medical instruments or equipment to a liquid anti-microbial solution. Known washing systems for microbial disinfection of medical instruments and equipment typically include baskets or racks that retain the various equipment or instruments to be cleaned. The baskets or racks are usually movable within the washer to facilitate loading and unloading of the washer. It is also known to have spray heads mounted to the movable racks or baskets to direct the anti-microbial solution over the instruments therein. Some type of fluid connection is therefore required between a stationary fluid inlet line on the washer and a movable fluid line on the rack or basket, or between the stationary fluid inlet line on the washer and some accessory used within the washer.
The present invention overcomes these and other problems, and provides a pressure/flow regulator that regulates pressure and flow to a medical instrument during a sterilization procedure.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pressure/flow regulator that includes a device having an input end that is connectable to a source of fluid, and an output end that is fluidly connected to a medical instrument. A passage runs from the input end to the output end to carry the fluid therethrough. A polymeric sleeve is disposed on the device. The polymeric sleeve covers at least one aperture that communicates with the passage. The polymeric sleeve has a resiliency capable of retaining the fluid within the at least one aperture until a predetermined pressure of the fluid within the aperture is attained at which point the sleeve deforms releasing pressure of the fluid within the device and preventing pressure damage to the medical instrument.
One advantage of the present invention is a device that prevents damage to sensitive medical instruments in a microbial deactivating reprocessor.
Another advantage is a device as described above that regulates the operating pressure applied to a medical instrument in a microbial deactivating system.
Another advantage of the present invention is a fluid connection that is quickly and easily connected and disconnected.
Another advantage of the present invention is a fluid connection as described above for use in a washer for microbially cleaning and disinfecting items.
These and other advantages will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment taken together with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting same,
In the embodiment shown, rack 10 is designed to include a flexible connector 24 for cleaning canulated surgical instruments 30.
Flexible connector 24, best seen in
As indicated above, flexible connector 24 is generally comprised of flexible tubing 22, pressure/flow regulator 20 and instrument connector 26. Flexible tubing 22 is comprised of medical grade plastic tubing, such as by way of example and not limitation, polyethylene, polypropylene or TEFLONĀ®.
Referring now to
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a resilient, flexible sleeve is provided to fit onto cylindrical portion 46 of pressure/flow regulator 20, as best seen in
In the embodiment shown, pressure/flow regulator 20 is designed to be attached to a portion of hollow metal tubing 12 forming rack 10 such that the passageway through hollow metal tubing 12 is in communication with orifice 42 and large passage 44 extending through pressure/flow regulator 20. In this respect, threaded fastener portion 32 of pressure/flow regulator 20 is threaded into hollow metal tubing 12. A spacer 58, as seen in
Sleeve 62 is placed onto cylindrical portion 46 of pressure/flow regulator 20 by sliding sleeve 62 over barbed tube connecting portion 34 and cylindrical portion 46 on the end of body portion 46. The champhering of barbed tube connecting portion 34 facilitates positioning sleeve 62 onto cylindrical portion 46 of pressure/flow regulator 20. In a conventionally known manner, flexible tubing 22 is forced onto barbed tube connecting portion 34 of pressure/flow regulator 20 to secure flexible tubing 22 to the end of pressure/flow regulator 20.
Referring now to
Referring to the operation of the present invention, threaded fastener portion 32 of pressure/flow regulator 20 is mounted to hollow metal tubing 12 of rack 10. Instrument connector end 76 of flexible connector 24 is attached to tubular portion 88 of canulated surgical instrument 30 by forcing instrument connector end 76 of instrument connector 26 over tubular end portion 88 of canulated surgical instrument 30. As indicated in
Sleeve 62 is also designed to limit the flow and pressure to instrument connector end 76 to prevent the release of canulated surgical instrument 30 therefrom. As described above, transverse wall 78 on instrument connector end 76 of instrument connector 26 forms a seal around tubular portion 88 of canulated surgical instrument 30. If the pressure in instrument connector end 76 exceeds a desired value, instrument connector end 76 will expand such that transverse wall 78 no longer seals against tubular portion 88. As a result, canulated surgical instrument 30 may be released from instrument connector end 76. According to the present invention, the pressure within instrument connector end 76 is regulated by apertures 56 in cylindrical portion 46 of pressure/flow regulator 20 and sleeve 62. If the pressure in instrument connector end 76 should exceed a desired valve, the pressure would cause sleeve 62 to deform, separate from pressure/flow regulator 20, and allow fluid to escape therefrom.
It is also contemplated that pressure/flow regulator 20 is used during a drying phase in the medical washer. During the drying phase, dry, heated air is circulated over and through canulated surgical instrument 30. Pressure/flow regulator 20 is designed to limit the flow and pressure of dry, heated air to canulated surgical instrument 30, during the drying phase.
The present invention thus provides a simple and relatively inexpensive method of controlling flow and pressure to a canulated medical instrument in a medical washer so as to prevent damage thereto. The present invention also provides a simple and relatively inexpensive method of maintaining a canulated medical instrument attached to a medical washer.
The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purposes of illustration only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/053,791, filed May 16, 2008, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61053791 | May 2008 | US |