Patent ID: 7608228
Filing Date: 2009-10-27
Classification: A61B,A61L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices, comprised of: a housing structure; a drawer disposed in said housing structure, said drawer having a recess formed therein and a planar surface formed about the periphery of said recess, said recess being dimensioned to receive medical instruments and devices to be microbially deactivated; a circulation system within said housing structure for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid through said recess; a drawer-sealing assembly located in said housing structure, said drawer-sealing assembly operable to engage said drawer and to fluidly seal said recess to create a decontamination chamber; a planar plate having a top surface and a bottom surface; a continuous seal element disposed on said bottom surface of said plate, said seal element being dimensioned to sealingly engage said planar surface of said drawer; and a bladder disposed between said top surface of said plate and said housing structure, said bladder being inflatable to move said plate from a first position wherein said seal element is spaced from said planar surface of said drawer to a second position wherein said seal element engages said planar surface of said drawer and forms a seal thereagainst.