Patent ID: 6867393
Filing Date: 2005-03-15
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
1. A steam sterilization system for sterilizing medical waste, comprising a cart, the cart having a front end portion, a rear end portion, and two side end portions, the cart having wheels mounted thereon to provide mobility to the cart, and the cart having a rail assembly positioned at each side end portion, a bin for holding medical waste, the bin being removably mountable to the cart, the bin having a bottom wall, and a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the bin having wheels mounted on each side wall of the bin and spaced such that the wheels engage the rail assemblies of the cart when the bin is being loaded onto the cart and such that the wheels engage the rail assemblies of the cart when the bin is being removed from the cart, and a sterilization chamber, the chamber having an interior, the chamber having an opening through which access to the interior of the chamber is obtained, and the chamber having the door mounted at the opening for sealingly closing the opening against both pressure and vacuum when closed, the chamber having a rail assembly mounted in the interior of the chamber on which the wheels of the bin ride when the bin is inserted into the chamber from the cart prior to sterilization and on which the wheels of the bin ride when the bin is being removed from the chamber and rolled back onto the cart after sterilization, a steam valve connected to the chamber for introducing steam when desired into the chamber, and a vacuum pump connected to the chamber for evacuating air in the chamber when desired.