Patent ID: 6585943
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: A61B,A61L,Y10T

Abstract:
An automated system for cleaning and microbially decontaminating a device, the automated system comprising:a cabinet which defines an interior chamber for receiving the device; spray nozzles, disposed within the chamber, for spraying a washing fluid and a microbial decontaminant fluid over an external surface of the device; a source of rinse water; a source of the washing fluid; a source of the microbial decontaminant fluid; a fluid distribution system fluidly connecting the sources of rinse water, washing fluid, and microbial decontaminant fluid with the nozzles; a pump connected with the fluid distribution system for pumping the washing fluid, microbial decontaminant fluid, and rinse water, to the nozzles; a control system which controls the delivery of the washing fluid, microbial decontaminant fluid, and rinse water to the nozzles such that the device is sequentially washed with the washing fluid, microbially decontaminated with the microbial decontaminant fluid, and rinsed with the rinse water; connection ports, within the chamber, connected with the fluid distribution system, for connecting with an internal passage of the device such that the internal passage is sequentially washed with the washing fluid, microbially decontaminated with the microbial decontaminant fluid, and rinsed with the rinse water; and a non-porous connector for connecting the connection port to the internal passage of the device, the connector being configured to flow a portion of the microbial decontaminant fluid through a gap between the non-porous connector and an adjacent surface of the internal passage of the device into the chamber to ensure contact of the microbial decontaminant fluid with the adjacent surface.