Patent ID: 6916456
Filing Date: 2005-07-12
Classification: A61B,A61L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. In a reprocessor for microbially deactivating medical instruments, said medical instruments being held in said reprocessor in a case that surrounds said instrument and that includes fluid inlets to direct a pressurized anti-microbial solution into said case and through lumens in said instrument, a pressure regulator for maintaining the pressure within said case below a level that would damage said instrument, said pressure regulator comprised of: a housing having an internal cavity, one end of said cavity being in fluid communication with the interior of a case for holding an instrument to be microbially decontaminated; a piston element movably mounted within said internal cavity of said housing, said piston element having a first end that faces said one end of said cavity a second end that faces another end of said cavity that is not in communication with the interior of said case and an unrestricted fluid passage extending from said first end of said piston element to said second end of said piston element; and a biasing element biasing said piston element toward said one end of said cavity at least one pressure relief port in said housing in communication with said cavity, said pressure relief port disposed in said housing to come into fluid communication with the interior of said case when said piston element moves against said biasing element away from said one end of said cavity.