PASTEURIZATION OF RESPIRATORY THERAPEUTIC SUPPLIES

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for pasteurizing respiratory therapeutic equipment (26), comprising means (22) for holding a pasteurizing fluid, in which the equipment (26) is immersed, means (14) for heating the fluid to a temperature of at least 77`C, and means (16, 18) for controlling the heating means, in order to heat the fluid for at least 30 minutes. A method for preparing a solution for use in inhalation therapy in quantities suitable for use by one person, comprising the steps of drawing a supply of fluid into a container (26) of predetermined size, adding a premeasured amount of non-iodized sodium chloride, and heating the saline solution at a temperature of at least 77`C for at least 30 minutes. A method for pasteurizing inhalation therapy equipment or the like, in accordance with the method for preparing a solution for use in inhalation therapy, wherein the equipment is immersed in the solution prior to heating the solution.

Description: PASTEURIZATION OF RESPIRATORY THERAPEUTIC SUPPLIES 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to the field of pasteurization and disinfection of medical equipment, and in particular, to methods and apparatus for preparing solutions useful for inhalation therapy and for pasteurizing respiratory therapeutic equipment on a scale compatable for use by individuals, in their homes. 2. Prior Art Wet pasteurization has recently been recog¬ nized as the most effective method of disinfection next to sterilization. Sterilization is normally accomplished by the use of chemical disinfectants such as 2% solutions of glutaraldehyde. The use of glutar- aldehyde can be expensive, particularly since the chemical becomes ineffective after 30 days, and must be discarded and replaced. For example, in the Pittston " Hospital, Pittston, Pennsylvania, the mean use of glutaraldehyde is 5 gallons per month. The cost of the chemical is approximately $12.00 per gallon, for a cost of approximately $720.00 per year. The cost of using the method and apparatus taught in this inven¬ tion is approximately $108.00 per year, a savings of approximately $612.00 per year. At larger institu¬ tions, the savings would be proportionately larger. Olympic Corporation presently manufactures a room size pasteurizer, but to date, no one has provided a method and apparatus for pasteurizing small quantities of fluid or disinfecting small numbers of therapeutic equipment. Such methods and apparatus as taught herein are useful not only in the home, but in the operating room or respiratory therapy department of any hospital as well. Summary of the Invention It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for pasteurizing small quantities of respiratory therapeutic equipment. It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus for pasteurizing respiratory therapeutic equipment on a small scale, particularly useful in the home or hospital department. It is another object of this invention to provide a method for preparing a solution for use in inhalation therapy, in amounts suitable for use by one person. It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method for preparing a solution for use in inhalation therapy, from premeasured quantities of ingredients. It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method for pasteurizing inhalation - therapy equipment, in quantities suitable for use by one person. These and other objects are accomplished by an apparatus for pasteurizing respiratory therapeutic equipment, comprising: means for holding a predeter¬ mined amount of fluid, in which the equipment is immersed; means for heating the fluid to a temperature of approximately 77°C; and, means for controlling the heating means, in order to heat the fluid for at least 30 minutes. Further objects of this invention are accomplished by a method for preparing a solution for use in inhalation therapy, comprising the steps of: drawing a supply of fluid into a container of predeter¬ mined size; adding a premeasured amount of non-iodized sodium chloride; and, heating the saline solution to a temperature of at least 77°C for at least 30 minutes. - B URE OMPI H , V. l'O ' A method for pasteurizing inhalation therapy equipment, in accordance with the method described herein before is also provided, wherein the equipment is immersed in the pasteurizing solution prior to heating the solution. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For the purpose of illustrating the inven¬ tion, there are shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentality shown. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an appara¬ tus for pasteurizing respiratory therapeutic equip¬ ment, or the like, in accordance with this invention; and, Figure 2 is a diagramatic representation of the premeasured quantities of ingredients and the containers of predetermined size used in preparing solutions for use in inhalation therapy, in accordance with the methods of this invention and the apparatus shown in Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An apparatus for preparing saline solutions for use in inhalation therapy, or the like, is shown in Figure 1. The apparatus 10 comprises a base member 12, on which is mounted heating means 14. Heating means 14 is preferably an electric resistance coil. The heating means is provided with an automatic timing means 16, having a dial 18 which indicates either elapsed time or time to completion. The heating means is also provided with a pilot light 20, to indicate that the apparatus is activated. In use, fluid container or holder 22, shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 and solid lines in Figure 2, preferably made from aluminum, but which may also be heat resistant glass or stainless steel, is partially filled with tap water and is placed on heating means 14, being held thereon by vertical posts 24. Fluid holder 22 pre¬ ferably has a volume or capacity of approximately 10 quarts but may be larger. In order to prepare the saline solution for inhalation therapy, a 500 milli- liter (ml.) flask 26, also shown in dotted and solid lines in Figures 1 and 2 respectively, made from heat resistant glass, is filled with distilled or deionized water, or if such is unavailable or too expensive, tap water which meets U.S. Public Health Service drinking water standards. If a normal saline solution is required, then a premeasured dose 28 of 4.5 grams of non-iodized sodium chloride is added to the water in the 500 ml. flask. The 500 ml. flask is placed inside aluminum fluid holder 22, and the apparatus is acti¬ vated. In accordance with the automatic control and thermostat provided with the control means, the heating means will heat the solutions to a temperature of at least 77"Centigrade (C) , for a period of at least 30 minutes. The entire heating cycle may take approximately 1 1/2 hours. If a one-half normal saline solution is desired, then a dose of 30 of 2.25 grams of non-iodized sodium chloride is added to the fluid in the 500 ml. flask. Irrespective of which strength saline solution is chosen, at the end of the heating cycle, the solution will have been fully and effec¬ tively disinfected. It will be appreciated that a typical 500 ml. flask holds somewhat more than 500 ml. of fluid. In order to compensate for evaporation of fluid during pasteurization, the 500 ml. flask should be overfilled somewhat. Further, in order to prevent contamination of the saline solution by the water bath solution in container 22, the mouth of the 500 ml. flask should extend above the rim of holder 22, as shown by the dotted portion of Figure 1. If it is desired to disinfect or pasteurize respiratory therapeutic equipment, such equipment can be placed directly in the fluid holding means 22, in a fluid solution which may or may not contain sodium chloride, and be run through the heating cycle, thereby being sub ected to a temperature of at least 77°C for a period of at least 30 minutes. Such tem¬ peratures and exposure times are sufficient to destroy all pathogenic organisms, but are not harmful to heat sensitive plastic and rubber parts. With a minimal amount of instructions, the methods and apparatus taught herein may be utilized by respiratory out-patients in order to facilitate their own care and therapy between visits by the profes¬ sional therapist. For the first time, the methods and apparatus taught herein provide such a respiratory out-patient with a simple and economic means for facilitating his or her own care. Such methods and apparatus have not heretofore been known. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims: I claim: 1. An apparatus for pasteurizing res¬ piratory therapeutic equipment, comprising: means for holding a pasteurizing fluid, in which said equipment is immersed; means for heating said fluid, to a temperature of at least 77°C; and, means for controlling ' the heating means, in order to heat said fluid and said equipment at said temperature for at least 30 minutes. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for holding the pasteurizing fluid is an open- top aluminum beaker. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pasteurizing fluid is a saline solution. 4. A method for preparing a solution for use in inhalation therapy, in quantities sufficient for one person, comprising the steps of: drawing a supply of fluid into a • container of predetermined size; adding a premeasured amount of non- iodized sodium chloride to the fluid; and, heating said saline solution at a temperature of at least 77°C for at least 30 minutes. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the predetermined size of the container is approximately 500 ml. . 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the fluid is distilled water, deionized water or tap water meeting U.S. Public Health Service drinking water standards. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the premeasured amount of non-iodized sodium chloride is 4.5 grams, thereby providing a normal saline solution. 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the premeasured amount of non-iodized chloride is 2.25 grams, thereby providing a one-half normal saline solution. 9. The method of claim 4, wherein the saline solution is formed in a first container, which is itself disposed in a second container filled with a second fluid, thereby providing a constant temperature bath for the saline solution when the second beaker is heated. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first container is heat resistant glass, and the second container is aluminum. 11. A method for pasteurizing respiratory therapeutic equipment, in accordance with the appara¬ tus of claim 1, wherein the equipment is immersed in the pasteurizing solution prior to heating the solu¬ tion.

Inventors: GROFF R
Applicants: GROFF R
Application year: 1980
Main classification: A61L2
IPC codes: A61L2