A process and device for sterilization of the spray and/or air supply lines to medical instruments, in particular dental surgery instruments

Abstract: Fluid-driven medical instruments (3), handgrips and attachments are placed in a vessel (4) with their on-off valves (2) in the closed position, shutting off the relative spray and/or air supply lines (1), whereupon a liquid sterilizer (14) is directed into each such line (1) between the valve (2) and the instrument (3). With sterilization completed, the liquid (14) is flushed out by directing a fluid into the lines (1); this can be effected either by opening up the on-off valves (2) and flooding the passages with water through the spray circuit, or better still, by activating all sources of fluid power connected with the instruments (3), as in normal operation.

Description: The invention relates to a process and device for sterilization of the spray and/or air supply lines to power driven medical instruments, in particular dental surgery instruments. German patent DE-OS 2836532 disdoses a process, and apparatus, for sterilizing the handgrips of medical or dental surgery instruments. The process is essentially one of subjecting fluid propellants and/or coolants to the germicidal action of an oxidizing medium, for example anode oxidation or microwave radiation. Such a process is beset by problems of efficiency, however, especially as regards sterilization of the fluids when passing through the oxidizing medium, or of safety in the case of radiation, given that microwave sources require appropriate screening. The apparatus itself is similarly beset by problems stemming from the high quantity of energy required for its operation, the effect of which is to limit the scope of application. A different type of device for sterilizing medical instruments, and for dental surgery instruments in particular, is disclosed in another German patent DE-OS 3028550. This consists in a container, to which liquid sterilizer is supplied, and a metering pump by which the liquid sterilizer is forced into the spray circuit of each instrument, according to the quantity of water required by the instrument during operation. To this end, the metering pump is interlocked to control media capable of identifying which instrument is activated, and determining the quantity of liquid sterilizer to be pumped into the spray circuit, likewise according to the quantity of water utilized in operation. This device is certainly effective, though only in the case of a continuous sterilization of the water supplied to instruments, at low rates of flow, and only for a limited sterilizing action, given that the disinfectant is pumped into the spray circuit while the instruments are in use ; more exactly, the liquid sterilizer mingles with the water sent into the instrument, and thus enters into contact with the internal surfaces of the human body (the mouth, in the instance of dental surgery instruments), and accordingly, the liquid sterilizer and/or its level of concentration in the spray must be formulated and/or calculated to ensure that there is no health risk. As most of the liquid sterilizers currently in use are acids, and toxic, they must be diluted considerably in this type of situation, and thus lose a great deal of their germicidal properties. Further apparatus for the sterilization of medical instruments is disdosed, together with a relative process, in DE-OS 3246266. In this instance, the spray circuit serving the instruments is isolated by a main shut-off valve and the individual on-off valve at each instrument opened up, whereupon a liquid sterilizer is pumped into the supply lines downstream of the main shut-off valve ; after being allowed to circulate for a prescribed period, the flow of sterilizer is stopped and the main shut-off valve re-opened to allow water back into the rest of the circuit downstream so that all traces of the soiled liquid can be flushed out, the individual instrument valves remaining open for long enough to ensure its complete explusion. With this type of apparatus, it becomes possible to sterilize with much stronger solutions, and thus to greater effect, since the process is implemented at a time when the instruments are not in use, say, at the end of the working day, or of the working week. Neither is this apparatus wholly without drawbacks, however : when flushing out the circuit for example, a considerable amount of water (and of time) is required to ensure that no traces of the sterilizer remain, however minute ; also, a not inconsiderable quantity of liquid sterilizer is required to fill up the supply lines completely. A further drawback of the apparatus in question is its complexity. To enable sterilization, in fact, the on-off valves of the single instruments must be held open, whereas these valves are of a normally-closed type designed to open, singly, when the relative instrument is in use. More exactly, the valve can be opened only by removing the instrument from its holder, for obvious expediency ; however, in the event that not all of the on-off valves are opened up, due to an oversight or for any other reason, the instrument or instruments remaining 'off' will undergo no sterilizing action whatever. Another problem with the same apparatus stems from the fact that sterilizer is caused to flow through the on-off valves of the instruments, and thus to occupy them for a given duration ; the inevitable result is that the valves are prone to damage from the aggressive properties of the fluid, as well as from the risk that the valve housing may not be flushed absolutely clean following sterilization. Accordingly, the object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks described above. The stated object is achieved with a process and a device as described in the appended claims; such a process involves directing liquid sterilizer into the spray and/or air supply lines downstream of the relative on-off valves, the valves being closed, and then flushing out with a clean fluid. The fluid used for flushing purposes may be water and/or air introduced from an independent source into the relative passages at a point downstream of the on-off valves, with the valves still closed, or alternatively, use can be made of the water and/or air sources that produce cooling and propulsion during normal operation, in this instance, having first opened up the respective on-off valves. In a typical column-mounted assembly of dental surgery equipment, the supply line connecting each instrument to the main spray circuit also connects with at least one plenum chamber, able to generate a soft vacuum, the purpose of which is to prevent the instrument dripping water when switched off by deactivating the on-off valve. There may be one such chamber to serve the entire column, or one for each instrument connected to the column. In this latter instance, each plenum will generally be located downstream of the on-off valve on the relative branch of the spray circuit; accordingly, the device disclosed can be connected upstream of and used to sterilize the plenum chambers. This is an important feature, inasmuch as bacteria will inevitably tend to collect in the plenum chamber (or chambers) with continued use of the equipment, and frequent sterilization and/or disinfection is required. Thus, an additional object of the invention is to embody a device that will also sterilize and/or disinfect, in the case in point, a single plenum chamber incorporated into the equipment column, and if not entirely eliminate, then greatly reduce the bacterial content of water drawn from the domestic system into the spray circuit ; the main object stated above is therefore flanked by the further general object of ensuring sterilization of the circuit as a whole. The device according to the invention comprises an auxiliary sterilizer circuit connected via relative branches with the instrument supply lines of the spray circuit at points downstream of the on-off valves, which remain closed during sterilization, and this further object is achieved by connecting the plenum in series with both the sterilizer circuit and the spray circuit, and incorporating shut-off means in parallel with the spray circuit and interconnecting the sections of the instrument supply lines upstream and downstream of the on-off valves ; thus, it is the shut-off means that open to allow passage of the liquid sterilizer. One of the advantages afforded by the invention is essentially that of the sure sterilizating action achieved, especially where sterilizer is flushed out by activating the instruments, as in this case, fluid passing through certain of the instruments can atomize internally of the collection vessel ; first to be atomized is the sterilizer, which acts on the tips of the instruments, and immediately thereafter, water from the spray circuit, which both flushes out the internal passages and floods the tips of the handgrips, as well as cleansing the entire collection vessel. Another advantage of the invention is its efficient operation ; when the sterilizer is flushed out by activating the instruments, in fact, this has the effect of sterilizing those parts associated with though not lying directly in the path of the water, such as the turbine of the high speed drill. A further advantage of the invention is that of dependable operation, obtained by sterilizing the instruments with the relative on-off valves in their normally-closed position, in such a way that there are no problems with sterilization failing to take effect, or with sterilizer lingering in the circuits. The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which fig 1 is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention. With reference to fig 1, the device according to the invention is associated with a given number of power driven medical instruments (in practice, the device might be incorporated permanently or used as an accessory, to equally good effect), which in the example illustrated are dental surgery instruments, denoted 3, forming part of a conventional column. The single instruments 3 connect with fluid supply lines, denoted 1, controlled by respective on-off valves 2. Each supply line 1 (carrying water, for example, as arrowed W in the drawings) constitutes a first branch of a main circuit 15 controlled in turn by a main shut-off valve 16. These valves 2, 16 will all be connected to a control circuit of conventional type (not illustrated) by means of which to ensure that operation of any one instrument will come about on activation of the relative on-off valve 2 together with the main valve 16. In short, to operate a given instrument 3, the relative valve 2 must be opened up, generally by lifting the handgrip from its holder in the console table of the equipment column, and the main valve 16 then opened, usually by depressing a foot pedal. The device according to the invention essentially comprises a tank 7 containing a supply of liquid sterilizer 14, an auxiliary circuit 5 connecting with the spray circuit supply lines 1, downstream of the relative on-off valves 2, also, a vessel 4 in which the soiled sterilizer 14 is collected, and in which the instruments 3 are placed and held during the sterilization and collection operations. The auxiliary circuit 5 affords as many second branches 8 as there are instruments, which connect with the relative supply lines 1 of the spray circuit and incorporate relative check valves 9 disallowing any return of liquids into the circuit 5; a further check valve 6 is fitted to the outlet of the feed pump 10 associated with the supply tank 7. 19 denotes a branch of the main spray circuit 15 located upstream of the main shut-off valve 16, which divides further into a by-pass, governed by a relative valve 17 and skirting the main valve 16, and a line that connects by way of a further on-off valve 18 with the auxiliary sterilizer circuit 5 at a point downstream of the pump 10. The inventive step claimed herein is reflected in the components circumscribed by the phantom line 20 in fig 1. Referring to the device illustrated in fig 1, the process according to the invention comprises the steps of: removing the instruments 3 from their holders and placing them in the vessel 4; switching all the on-off valves 2 to 'off', such that the upstream section of the the respective instrument supply lines 1 remain closed; supplying sterilizer 14 from the tank 7 to the instruments; flushing the auxiliary circuit 5 and associated supply lines 1 with a fluid to the end of removing the soiled sterilizer 14; returning the instruments 3 to their holders. The liquid sterilizer 14 may be supplied in either one of two ways, namely, activating a pump 10 that forces the liquid through the auxiliary circuit 5 as mentioned above, or connecting the vessel 4 to means 11 of generating suction (see phantom line in fig 1). In this second instance, the vessel 4 will need to be structured in such a way as to afford a fluid-tight seal once the instruments 3 have been placed in it. In either instance, the supply tank 7 will be held at atmospheric pressure, or at all events, will not be pressurized. Following a prescribed period commensurate with the type of germicidal treatment required, the soiled sterilizer 14 is flushed away by opening up all the on-off valves 2 (which, it will be remembered, have not been in direct contact with the sterilizer) and activating the spray circuit by way of the by-pass valve 17 so as to supply water to the instruments; in this way, one avoids operating the foot pedal to open up the main shut-off valve 16. At the same time, water is sent into the part of the auxiliary circuit 5 downstream of the pump check valve 6 by opening the valve denoted 18. In a preferred, but by no means definitive version of the process and the device, the flushing step is accomplished by activating all the instruments 3 in the vessel 4 at once (that is, switching on all the relative supplies of fluid). This constitutes a particularly effective expedient, since there will be an initial explusion, by all the instruments 3 together, of sterilizer 14 still in the parts of the two circuits as mentioned above, i.e. 1, 5, 8, following which, these same parts will be flooded with water. Given that certain dental surgery instruments 3 are designed to emit an atomized spray during normal operation, these will at first discharge an almost totally clean, atomized spray of sterilizer that is able to fill the collection vessel 4. The effect of such atomization is to perform a cleansing action on the tips of the instruments, as long as there is sterilizer 14 still in the circuits 1, 5, 8, and when clean water emerges thereafter, to effect a thorough rinse of the tips. It is especially advantageous to flush out the sterilizer by full activation of the instruments 3 in view of the additional fact that those parts of the instruments connected with the spray circuit 1 though not directly invested by the spray, such as certain parts of the high speed drill, will be subjected to the action of the sterilizer 14 and then flooded with water; accordingly, each single instrument 3 emerges from the vessel 4 thoroughly sterilized and rinsed clean. In an alternative version of the process and the device, the soiled sterilizer 14 is flushed out by leaving the on-off valves 2 closed and blasting the auxiliary circuit 5 downstream of the pump check valve 6 with compressed air. In this instance, the device will comprise a source of compressed air 12 (normally speaking, that of the surgery equipment column itself) and a check valve 13 (illustrated in phantom lines in both of the drawings), located immediately downstream of the pump 10 and its check valve 6, which serves to prevent any return of fluid, air or sterilizer when the source 12 is switched off. This method of implementing the flushing step is especially practical, as the sterilizer 14 can be removed using a fluid that requires no conditioning and, as a result, is most economical. The further option exists of drawing in sterilizer from a supply held in the vessel 4, in which case flow through the auxiliary circuit 5 is reversed, with the pump 10 generating negative rather than positive pressure. The instruments 3 having been placed in the vessel 4, immersed in the sterilizer, and the pump 10 switched on, the sterilizer will be drawn into the relative parts of the circuits 1, 8 and 5, discharging ultimately into the tank 7. The check valves, if incorporated, would be inverted. Where this version of the process is adopted, one has the additional advantage of a 'total immersion' of those parts of the instrument 3 that require sterilization, such as is bound to enhance the efficiency of the operation. The subsequent flush would be effected in the manner already described. The foregoing description assumes, for example, that the surgery equipment incorporates one plenum chamber (not illustrated) for each instrument 3 served by a supply line 1, located upstream of the instrument but downstream of the relative branch 8 of the auxiliary circuit 5.

Claims: A process for sterilization of the spray and/or air supply lines to medical instruments, in particular dental surgery instruments, connected to a main spray circuit (15) via supply lines (1) each constituting one first branch of said main circuit (15) which is controlled by a main shut-off valve (16), each of said supply line (1) being controlled by a on-off valves (2) defining a downstream section and an upstream section, comprising the steps of: removing the instruments (3) from their holders and placing them in a collection vessel (4); switching all the on-off valves (2) to the 'off' position, so that each instrument supply line (1) from the spray circuit remains closed at least immediately upstream on the relative valve (2) in correspondence of said upstream sections; supplying liquid sterilizer (14) to the supply lines (1) only in correspondence of said downstream sections by way of second branches (8) of an independent circuit (5), each of said branches (8) connecting with each supply line at a point downstream of the relative on-off valve (2); directing a fluid into the supply line (1) to the end of removing the liquid sterilizer (14); returning the instruments (3) to their holders. A process for sterilization of the spray and/or air supply lines to medical instruments, in particular dental surgery instruments, connected to a main spray circuit (15) via supply lines (1), each constituting one first branch of said main circuit (15) which is controlled by a main shut-off valve (16) each of said supply line (1) being controlled by a on-off valves (2) defining a downstream section and an upstream section, comprising the steps of: removing the instruments (3) from their holders and placing them in a vessel (4) containing liquid sterilizer, in such a way that the instruments are immersed in the liquid; switching all the on-off valves (2) to 'off', in such a way that each supply line (1) from the spray cicuit to the instrument remains closed at least immediately upstream of the relative valve (2) in correspondence of said upstream sections; activating suctions means (10), connected via an independent circuit (5) with the instrument supply lines (1) at points [of said free valve sections] downstream of the respective on-off valves (2) to draw in the liquid sterilizer (14) from the vessel; directing a fluid into the supply lines (1), to the end of removing the liquid sterilizer (14); returning the instruments (3) to their holders. A process as in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the steps of directing a fluid into the instrument supply lines (1) to remove the liquid sterilizer (14) consists in opening up all the relative on-off valves (2) and activating the means by which fluid is supplied to the selfsame supply lines (1) during normal operation. A process as in claim 3, wherein the step of directing a fluid into the instrument supply lines (1) to remove the liquid sterilizer (14) consists in opening up all the relative on-off valves (2) and activating all the fluid power sources to which the instruments (3) are connected. A process as in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the step of directing a fluid into the instrument supply lines (1) to remove the liquid sterilizer (14) consists in directing compressed air into the independent auxiliary circuit (5). A device for sterilization of the spray and/or air supply lines to medical instruments, in particular dental surgery instruments, connected to a main spray circuit (15) via supply lines each constituting a first branch of a main circuit (15) which is controlled by a main shut-off valve (16) (1), each of said supply line 1 being controlled by an on-off valve (2), comprising: a tank (7) containing liquid sterilizer (14); an independent auxiliary circuit (5) departing from the tank (7) and connecting by way of second branches (8) with each supply line (1) at a point downstream of the respective on-off valve (2); a vessel (4) in which the liquid sterilizer (14) is collected, and in which the instruments (3) can be placed and held; means for effecting transfer of the sterilizer. A device as in claim 6, wherein the transfer means consist in a pump (10) located between the tank (7) and the independent auxiliary circuit (5), by which the liquid sterilizer (14) is directed into the auxiliary circuit (5), and each branch (8) of the circuit (5) connecting with a relative instrument supply line (1) incorporates a respective check valve (9) serving to prevent any return of fluid in the direction of the tank (7). A device as in claim 6, wherein the transfer means consist in a pump (11) located downstream of and serving to draw liquid from the vessel (4), and the vessel (4) is embodied so as to remain fluid-tight when instruments are placed inside it. A device as in claim 6, further comprising: a source of compressed air (12) connected to the auxiliary sterilizer circuit (5); a first check valve (6) located between the air source (12) and the auxiliary circuit (5), serving to prevent any return of compressed air in the direction of the tank (7); a second check valve (13) located between the air source (12) and the auxiliary circuit (5), serving to prevent any return of liquid sterilizer (14) in the direction of the air source (12) during the step in which transfer is effected to the supply lines (1). A device as in claim 6, associated with surgery equipment in which the main spray circuit (15) is controlled by a main shut-off valve (16) located upstream of the on-off valves (2), wherein the spray circuit (15) is branched at a point upstream of the main shut-off valve (16) in order to create a by-pass loop around the main shut-off valve (16) and to enable connection with the auxiliary circuit (5) at a point downstream of the pump (10), and wherein the by-pass loop and the connection with the auxiliary circuit are controlled by respective on-off valves (17, 18) that operate to open during the step in which a fluid is directed into the supply lines (1) to the end of removing the liquid sterilizer. A device as in claim 6, wherein the pressure level in the tank (7) containing liquid sterilizer (14) is substantially atmospheric. A device for sterilization of the spray and/or air supply lines to medical instruments, in particular dental surgery instruments, connected to a main spray circuit via supply lines (1) controlled by relative on-off valves (2), in accordance with the process as in claim 2, characterized in that it comprises: a vessel (4) containing liquid sterilizer (14), in which the instruments (3) can be placed and held, immersed in the sterilizer; a tank (7) into which the liquid sterilizer (14) is exhausted; an independent circuit (5), connecting with each instrument supply line (1) at a point downstream of the relative on-off valve (2) and incorporating suction means (10) designed to implement the step of drawing in the liquid sterilizer (14) from the vessel (4).

Inventors: CASTELLINI FRANCO, FRISULLO ROCCO, LANZARINI GIULIANO, PIGNATTINI GIORGIO, CASTELLINI, FRANCO, FRISULLO, ROCCO, LANZARINI, GIULIANO, PIGNATTINI, GIORGIO
Applicants: CASTELLINI SPA, CASTELLINI S.P.A.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A61L2
IPC codes: A61L2, A61C19, A61C1