Improvements in Apparatus for Heating and Sterilizing Surgical Bandages and the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1893
CUMPLEIE SIMULTICATION
Improvements in Apparatus for Heating and Sterilizing Surgical
Bandages and the like.
JOHN MANNING VAN HEUSEN, of No. 6 Madison Place, in the City of Albany,
County of Albany, and State of New York, United States of America Manu-
facturer, does hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to produce a simple, effective, and readily portable
apparatus for heating and sterilizing surgical bandages and the like.
It is especially desirable that the heating and sterilizing operation to which
surgical bandages and the like are subjected, should be of such a character as to
leave the fabric in a substantially dry condition, so that on subsequent cooling, it
will have no tendency to chill the patient. It is also desirable, in the closed
operating rooms or chambers where the patient is located, that as little of the steam
and fumes generated in the apparatus as possible should find its exit therefrom,
either during the period that the bandages are being heated, or at the time they
are withdrawn from the apparatus.
My invention is particularly adapted to fulfil these requirements. By its
employment, the heating and sterilizing operation is quickly performed, without
inconvenience or discomfort to the occupants of the room, and the heated and
sterilized fabric remains practically dry upon cooling, so as not to be a source of
annoyance or danger to the patient. The apparatus may, moreover, when not in
use, be conveniently packed into a comparatively small space, so as to be readily
portable.
In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this Specification,
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a form of apparatus embodying my
improvements, in position ready for use;
Figure 2 represents a front elevation of the same, with the hinged door open;
Figure 3 represents a central longitudinal vertical section and partial elevation
on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and
Figure 4 represents a similar section with the parts compactly nested together in
condition for transport.
Similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several
views.
Referring to the drawings, 6 indicates a metallic receptacle, preferably of sheet
copper or the like, and having a thin top, thereby presenting an effective condensing
surface subjected constantly to the cooling effect of the external air. The roof is
inclined in such manner as to conduct any liquid condensing upon its inner surface,
to the side walls of the receptacle, so as to rejoin the body of water at the bottom
of the receptacle and from which the steam is generated rather than to drop upon
and soak the bandages that are being heated and sterilized. At the bottom of the
receptacle 6 a shallow space is left below the downwardly swinging hinged door 12,
for the reception of the small quantity of water utilized in the generation of the
steam desired. Above this space are located suitable rails as 8 for supporting a
drawer 9, the main body portion of which is reticulated or made up of perforated
metal, so as to permit a free passage of the steam through it. The end of the
drawer is, however, closed by a metallic plate 10 through which the steam cannot
pass, and which is so constructed as to close the opening in the receptacle 6 through
which the drawer is inserted and withdrawn. A ring 11, or the like, serves as a
convenient means for inserting and removing the drawer.
The swinging cover 12 is provided with a catch 13 which is adapted to engage

page_text: within a slot or perforation 14 of the end plate 10, so as to lock the said swinging
cover in its upper position, and a handle 15 serves to release the catch when it is
desired to remove the drawer.
When in use, the receptacle 6 is adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the
foldable wire loop supports 16, and within the upper edge portion of a casing 17
having in its side walls the air admission parts 18, as shown. A number of lugs 19
are struck up from the sheet metal bottom of the casing 17, for the purpose of
removably holding in place at a point midway beneath the bottom of the receptacle 6,
an alcohol lamp or other suitable source of heat.
From the construction shown and described, the operation will be readily under-
stood. A bandage 21 or the like, to be heated and sterilized, is placed within the
drawer 9, whereupon said drawer is inserted within the receptacle 6, and immediately
above the shallow body of water in the bottom of said receptacle. The swinging
door 12 is then closed, and the wire loops 16 having been raised to the position
shown in Fig. 3, and the lamp 20 having been ignited, the receptacle 6 with its
contents is placed upon the loop support 16 and above the burning lamp, all as
illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Steam is rapidly generated, and passes
upward through the drawer 9 and the bandage contained therein, rapidly heating
and sterilizing the bandage. In passing through the bandage, the steam, in giving
up its heat thereto, becomes somewhat cooled on arriving in that portion of the
receptacle 6 above the drawer. The thin top of the receptacle, however, prevents
the accumulation of the damp steam and its absorbence by the bandage, by
condensing it rapidly and effectively over the large extent of the lower surface of
said top, the cooling effect of the external air being sufficient to thus condense and
remove said damp steam continuously during the operation. The inclined roof,
instead of permitting the condensations to fall back upon the bandages, conducts
said condensations to the side walls of the receptacle, down which they pass to
rejoin the main body of water.
When the operation has continued for a period sufficiently long to thoroughly
heat and sterilize the bandage for the purpose intended, the swinging cover 12 is
unlocked and dropped to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3; whereupon the
drawer and its contents can be instantly withdrawn by means of the ring 11, and
the swinging cover 12 immediately raised and locked to cover the opening. This
manipulation can be performed so quickly that practically none of the steam or
fumes from the sterilizer escape into the apartment.
When the apparatus is not in use, the lamp 20 is removed, the wire supports 16
are turned down, and the receptacle 6, is dropped to the bottom of the casing 17
so as to rest upon the loops 16, and to be nested within the casing 17, in compact
form for transportation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A sterilizer for surgical bandages and the like consisting of a chamber adapted
to be closed at the sides and provided with a perforated or reticulated drawer,
having a closed end adapted to close the opening through which the same is
inserted, said chamber having a thin metallic top capable of acting as a condenser,
said sterilizer being adapted to be heated by a lamp or other heating device,
substantially as described.
2. A sterilizer for surgical band ages and the like, consisting of a chamber adapted
to be closed at the sides and provided with a perforated or reticulated drawer
having a closed end adapted to close the opening through which the same is
inserted, said chamber having a thin inclined metallic top capable of acting as a
condenser, said sterilizer being adapted to be heated by a lamp or other heating
device; substantially as described.
3. A portable, knock-down sterilizer for surgical bandages and the like, consisting
of a chamber adapted to be closed at the sides and provided with a perforated or

page_text: reticulated drawer having a closed end adapted to close the opening through which
the same is inserted, said chamber having a thin top capable of acting as a condenser
and suspended or held above a lamp or heating device by the folding loops or
supports, 16, substantially as described.
Dated this 11th day of November 1892.
JOHN MANNING VAN HEUSEN.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.