Patent Description:
Prevention of contamination has always been a challenge in the medical device industry. Conventional medical device treatment systems, such as washers, disinfectors or sterilizers (WDS) are available to wash, disinfect and/or sterilize medical devices, but are not capable of disinfecting or sterilizing their own exterior surfaces. In particular, WDS doors and/or lids may trap and harbor harmful or toxic contaminants and/or germs when an operator manually opens or closes the door and/or lid to load or unload medical devices into or out from the WDS. Accordingly, hands-free operation of WDS doors and/or lids is advantageous in the medical device industry to prevent such contamination.

Various standards in the medical device industry require that WDS doors and/or lids remain locked during sterilization or disinfection cycles. Typical hands-free operation may therefore include automatic door latching, locking, opening and/or closing. Conventionally, however, these operations require two or more independent mechanisms to control door latching, locking, opening or closing. For example, some conventional medical device treatment systems have mechanisms that open or close the door, but require a separate mechanism to latch or lock the door. As a result of two independent mechanisms, conventional assemblies are generally quite complex and expensive and are typically too large for installation in smaller WDS's.

Various other problems exist in locking, latching and opening assemblies of conventional medical device treatment systems. For example, some automatic door opening mechanisms operate to open the door immediately upon activation of a door opening sensor. Operators, therefore, may not have enough time to step back and allow space for the door to open.

Additionally, many conventional WDS latching mechanisms use open hook grab latches which can be overcome with excessive downward force on the door, even when the door latch mechanism is in a locked state. This excessive force may impart undue stress on the fragile components of the door latch mechanism and may cause irreversible damage. To compensate for this, heavy-duty, stronger mechanism components and door hinges have been used to increase the amount of force required to overcome the latches to levels beyond that typically achievable by an operator. For smaller medical device treatment systems, however, using heavy-duty components and hinges is not feasible due to space constraints.

<CIT> relates to a closing device in particular for a steam-sterilizing machine. The device can be used to close any container that is put under pressure during its use and for which a closure of maximum safety is required, such as steam-sterilizing machines employed to sterilize instruments and equipment for dental use. Said document discloses a medical device treatment machine comprising: a treatment chamber for washing, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing a medical device, a door hingedly attached to the treatment chamber and moveable between an open position, to expose the treatment chamber, and a closed position, to seal the treatment chamber, wherein the door comprises a latch pin on a first side of the door, and a latch and lock assembly fixed to a wall of the treatment chamber, wherein the latch and lock assembly comprises: a lever pivotable between a latched position and an unlatched position, wherein in the latched position, the lever engages the latch pin to prevent movement of the door from the closed position to the open position, and wherein in the unlatched position, the lever disengages the latch pin to allow movement of the door from the closed position to the open position, and a first actuator.

The present disclosure, therefore, relates to a medical device treatment system including a door latch, lock and open mechanism having automatic and manual door opening features, all fully integrated into one assembly. The door latch, lock and open mechanism assembly provides enough adjustability to handle manufacturing tolerances, while also retaining the adjustment throughout its service life. In certain embodiments, the medical device treatment system may include one or more of the following features: <NUM>) a single mechanism that can latch, lock and open a medical device treatment system door, <NUM>) a hands-free, foot-operated control mechanism to detect when the operator wishes to open the door automatically, and <NUM>) a forced-entry prevention mechanism to ensure the operator cannot open the door using excessive physical force when the door is closed, latched and locked.

The invention relates to a medical device treatment machine comprising a treatment chamber for washing, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing a medical device and a door hingedly attached to the treatment chamber. The door is moveable between an open position, to expose the treatment chamber, and a closed position, to seal the treatment chamber. The door includes a latch pin on a first side of the door. The medical device treatment machine also includes a latch and lock assembly. The latch and lock assembly includes a lever pivotable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch and lock assembly also includes a first actuator configured to selectively move a locking tab between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking tab is configured to block pivotable movement of the lever from the latched position to the unlatched position. In the unlocked position, the locking tab is configured to allow pivotable movement of the lever from the latched position to the unlatched position. The latch and lock assembly further includes a second actuator configured to selectively rotate a door opening tab between a first position and a second position when the locking tab is in the unlocked position. When the door opening tab is in the first position the lever is in a latched position, and when the door opening tab is rotated from the first position to the second position, the door opening tab abuts the lever and urges the lever from the latched position to the unlatched position.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features separately or in combination, according to the appended claims.

In an embodiment, the locking tab may operate on a first side of the lever and the door opening tab may operate on a second side of the lever, opposing the first side of the lever.

In another embodiment, in the locked position, the locking tab may abut a portion of the lever, and in the unlocked position, the locking tab may be spaced apart from the lever.

In another embodiment, the latch and lock assembly may include a lever biasing member configured to bias the lever toward the latched position.

In another embodiment, the lever biasing member may be a spring.

In another embodiment, the first actuator and the second actuator may be pull-type solenoids.

In another embodiment, the latch and lock assembly may include a fixed housing to which at least one of the lever, first actuator, locking tab, second actuator, door opening tab and lever biasing member are mounted.

In another embodiment, the latch and lock assembly may include an adjustable housing to which the fixed housing is adjustably attached.

In another embodiment, the latch and lock assembly may include an alignment rod passing through a wall of the fixed housing and a wall of the adjustable housing to align the fixed housing relative to the adjustable housing.

In another embodiment, the latch and lock assembly may include an adjustment tuner passing through a wall of the fixed housing and a wall of the adjustable housing. The adjustment tuner may include a threaded bolt and associated jam nut, which, when tightened, prevent movement of the fixed housing relative to the adjustment housing.

In another embodiment, the latch and lock assembly may include a door opening tab adjusting block mounted to the fixed housing and including a screw. The door opening tab adjusting block may be configured to adjust the position of the door opening tab within the fixed housing relative to the lever.

In another embodiment, the latch and lock assembly may include a switch configured to detect whether and when the locking tab is in a locked position or an unlocked position.

In an embodiment, the medical device treatment machine may include a hinge on a second side of the door opposite the first side of the door.

In another embodiment, the hinge of the door may comprise a hinge biasing member for biasing the door toward an open position to automatically move the door from the closed position to the open position when the lever is in the unlatched position.

In another embodiment, the medical device treatment machine may include a stop pin extending from the chamber, and a stop block fixed to the door. The stop block may include a roller pin extending from the stop block in a direction configured to be perpendicular to the stop pin when the door is in a closed position. When the door is in a closed position, the roller pin may slidably abut the stop pin to permit a lateral movement of the door between the closed position and the open position and block a vertical movement of the door in a direction perpendicular to the lateral movement of the door.

In another embodiment, the medical device treatment machine may include a sensing apparatus for detecting a presence and removal of a foot of an operator in a sensing zone of the sensing apparatus. The medical device treatment machine may also include a controller for controlling the operations of the second actuator according to the detection of the presence and removal of the foot of the operator in the sensing zone of the sensing apparatus.

In another embodiment, the controller may be configured to receive a foot-presence signal from the sensing apparatus when the sensing apparatus detects the presence of the foot of the operator in the sensing zone of the sensing apparatus. The controller may also be configured to send an activation signal to an indicator apparatus on the medical device treatment machine to activate the indicator apparatus and receive a foot-removal signal from the sensing apparatus when the foot sensor detects the removal of the foot of the operator from the sensing zone of the sensing apparatus. The controller may also be configured to send an unlatch signal to the second actuator to rotate the door opening tab in abutting contact with the lever to pivot the lever from the latched position to the unlatched position.

In another embodiment, the controller may be configured to send the unlatch signal to the second actuator a predetermined period of time after receipt of the foot-removal signal.

The invention also relates to a method of operating a medical device treatment machine. The method includes rotating, by the second actuator, a door opening tab of the latch and lock assembly that is in abutting contact with a lever to pivot the lever from a latched position to an unlatched position.

The method may include the steps of detecting, by a sensing apparatus disposed on the medical device treatment machine, the presence of a foot of an operator in a sensing zone of the sensing apparatus; receiving, by a controller of the medical device treatment machine, a foot-presence signal from the sensing apparatus, and sending, by the controller, an activation signal to an indicator apparatus on the medical device treatment machine to activate the indicator apparatus; detecting, by the sensing apparatus, the removal of the foot of the operator from the sensing zone of the sensing apparatus and receiving, by the controller, a foot-removal signal from the sensing apparatus; sending, by the controller, an unlatch signal to an actuator of a latch and lock assembly of the medical device treatment machine.

In another embodiment, the unlatch signal may be sent to the actuator a predetermined period of time after receipt of the foot-removal signal.

In another embodiment, the method may include automatically moving a door of the medical device treatment machine from a closed position to an open position via a biasing force on a hinge of the door by a hinge biasing member.

These and further features will be apparent with reference to the following description and attached drawings which set forth certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features according to aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

The terms "comprises" and "comprising," when used in this specification, are taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

The annexed drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, show various aspects of the present invention.

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the present invention as described herein, are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.

With reference to <FIG>, a medical device treatment system, such as a medical device treatment machine <NUM> is generally depicted. The medical device treatment machine <NUM> may be, for example, a machine for washing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing a medical device, such as surgical tools or any other medical device requiring washing, disinfecting and/or sterilization before and/or after use. The medical device treatment machine <NUM> includes a treatment chamber <NUM> for washing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing the medical device. The medical device treatment machine <NUM> also includes a door <NUM> hingedly attached to the treatment chamber <NUM>. The door <NUM> may be automatically and/or manually moveable between a closed position, depicted in <FIG>, and an open position, depicted in <FIG>. In the closed position of the door <NUM>, the treatment chamber <NUM> is closed off from the exterior of the medical device treatment machine <NUM> and may be sealed shut for operation of the medical device treatment machine <NUM>. In the open position of the door <NUM>, the treatment chamber <NUM> is exposed to the exterior of the medical device treatment machine <NUM> for insertion or removal of medical devices into or out from the treatment chamber <NUM>.

The door <NUM> includes a latch pin <NUM> on a first side <NUM> of the door <NUM> and a hinge <NUM> on a second side <NUM> of the door <NUM>, opposite the first side <NUM>. A side view of the latch pin <NUM>, wherein the door <NUM> is in a closed position, is shown more clearly in <FIG>. The hinge <NUM> may include a hinge biasing member 18a that imparts a biasing force on the door <NUM> toward the open position. The door <NUM> may be automatically opened with the aid of the hinge biasing member 18a under certain conditions, as will later be described in detail.

The medical device treatment machine <NUM> may include a forced entry prevention mechanism, indicated generally at <NUM>, and a hands-free, foot-operated automatic opening mechanism, indicated generally at <NUM>, both of which will later be described with detailed reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively.

With reference to <FIG>, the medical device treatment machine <NUM> includes a latch and lock assembly <NUM> for latching/unlatching and locking/unlocking the door <NUM>. The latch and lock assembly <NUM> may be mounted to a side wall of the treatment chamber <NUM> associated with the first side <NUM> of the door <NUM> having the latch pin <NUM>, as shown, or otherwise disposed between the latch pin <NUM> of the door <NUM> and the treatment chamber <NUM> of the medical device treatment machine <NUM>.

<FIG> depict the components of the latch and lock assembly <NUM> in further detail. As depicted, the latch and lock assembly <NUM> includes an adjustment assembly <NUM> and a fixed assembly <NUM>, adjustably connected to each other with an alignment rod <NUM> and an adjustment tuner <NUM>. The adjustment assembly <NUM> may be installed directly onto the side wall of the treatment chamber <NUM>, while the fixed assembly <NUM> may be arranged within the boundaries of, and adjustably mounted to, the adjustment assembly <NUM>. Various other components of the latch and lock assembly <NUM> may therefore be mounted to and/or disposed within the boundaries of the fixed assembly <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the adjustment assembly <NUM> and the fixed assembly <NUM> are adjustably connected relative to one another by the alignment rod <NUM> at an upper end and the adjustment tuner <NUM> at the lower end. The alignment rod <NUM> and the adjustment tuner <NUM> provide adjustability to the latch and lock assembly <NUM> to account for any manufacturing tolerances involved in the latch and lock assembly <NUM> or its integration/installation into the medical device treatment machine <NUM>.

The alignment rod <NUM> may be a cylindrical rod that aligns the fixed assembly <NUM> relative to the adjustment assembly <NUM> and allows for fast and simple adjustment and movement of the fixed assembly <NUM> to accommodate for any manufacturing tolerances or desired adjustments for a particular application. As illustrated, the alignment rod <NUM> passes through at least one wall of the fixed assembly <NUM> and at least one wall of the adjustment assembly <NUM> and the adjustment tuner <NUM> similarly passes through at least one wall of the fixed assembly <NUM> and at least one wall of the adjustment assembly <NUM>. The adjustment tuner <NUM> may include a threaded bolt <NUM> having an associated jam nut <NUM> configured to move the fixed assembly <NUM> linearly inwards or outwards relative to the adjustment assembly <NUM> (to the right and left in <FIG>). The alignment rod <NUM> ensures proper linear alignment when the fixed assembly <NUM> is moved relative to the adjustment assembly <NUM>. The associated jam nut <NUM>, when tightened down after adjustment, prevents rotation of the adjustment tuner <NUM> and therefore secures the position of the fixed assembly <NUM> and any of the components within and/or mounted to the fixed assembly <NUM> relative to the adjustment assembly <NUM>, to prevent any undesired relative movement or adjustment. The alignment rod <NUM> and adjustment tuner <NUM> may therefore provide both adjustability to and security of the position of the latch and lock assembly <NUM> throughout its entire service life.

The latch and lock assembly <NUM> includes a lever <NUM> pivotably fixed to the fixed assembly <NUM> by means of a pivot fastener <NUM> (or other pivot means including a pivot pin, hinge, or bearing, among others), with an actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> on one side of the pivot fastener <NUM> and a latching end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> on the opposite side of the pivot fastener <NUM>. The lever <NUM> is pivotable about its pivot fastener <NUM> between a latched position, depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, and an unlatched position, depicted in <FIG>. The lever <NUM> includes an open-hook recess <NUM> near or at an end of the latching end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> that engages the latch pin <NUM> of the door <NUM> when the door <NUM> is in the closed position and the lever <NUM> is in the latched position, as shown for example in <FIG>. The fixed assembly <NUM> and adjustment assembly <NUM> include openings through which the lever <NUM> extends, such that the open hook recess <NUM> portion of the lever <NUM> extends to and is therefore engageable with the latch pin <NUM> of the door <NUM> when the door <NUM> is in a closed position. The latch and lock assembly <NUM> may also include a lever biasing member <NUM> attached to the fixed assembly <NUM> and lever <NUM> in a manner to bias the lever <NUM> toward the latched position. In an embodiment, the lever biasing member <NUM> may be a tension spring, as shown, or any other type of biasing means.

The illustrated latch and lock assembly <NUM> has a dual actuator configuration, comprising a first actuator <NUM> and a second actuator <NUM> that selectively and cooperatively control the position of the lever <NUM> of the latch and lock assembly <NUM>. The first actuator <NUM> and second actuator <NUM> may be, for example, solenoids. In the illustrative embodiment, the first actuator <NUM> and the second actuator <NUM> are pull-type solenoids, wherein in their unactuated state, their respective actuation rods <NUM> and <NUM> are extended due to a spring force exerted by respective springs 57a and 59a of the actuators <NUM> and <NUM>, and when actuated, their actuation rods <NUM> and <NUM> are retracted against the spring force of the springs 57a and 59a, thereby retracting the respective actuation rods <NUM> and <NUM> and thus pulling the components to which the actuation rods <NUM> and <NUM> are respectively connected. In other embodiments, push-type solenoids and/or other suitable actuators are contemplated. In this regard, the actuators may be driven electrically and/or pneumatically, for example, and may have any suitable arrangement including for example in-line, as shown, belt driven or gear driven, among others.

The first actuator <NUM> selectively moves a locking tab <NUM> by rotatable connection to the locking tab <NUM>. The locking tab <NUM> has a pivot end 60a at one end, an abutment end 60b at an opposite end, and a coupling aperture 60c therebetween. The pivot end 60a is rotatably mounted to the fixed assembly <NUM> via a pivot fastener <NUM> (or other pivot means including a pivot pin, hinge, or bearing, among others). The actuation rod <NUM> of the first actuator <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the locking tab <NUM> at the coupling aperture 60c via a pin 57b. Extension and retraction of the actuation rod <NUM> is linear and the coupling aperture 60c may be configured as a vertical slot to compensate for linear movement of the actuation rod <NUM>. Extension of the actuation rod <NUM>, as by spring biasing force, translates into clockwise pivotable movement of the locking tab <NUM> about the pivot fastener <NUM>, which, in turn, urges the abutment end 60b of the locking tab <NUM> into an abutment position relative to, in the illustrative embodiment below, a first side <NUM> (lower side, as shown) of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>. Retraction of the actuation rod <NUM>, as by energization of the actuator <NUM> overcoming the force exerted by spring 57a, translates into counterclockwise pivotable movement of the locking tab <NUM> about the pivot fastener <NUM>, which, in turn, urges the abutment end 60b of the locking tab <NUM> out of an abutment position relative to, in the illustrative embodiment out from below, the first side <NUM> of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>.

The first actuator <NUM> is thus configured to selectively rotate, or move, the locking tab <NUM> between a locked position, depicted in <FIG>, and an unlocked position, depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>. Specifically, in the locked position, the locking tab <NUM> is positioned directly next to the lever <NUM> on the first side <NUM> of the lever <NUM>, in abutting contact with at least a portion of the lever <NUM> at the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>. In the locked position, therefore, the abutment end 60b of the locking tab <NUM> obstructs the path of movement of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>, and thus physically blocks pivotable movement of the lever <NUM> from the lever's latched position to the lever's unlatched position. In the unlocked position, however, the abutment end 60b of the locking tab <NUM> does not obstruct the path of movement of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>, and instead is spaced wholly apart from the lever <NUM>, that is out of the way of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>, thereby allowing pivotable movement of the lever <NUM> from the lever's latched position to the lever's unlatched position.

The second actuator <NUM> selectively moves a door opening tab <NUM> by rotatable connection to the door opening tab <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the door opening tab <NUM> takes the form of a cam, it being appreciated that other forms are possible and contemplated herein. The door opening tab <NUM> has a pivot end 64a at one end, a coupling aperture 64b at an opposite end, and a cam segment 64c laterally offset from the pivot end 64a and the coupling aperture 64b, in the illustrative embodiment laterally offset from a line connecting the pivot end 64a and the coupling aperture 64b. In the illustrative embodiment, the door opening tab <NUM> has an L-shape configuration with the coupling aperture 64b at the end of one leg of the L, the cam segment 64c at the end of the other leg of the L, and the pivot end 64a at the junction of the legs of the L. The pivot end 64a is rotatably mounted to the fixed assembly <NUM> via a pivot fastener <NUM> (or other pivot means including a pivot pin, hinge, or bearing, among others). The actuation rod <NUM> of the second actuator <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the door opening tab <NUM> at the coupling aperture 64b via a pin 59b. Extension and retraction of the actuation rod <NUM> is linear and the coupling aperture 64b may be configured as a vertical slot to compensate for linear movement of the actuation rod <NUM>. Extension of the actuation rod <NUM>, as by spring biasing force, translates into clockwise pivotable movement of the door opening tab <NUM> about the pivot fastener <NUM>, which, in turn, urges the cam segment 64c of the door opening tab <NUM> into a first adjacent position relative to, in the illustrative embodiment above, a second side <NUM> of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>. In the first adjacent position, which may also be referred to as a locking enable position or a latching enable position, the cam segment 64c of the door opening tab <NUM> enables the lever <NUM> to be rotated clockwise about the pivot fastener <NUM>, as by the lever biasing member <NUM>, such that the first side <NUM> of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> is in an out of the way position to enable the locking tab <NUM> to be rotated clockwise to a position in which the abutment end 60b thereof is underneath the first side <NUM> thereby obstructing the path of movement of the actuation end <NUM> and locking the lever <NUM> into the latched position.

When the cam segment 64c of the door opening tab <NUM> is in the first adjacent position, the second side <NUM>, i.e. upper side in the illustrative embodiment, of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> may abut the cam segment 64c, as shown, although this need not be the case and other embodiments are contemplated. In an embodiment, when the cam segment 64c of the door opening tab <NUM> is in the first adjacent position, the second side <NUM> of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> may abut a structure other than the cam segment 64c, so long as the lever <NUM> is in an out of the way position to enable the locking tab <NUM> to be rotated to a locked position. For example, when the cam segment 64c of the door opening tab <NUM> is in the first adjacent position, the second side <NUM> of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> may abut the coupling aperture 64b end of the door opening tab <NUM> or a stop member attached to or formed as part of the fixed assembly <NUM>. It will further be appreciated that when the cam segment 64c of the door opening tab <NUM> is in the first adjacent position, any portion of the lever <NUM>, not necessarily the second side <NUM> of the actuation end <NUM>, may abut any other structure of the latch and lock assembly <NUM> to resist clockwise movement of the lever <NUM> about the pivot fastener <NUM> and thus position the lever <NUM> out of the path of movement of the locking tab <NUM> so that locking can occur. For example, the central portion of the lever surrounding the pivot fastener <NUM> may be equipped with a radially projecting protuberance that abuts a stop member in of the latch and lock assembly <NUM> to resist such clockwise movement.

Reference is again made to <FIG>, which shows the latch and lock assembly <NUM> in an unlocked state, more specifically the abutment end 60b of the locking tab <NUM> has been moved out of the way from the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>, that is, not obstructing the path of movement of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>. With the latch and lock assembly <NUM> in the unlocked state, retraction of the actuation rod <NUM>, as by energization of the actuator <NUM> overcoming the force exerted by spring 59a (and the lever biasing member <NUM>), translates into counterclockwise pivotable movement of the door opening tab <NUM> about the pivot fastener, which, in turn, urges the cam segment 64c of the door opening tab <NUM> into a second adjacent position relative to, in the illustrative embodiment above, the second side <NUM> of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>. The cam segment 64c of the door opening tab <NUM> is lower in the second adjacent position, which is shown in <FIG>, than in the first adjacent position, which is shown in <FIG>. In the second adjacent position, which may also be referred to as an unlatching position, the cam segment 64c of the door opening tab <NUM> abuts the second side <NUM>, in the illustrative embodiment the upper side, of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>, and urges the lever <NUM> counterclockwise about the pivot fastener <NUM>, as by energization force of the actuator <NUM> overcoming the biasing force of the lever biasing member <NUM> (and the force exerted by the spring 59a), such that the open hook recess <NUM> near or at the latching end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> is sufficiently raised and out of the way to enable withdrawal of the latch pin <NUM> of the door <NUM>, that is, to enable opening of the door <NUM> (automatically or manually).

The second actuator <NUM> thus selectively rotates the door opening tab <NUM> between a first position, depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, and a second position, depicted in <FIG>. The rotation of the door opening tab <NUM> by the second actuator <NUM>, however, is limited by the position of the locking tab <NUM>, described elsewhere herein. Specifically, the second actuator <NUM> is configured to rotate the door opening tab <NUM> from the first position to the second position when the locking tab <NUM> is in the unlocked position, that is, when the locking tab <NUM> is not obstructing the path of movement of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>.

In the illustrative embodiment, in both the first position and the second position, the door opening tab <NUM> is positioned next to the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> on the second side <NUM> of the lever <NUM>. In the first position, the door opening tab <NUM> may be in abutting contact with at least a portion of the lever <NUM> at the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>, although this need not be the case, as described above. As the door opening tab <NUM> is rotated from the first position to the second position, the door opening tab <NUM> abuts at least a portion of the lever <NUM>, for example at the second side <NUM> of the actuation end <NUM> thereof, to urge movement of the lever <NUM> about the pivot fastener <NUM>. The cam segment 64c and more generally the door opening tab <NUM> may have a triangular or oblong shape, such that rotational movement of the door opening tab <NUM> from the first position to the second position imparts a downward force on the lever <NUM> (as viewed in <FIG>). The downward force imparted on the lever <NUM> by the rotation of the door opening tab <NUM> overcomes the biasing force of the lever biasing member <NUM> and therefore pivots the lever <NUM> from the latched position to the unlatched position and disengages the open hook recess <NUM> of the lever <NUM> from the latch pin <NUM> of the door <NUM>. Rotational movement of the door opening tab <NUM> from the second position to the first position relieves the overcoming downward force on the lever <NUM>, thereby allowing the lever <NUM> to pivot from the unlatched position to the latched position due to the biasing force of the lever biasing member <NUM>.

The position and arrangement of the first actuator <NUM> and the second actuator <NUM> in relation to each other and other components in relation to the actuators <NUM>, <NUM> reduce the overall size of the latch and lock assembly <NUM> and help keep all components substantially in the same plane for easy access. Referring to <FIG>, for example, the first and second actuators <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned adjacent one another and lie in the same actuator plane, and their respective rods <NUM>, <NUM> likewise actuate in the same plane. The lever <NUM>, the locking tab <NUM>, and the door opening tab <NUM> are adjacent one another and lie in the same locking/latching plane. As is also shown in <FIG>, the actuator plane is laterally adjacent and parallel to the locking/latching plane, which adds to the accessibility and compactness of the design. The pivot fasteners <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and pivot pins 57b, 59b, having their respective pivot axes transverse, perpendicular in the illustrative embodiment, to the respective actuator plane and locking/latching plane.

The latch and lock assembly <NUM> may include a door opening tab adjusting block <NUM> fixed to the fixed assembly <NUM> and configured to allow adjustment of the position of the door opening tab <NUM>. Adjustment of the position of the door opening tab <NUM> in the first position may affect the vertical position of the lever <NUM> for example in embodiments where the door opening tab <NUM> in the first position is in abutting relation with the lever <NUM>, for example as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The door opening tab adjusting block <NUM> may also therefore be configured to allow adjustment of the vertical position of the lever <NUM> to ensure complete engagement between the open hook recess <NUM> on the lever <NUM> and the latch pin <NUM> of the door <NUM> when the door <NUM> is in the closed position and the lever <NUM> is in the latched position. In the illustrative embodiment, the door opening tab adjusting block <NUM> includes a tapped block having a screw 68a threaded therein that abuts the door opening tab <NUM> and when rotated adjusts the position of the door opening tab <NUM> relative to the lever <NUM>.

The latch and lock assembly <NUM> may also include a switch <NUM> that is electrically connected to a controller of the medical device treatment machine <NUM> for signaling to the controller when the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is in a locked or unlocked state. The switch <NUM> may be fixed to the fixed assembly <NUM> and may include an extending arm <NUM> that is actuated when the first actuator <NUM> moves the locking tab <NUM> from the locked position to the unlocked position. When the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is in an unlocked state (i.e., when the locking tab <NUM> is in the unlocked or non-obstructing position), the extending arm <NUM> of the switch <NUM> is actuated and the switch <NUM> is configured to send an unlocked signal to the controller, signaling the unlocked state. When the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is in a locked state (i.e., when the locking tab <NUM> is in the locked or obstructing position), the extending arm <NUM> of the switch <NUM> is not actuated and the switch <NUM> is configured to send a locked signal to the controller, signaling the locked state. In this way, the controller of the medical device treatment machine <NUM> actively senses whether and when the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is in the locked or unlocked state at any given moment.

The latch and lock assembly <NUM> may therefore be in any one of: a) a locked/latched state, depicted in <FIG>, wherein the latch and lock assembly <NUM> holds the door <NUM> in the closed position and does not allow the door <NUM> to be manually or automatically moved to the open position, b) an unlocked/latched state, depicted in <FIG>, wherein the latch and lock assembly <NUM> holds the door <NUM> in the closed position and allows the door <NUM> to be manually moved to the open position for example, by manually opening the door <NUM> to urge the lever <NUM> upward (counter clockwise in <FIG> and <FIG>) against the biasing force of the lever biasing member <NUM>, or c) an unlocked/unlatched state, depicted in <FIG>, wherein the latch and lock assembly <NUM> does not hold the door <NUM> in the closed position and therefore allows the door <NUM> to be manually and/or automatically moved to the opened position. Which state the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is in at any given moment is determined by the operation of the first actuator <NUM> and the second actuator <NUM> and, therefore, the position of the lever <NUM> as limited and affected by the position and movement of the locking tab <NUM> and door opening tab <NUM>.

The locked/latched state, depicted in <FIG>, is the default state of the latch and lock assembly <NUM>, where neither the first actuator <NUM> nor the second actuator <NUM> are energized. Accordingly, in the event of a power or system shut-off during a treatment cycle of the medical device treatment machine <NUM>, when the door <NUM> is in a closed position and the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is in the locked/latched state, the latch and lock assembly <NUM> will remain in the locked/latched state. In the locked/latched state, the lever <NUM> of the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is in the latched position, engaging the latch pin <NUM> of the door <NUM>. The locking tab <NUM> is in the locked position, obstructing the path of movement of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>, and blocking the lever <NUM> from becoming unlatched (blocking the lever <NUM> from moving from the latched position to the unlatched position). The door opening tab <NUM> is in the first position, imparting no force (if not in abutting contact with the lever <NUM>) or a minimal amount of force (if in abutting contact with the lever <NUM>) on the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>. Accordingly, the lever <NUM> is maintained in the latched position by the biasing force of the lever biasing member <NUM> and the blocking of pivotable movement of the lever <NUM> by the locking tab <NUM>. Accordingly, in the locked/latched state of <FIG>, it is ensured that the door <NUM> of the medical device treatment machine <NUM> remains closed and locked and the door <NUM> is neither manually nor automatically moveable from the closed position to the open position.

Upon activation of the first actuator <NUM>, the latch and lock assembly <NUM> transitions to the unlocked/latched state, depicted in <FIG>. In the unlocked/latched state, the locking tab <NUM> is in the unlocked position such that the abutment end 60b of the locking tab <NUM> does not obstruct the path of movement of the actuation end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>, and instead is spaced wholly apart from the lever <NUM>, as moved by the first actuator <NUM>. The locking tab <NUM>, therefore, no longer blocks pivotable movement of the lever <NUM> from the latched position to the unlatched position. Accordingly, although the lever <NUM> is maintained in the latched position by the biasing force of the lever biasing member <NUM> on the lever <NUM>, clockwise in the illustrative embodiment, the biasing force of the lever biasing member <NUM> may be overcome by manual force and/or automatic force. For example, manual operation of a door handle, pulling the door <NUM> and thus the latch pin <NUM> away from the treatment chamber <NUM>, or the like, may impart an overcoming force on the lever <NUM>, opposite that of the biasing force of the lever biasing member <NUM>, counterclockwise in the illustrative embodiment, thereby pivoting the lever <NUM> from the latched position to the unlatched position. For example, referring to <FIG>, pulling the door <NUM> will urge the latch pin <NUM> rightward against a declining portion of the open hook recess <NUM>, thus urging the latching end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> upward, and the lever <NUM> itself counterclockwise, thereby unlatching the lever <NUM> from the latch pin <NUM>. In the unlocked/latched state, therefore, the door <NUM> may be manually moved from the closed position to the open position upon manually pivoting of the lever <NUM> from the latched position to the unlatched position.

Automatic, hands-free movement of the door <NUM> from the closed position to the open position, however, may be achieved upon actuation of the second actuator <NUM>. Upon activation of the second actuator <NUM>, the latch and lock assembly <NUM> transitions to the unlocked/unlatched state. In the unlocked/unlatched state, the door opening tab <NUM> is in the second position, as rotated by the second actuator <NUM>. The door opening tab <NUM>, therefore, imparts a downward force on the actuation end <NUM> and the second side <NUM> of the lever <NUM>, countering and overcoming the biasing force of the lever biasing member <NUM> (and the spring force of the spring 59a). The lever <NUM> is therefore pivoted to the unlatched position and disengages the latch pin <NUM> of the door <NUM>. The door <NUM> is then free to automatically move to the open position due to for example stored potential energy, gravity, spring or elastic forces or otherwise. For example, the hinge biasing member of the hinge <NUM> may automatically push the door <NUM> to an open position with its stored potential energy. The hinge <NUM> may be configured to automatically push the door <NUM> to an open position that is only a few inches open, such that an operator may manually move the door <NUM> to a more open position.

Other features of the medical device treatment machine <NUM> will now be described. With reference to <FIG>, the medical device treatment machine <NUM> may include a forced-entry prevention mechanism <NUM>. The forced-entry prevention mechanism <NUM> is integrated into the medical device treatment machine <NUM> between the treatment chamber <NUM> and the door <NUM> to ensure that an operator cannot use excessive physical force to open the door <NUM> of the medical device treatment machine <NUM> when the door <NUM> is in the closed position and the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is in a latched and locked state. The forced-entry prevention mechanism <NUM> includes a stop pin <NUM> fixed to the treatment chamber <NUM> that projects outward from the treatment chamber <NUM> into the vicinity of the door <NUM> of the medical device treatment machine <NUM>. The forced-entry prevention mechanism <NUM> also includes a roller pin <NUM> fixed to the door <NUM> in a position aligned for abutting engagement with the stop pin <NUM> of the treatment chamber <NUM> when the door <NUM> is in the closed position. In the illustrative embodiment, for example in <FIG>, the roller pin <NUM> is positioned for perpendicular alignment with the stop pin <NUM> when the door <NUM> is in the closed position.

The stop pin <NUM> may be a smooth projection and the roller pin <NUM> may be a free-rotating cylindrical roller. In an embodiment, the roller pin <NUM> may extend from a stop block <NUM> that is fixed to the door <NUM>. The roller pin <NUM> is positioned to engage the stop pin <NUM> on a side of the stop pin <NUM> that is proximal to the latch and lock assembly <NUM> (the upper side of the stop pin <NUM> in the <FIG> embodiment) such that when the door <NUM> is in the closed position, the engagement of the roller pin <NUM> and the stop pin <NUM> provides an opposing point of contact between the door <NUM> and the treatment chamber <NUM>. This provides resisting mitigation to downward force that may otherwise overcome the biasing force of the lever biasing member <NUM> and the locking tab <NUM> that maintain the latch and lock assembly <NUM> in the latched and locked state.

Accordingly, the roller pin <NUM> is configured to slidably abut the stop pin <NUM> to permit pivotable movement of the door <NUM> between the closed position and the open position but block a vertical movement of the door <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the plane of pivotable movement of the door <NUM> when the door <NUM> is in the closed position. This effectively prevents a forced opening of the door <NUM> when the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is in a latched and locked state. In <FIG>, for example, attempts to force the door <NUM> downward and/or the latching end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> upward to withdraw the latch pin <NUM> from the open hook recess <NUM> of the lever <NUM>, which would allow the door <NUM> to be opened, are prevented or at least significantly impeded by the roller pin <NUM> abutting the stop pin <NUM>. It will be appreciated, of course, that a forced-entry prevention mechanism could also, or alternatively, be positioned vertically above (in <FIG>) the latch and lock assembly <NUM>, which forced-entry prevention mechanism would provide resisting mitigation to upward force that may otherwise overcome the biasing force of the lever biasing member <NUM> and the locking tab <NUM> that maintain the latch and lock assembly <NUM> in the latched and locked state. On the other hand, because the stop pin <NUM> is smooth and the roller pin <NUM> is free-rotating, no additional stored potential energy is required to open the door <NUM> automatically when the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is in the unlocked/unlatched position.

With reference to <FIG>, the medical device treatment machine <NUM> may include a foot-operated automatic door opening mechanism <NUM>. In an embodiment, the foot-operated automatic door opening mechanism <NUM> may be activated when the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is in the unlocked/latched state. In this embodiment, the operator may either manually transition the latch and lock assembly <NUM> from the unlocked/latched state to the unlocked/unlatched state to open the door <NUM>, or may initiate automatic transitioning of the latch and lock assembly <NUM> to the unlocked/unlatched state and automatic opening of the door <NUM> by use of the foot-operated automatic door opening mechanism <NUM>. In another embodiment, the foot-operated automatic door opening mechanism <NUM> may be activated when the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is in the locked/latched state. In this embodiment, the operator may use the foot-operated automatic door opening mechanism <NUM> to both automatically transition the latch and lock assembly <NUM> from the locked/latched state to the unlocked/latched state and automatically transition the latch and lock assembly <NUM> from the unlocked/latched state to the unlocked/unlatched state to open the door <NUM>.

The foot-operated automatic door opening mechanism <NUM> includes a sensing apparatus <NUM> and an indicator apparatus <NUM>. The sensing apparatus <NUM> and the indicator apparatus <NUM> are configured to interface with each other, and with the latch and lock assembly <NUM>, via a controller <NUM> that is configured to control the operations, and timing of the operations, of the first actuator <NUM> and/or the second actuator <NUM> of the latch and lock assembly <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the sensing apparatus <NUM> is a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence and removal of a foot of an operator in a sensing zone <NUM> of the sensing apparatus <NUM>. In another embodiment, the sensing apparatus <NUM> may be a pedal or lever disposed in the sensing zone <NUM> and configured to be engaged and disengaged by a foot of an operator, which engagement and disengagement respectively provide an indication of the presence and removal of the foot of the operator in the sensing zone <NUM> of the sensing apparatus <NUM>. The sensing apparatus <NUM> may be disposed near a bottom of the medical device treatment machine <NUM> such that the sensing zone <NUM> of the sensing apparatus <NUM>, within which the sensing apparatus <NUM> may detect the presence and removal of the foot of the operator, is near the ground where the medical device treatment machine <NUM> rests. When the operator wishes to initiate the automatic opening of the door <NUM> of the medical device treatment machine <NUM>, the operator may activate the sensing apparatus <NUM> by positioning his or her foot in the sensing zone <NUM> of the sensing apparatus <NUM>, for example by waving the foot within the sensing field of the proximity sensor in one embodiment, or by moving the pedal or lever with the foot in the other embodiment, and may deactivate the sensing apparatus <NUM> by removing his or her foot from the sensing zone <NUM> of the sensing apparatus <NUM> for example, by moving the foot out of the sensing field of the proximity sensor in one embodiment, or by removing the foot from the pedal or lever in the other embodiment. The sensing apparatus <NUM> is therefore configured to detect the presence and removal of the foot of the operator in the sensing zone <NUM> of the sensing apparatus <NUM> where the detection is by means of a sensing field of a proximity sensor or engagement and disengagement of a lever or pedal.

The controller <NUM> is configured to control the first actuator <NUM> and/or the second actuator <NUM> of the latch and lock assembly <NUM> according to the detection of the presence and removal of the foot of the operator in the sensing zone <NUM> of the sensing apparatus <NUM>. In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> is configured to receive a foot-presence signal from the sensing apparatus <NUM> when the sensing apparatus <NUM> detects the presence of the foot of the operator in the sensing zone <NUM> of the sensing apparatus <NUM> for example, by detection of the foot in the sensing field of a proximity sensor or by detection of movement of a pedal or lever.

Upon receipt of the foot-presence signal, the controller <NUM> is configured to send an activation signal to the indicator apparatus <NUM> of the medical device treatment machine <NUM> to activate the indicator apparatus <NUM>. In one form, the indicator apparatus <NUM> may include a light indicator that either illuminates or changes color when activated. In another form, the indicator apparatus <NUM> may include an audible sound. The indicator apparatus <NUM> may be positioned anywhere on the medical device treatment machine <NUM> such that it is detectable (visible and/or audible) to the operator. The activation of the indicator apparatus <NUM>, such as the illumination or change of color of the light indicator, provides a visual (or audible) feedback to the operator that the sensing apparatus <NUM> has been activated and that the operator may remove their foot from the sensing zone <NUM> of the sensing apparatus <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured to receive a foot-removal signal from the sensing apparatus <NUM> when the sensing apparatus <NUM> detects the removal of the foot of the operator from the sensing zone <NUM> of the sensing apparatus <NUM> for example, by detection that the foot is outside the sensing field of the proximity sensor or by detection that the foot has been removed from the pedal or lever.

Upon receipt of the foot-removal signal, the controller <NUM> is then configured to control the operations, and the timing of the operations, of the first actuator <NUM> and/or the second actuator <NUM> of the latch and lock assembly <NUM>. In the embodiment in which the foot-operated automatic door opening mechanism <NUM> is activated when the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is in the unlocked/latched state, upon receipt of the foot-removal signal, the controller <NUM> is configured to send an unlatch signal to the second actuator <NUM> to rotate the door opening tab <NUM> to pivot the lever <NUM> from the latched position to the unlatched position after a predetermined period of time from receipt of the foot removal signal. The predetermined period of time may be configured by the controller <NUM> to be long enough for the operator to move away from the medical device treatment machine <NUM> before the door <NUM> is unlatched and automatically moved from the closed position to the open position (or is capable of being manually opened if automatic opening is not provided), so that the operator does not obstruct the opening of the door <NUM>.

In the embodiment in which the foot-operated automatic door opening mechanism <NUM> is activated when the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is in the locked/latched state, upon receipt of the foot-removal signal, the controller <NUM> is configured to send an unlock signal, after a first predetermined period of time from receipt of the foot-removal signal, to the first actuator <NUM> of the latch and lock assembly <NUM> to move the locking tab <NUM> from the locked position to the unlocked position. After a second predetermined period of time from receipt of the foot-removal signal, for example a short time after the first predetermined period of time or otherwise after the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is unlocked, the controller <NUM> is configured to send the unlatch signal to the second actuator <NUM> to rotate the door opening tab <NUM> to pivot the lever <NUM> from the latched position to the unlatched position. The first and second predetermined periods of time may be configured by the controller <NUM> to be long enough for the operator to move away from the medical device treatment machine <NUM> before the door <NUM> is unlatched and automatically moved from the closed position to the open position (or is capable of being manually opened if automatic opening is not provided), so that the operator does not obstruct the opening of the door <NUM>.

It will be appreciated, then, that the foot-operated automatic door opening mechanism <NUM> may be in any one of a ready state, an activated state or an automatic-opening state. The ready state is the default state of the foot-operated automatic door opening mechanism <NUM>. In the ready state, the indicator apparatus <NUM> is in a first state. In the embodiment wherein the indicator apparatus <NUM> is a light indicator, the first state of the light indicator may either be unilluminated or may be illuminated in a first color. The first state of the indicator apparatus <NUM> indicates to the operator that the sensing apparatus <NUM> (for example, a proximity sensor or a pedal or lever) is ready for activation.

Upon activation of the sensing apparatus <NUM> by the foot of the operator, the activated state is reached. In the activated state, the indicator apparatus <NUM> is in a second state. In the embodiment wherein the indicator apparatus <NUM> is the light indicator, the second state of the light indicator may either be illuminated (where the first state was unilluminated) or may be illuminated in a second color (wherein the first state was illuminated in a first color). The second state of the indicator apparatus <NUM> indicates to the operator that the sensing apparatus <NUM> has been activated and that upon subsequent deactivation of the sensing apparatus <NUM>, the latch and lock assembly <NUM> will be unlatched and the door <NUM> will be automatically opened after a predetermined period of time or after first and second predetermined periods of time, as the case may be.

Upon deactivation of the sensing apparatus <NUM> for example by the foot of the operator being out of sensing range of the proximity sensor in one embodiment or removal of the foot from the pedal or lever in the other embodiment, the automatic-opening state, or third state, is reached. In the automatic-opening state, in the embodiment in which the foot operated automatic door opening mechanism <NUM> transitions the latch and lock assembly <NUM> from the unlocked/latched state to the unlocked/unlatched state, the controller <NUM> is configured to wait for the respective predetermined period of time, before sending the respective unlatch signal to the second actuator <NUM> of the latch and lock assembly <NUM>. Upon unlatching of the latch and lock assembly <NUM>, the door <NUM> automatically opens (or is capable of being manually opened if automatic opening is not provided), for example in the manner previously described. In the embodiment in which the foot operated automatic door opening mechanism <NUM> transitions the latch and lock assembly <NUM> from the locked/latched state to the unlocked/latched state and from the unlocked/latched state to the unlocked/unlatched state, the controller <NUM> is configured to wait for the respective first and second predetermined periods of time before sending the respective unlock signal and unlatch signal to the first actuator <NUM> and the second actuator <NUM>, respectively, of the latch and lock assembly <NUM>. Upon unlocking and unlatching of the latch and lock assembly <NUM>, the door <NUM> automatically opens (or is capable of being manually opened if automatic opening is not provided), for example in the manner previously described.

As indicated above, the controller <NUM> of the latch and lock assembly <NUM> is generally configured to carry out the overall control of the functions and operations of the first actuator <NUM>, the second actuator <NUM>, the sensing apparatus <NUM> and/or the indicator apparatus <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, or microprocessor. The controller <NUM> may execute program code stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), or any other suitable memory device incorporated into the medical device treatment machine <NUM>, to carry out operation of the first actuator <NUM>, the second actuator <NUM>, the sensing apparatus <NUM> and/or the indicator apparatus <NUM>. It will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art of computer programming how to program the controller <NUM> to operate and carry out the functions associated with its respective devices and/or systems. Accordingly, details as to specific programming code have been left out for the sake of brevity. Also, while the code may be executed by the controller <NUM> in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, such functionality may also be carried out via dedicated hardware, firmware, software, or combinations thereof, without departing from the scope of the invention.

With reference to <FIG>, a method <NUM> of operating a medical device treatment machine <NUM> is provided. The method <NUM> includes, at step <NUM>, detecting, by a sensing apparatus, such as for example a proximity sensor or a pedal or lever disposed on the medical device treatment machine, the presence of a foot of an operator in a sensing zone of the sensing apparatus. The method <NUM> then includes, at step <NUM>, receiving, by a controller of the medical device treatment machine, a foot-presence signal from the sensing apparatus.

At step <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes sending, by the controller, an activation signal to an indicator apparatus of the medical device treatment machine to activate the indicator apparatus. In an embodiment, the indicator apparatus may be a light indicator and the activation signal may be an illumination signal to illuminate the light indicator. In another embodiment, the activation signal may be an illumination color-change signal to change an illumination color of the light indicator. Other embodiments are also contemplated, as previously described.

At step <NUM>, the method <NUM> further includes detecting, by the sensing apparatus, a removal of the foot of the operator from the sensing zone of the sensing apparatus. The method <NUM> then includes at step <NUM>, receiving, by the controller, a foot-removal signal from the sensing apparatus.

The method <NUM> includes sending, at step <NUM>, by the controller, an unlatch signal after a predetermined period of time upon receipt of the foot-removal signal. The controller sends the unlatch signal to an actuator, for example the afore described second actuator <NUM> of the latch and lock assembly. The method <NUM> then includes, at step <NUM>, rotating, by the actuator, a door opening tab of the latch and lock assembly that is in abutting contact with a lever to pivot the lever from a latched position to an unlatched position. The method <NUM> may additionally include automatically moving a door of the medical device treatment machine from a closed position to an open position via a biasing force of a hinge of the door by a hinge biasing member.

In another embodiment, depicted in <FIG>, prior to step <NUM>, the method <NUM> may include sending, at step <NUM>, by the controller, an unlock signal after a first predetermined period of time from receipt of the foot removal signal. The controller sends the unlock signal to a first actuator of the latch and lock assembly of the medical device treatment machine. At step <NUM>, the method <NUM> may then include moving, by the first actuator, a locking tab of the latch and lock assembly from a locked position to an unlocked position. The sending, at step <NUM>, by the controller of the unlatch signal may occur, therefore, at a second predetermined period of time after receipt of the foot-removal signal and after the first predetermined period of time at which the unlock signal is sent.

In another embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program code is provided. When the program code is executed, the non-transitory computer-readable medium is configured to perform the steps of the method previously described.

Claim 1:
A medical device treatment machine (<NUM>) comprising:
a treatment chamber (<NUM>) for washing, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing a medical device,
a door (<NUM>) hingedly attached to the treatment chamber (<NUM>) and moveable between an open position, to expose the treatment chamber (<NUM>), and a closed position, to seal the treatment chamber (<NUM>), wherein the door (<NUM>) comprises a latch pin (<NUM>) on a first side (<NUM>) of the door (<NUM>), and
a latch and lock assembly (<NUM>) fixed to a wall of the treatment chamber (<NUM>), wherein the latch and lock assembly (<NUM>) comprises:
a lever (<NUM>) pivotable between a latched position and an unlatched position, wherein in the latched position, the lever (<NUM>) engages the latch pin (<NUM>) to prevent movement of the door (<NUM>) from the closed position to the open position, and wherein in the unlatched position, the lever (<NUM>) disengages the latch pin (<NUM>) to allow movement of the door (<NUM>) from the closed position to the open position,
a first actuator (<NUM>) and a locking tab (<NUM>), wherein the first actuator (<NUM>) is coupled to the locking tab (<NUM>) to selectively move the locking tab (<NUM>) between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position, the locking tab (<NUM>) is configured to block pivotable movement of the lever (<NUM>) from the latched position to the unlatched position, and wherein in the unlocked position, the locking tab (<NUM>) is configured to allow pivotable movement of the lever (<NUM>) from the latched position to the unlatched position, and
a second actuator (<NUM>) and a door opening tab (<NUM>), wherein the door opening tab (<NUM>) includes a cam segment, and wherein the second actuator (<NUM>) is coupled to the door opening tab (<NUM>) to selectively rotate the door opening tab (<NUM>) between a first position and a second position when the locking tab (<NUM>) is in the unlocked position, wherein when the door opening tab (<NUM>) is in the first position the lever (<NUM>) is in a latched position, and wherein when the door opening tab (<NUM>) is rotated from the first position to the second position, the cam segment (64c) of the door opening tab (<NUM>) abuts a side of the lever (<NUM>) to urge the lever (<NUM>) from the latched position to the unlatched position.