Patent ID: 7625534

Claim:
An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices comprised of: a deactivation chamber movable between a loading position and a deactivation position; a circulation system for circulating a deactivating fluid through said deactivation chamber, said circulation system connectable to said deactivation chamber when said deactivation chamber is in said deactivation position; and a connecting means for connecting and disconnecting said circulation system to and from said deactivation chamber, wherein said connecting means is comprised of: a manifold block attached to said deactivation chamber, said manifold block having a plurality of male connectors that are fluidly connected to said deactivation chamber; a movable plate having a plurality of female connectors attached thereto, said female connectors being fluidly connected to said circulation system and dimensioned to accept said male connectors of said manifold block; and an actuator for moving said movable plate from a first disconnected position wherein said female connectors are spaced from said male connectors, to a second connected position wherein said female connectors are connected to said male connectors wherein said circulation system is fluidly connected to said deactivation chamber.