Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Physical type apparatus – Apparatus for treating solid article or material with fluid...
Patent
1995-05-26
1997-06-10
Warden, Robert J.
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Physical type apparatus
Apparatus for treating solid article or material with fluid...
422307, 219430, 219432, 219434, A61L 206
Patent
active
056372809
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to sterilisers, in particular, to instrument sterilisers used in dental surgeries.
BACKGROUND ART
At present dental instruments are sterilised by either boiling, autoclaving or chemical means. Autoclaving is generally accepted as the most effective means available. Chemical sterilisation is time consuming and reserved generally for items which will not survive autoclaving.
The real and imagined problems relating to the transmission of AIDS and hepatitis B have focussed attention on the dental handpiece which often only receives a quick wipe with alcohol. It is generally accepted that health authorities will in the near future require everything which is used in a patient's mouth to be autoclaved.
The high cost of dental handpieces makes it important to have a fast turnover through the autoclave. At present, a good autoclave cycles in about 12 minutes. Therefore, if a handpiece misses one cycle, it will not be ready for use for 24 minutes. Understandably, such a down-time would be unacceptable in most busy dental surgeries.
The present invention seeks to overcome these problems by providing a simple, inexpensive steriliser with a rapid cycle time.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a steriliser comprising a head and a detachable container sealingly engageable therewith to provide a pressure-resistant chamber, said head having mounted therein a heating means, control means coupled to said heating means for controlling the operation of the heating means to maintain its temperature within a predetermined range, heat sink means provided in the head surrounding the heating means, and means connected to the steriliser for bringing a predetermined volume of water or sterilising fluid into contact with the heating means and/or the heat sink means.
For preference, the head is provided with a controllable valve means communicating with said chamber to control the fluid pressure therein. In one particular preferred form the head is pivotally mounted to a frame such that the steriliser may be selectively moved between a horizontal inoperative position and a vertical operative position with the container extending upwardly from the head.
Preferably, the heating means is a thermostatically controlled electric heating element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows a side elevation of the steriliser according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 shows an end elevation of the steriliser shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows an end elevation of the canister and head of FIG. 1 in the operative vertical position;
FIG. 4 shows a side elevation of the canister and head of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 shows a section view of the head of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 shows a side elevation of the canister and head in a separated position;
FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the canister and head of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 shows a side elevation of a further embodiment of the canister arrangement according to the invention; and
FIG. 9 shows a side elevation of the support used for the canister arrangement of FIG. 8.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be now described. The steriliser comprises a base frame 5, having two side support frames 6 and 7 and a central support frame 8 extending vertically from the base frame 5. The support frames are journalled to receive a pivot axle 9 which passes through holes 10 in the support frames. The pivot axle 9 serves to pivot mount a head 11 of the steriliser to the base frame 5. The base frame shown accommodates two heads and it will be appreciated that the frame could be designed to accommodate any desired number of heads. The head 11 has screw mounted thereto an instrument receiving container 12 having at its end 13 remote from the screw mounting a handle 14 to assist fitting and removal of the container 12 from
REFERENCES:
patent: 3431065 (1969-03-01), Schipanski
patent: 3961893 (1976-06-01), Russell et al.
patent: 4331859 (1982-05-01), Thomas et al.
patent: 4544529 (1985-10-01), Hoeck
patent: 4582076 (1986-04-01), Prat
patent: 5252303 (1993-10-01), Goof
PCT/DK/88/00160; Int'l Publication No. WO89/02753; Publication Date 6 Apr. 1989 Patent Abridgment--Document No. AU-B-63649/90.
Nevell Theresa M.
Nevell Vincent J.
Blixta Griffiths Pty. Limited c/o Econolodge
Dawson E. Leigh
Warden Robert J.
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