American Sterilizer Company

A sterilization process challenge device for verifying the efficacy of a steam sterilization process includes first and second walls joined around their peripheries and a chamber defined therebetween for containing at least one sterilization indicator. The sterilization process challenge device also includes an inlet opening and a fluid flow path connected to the inlet opening to provide fluid communication between the inlet opening and the chamber. The fluid flow path is defined in a peripheral seal portion, wherein the only fluid communication between the chamber and an external environment is provided through the inlet opening and the fluid flow path.

A basin assembly for a medical device processor includes a basin tub comprising a bottom surface, one or more side surfaces, and a raised island. The one or more side surfaces define a first side, second side opposed the first side, third side connecting the first and second sides, and fourth side connecting the first and second sides. The basin tub includes one or more lumen connector ports proximate the third side, a control handle area proximate an intersection of the first and third sides, a light guide connector area located proximate an intersection second and third sides, a plug area is located on a top surface of the raised island, and a tube/cord area located proximate the second and fourth sides and surrounding at least a portion of the raised island. In some embodiments, the medical device processor includes one or both of variable speed pump(s) and a strainer.

A process for determining the viability of a biological indicator includes exposing the biological indicator to a viability detection medium, the biological indicator including test microorganisms, the exposing the biological indicator to the viability detection medium producing a gaseous reaction product when one or more of the test microorganisms are viable. The presence or absence of the gaseous reaction product produced by the biological indicator combined with the viability detection medium is detected with a sensing device, the sensing device comprising a capacitive sensor, an electro-mechanical sensor, or a resistive sensor, wherein the presence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the presence of viable test microorganisms and the absence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the absence of viable test microorganisms. A sterilization detection device includes a container configured to contain the biological indicator, a viability detection medium, and the sensing device.

A medical device processor includes a chemical dosing system including a supply tube extending along a length between a first and second end. A pump is coupled to the supply tube downstream from the first end and configured to pump fluid in the tube. A bubble detector is coupled to the supply tube downstream from the first end, wherein an inner volume of the supply tube between the bubble detector and the second end is equal to or greater than a volume of a dose of liquid to be pumped from the chemical dosing system in a given dose. A controller is configured to run the pump for a predetermined period of time; detect the presence of one or more bubbles in the supply line based on measurement by the bubble detector; upon detection, continue to run the pump for the remainder of the predetermined time; and issue a notification.

An endoscope reprocessor for reprocessing an endoscope. An actuation mechanism of the reprocessor includes an actuator housing and a plunger removably attachable to an elevator guidewire lever of the endoscope. A receiving chamber receives pressurized fluid from a pump to impart a pressurized fluid biasing force that displaces the plunger relative to the actuator housing in a first direction and a return actuator that imparts a return biasing force that displaces the plunger relative to the actuator housing in a second direction. A controller controls the pump to provide the pressurized fluid at a first pressure at which the pressurized fluid biasing force is greater than the return biasing force to displace the plunger lever in the first direction and a second pressure at which the return biasing force is greater than the pressurized fluid biasing force to displace the plunger and the lever in the second direction.

A medical device support system including a central shaft, an extension arm, and a brake assembly. The extension arm has a hub mounted to the central shaft for pivotable movement. The brake assembly is secured in the hub for rotation therewith and includes first and second backing portions and first and second liners supported by the backing portions. The first liner includes axially spaced flanges that define therebetween a dovetail receptacle and the first braking portion includes a dovetail structure. The first liner is supported by the first backing portion by the dovetail receptacle of the first liner being snap-fitted to the dovetail structure of the first backing portion. The brake assembly includes an actuator configured to flex the first and second backing portions to urge the first and second liners toward and away from each other to respectively increase and decrease a frictional braking force to the central shaft.

A surgical table with motion control and improved transitions between primary and secondary actuation systems is described. A surgical table may include: a first actuation system having at least one primary actuator powered with a primary variable speed electric motor; a second actuation system having at least two secondary actuators powered respectively with secondary variable speed electric motors; and a controller adapted to regulate positions of the primary and secondary actuators. This controller is operable to raise the tabletop by implementing logic to: control the primary variable speed electric motor based on a primary actuator deceleration profile that decreases a speed of extending the primary actuator while raising the tabletop with the secondary actuators; and control the secondary variable speed electric motors based on a secondary actuator acceleration profile that increases a speed of extending the secondary actuators while raising the tabletop with the primary actuator.

A pinch valve includes a housing, first and second pinch bars, an actuator, a first front roller and a first rear roller. The actuator translates the first and second pinch bars relative to one another along a translation axis to pinch a flexible tube extending through an opening of the housing. The first front roller and the first rear roller are spaced from one another in the direction of a longitudinal axis. The first front roller extends transverse the opening and is positioned longitudinally upstream from the first and second pinch bars and the first rear roller extends transverse the opening and is positioned longitudinally downstream from the first and second pinch bars. The housing includes a first wall bordering the opening. A first plane lying tangent to the first front roller and the first rear roller is spaced inward from the first wall of the housing.

A compact and portable cleaning apparatus for cleaning surfaces of a chamber of a steam sterilizer and the like, and an associated method of using said apparatus to provide a thorough, convenient, and efficient cleaning process.

A sterilization challenge device for verifying the efficacy of a sterilization process includes a container, an insert member, a sterilization indicator, and a cap. The container includes an open end, a closed end, a chamber configured to contain the biological indicator and the insert member, and at least one hole arranged proximate the open end. The cap is configured to engage with the container to close the open end, and the at least one hole is configured to provide a flow path for the gaseous sterilant into the chamber.