ASP Global Manufacturing GmbH

A decontamination rack is particularly suitable for decontaminating medical devices, such as endoscopes, for being designed to minimize shadowed surface area. The decontamination rack may be provided with internal channels through which a decontamination fluid may be supplied to the locations where a device contacts decontamination rack. These locations may comprise receiving areas having ejection ports with flexible nozzles disposed therein. The device may be disposed atop the nozzles such that the decontamination fluid exits the nozzles to impinge directly on those portions of the device that rest upon the nozzles. The use of the decontamination rack promotes improved or complete coverage of exposed external surfaces of the device with the decontamination fluid because decontamination fluid may be ejected into the receiving area to lift the device at the shadowed surface.

Detergent formulations are disclosed. An exemplary detergent includes a stabilizer, an enzyme, a non-ionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, and water. The detergent may have a pH ranging from 8.5 to 11.5. The detergent provides superior biofilm removal efficacy and material compatibility when compared with known detergents.

A biological indicator ( 100 ) for use in a liquid-chemical decontamination system is disclosed. The biological indicator may include a housing ( 102 ) and a cap ( 106 ) coupled to the housing. The cap may comprise a liquid chamber and at least two ports. One of the ports may connect to a liquid passage in the cap such that liquids such as liquid-chemical decontaminants may be introduced and removed from the biological indicator via this port.

A method and a system for determining analyte content in a fluid in a treatment apparatus. The method comprises positioning a device for treatment in a treatment apparatus. A surface of the device is contacted with a fluid. An analyte content in the fluid is determined based on an electromagnetic property of the fluid following contacting the surface of the device with the fluid. More specifically, an electromagnetic property is measured. The measuring comprises emitting electromagnetic radiation into the fluid in the treatment apparatus and detecting electromagnetic radiation from the fluid. In another aspect, a system comprising a treatment apparatus and a detector for determining the analyte content in the fluid in the treatment apparatus is provided.

A sterilizing cabinet performs a method of processing a medical device, such as a used medical device or an otherwise non-sterile medical device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting a sterilization cycle from a plurality of available sterilization cycles. The sterilizing cabinet identifies a biological indicator associated with the selected sterilization cycle. The sterilizing cabinet prompts the user via a touch screen display to place the medical device and the biological indicator into a sterilization chamber of a sterilizing cabinet. The sterilizing cabinet performs load conditioning on the medical device in the sterilization chamber. The sterilizing cabinet then performs the selected sterilization cycle on the medical device in the sterilization chamber after completing the act of load conditioning.

A medical instrument processor includes an enclosure, a liquid distribution system, and a disinfectant concentration measuring subsystem. The enclosure is configured to hold a medical instrument. The liquid distribution system is configured to deliver a disinfection solution to a medical instrument within the enclosure. The liquid distribution system has a liquid outlet. The disinfectant concentration measuring subsystem includes a first mixing chamber in fluid communication with the liquid outlet, a pump that is configured to simultaneously pump the disinfection solution and the reagent solution into the first mixing chamber, and a concentration analysis assembly that is operable to determine a concentration of disinfectant in a sample solution that is output from the first mixing chamber. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the first mixing chamber.

An aspect of the present disclosure is a tray for containing a medical device during a sterilization process. The tray includes a bottom portion comprising a plurality of perforations extending through a surface of the bottom portion. The tray further includes a plurality of side portions extending from the bottom portion, the plurality of side portions each comprising a plurality of slots extending through a surface of each respective side portion. The tray further includes a cover configured to releasably engage the plurality of side portions, the cover comprising a plurality of openings extending through a surface of the cover. Trays disclosed herein are designed to minimize residual liquid leakage and freezing and maximize diffusion of sterilant through the tray and into contact with the medical device(s).

An apparatus and method for reprocessing a medical device includes a decontamination basin, a first flush conduit, a second flush conduit, and a manifold. The first and second flush conduits have respective first and second coupling ports configured to fluidly connect to the medical device positioned within the decontamination basin. The manifold is fluidly connected to the first and second flush conduits and configured to distribute the fluid received therein accordingly. The apparatus also includes a first valve, a second valve, and a primary pump configured to discharge the fluid into the manifold at a predetermined supply flow rate. The first and second valve are positioned respectively in the first and second flush conduits for balancing the respective flow rates discharged therefrom at a first predetermined conduit flow rate and a second predetermined conduit flow rate.

A sterilization system includes a vial, a carrier of microorganisms disposed in the vial, and a fluid management system having an output connectable to the vial for delivering a liquid chemical sterilant and a neutralizer thereto. Additionally, a growth medium may be delivered to the vial such that the vial and growth medium may assessed for a change to a visual characteristic indicative of sterilization inefficacy.

A sterilization system includes a sterilization chamber, a processor, and a sterilization module. The sterilization module includes a frame assembly, an extraction assembly, and a carriage assembly. The extraction assembly is configured to extract a sterilant fluid from a cartridge and transfer the sterilant fluid to the sterilization chamber. The carriage assembly includes a motor, a carriage body, and a translating flag. The carriage body is configured to receive the cartridge. The translating flag is configured to move from a first position to a second position relative to the carriage body in response to the carriage body receiving the cartridge. The sensor is configured to detect movement of the translating flag from the first position to the second position.