Devices, systems and methods for treating medical devices having passageways with ozone gas.

(57) Summary

This description relates, in general terms, to devices, methods and systems for cleaning, disinfecting and / or sterilizing a medical device, hoses and tubes for medical use and accessories thereof, with ozone gas, in particular terms, the description refers to devices, methods and systems with multiple receptacles to provide closed circuit fluid pathways to distribute ozone gas to internal passageways and to the external compartments of medical devices. The devices according to one embodiment of the description have two or more receptacles for distributing the ozone gas, a gas-tight compartment, an ozone operating system and one or more connecting units configured to fluidly migrate the ozone in treatment systems. closed circuit.

(57) Abstract

The present disclosure is generally related to devices, methods and systems for cleaning, disinfecting and / or sterilizing a medical device, medical hoses and tubes and accessories thereof with ozone gas, in particular the disclosure relates to devices, methods and systems with multiple receptacles for providing closed-loop fluid pathways to distribute ozone gas to inner passageways and the outer compartments of medical devices. The devices in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure have two or more receptacles for distributing ozone gas, a gas-tight compartment, an ozone operating system, and one or more connector units configured to fluidly migrate ozone in closed-loop treatment systems.

DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE TREATMENT OF MEDICAL DEVICES

THAT HAVE PATHWAYS, WITH OZONE GAS

Field of the Invention

The present description refers, in general terms, to the treatment with ozone gas of medical devices and, more particularly, it relates to devices, systems and methods that use agents or gas, such as ozone gas, to clean, disinfect and sterilize medical devices in an ozone device with multiple cleaning, disinfection and sterilization properties, with one or more receptacles, and reception inlets and chambers for easy cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of medical devices, medical instruments and passageways for medical use, such as hoses and / or tubes.

Background of the Invention

Devices for medical use, instruments for medical use and accessories for medical use (collectively called “medical devices) require varying degrees of cleaning, disinfection and / or sterilization to prevent the accumulation of bacteria and mold and for safe use and reuse of the devices in the same patient and among patients. There are several types of medical devices that have multiple parts and accessories that require cleaning, disinfection and / or sterilization, including, among others, hoses, tubes, face masks, probes, compartments, reservoirs, irrigation systems, pumps and other accessories. Current devices, systems and methods for preparing medical devices for use and / or reuse have proven exhausting and difficult for users, hospitals and other services of medical device providers. The devices usually require daily and weekly maintenance stages to prevent the accumulation of bacteria and mold, which requires that each part of the device be cleaned individually, which is difficult and time consuming for users who do it daily or weekly. Other cleaning methods include soaking the component parts of a medical device in solvents or mixtures, for example, of vinegar and water to disinfect the component parts. Due to the inherent nature of various medical devices to accumulate bacteria and mold, there are other products available for consumers to make medical devices safer to use, including but not limited to aerosols, UV light devices, cleaning wipes and brushes. cleaning.

Ozone gas is powerful and effective for the elimination of dangerous odors, impurities and pathogens, working by exchanging charge of electrons with particles with which ozone comes into contact to form oxygen, OR², from unstable ozone OR³. This process is particularly useful for purifying air and water and for eliminating bacteria and microorganisms with which ozone comes into contact. Ozonators can be used to create ozone from oxygen molecules, often by applying ultraviolet light to oxygen. Ozone gas is made of oxygen molecules that have been ionized by radiation to form groups of three oxygen atoms, OR³, and can be created, for example, in a device, using an ozonator, air and the application of ultraviolet light to convert oxygen into ozone gas. However, while ozone gas is a powerful cleaning, disinfection and sterilization gas, ozone gas must be contained and controlled, since it is not safe for users to breathe ozone gas until it has become oxygen safely. The amount of time it takes for ozone to safely convert from ozone to oxygen varies significantly depending on the amount of ozone used in a treatment cycle, in some modalities it ranges from 1 minute to 24 hours.

For a long time there is a deep need to provide a device, systems and methods that can undergo medical devices and medical device passageways through a device that uses ozone gas, which requires minimal disassembly and, however, that it provides a specific treatment for each part, that connects all in one or more to connected and closed circuit systems for a safe use treatment with ozone gas and ease of use by the user. In addition, it is necessary to provide connector units to connect a variety of medical devices and passageways of medical devices for treatment with ozone gas.

Other systems, methods, features of the apparatus and advantages of the present description will be or will become apparent to a person skilled in the art after examining the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features of the apparatus and additional advantages be included within this description, are within the scope of this description and are protected by the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Figures

Various aspects of the description can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, but rather it is emphasized to clearly illustrate the principles of the present description. On the other hand, in the drawings, similar reference numbers designate the corresponding parts along the various views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present description.

Figure 1A is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device with a connecting unit, according to an embodiment of the present description.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an ozone process according to an embodiment of the present description.

Figure 2A is a schematic illustration of an ozone process according to an embodiment of the present description.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device coupled to a medical device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present description.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device with an ozone distribution conduit for recirculating ozone into the device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present description.

Brief Description of the Invention

The present description refers to a device, system and method for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices, the system comprises a device with an ozone operating system; a distribution conduit fluidly connected to the ozone operating system to receive and distribute ozone gas; a first receptacle in the device, where the distribution line is fluidly coupled to the first receptacle to release ozone gas; a connector unit, where the connector unit is configured to fluidly connect at one end proximal to the first receptacle in the device and fluidly connected at a distal end to a proximal end of a hose in one mode, in another mode to fluidly connect to a second receptacle in the device, and in another mode for fluidly connecting to the proximal end of a medical device; and an exhaust port to fluidly engage the distal end of the hose, so that the ozone gas passes through the fluid passageway and is evacuated.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device 100 for treatment of a tube or hose 115 of a medical device, as well as medical devices and accessories of the medical device, with ozone. Medical devices may include any medical device with passageways that include, among others, tubes and hoses. As used herein, ozone treatment refers to the use of ozone to clean, disinfect and / or sterilize. According to this mode, an operating ozone system is embedded in the bottom of the device 100 behind a compartment door to facilitate access to a user. The ozone operating system, in this mode, includes an air pump, such as an aquarium pump, to pump air and an ozone generator to receive air and create ozone gas. In this embodiment, an ozone distribution conduit 140 is coupled to the ozone operating system where the distribution conduit 140 releases ozone into a first ozone supply receptacle 105, as shown in Figure 1. According to this embodiment, the first receptacle 105 is configured to fluidly engage a proximal end of a medical device hose 115, such as a hose of a device for continuous positive airway pressure. A second ozone receiver receptacle 130 in the device 100 is designed to engage the dlstal end of the medical device hose 115, so that when an upper lid 132 is in a closed position, the tabs 131 are coupled to the second receptacle and they form a secure sealing ring that surrounds the hose 115. According to this embodiment, the second receptacle is fluidly coupled to a gas-tight compartment 135 with an exhaust port 125 incorporated therein. The gas-tight compartment 135 can be used to clean, disinfect and / or sterilize medical devices and accessories made of materials that do not degrade in the presence of ozone, such as CPAP face masks as an example, thus closing a closed circuit process with ozone. As such, the ozone gas flows from the ozone operating system, to a distribution conduit, to a first receptacle, through a hose, through a second receptacle, into a gas-tight sanitization chamber, and to a exhaust hole The exhaust port 125 in accordance with this mode is coupled to the gas-tight compartment 135 and discharges the ozone from the fluid passageway described in the present mode for reuse and / or release. According to this embodiment, an oxidizing catalyst is coupled to the exhaust port 125 to collect and decompose the ozone gas into oxygen, for safe release. According to this modality, the ozone generated in the device 100 is released from the ozone operating system to the first receptacle 105 and the ozone gas passes from the device 100 to the hose 115 and is released through the exhaust port 125 .

In accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the device further includes a third receptacle, 130a, wherein both the second receptacle 130 and the third receptacle 130a have a detachable sealing device 107. According to this embodiment, the separable sealing device 107 in the second receptacle 130 and third receptacle 130a allows the hose of the medical device 115 to be fluidly connected in the second receptacle 130 or third receptacle 130a while maintaining a closed-loop system and the release of ozone gas from the closed circuit system is avoided before the conversion of the ozone gas back into oxygen. According to this modality and the closed circuit system described, the ozone gas is released in a gas-tight compartment 135 to undergo treatment for medical devices and accessories located in the gas-tight compartment 135 in the device 100. According to this modality, medical devices and accessories can be placed in the gas-tight compartment and cleaned, disinfected and / or sterilized, while hoses and tubes are cleaned, disinfected and / or sterilized with ozone gas of the ozone operating system, through the first receptacle and in the hose and the exhaust port, in a closed circuit system as described. According to this modality, the transfer of ozone gas from the ozone operating system to the second and / or third receptacle 130 and 130a can be achieved with one or more hoses, distribution ducts or connectors.

According to the mode shown in Figure 1, the ozone treatment device 100 also includes a user interface coupled to the operating system with ozone 160, a timer coupled to the operating system with ozone, a sensor 145 for observing the ozone gas remaining in hose 115, gas-tight compartments 135 and / or anywhere in the closed circuit system, and a safety switch to prevent the start of an ozone process or the use of medical devices during an ozone process and an oxidizing catalyst coupled to the exhaust port 125 to collect and decompose the ozone.

Figure 1A is a perspective view of an ozone treatment device 100 for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing a tube or hose 115 of a medical device, as well as medical devices and accessories of the medical device. According to this modality, an ozone operating system is integrated in the device 100, the ozone operating system, in this mode, includes an air pump, such as an aquarium pump, for pumping air and an ozone generator for receive air and create ozone gas. In this embodiment, an ozone distribution conduit 140 is coupled to the ozone operating system where the distribution conduit 140 releases ozone into a first receptacle 105, as shown in Figure 1 A. According to this embodiment, the first receptacle 105 is configured to fluidly engage a proximal end of a connector unit 110. The connecting unit is sized to fit fluidly at the distal end of the unit connecting to the proximal end of the hose 115. According to this embodiment, the second receptacle 130 in the device 100 is designed to engage the distal end of the hose 115, so that when an upper cover 132 is in a closed position, the tabs 131, 131a are coupled to the second receptacle and form a secure sealing ring surrounding the hose 115. According to this embodiment, the second receptacle 130 is fluidly coupled to an exhaust port 125, in this example, through a gas-tight compartment 135 with the exhaust port 125 being incorporated in the device 100. The gas-tight compartment 135 can be used to clean, disinfect and / or sterilize medical devices and accessories made of materials that do not degrade in the presence of ozone, such as CPAP face masks as an example, thus closing a closed circuit process with ozone. As such, the ozone gas passes from the ozone operating system, to a distribution conduit 140, to a first receptacle 105, through a hose 115, through a second receptacle in the hose 115, in a sealed compartment to gas 135, and to an exhaust port 125. The exhaust port 125 in accordance with this mode is coupled to the gas-tight compartment 135 and discharges the ozone from the fluid passageway described in the present mode for reuse and / or release. According to this embodiment, an oxidizing catalyst is coupled to the exhaust port 125 to collect and decompose the ozone gas into oxygen, for safe release. According to this modality, the ozone generated in the device 100 is released from the ozone operating system to the first receptacle 105 and the ozone gas passes from the device 100 to the hose 115 and is released through the exhaust port 125 .

In accordance with the mode shown in Figure 1A, the connecting unit 110 allows the device 100 to be coupled to any hose of the device, by providing a first receptacle 105 in the device that fluidly engages the connecting unit 110. By For example, in one embodiment, the connecting unit 110 may be sized to engage at the proximal end of the first receptacle 105 and at the distal end to a CPAP hose 115. In another embodiment, the connecting unit 110 may be sized to engage at the proximal end of the hose and at the distal end of an endoscope. Similarly, adapters and means for changing the distal end of the connecting unit 110 to fit a variety of size tubes for any medical device are described herein.

Figures 2 and 2A are schematic sketches showing closed cycle processes with ozone according to an embodiment of the present description. According to this modality, a system for the treatment with ozone 200 with a reverse loop ozone process is described, wherein the device has a first receptacle 205 and a second receptacle 230 that are fluidly coupled to a medical device hose 215 to provide a closed loop process with ozone according to an embodiment of the present description. According to this modality, the ozone treatment system 200 has an ozone operating system 202 that includes an ozone pump 201 coupled to an ozone generator 203, to produce ozone gas, and a distribution conduit

240 which transports ozone gas to a first receptacle 205. Ozone gas migrates, in this mode, through the coupled hose 215 and exits the hose to the exhaust port 225, before the ozone gas is released or recycled from the closed circuit system described.

Similar to Figure 2, Figure 2A shows an ozone operating system 202 fluidly coupled to a first receptacle 205 with a distribution conduit 240, with ozone gas migrating to the hose 215 and through the second receptacle 230 in the device 100 towards a gas-tight chamber to clean, disinfect and / or sterilize medical instruments and accessories in the gas-tight chamber, before ozone gas is released or recycled from the closed circuit system through an exhaust port 225. In this mode, an oxide filter 270 is also shown to collect and decompose the ozone gas into oxygen.

In accordance with the methods described in Figure 2 and 2A, a method for treating a medical device with ozone gas is described, the method describes an ozone process to produce ozone gas in a device with an ozone operating system , migrate ozone gas through a distribution conduit through a first receptacle in the device and into a hose of a medical device, and discharge the ozone gas from the hose of the medical device. According to this method, a second receptacle can be used in the device with an exhaust orifice and / or a gas-tight compartment coupled to an exhaust orifice and housed in the device, so that the ozone gas circulates again in the device before being removed, released or recirculated from the system, in a process with closed circuit ozone.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an ozone device with an ozone operating system, according to an embodiment of the present description. In this embodiment, a distribution conduit 340 passes through a first receptacle 305 and is attached at a distal end to a connector unit 310. In this embodiment, the distribution conduit passes through the connector unit 310, which is coupled at a proximal end to a medical device 350 and at the distal end to a medical device hose 315, and ozone is released into the hose and / or in a cavity in the medical device 350. In this embodiment, a second receptacle 330 and a third receptacle 330a are provided, with a seal 307 so that the hose 315 can be connected as shown through the second receptacle 330 to release ozone gas in a gas-tight compartment 335 and can be emptied through the exhaust hole 325. According to this embodiment, a sensor 345 is provided in the gas-tight compartment 335 to detect the amount of ozone gas in the closed circuit system described herein. In this mode, the sensor 345 is coupled to the user interface 360 ​​to provide information about the ozone process to a user, which includes, among other things, the levels of ozone that remain in the gas-tight compartment 335, the time of the ozone cycle and ozone safety signs. According to this mode, the device 300 and the methods and systems described can also have a user interface 360 ​​coupled to the operating system with ozone, a timer coupled to the operating system with ozone, a Safety Switch 365 to prevent the start of a ozone process or the use of a medical device during an ozone process, and an oxidizing catalyst such as a filter with magnesium oxide coupled to the exhaust port 325 to collect and decompose the ozone.

As such, according to an embodiment of the present description, a system comprising a device 300 with an ozone operating system; a distribution conduit 340 fluidly connected to the ozone operating system to receive and distribute ozone gas; a first receptacle 305 in the device, wherein the distribution conduit 340 passes through the first receptacle and is connected to a connector unit 310; the connecting unit 310, where the connecting unit 310 is configured to fluidly connect to a medical device 350 and a medical device hose 315; A second receptacle 330 is described which is coupled to the hose 315 when the lid 332 is in a closed position with a free end immersed in a gas-tight compartment 335 in the device 300.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a device 400 with an ozone operating system, showing devices, methods and systems for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices and accessories of the medical device. According to this mode, an ozone operating system is integrated in the device 400, the ozone operating system, in this mode, includes an air pump, such as an aquarium pump, for pumping air and an ozone generator for receive air and create ozone gas. In this embodiment, an ozone distribution conduit 440 is coupled to the ozone operating system where the distribution conduit 440 crosses a first receptacle 405, as shown in Figure 4. According to this embodiment, the first receptacle 405 is configured to allow the distribution conduit 440 to pass through the first receptacle 405 and be coupled to the second receptacle, which is fluidly coupled to a gas-tight compartment 435 with an exhaust orifice 425 incorporated into it. The gas-tight compartment 435 can be used to clean, disinfect and / or sterilize medical devices and accessories made of materials that do not degrade in the presence of ozone, such as CPAP face masks as an example, thus closing a closed circuit process with ozone, whereby the ozone gas passes from the operating system with ozone, to a distribution conduit, through a first receptacle and a second receptacle, in a gas-tight chamber, and an exhaust hole. The exhaust orifice 425 according to this modality is coupled to the gas-tight compartment 435 and discharges the ozone from the fluid passageway described in this mode for reuse and / or release. According to this modality, an oxidizing catalyst is coupled to the exhaust port 425 to collect and decompose the ozone gas into oxygen, for safe release.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present description, a device with an ozone operating system comprising; a first receptacle, where the first receptacle is adapted to fluidly transfer ozone gas from the ozone operating system to a hose; and a second receptacle, where the second receptacle is adapted to fluidly transfer ozone gas from the hose to an exhaust port. According to this embodiment, the device further comprises a gas-tight compartment, wherein the exhaust orifice is coupled to the gas-tight compartment. The device in the present embodiment further comprises a connector unit, wherein the first end of the connector unit is configured to fluidly engage the first receptacle and a second end is configured to fluidly engage a first end of the hose. According to this mode, the second receptacle in the device is configured to engage with a second end of the hose, allowing ozone gas to be released from the hose, through the second receptacle, in the gas-tight compartment. The device in the present mode further comprises a user interface coupled to the operating system with ozone, a timer coupled to the operating system with ozone, a sensor coupled to the operating system with ozone for the observation of the remaining ozone in the medical device, a pump air coupled to the operating system with ozone and an oxidizing catalyst coupled to the exhaust port to collect and decompose ozone.

In addition to the devices, systems and methods shown in the procedure examples, the closed circuit systems described include, in some embodiments, steps to delay the start of an ozone process for a certain period of time since the last process with Ozone for consumer safety. The step of delaying the start time may vary from about 30 seconds to about 24 hours, depending on the device being treated and the level of cleaning, disinfection and / or sterilization required. In addition, the stage of detecting the remaining ozone in medical devices that are undergoing treatment further increases the safety of current treatment systems and methods for users, while indicating to users that a medical device has been fully treated in accordance with user guidelines and the required amounts of ozone exposure. As such, the user interface can show a user a variety of information about the ozone process, which includes, among other things, the time of the ozone cycle, the device being treated, the levels of ozone detected by the sensors, the level of treatment required on the basis of an evaluation of the bacterial, mold, dirt or other criteria of a device that is undergoing treatment, the indicators of light or sound and the indicators of consumable products, for the comfort of the users.

This description describes devices, systems and methods for using ozone gas in closed circuit systems to clean, disinfect and / or sterilize medical devices, hoses of medical devices and tubes, and their accessories. Examples of medical devices that can be cleaned, disinfected and / or sterilized in accordance with the modalities described in this description include, among others: surgical instruments, irrigation systems for sterile instruments in sterile tissues, endoscopes and endoscopic biopsy accessories, duodenoscopes, endotracheal tubes, bronchoscopes, laryngoscope vanes and other breathing equipment, esophageal manometry probes, diaphragm adjustment rings and gastrointestinal endoscopes, Infusion pumps, fans and devices for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), prone to bacterial accumulation due to humidified air and contact with patients' mouths. Several of the devices listed above include difficult-to-clean, disinfect and sterilize passageways, such as any of the endoscopes, probes, fans and CPAP devices, and related hoses.

The present description describes, therefore, exclusive cleaning, disinfection and sterilization devices with one or more receptacles and connecting units for cleaning, disinfecting and / or sterilizing multiple medical devices, tubes for medical use, and accessories. The described devices, systems and methods may include multiple connecting units of different sizes and shapes, multiple ozone distribution conduits of a device, where the devices can be of any size and shape, a timer, an ozone detection sensor in closed circuit systems, a screen to show parameters and cycle information, medical device cycle levels, cycle times, a controller to control the release of ozone in closed circuit systems, a locking mechanism to block the device, an exhaust port and an oxygen catalyst coupled to the exhaust port and uniquely designed connector units that connect to multiple medical devices.

It should be noted that the modalities described above of the present description, particularly any "preferred" modality, are simply possible examples of implementations, simply established for a clear understanding of the principles of the description. Various variations and modifications can be made to the modalities described above of the description without substantially departing from the spirit and principles of the description. It is intended that all of these modifications and variations be included herein within the scope of this description and are protected by the following claims.