Item reprocessing and sterile packaging apparatus
Methods and apparatus for reprocessing and packaging items. An item is cleaned within a push/pull reprocessing apparatus, contained within sterilizable packaging, and sterilized within said apparatus. Alternatively, an item is first cleaned and sterilized within a push/pull reprocessing apparatus and then contained within sterile packaging. The apparatus includes one or multiple chambers within which cleaning and/or sterilizing take place and dispenser of sterile or sterilizable packaging.
1 . A method for reprocessing and packaging items, comprising the steps of:
a. cleaning an item within a push/pull reprocessing apparatus;
b. containing said item within sterilizable packaging; and
c. sterilizing said contained item within said apparatus.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said packaging comprises a disposable sleeve.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said sleeve comprises polyethylene with sealable ends.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said step (c) comprises surging a sterilant back-and-forth upon said item and container.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said step (c) comprises passive exposure to a sterilant.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said sterilant is selected from the group consisting of a liquid or a gas.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further including the step of drying said item prior to said step of containing.
8 . A method for reprocessing and packaging items, comprising the steps of:
a. cleaning an item within a push/pull reprocessing apparatus;
b. removing said item from said apparatus;
c. containing said item within sterilizable packaging;
d. replacing the contained item into the apparatus; and
e. sterilizing said contained item within said apparatus.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein said packaging comprises a disposable sleeve.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein said sleeve comprises polyethylene with sealable ends.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein said step (e) comprises surging a sterilant back-and-forth upon said item and container.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein said step (e) comprises passive exposure to a sterilant.
13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein said sterilant is selected from the group consisting of a liquid or a gas.
14 . The method of claim 8 , further including the step of drying said item prior to said step of containing.
15 . An apparatus for reprocessing and packaging an item, comprising:
a push/pull reprocessing apparatus; and
a dispenser of sterilizable packaging coupled to said push/pull reprocessor apparatus.
16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said dispenser is disposed upon the interior of said reprocessing apparatus.
17 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said push/pull reprocessing apparatus contains a single chamber within which both cleaning and sterilization after packaging takes place.
18 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said push/pull reprocessing apparatus includes a cleaning chamber and a separate sterilization-after-packaging chamber.
19 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said push/pull reprocessing apparatus includes a cleaning chamber and a separate sterilization-after-packaging chamber, wherein said separate chamber is connected to a fluid port that dispenses sterilant.
20 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein said fluid port dispenses gas plasma.
21 . A method for reprocessing and packaging items, comprising the steps of:
a. cleaning an item within a push/pull reprocessing apparatus;
b. sterilizing said item within said apparatus; and
c. containing said item within sterile packaging.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein step (b) is performed with gas plasma.
23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein step (a) results in less than 4 micrograms per centimeter squared of residual protein.
24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein step (a) results in less than 4 micrograms per centimeter squared of residual protein from a simulated soil.
25 . The method of claim 21 , wherein (b) comprises a final rinse with sterile water that contains particles fewer than 10 micrometers in size.
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein said water contains particles 0.1 micrometers in size or less.
27 . A method for reprocessing an item, comprising the steps of:
a. cleaning the item within a push/pull reprocessing apparatus; and
b. sterilizing the item within said apparatus by surging gas plasma back-and-forth upon a surface of said item prior to any packaging of said item.