MOBILE STERILIZATION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USING THE SAME
A sterilization cabinet, comprising a top panel, at least two side panels, and a floor panel forming a part of a chamber of the sterilization cabinet; at least one door connected to at least one of the at least two side panels of the sterilization cabinet; a vent formed in at least one of the two side panels; at least one first filter covering the vent and a filter cover configured to hold the first filter against the vent; a valve positioned in a panel, wherein the valve is configured to transition between a closed configuration and an open configuration, and wherein the valve is configured to automatically transition between a closed configuration and an open configuration.
1 . A sterilization system, comprising:
a sterilization unit, comprising:
an interior sterilization chamber positioned within the sterilization unit configured to receive a surgical tray containing a surgical instrument,
a sealable door configured to seal the interior sterilization chamber, and
a transfer cart comprising:
a platform configured to support the sterilization unit,
a mechanical guide extending upwards from the platform,
a latch coupled to the platform, and
a powered riser configured to vertically adjust the transfer cart;
wherein the sterilization unit is configured to be removably secured to the transfer cart via the latch.
2 . The system of claim 1 , the powered riser comprising a pneumatically powered lift device.
3 . The system of claim 1 , the powered riser comprising a hydraulically powered lift device.
4 . The system of claim 1 , the transfer cart comprising a scissor lift configured to vertically adjust the transfer cart.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the powered riser is battery-powered.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical guide further comprises a connecting rail configured to mate with a companion rail of an autoclave.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the connecting rail can be adjusted between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the connecting rail is substantially aligned with a vertical axis, and in a second position the connecting rail is substantially aligned with a horizontal axis.
8 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising securing the sterilization unit to the platform by inserting a pin into a slot of the platform.
9 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a locking bar positioned on the bottom of the sterilization unit, the locking bar configured to be removably secured to the latch.
10 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising a safety lock, the safety lock configured to redundantly secure the sterilization unit to the platform.
11 . A method of sterilizing a surgical instrument, the method comprising:
loading a sterilization cabinet onto a platform of a transfer cart the sterilization cabinet comprising an interior sterilization chamber configured to receive a surgical tray holding a surgical instrument;
positioning the sterilization cabinet at a sterilization location adjacent to an autoclave using the transfer cart;
adjusting the transfer cart using powered risers;
when the interior sterilization chamber is in a sealed configuration, transferring the sterilization cabinet from the transfer cart into the autoclave using mechanical guides;
after sterilization of the surgical instrument within the interior sterilization chamber positioning the sterilization cabinet onto the platform of the transfer cart while the sterilization cabinet is in the sealed configuration; and
relocating the sterilization cabinet from the sterilization location using the transfer cart, the surgical instrument remaining sterile while the interior sterilization chamber is in the sealed configuration.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein adjusting the transfer cart comprises vertically adjusting the transfer cart pneumatically.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein adjusting the transfer cart comprises vertically adjusting the transfer cart hydraulically.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein adjusting the transfer cart comprises vertically adjusting the transfer cart electrically.
15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising moving the transfer cart and the sterilization cabinet via a wheel.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein adjusting the transfer cart comprises vertically adjusting the transfer cart using a scissor lift.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein adjusting the transfer cart comprises vertically adjusting the platform of the transfer cart to be substantially flush with the floor.
18 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising adjusting the mechanical guides prior to transferring the sterilization cabinet from the transfer cart into the autoclave.
19 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising mating a connecting rail of the transfer cart with a companion rail of the autoclave.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising adjusting the connecting rail between a first position wherein the connecting rail is aligned with a vertical axis, and a second position wherein the connecting rail is aligned with a horizontal axis.