Kenneth J Klobusnik

6582654, Jun 24, 2003

Feb 7, 2000

09/498869

Jude A. Kral - Twinsburg OH
Robert M. Priest - Eastlake OH
Daniel N. Kelsch - Fairview Park OH
James C. Hlebovy - Chardon OH
Bill R. Sanford - Willoughby OH
Alan J. Greszler - Elyria OH
Francis John Zelina - Lake City PA
Kenneth J. Klobusnik - Lake City PA

Steris Inc. - Temecula CA

A61L 218

422 28, 422292, 422297, 422300, 134161, 134170, 134171, 134200

A fluid delivery system ( ) for an automated processor (A) includes spray nozzles ( ) for sequentially spraying washing, microbial decontaminant and rinsing solutions over a lumened device (B), such as an endoscope. The fluid delivery system also includes connection ports ( ) for connecting with internal passages ( ) of the device to deliver the washing and microbial decontaminant solutions thereto. A removable rack ( ), specially configured for the particular device, positions the device within a chamber ( ). The spray nozzles are located on rear and side walls ( ) and on a door ( ) of the chamber, such that the device is impinged with spray from all directions. Sets ( ) of the spray nozzles are pulsed in sequence so that the spray jets ( ) do not cancel each other out. Leaking connectors ( ) connect the automated processor connection ports with inlet ports ( ) of the device and allow a portion of the cleaning, decontaminant, and rinsing solutions to leak from each inlet port. A computer control system ( ) controls cleaning, decontamination, rinsing, and drying stages of a cycle, which are all carried out within the chamber, obviating the need for human contact with the device during processing.

7429353, Sep 30, 2008

Jul 21, 2005

11/186536

Mark E. Chiffon - Erie PA, US
Peter J. Buczynski - Girard PA, US
Kenneth J. Klobusnik - Lake City PA, US
Kimberly R. Goray - Erie PA, US

American Sterilizer Company - Mentor OH

A61L 2/20
B67D 5/30

422 33, 422292, 222 14, 222309, 222340

A method and apparatus for metering a predetermined quantity of liquid decontaminant into a vaporization system. A single vacuum source is used to fill an injector with the predetermined quantity of liquid decontaminant and to also establish a vacuum in a chamber. The chamber is injected with the liquid decontaminant filling the injector. The liquid decontaminant is vaporized in the chamber to produce a vaporized decontaminant.

55566073, Sep 17, 1996

Sep 19, 1995

8/530577

Robert W. Childers - Garner NC
James R. Rickloff - Cary NC
Thaddeus J. Mielnik - Apex NC
Kenneth J. Klobusnik - Lake City PA

American Sterilizer Company - Erie PA

A61L 220
A61L 900

422300

The present invention provides a sterilization process particularly well suited for sterilizing instruments and other devices having long narrow lumens. Apparatus in which the process can be practiced is also provided. The process uses a multicomponent sterilant vapor wherein one component is water. The lumened instruments are fluidly connected to the exhaust manifold of the sterilizer. A deep vacuum is drawn in the sterilization chamber followed by the injection of pulses of the sterilant vapor until a higher, but still subatmospheric pressure level is reached. When the pressure level reaches a predetermined subatmospheric level, a flow-through sterilization phase begins. It includes successive alternating periods of sterilant flow and the discontinuance of such flow. During sterilant flow periods, there are sterilant injection pulses where the sterilant flows through the chamber and the lumened instruments to exhaust. Each such flow period is followed by a hold period.

55913962, Jan 7, 1997

Apr 7, 1995

8/418786

Mark E. Chiffon - Erie PA
Kenneth J. Klobusnik - Lake City PA
Anthony B. Ruffo - Erie PA

American Sterilizer Company - Erie PA

A61L 216

422 26

Blockage in sterilizers due to the solidification of spilled liquid agar downstream from the sterilization chamber is prevented by heating the drain stream exiting the sterilization chamber so that the temperature of the liquid agar stays above 45. degree. -50. degree. C. prior to discharge from the sterilization plumbing system. An improved modular plumbing system for sterilizers is provided, where the piping and valving requirements for a discrete operation performed by the sterilizer are segregated in a single manifold.

59068000, May 25, 1999

Apr 4, 1997

8/833245

Susan Mary Napierkowski - Erie PA
Kenneth John Klobusnik - Lake City PA
Francis John Zelina - Lake City PA

Steris Corporation - Mentor OH

A61L 206
F22B 2700
F22B 2906

422298

A steam sterilizer device having a steam generation system is disclosed. The steam generation system has a fluid connection to a water source (1) to provide water to a venturi apparatus (27) for the selective creation of a vacuum in a sterilization chamber (71). A fluid connection to a particle filter (33) and a reverse osmosis filter (37) is also provided and water passed through the filters is delivered by a metering pump (53) to a steam generating apparatus (59) which in turn supplies steam to a the chamber (71). The chamber (71) is provided with a discharge conduit including a mixing chamber (31) and a split tubing air break (131).

54926726, Feb 20, 1996

Jul 25, 1994

8/279688

Robert W. Childers - Garner NC
James R. Rickloff - Cary NC
Thaddeus J. Mielnik - Apex NC
Kenneth J. Klobusnik - Lake City PA

American Sterilizer Company - Erie PA

A61L 220

422 28

The present invention provides a sterilization process particularly well suited for sterilizing instruments and other devices having long narrow lumens. Apparatus in which the process can be practiced is also provided. The process uses a multicomponent sterilant vapor wherein one component is water. The lumened instruments are fluidly connected to the exhaust manifold of the sterilizer. A deep vacuum is drawn in the sterilization chamber followed by the injection of pulses of the sterilant vapor until a higher, but still subatmospheric pressure level is reached. When the pressure level reaches a predetermined subatmospheric level, a flow-through sterilization phase begins. It includes successive alternating periods of sterilant flow and the discontinuance of such flow. During sterilant flow periods, there are sterilant injection pulses where the sterilant flows through the chamber and the lumened instruments to exhaust. Each such flow period is followed by a hold period.

58940146, Apr 13, 1999

Apr 4, 1997

8/833249

John Christopher Houston - Erie PA
Kenneth John Klobusnik - Lake City PA
Susan Mary Napierkowski - Erie PA
Francis John Zelina - Lake City PA
David James Zolner - Fairview PA

Steris Corporation - Mentor OH

A61L 206

422295

A steam sterilization device (10) including a chamber (12) having a slidable sealable door (30). A flexible insulating plastic member (74) covers the sealable door (30). The sterilization device (10) includes a frame (20, 22, 24, 28, 50) supporting the chamber (12). A front wall (60) of molded plastic covers the frame. A stop bracket (46) is secured to a door track (36) at the appropriate location below the door to limit travel. At least one counter weight (42) is secured to the door (30) by a cable (38) and a guide member (44) surrounds the counter weight.

59499583, Sep 7, 1999

Apr 4, 1997

8/833246

Susan Mary Naperkowski - Erie PA
Kenneth John Klobusnik - Lake City PA
Francis John Zelina - Lake City PA

Steris Corporation - Mentor OH

A01M 1600
F24H 110

392399

The present invention is a flash steam generator (10) to be used as an integral component of a steam sterilizer (30). The generator comprises a metal block (11) having a first bore (12) drilled lengthwise through the metal block (11). Surrounding the first bore (12) are a plurality of additional heater bores (14) in which heating elements (15) are inserted. The generator is integral to the sterilizer piping (31, 34) and control systems. In a preferred form, the first bore (12) provides a non-linear flow path. For example, a packing material such as monel wool (41) or a spiral dowel (45) can provide such a tortuous flow path. Alternatively, the block (11) may be provided with a plurality of fluid containing bores (51, 57, 67, 73, 81) interconnected by manifolds (59, 69, 75, 83).