Method and device for disinfecting a microtome cryostat

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for disinfecting a microtome cryostat ( 1 ) comprising a defrosting phase ( 11 ), provision ( 13 ) of a vaporous disinfection agent ( 2 ) which acts upon the closed cryostat chamber ( 3 ) and a period of time ( 14 ) during which said disinfection agent ( 2 ) acts, in addition to a device for carrying out said method. According to the invention, fast and effective disinfection and rapid restarting of a microtome cryostat ( 1 ) is possible with secure drying, the temperature difference (ΔT 1 , ΔT 2 ) being produced after the period of time ( 14 ) in the cryostat chamber ( 3 ) whereupon the precipitated disinfection agent ( 2 ) is removed ( 18 ) to a cold area.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . A method for disinfecting a microtome cryostat, the cryostat having a closed cryostat chamber, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) subjecting the cryostat to a defrosting phase;    b) introducing a vaporous disinfectant into the closed cryostat chamber;    c) waiting an effective time for action of the disinfectant;    d) generating a temperature difference in the cryostat chamber following step c); and    e) discharging disinfectant deposited in a colder region of the cryostat chamber in response to step d).    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein, following step c), a temperature of a cryostat refrigerator is reduced to below 0° C. in a cooling phase until at least a majority of disinfectant has deposited on the refrigerator, the refrigerator being subsequently thawed to discharge the disinfectant from the cryostat chamber with the assistance of a collecting device.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the microtome is heated after step c).  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein a heating temperature clearly exceeds a surrounding temperature of the cryostat.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the vaporous disinfectant is blown into the cryostat chamber.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the disinfectant is evaporated using ultrasound.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the cryostat is heated to at least a surrounding temperature following step a).  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein a heating period is followed by a temperature balancing time.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein heating is effected using a microtome heater.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein cutting waste is mechanically removed prior to step b).  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the cutting waste is suctioned off.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the vaporous disinfectant is suctioned into a suction system to also disinfect same.  
   
   
       34 . A device for disinfecting a microtome cryostat, the device comprising: 
 means for subjecting a closed cryostat chamber to a defrosting phase;    means for introducing a vaporous disinfectant into said closed cryostat chamber;    means for waiting an effective time for action of the disinfectant;    means for generating a temperature difference in said cryostat chamber; and    means for discharging disinfectant deposited in a colder region of said cryostat chamber.    
   
   
       35 . The device of  claim 34 , the device comprising a microtome in said cryostat chamber, a refrigerator, and a control communicating with said disinfectant introduction means and with said effective time waiting means, wherein said control also generates said temperature difference in said cryostat chamber through heating and/or cooling, wherein a collecting device is disposed in a colder region to remove deposited disinfectant.  
   
   
       36 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein said control is designed to reduce a temperature of said refrigerator of the cryostat in a cooling phase to below 0° C. after said effective time until at least a majority of disinfectant has deposited on said refrigerator, said refrigerator being subsequently thawed to discharge disinfectant from said cryostat chamber using said collecting device.  
   
   
       37 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein said microtome has a heater and said control is designed to heat said microtome after said effective time.  
   
   
       38 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein said refrigerator comprises a heater and said control is designed to switch on said heater to accelerate thawing.  
   
   
       39 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein said means for introducing a vaporous disinfectant comprises a blower for introducing the disinfectant into said cryostat chamber.  
   
   
       40 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein said disinfectant introduction means comprises means for vaporizing the disinfectant using ultrasound.  
   
   
       41 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein said disinfectant introduction means comprises a disinfectant supply container.  
   
   
       42 . The device of  claim 41 , further comprising a valve for controlling a disinfectant level.  
   
   
       43 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein said collecting device discharges liquid, dripping from said refrigerator, out of said cryostat chamber via an outlet.