Systems and methods for disinfecting medical instruments

Abstract

Systems and methods for disinfecting medical instruments are provided. In one embodiment, a system can include a hood to provide a clean zone, a chamber to dispose within the clean zone, and an ultrasonicator. More specifically, the chamber can include a volume and can be configured to retain a fluid and receive medical instruments. The chamber can also include a portal through which fluids enter or leave the chamber. The ultrasonicator can be used to sonicate the volume when the fluid is present. A related method of disinfecting medical instruments can be accomplished using the systems of the present disclosure.

1 - 69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . A method of disinfecting medical instruments, comprising:
 providing a volume of disinfectant fluid, said disinfectant fluid including water, a peroxygen, and colloidal metal particles;   submerging medical instruments into the disinfectant fluid; and   sonicating the disinfectant fluid and medical instruments.   
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the volume of disinfectant fluid is disposed within a chamber configured to receive the disinfectant fluid and the medical instruments. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 70 , further comprising the step of disposing the medical instruments in as instrument receptacle prior to being submerged into the disinfectant fluid. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 70 , further comprising the step of rinsing the medical instruments with water after sonicating the disinfectant fluid and medical instruments. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 70 , further comprising the step of drying the medical instruments after sonicating the disinfectant fluid and medical instruments. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the disinfectant fluid further includes an alcohol. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the peroxygen includes a peroxide and a peracid. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 70 , further comprising providing a second disinfectant fluid and submerging the medical instruments in the second disinfectant fluid prior to submerging the medical instruments in the disinfectant fluid. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein the medical instruments are also sonicated while they are in the second disinfectant fluid. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein the second disinfectant fluid is an enzyme or detergent solution. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 70 , further comprising activating a computer processing unit to activate the sonicating step. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the method is accomplished using a self-contained disinfecting unit. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the method is accomplished and the medical instruments disinfected within a period of time of 60 minutes or less. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the disinfectant fluid is a sterilant.