Method for Cleaning and Lubricating Medical/Dental Devices for Sterilization

Abstract

A method of cleaning and lubricating a detached device within a sealed heat sterilizable container during the process of heat sterilization by using a liquid admixture comprised of a water-alcohol-glycerin-chlorhexidine solution.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning and lubricating a detached dental-medical device during a heating sterilization process which comprises: a. Partial immersing said device in a solution comprising i. About 50% to about 85% by volume of water ii. About 5% to about 22% by volume of glycerin iii. About 0.05% to about 0.20% by volume of chlorhexidine gluconate iv. About 3% to about 15% by volume of alcohol

2. A method of cleaning and lubricating a detached device partially immersed in a preferred solution that is contained in a sealed heat sterilizable container during the process of heat sterilization.

3. A method of cleaning and lubricating the device's external and internal parts within the sealed heat sterilizable container when the preferred solution contacts the device's parts.

4. A method of cleaning and lubricating the detached device within the sealed heat sterilizable container when the preferred solution begins to boil and then vaporizes to penetrate the internal and external moveable parts and conduits.

5. The miscible property of the preferred solution and water within the handpiece allows the preferred solution to vaporize any remaining water in the device's parts or conduits.

6. The preferred solution vaporizes before water vaporizes. This allows the preferred solution's vapors to penetrate the water.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] The components of the preferred solution used in this invention are described by the following terms:

[0028] The water base is filtered deionized water and the potable alcohol is preferably denatured ethanol. The glycerin is a commercial Kosher grade suitable for human consumption. Chlorhexidine gluconate is commercially available in liquid form as chlorhexidine.

[0029] The device within the sealed heat sterilizable container is partially immersed in the preferred solution during heating process such as a steam autoclave. While the autoclave performs, the preferred solution's temperature is increased. During the heating process, the preferred solution boils around the enclosed device to clean and lubricate. The increased temperature of the preferred solution vaporizes and penetrates the conduits and all other areas of the device.

[0030] The preferred solution is miscible with any remaining water within the handpiece conduit. Therefore, no vapor blocks are created by water and the preferred solution.