STERILIZATION ASSEMBLY AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

A sterilization assembly and methods of use for sterilizing various instruments or surfaces are described herein. The assembly may generally comprise an elongate housing defining a storage lumen and an opening, a plurality of cartridges aligned adjacent to one another within the storage lumen where each cartridge has a cleaning element, a biasing mechanism configured to bias the plurality of cartridges towards the opening of the storage lumen, and a release mechanism positioned along the elongate housing and adjacent to the opening. Actuation of the release mechanism may release at least one cartridge at the opening for ejection. The assembly may also comprise an actuator which oscillates the cleaning element or the at least one cartridge relative to the elongate housing. Furthermore, a processor in electrical communication with the actuator which is programmed to monitor operation of the actuator and/or positioning of the plurality of cartridges may also be incorporated.

主权项

1. A cleaning assembly, comprising:
an elongate housing defining a storage lumen therein and an opening at a distal end of the storage lumen; one or more cartridges aligned adjacent to one another within the storage lumen with each cartridge having an alignment feature which translatably aligns the cartridges relative to the storage lumen, wherein each cartridge has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface which has a cleaning element positioned upon and extending from the second surface such that the cleaning element from a proximal cartridge is positionable in proximity to the first surface of an adjacent distal cartridge; a release mechanism positioned along the elongate housing and adjacent to the opening, wherein actuation of the release mechanism releases at least one cartridge positioned at the opening for ejection from the elongate housing; an actuator within or along the elongate housing and in communication with the at least one cartridge positioned at the opening wherein activation of the actuator moves the cleaning element or the at least one cartridge relative to the elongate housing; and a processor in electrical communication with the actuator, wherein the processor is programmed to monitor operation of the actuator and/or positioning of the one or more cartridges.