Constricting pressure valve apparatus and methods thereof

摘要

A valve apparatus and methods associated thereof are provided. The valve apparatus includes a valve housing structure. A first valve portion is connected to the valve housing structure, wherein the first valve portion has a sealing edge. A second valve portion is positioned at least partially within the valve housing structure. A constrictable membrane has a pressurizable interior compartment, wherein the constrictable membrane supported by the second valve portion and positioned proximate to the first valve portion, wherein at least a portion of the constrictable membrane is movable to engageable with the sealing edge of the first valve portion.

主权项

1. A method of sterilizing a medical instrument, the method comprising the steps of:
placing a sterilization container having the medical instrument positioned therein within a sterilization environment; heating the sterilization environment, thereby opening a constricting valve positioned within the sterilization container, wherein the constricting value comprises:
a valve housing structure;a first valve portion connected to the valve housing structure, wherein the first valve portion has a sealing edge;a second valve portion positioned at least partially within the valve housing structure, wherein the second valve portion further comprises an upper valve part and a lower valve part having a gap positioned between the upper and lower valve parts; anda constrictable membrane having a pressurizable interior compartment, the constrictable membrane supported by the second valve portion and positioned proximate to the first valve portion, wherein at least a portion of the constrictable membrane is movable to engageable with the sealing edge of the first valve portion, wherein the constrictable membrane is affixed between the upper and lower valve parts and across the gap, wherein the sealing edge of the first valve portion is positioned within the gap formed between the upper and lower valve parts, wherein the constrictable membrane is movable between at least a first position where the constrictable membrane engages the sealing edge of the first valve portion to create a seal, and a second position where the constrictable membrane does not contact the sealing edge of the first valve portion; transferring a sterilant through the constricting valve to sterilize the medical instrument positioned within the sterilization container; after the medical instrument is sterilized, decreasing a temperature of the sterilization environment to close the constricting valve, whereby the closed constricting valve seals the sterilization container and prevents a biological contaminant from accessing the medical instrument therein; and removing the sterilization container from the sterilization environment.