Sterilizing system and automatic control therefor

摘要

A sterilizing system for sterilizing large quantities of articles used in a hospital environment incorporates sterilizing apparatus interconnected between a contaminated area and a clean area, with a double partition separating a neutral zone, in which the sterilizing apparatus is located, from the contaminated area and from the clean area. The sterilizing apparatus incorporates a vessel adapted to be heated and pressurized, and electrically operated controls spaced above the vessel for controlling the operation of the apparatus during a sterilizing process, such controls being accessible for maintenance and repair activities within the neutral zone. An automatic controller for the sterilizing system includes sensing devices for monitoring the progress of the sterilization process on a step by step basis, and furnishing signals to the various electrically operated controls to initiate each step of the sterilizing process when the preceding step is completed. In response to the occurrence of a malfunction in the sterilizing system, the controller prevents further operation of the system and signals an alarm condition. A printer associated with the computer prints out a record of the time at which each step is performed so that proper operation of the apparatus can be verified.