Abstract: A method of sterilizing an instrument having an exterior and a proximal end in a chamber of a sterilizing apparatus, the method including the following steps: washing the instrument with a rinse fluid; removing bio-burden from the instrument with a bio-burden removing fluid; stabilizing a sterilization temperature at which sterilization of the instrument occurs; sterilizing the instrument; a first rinsing of the instrument with the rinse fluid; and a first drying of the instrument. The sterilizing step includes: applying to the instrument a first application of a sterilizing fluid at a first predetermined flow rate and applying to the instrument a second application of the sterilizing fluid at a second predetermined flow rate. The first application includes a first predetermined sequence of pulses of the sterilizing fluid and a driving fluid. The second application includes a plurality of pulses of the sterilizing fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing an instrument having an exterior surface at substantially room temperature includes a chamber having an interior compartment for receiving and housing the instrument. The interior compartment is maintained at a predetermined compartment temperature while the instrument is being sterilized. The chamber is releasably engagable with a portion of the instrument to support the instrument within the interior compartment. A fluid injection mechanism is in fluid communication with the chamber for supplying fluid to the chamber and for maintaining the fluid at a predetermined fluid temperature while the instrument is being sterilized. The chamber includes at least one fluid outlet for directing a flow of fluid onto the exterior surface of the instrument. The chamber further includes at least another fluid outlet to direct the flow of fluid onto the portion of the instrument engaged by the chamber.

Abstract: An instrument holder for securing an instrument in a chamber of a sterilizer. The instrument has an external surface and a proximal end. The sterilizer has a source of fluid. The instrument holder comprises a housing, an instrument coupler and an instrument retaining assembly. The housing has a base with a bore therethrough. The instrument coupler is for engaging the proximal end of the instrument and is movable within the bore. The instrument retention assembly is connected to the base and comprises a first grip and a second grip for alternately securing the instrument to the base.

Abstract: A cartridge for holding a first and a second fluid including an outer capsule containing the first fluid and having a first end and a second end. An inner capsule is enclosed within the outer capsule and is positioned such that while the outer capsule is in a first position the inner capsule is positioned in a generally spaced apart relationship from the first end and the second end of the outer capsule. The inner capsule contains the second fluid. At least one spike is positioned on at least one of the first end and the second end of the outer capsule. The at least one spike is attached to an inner surface of the outer capsule and is oriented toward the inner capsule for piercing the inner capsule when the outer capsule is deformed. Wherein the outer capsule is deformable into a second position permitting the at least one spike to penetrate the inner capsule allowing the first fluid and the second fluid to mix.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an instrument having an exterior and a proximal end in a chamber of a sterilizing apparatus, the method including the following steps: washing the instrument with a rinse fluid; removing bio-burden from the instrument with a bio-burden removing fluid; stabilizing a sterilization temperature at which sterilization of the instrument occurs; sterilizing the instrument; a first rinsing of the instrument with the rinse fluid; and a first drying of the instrument. The sterilizing step includes: applying to the instrument a first application of a sterilizing fluid at a first predetermined flow rate and applying to the instrument a second application of the sterilizing fluid at a second predetermined flow rate. The first application includes a first predetermined sequence of pulses of the sterilizing fluid and a driving fluid. The second application includes a plurality of pulses of the sterilizing fluid.

Abstract: A cartridge for holding a first and a second fluid including an outer capsule containing the first fluid. An inner capsule is enclosed within the outer capsule and has a portion attached to a portion of an inner surface of the outer capsule. The inner capsule contains the second fluid. A self-sealing preferable section is disposed on the outer capsule and a perforatable section is disposed on the inner capsule and is generally aligned with the self-sealing perforatable section of the outer capsule. The concentration of the second fluid in the inner capsule increases the shelf life of the second fluid, relative to the shelf life of the mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid, while the outer capsule and the first fluid act as a protective layer to cause the second fluid to be mixed with the first fluid to form a non-hazardous mixture in the event of an accidental rupture of the inner capsule, thus increasing the variety of fluids, and their associated shelf lives, that can be stored or transported.