Patents Assigned to The Research and Development Intstitute
  • Patent number: 6146586
    Abstract: In order to completely sterilize all of the surfaces of a medical instrument on which biofilms are apt to form, the device is immersed in a container containing an antibiotic solution in a manner wherein all of the contaminated surfaces are forced into intimate contact with the antibiotic solution. A first current is applied to a first electrode disposed at one end of the container to establish a first current flow about the exterior of the instrument between the first electrode and a second distal electrode which is either proximate or in direct contact with an end portion of the device. A second current is passed between a third electrode which is either in electrical contact with a part of the instrument that is not immersed in the antibiotic solution, or immersed in the solution has been forced into the interior of the device, and the second electrode via a second current path which extends through the interior of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: The Research and Development Intstitute
    Inventors: Bruce R. McLeod, J. William Costerton