Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for cleaning, decontaminating, and/or sterilizing an instrument during the intraoperative phase of a surgical procedure. In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus comprises: a container having an aperture, a bottom portion, and at least one sidewall defining an instrument bath configured to hold a cleaning agent; a vibration means and radiation means coupled to the container; and a power supply. It is contemplated that at least one of the sidewalls of the container comprises a longitudinal channel disposed within the sidewall for housing the radiation means. It is further contemplated that the cleaning agent can comprise an aqueous solution of chlorohexidine, that the radiation means is configured to emit ultraviolet radiation in a range of at least 100 nanometers to 400 nanometers, and that the vibration means is configured to emit ultrasonic radiation in a range of at least 20 kilohertz to 120 kilohertz.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for cleaning, decontaminating, and/or sterilizing an instrument during the intraoperative phase of a surgical procedure. In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus comprises: a container having an aperture, a bottom portion, and at least one sidewall defining an instrument bath configured to hold a cleaning agent; a vibration means and radiation means coupled to the container; and a power supply. It is contemplated that at least one of the sidewalls of the container comprises a longitudinal channel disposed within the sidewall for housing the radiation means. It is further contemplated that the cleaning agent can comprise an aqueous solution of chlorohexidine, that the radiation means is configured to emit ultraviolet radiation in a range of at least 100 nanometers to 400 nanometers, and that the vibration means is configured to emit ultrasonic radiation in a range of at least 20 kilohertz to 120 kilohertz.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for cleaning, decontaminating, and/or sterilizing an instrument during the intraoperative phase of a surgical procedure. In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus comprises: a container having an aperture, a bottom portion, and at least one sidewall defining an instrument bath configured to hold a cleaning agent; a vibration means and radiation means coupled to the container; and a power supply. It is contemplated that at least one of the sidewalls of the container comprises a longitudinal channel disposed within the sidewall for housing the radiation means. It is further contemplated that the cleaning agent can comprise an aqueous solution of chlorohexidine, that the radiation means is configured to emit ultraviolet radiation in a range of at least 100 nanometers to 400 nanometers, and that the vibration means is configured to emit ultrasonic radiation in a range of at least 20 kilohertz to 120 kilohertz.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for cleaning, decontaminating, and/or sterilizing an instrument during the intraoperative phase of a surgical procedure. In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus comprises: a container having an aperture, a bottom portion, and at least one sidewall defining an instrument bath configured to hold a cleaning agent; a vibration means and radiation means coupled to the container; and a power supply. It is contemplated that at least one of the sidewalls of the container comprises a longitudinal channel disposed within the sidewall for housing the radiation means. It is further contemplated that the cleaning agent can comprise an aqueous solution of chlorohexidine, that the radiation means is configured to emit ultraviolet radiation in a range of at least 100 nanometers to 400 nanometers, and that the vibration means is configured to emit ultrasonic radiation in a range of at least 20 kilohertz to 120 kilohertz.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for cleaning, decontaminating, and/or sterilizing an instrument during the intraoperative phase of a surgical procedure. In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus comprises: a container having an aperture, a bottom portion, and at least one sidewall defining an instrument bath configured to hold a cleaning agent; a vibration means and radiation means coupled to the container; and a power supply. It is contemplated that at least one of the sidewalls of the container comprises a longitudinal channel disposed within the sidewall for housing the radiation means. It is further contemplated that the cleaning agent can comprise an aqueous solution of chlorohexidine, that the radiation means is configured to emit ultraviolet radiation in a range of at least 100 nanometers to 400 nanometers, and that the vibration means is configured to emit ultrasonic radiation in a range of at least 20 kilohertz to 120 kilohertz.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary control element comprising a control element body and a rotary button (1) mounted so as to be rotatable about at least one axis of rotation (9), wherein the control element body and the rotary button (1) cooperate such that a first associated switching function is provided by rotating the rotary button (1). The rotary control element according to the invention is characterized by the rotary button (1) being mounted so as to be displaceable relative to the control element body in at least one direction which is substantially perpendicular relative to the axis of rotation (9), with at least one additional switching function being provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary control element comprising a control element body and a rotary button (1) mounted so as to be rotatable about at least one axis of rotation (9), wherein the control element body and the rotary button (1) cooperate such that a first associated switching function is provided by rotating the rotary button (1). The rotary control element according to the invention is characterized by the rotary button (1) being mounted so as to be displaceable relative to the control element body in at least one direction which is substantially perpendicular relative to the axis of rotation (9), with at least one additional switching function being provided.