Smart oil spray adapter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12558447-B2
Application number	US-202117920278-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 15, 2021
Priority date	Apr 22, 2020
Publication date	Feb 24, 2026
Grant date	Feb 24, 2026

Abstract

Provided is an adapter for connection to a spray can dispensing an oil-containing aerosol. The adapter comprises a timepiece configured to measure a predetermined time interval, the starting point of the time measurement being defined by the start of a spraying process of the spray can; and an indicating element configured to indicate to the user, once the predetermined time interval has expired, to end the spraying process. Also provided is a method for manually reprocessing a medical device.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A reprocessing and/or maintenance system for medical instruments comprising a spray can dispensing a maintenance agent, the reprocessing and/or maintenance system comprising:
an adapter configured to be connected to a spray can, wherein the adapter is equipped with smart functions which are provided and configured to detect application parameters of the spray can and to inform the user accordingly; and wherein the adapter comprises a sensor system configured to establish a smart connection with a medical device to be connected, the sensor system being configured to establish the smart connection via Near Field Communication (NFC) or a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio technology with the medical device to be connected, wherein the medical device comprises a smart tray or a medical instrument, wherein the sensor system of the adapter is configured to identify a type of the medical device by means of the smart connection and to recognize whether the medical device is connected directly or indirectly to the adapter.

2 . The reprocessing and/or maintenance system according to claim 1 , wherein the smart functions comprise:
a timekeeper configured to perform a time measurement for a predetermined time interval, wherein the starting point of the time measurement is indicated by a start of a spraying process of the spray can, and an indicating element configured to indicate to the user to terminate the spraying process upon completion of the predetermined time interval.

3 . The reprocessing and/or maintenance system according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter further comprises:
a first port configured to be connected to the spray can; a second port configured to be connected to the medical device; and a passage configured to connect the first port to the second port and to guide an aerosol dispensed by the spray can into the passage from the first port to the second port.

4 . The reprocessing and/or maintenance system according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter further comprises:
a timekeeper configured to perform a time measurement for a predetermined time interval, wherein the starting point of the time measurement is indicated by a start of a spraying process of the spray can, and a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature drop in a passage of the adapter, wherein the timekeeper is configured to determine the start of the spraying process based on the temperature drop.

5 . The reprocessing and/or maintenance system according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter comprises:
a timekeeper configured to perform a time measurement for a predetermined time interval, wherein the starting point of the time measurement is indicated by a start of a spraying process of the spray can, and a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure change in a passage of the adapter, wherein the timekeeper is configured to determine the start of the spraying process based on the pressure change.

6 . The reprocessing and/or maintenance system according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter further comprises:
a humidity sensor configured to detect an oil proportion of the oil-containing aerosol in a passage of the adapter; and an indicating element configured to indicate to the user to terminate a spraying process based on the oil proportion.

7 . The reprocessing and/or maintenance system according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter further comprises:
a position sensor configured to determine an orientation of the spray can; and an indicating element configured, based on the orientation of the spray can, to indicate to the user to terminate a spraying process.

8 . The reprocessing and/or maintenance system according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter further comprises: a power supply configured to supply power to operative components of the adapter.

9 . The reprocessing and/or maintenance system according to claim 8 , wherein the power supply comprises a replaceable battery or accumulator.

10 . The reprocessing and/or maintenance system according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an indicating element configured to indicate to the user to terminate a spraying process, wherein the indicating element comprises a visual or acoustic indication.

11 . The reprocessing and/or maintenance system according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter is configured to be connected as a reusable unit to the spray can as a one-way unit, and to a medical instrument.

12 . The reprocessing and/or maintenance system according to claim 1 , wherein the maintenance agent comprises an oil containing aerosol.

13 . The reprocessing and/or maintenance system according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter is further equipped with smart functions configured to detect also state parameters of the spray can and to inform the user accordingly.

14 . The reprocessing and/or maintenance system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor system of the adapter is configured to exchange, process and store data between the adapter and the medical device by means of the smart connection, and wherein the data of the medical device are stored on an RFID chip.

15 . A medical instrument reprocessing and/or maintenance system comprising:
an adapter according to claim 1 , the adapter comprising:
a first port configured to connect to a dispenser;
a second port configured to connect to a medical device;
a passage fluidly connecting the first port to the second port;
one or more sensors, configured to detect a fluid passing through the passage;
one or more indicators configured to present an output signal to a user; and
a processor configured to:
receive an input signal from the one or more sensors, and
based on the signal, activate the one or more indicators to present the output signal to the user, the output signal representing an instruction to terminate passing of the fluid through the passage.

16 . A method of manually reprocessing and/or maintaining a medical instrument, the method comprising:
providing a medical device comprising a smart tray or a medical instrument; providing a spray can; providing an adapter configured to be connected to the spray can, wherein the adapter is equipped with smart functions which are provided and configured to detect application parameters of the spray can and to inform a user accordingly; establishing a smart connection between the medical device and a sensor system of the adapter, the sensor system being configured to establish the smart connection via Near Field Communication (NFC) or a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio technology, the sensor system of the adapter being configured to identify a type of the medical device by means of the smart connection and to recognize whether the medical device is connected directly or indirectly to the adapter; connecting a first port of the adapter to the spray can; connecting a second port of the adapter to the medical instrument; carrying out a spraying process of the spray can for supplying mechanical components of the medical device with a reprocessing and/or maintenance agent by manual actuation of the spray can by a user; starting a time measurement for a predetermined time interval, or a measurement of a volume flow passing through the adapter, wherein the starting point is indicated by detecting a start of the spraying process of the spray can; indicating a completion of the predetermined time interval or the reaching of a predetermined volume flow rate, and an associated request that the spraying process be terminated.

17 . The method of manually reprocessing and/or mainta

Assignees

• Aesculap Ag

Inventors

• Högerle Roland-Alois
• Schaz Uwe

Classifications

• A61L2103/15

  Laboratory, medical or dentistry appliances, e.g. catheters or sharps · CPC title

• B65D83/285

  for applying the content, e.g. brushes or pads · CPC title

• B65D83/26

  operating automatically, e.g. periodically · CPC title

• A61L2202/15

  Biocide distribution means, e.g. nozzles, pumps, manifolds, fans, baffles, sprayers · CPC title

• A61L2202/14

  Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs · CPC title