Cellular catalyst member for remediating a disinfectant

Abstract

A method includes directing a disinfectant flow across at least one portion of a medical device to clean the at least one portion of the medical and flowing the disinfectant through a cellular catalyst member to remediate the disinfectant. The cellular catalyst member includes pores that form flow paths for the disinfectant.

Description

CELLULAR CATALYST MEMBER FOR REMEDIATING A DISINFECTANTBACKGROUNDCross-referen ce[oooi] The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 585,690, entitled “STRUCTURED FOAM CATALYST FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF DISINFECTION,” filed September 27, 2023, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to remediation of a disinfectant.Related Art

[0003] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

[0004] There are different types of medical devices (medical instruments) that can be used to perform diagnostic and / or surgical procedures. Some medical devices, such as endoscopes or ultrasound probes, can be in direct contact with a patient, such as inserted within the patient, during usage. For this reason, medical devices are to be cleaned and disinfected (e.g., sterilized) after use to remove possible bioburden. A method used for cleaning the medical devices includes directing a disinfectant onto the medical device. After cleaning the medical device, the disinfectant is remediated (e.g., destructed into particles that may be more easily or readily removed or rendered harmless).SUMMARY

[0005] In one aspect, a method is provided. The method comprises: directing a disinfectant across at least one portion of a medical device to clean the at least one portion of the medical device; and subsequently flowing the disinfectant through a cellular catalyst member to remediate the disinfectant.

[0006] In another aspect, a cellular structure for remediating a disinfectant is provided. The cellular structure comprises: a plurality of openings configured to receive the disinfectant from a cleaning procedure, wherein the plurality of openings form flow paths for the disinfectant,wherein the plurality of openings is sized based at least on one or more properties of the cleaning procedure and to provide a predetermined amount of catalytic action to remediate the disinfectant as the disinfectant flows through the cellular structure.

[0007] In another aspect, a method is provided. The method comprises: identifying one or more disinfection parameters associated with a cleaning process to disinfect a device using a disinfectant; and forming a cellular catalyst member to include a plurality of pores to define flow paths for the disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member, wherein the cellular catalyst member is configured to remediate the disinfectant as the disinfectant flows through the cellular catalyst member, and wherein at least one of a distribution or size of the plurality of pores is selected based on the one or more disinfection parameters associated with the cleaning process.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] FIG. l is a schematic diagram of a medical cleaning system that includes aspects of the techniques presented herein;[ooio] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a medical cleaning procedure that includes aspects of the techniques presented herein;[ooii] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a remediation system that includes aspects of the techniques presented herein;

[0012] FIGs. 4-7 illustrate various cellular structures that include aspects of the techniques presented herein;

[0013] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of another medical cleaning system that includes aspects of the techniques presented herein; and

[0014] FIGs. 9, 10, and 11 are flowcharts of various methods to perform aspects of the techniques presented herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Presented herein are techniques for remediating a disinfectant using a cellular catalyst member. Disinfectants are used in medical, food, and packaging industries to kill and therebyprevent the transmission of transmissible agents such as spores, fungi, and bacteria. For example, a disinfectant in the form of a gas-phase or a multiphase mist (e.g., fine droplets of liquid suspended in a carrier gas) can be directed into / onto a device or article to clean the device during a cleaning procedure. In some embodiments, a cleaning system that includes a chamber, as well as an aerosol generator (e.g., a nebulizer) and fluid mover (e.g., a fan, a pump) in fluid communication with the chamber, is used to clean a device.

[0016] In one example, during a cleaning procedure, a device is disposed in the chamber, which is then sealed. An inlet valve is opened, and an outlet valved is closed. The fluid mover is engaged, which creates a gas stream through or past the aerosol generator and into the chamber. A passive vent in the chamber allows for pressure equalization to permit gas flow in and out of the chamber. The aerosol generator, which contains the desired disinfectant, is then activated, putting a large number of small disinfectant droplets into the gas stream. The droplets are carried by the gas stream to create an aerosol, which travels into the chamber. The disinfectant droplets contact the device disposed in the chamber, thereby cleaning the device.

[0017] After the cleaning procedure is complete, the disinfectant (e.g., the disinfectant that has passed through / over / around the device) is remediated (e.g., the disinfectant is deconstructed, decomposed, and / or broken up) by flowing the disinfectant through a cellular catalyst member. As an example, the passive vent defines a pathway for flow through the cellular catalyst member. As another example, an active removal system that pulls disinfectant out of the chamber defines a pathway for flow through the cellular catalyst member. In either case, remediation of the disinfectant in this way can chemically or otherwise alter the disinfectant to provide particles that are more favorable (e.g., safer for contact with a person). In general, a disinfectant is considered to be fully-remediated when the properties of the disinfectant have been altered in a manner that renders the disinfectant safe for contact with a human and / or for release into a drain system, an ambient environment, etc., in accordance with one or more applicable standards. This is sometimes referred to herein as a reaching a “target” or “selected” level of remediation. By way of example, the disinfectant can include hydrogen peroxide, which is destructed into water and oxygen. Another example disinfectant includes acetic acid, which can be destructed into carbon dioxide and methane, and methane can be further destructed (e.g., via heat) into water and carbon dioxide.

[0018] As noted, in accordance with embodiments presented herein, a cellular catalyst member is provided and used to remediate a disinfectant. More specifically, and as described further below, a cellular catalyst member includes a plurality of pores that provide flow paths for adisinfectant through the cellular catalyst member. The pores are formed from, or coated by, a catalyst. As the disinfectant flows through the pores, the disinfectant is remediated through contact with the catalyst. When the disinfectant reaches a distal end of the cellular catalyst member, the disinfectant is fully remediated / remediated to a target level.

[0019] As described in greater detail below, cellular catalyst members presented herein can have a number of different configurations / arrangements and the use of a cellular catalyst member to remediate a disinfectant has a number of advantages over conventional remediation techniques. For example, in certain embodiments, a cellular catalyst member can have a nonstochastic or pseudo-stochastic cellular structure (e.g., determined via CAD modelling and generated using 3D printing) that can be specifically selected / tuned to remediate a specific disinfectant used in association with a specific cleaning process to disinfect a device. That is, at least one of a distribution or size of the plurality of pores in the cellular structure is selected / configured based one or more disinfection parameters associated with the cleaning process to disinfect a device using the disinfectant and / or based on one or more properties of the catalyst to, for example, provide a predetermined amount of catalytic action to remediate the disinfectant and / or balance fluidic resistance relative to catalytic action. The cellular / porous nature of the proposed cellular catalyst member enables this specific remediation tuning, which is not available in conventional techniques.

[0020] In addition, in accordance with certain embodiments presented herein, a cellular catalyst member can have different catalytic zones and can thereby provide a more tuned / nuanced catalytic effect. For example, certain cellular catalyst members presented herein can have variable pore sizes tuned to interact with disinfectants having different characteristics (e.g. gas phase disinfectant or liquid droplet phase disinfectant), while other cellular catalyst members can have different catalysts deposited in each of the plurality of catalytic zones (e.g., to facilitate a staged reaction and / or to interact with different disinfectants used in the cleaning procedure). Each of these different embodiments are described in greater detail below.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a system 50 implementing aspects of the techniques presented herein during a procedure to clean (e.g., disinfect, sterilize) a device, such as medical device 52 sometimes referred to herein as a “cleaning procedure.” In particular, a cleaning device 51 (e.g., which includes or is coupled to a fluid moving device, such as a fan or a pump) directs a disinfectant 53 or other suitable cleaning fluid into / onto a medical device 52. Contact between the disinfectants 3 and a surface of the medical device 52 can remove, neutralize, or eliminate contaminants from the surface of the medical device 52.Thereafter, the disinfectant 53 (e.g., the disinfectant fluid 53 that has been passed through / over / around a surface of medical device 52), is directed through a remediation system 56. The remediation system 56 is configured to remediate (e.g., deconstruct, decompose, and / or break up) the disinfectant 53 to render the disinfectant 53 relatively innocuous. For example, in certain cases, after the disinfectant 53 has been remediated by the remediation system 56, the disinfectant 53 can be relatively harmless for contact with a person. In some embodiments, operation of the fluid moving device 53 directs the disinfectant 53 in a laminar flow, rather than at a turbulent flow, into / onto the medical device 52 and / or through the remediation system 56.

[0022] As described further below, the remediation system 56 in accordance with embodiments presented herein can take a number of different forms. In one example, the remediation system 56 includes a cellular catalyst member 57 that is configured to remediate the disinfectant 53. In certain examples, the cellular catalyst member 57 comprises a plurality of openings configured to receive the disinfectant 53 used in a cleaning procedure, wherein the plurality of openings form flow paths for the disinfectant 53. In addition, the plurality of openings can be sized to balance a fluidic resistance of the disinfectant along the flow paths versus an amount of catalytic action to remediate the disinfectant 53. Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of openings can be sized to interact with disinfectant particles of different phases.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another example medical cleaning procedure 100 to clean (e.g., disinfect, sterilize) a medical device. However, it is conceivable that those in the art could use other medical cleaning procedures to clean a medical device in accordance with techniques discussed herein. A medical device to be cleaned, such as an endoscope, an ultrasound probe, etc., is placed by into a cleaning chamber 102. The cleaning chamber 102 is then closed. During a delivery phase, an inlet valve 104 is opened and an outlet valve 106 is closed. A fluid mover 108 (e.g., a fan, a pump) is engaged, generating a gas stream into a nebulizer 110. The nebulizer 110 is, for example, an ultrasonic nebulizer. The nebulizer 110 contains a disinfectant (e.g., 35% hydrogen peroxide); The nebulizer 110 generates droplets that are carried by the gas stream created by the fluid mover 108 to create an aerosol, which travels into the cleaning chamber 102. The disinfectant concentration in the aerosol can be adjusted by changing either the flow rate of the gas stream, the productivity of the nebulizer 110, and / or the concentration of the initial disinfectant that is nebulized.

[0024] During the delivery phase, the aerosol contacts the surface of the medical device to be cleaned. The small size of aerosol droplets, especially relative to their surface area, can enable the aerosol droplets to spread in a uniformly thin manner over the surface of the medical device, as well as to access small areas, in some cases even mated surfaces of the medical device, to provide thorough cleaning of the medical device. A passive waste removal vent or system 112 allows some gas flow of disinfectant to pass therethrough, equalizing pressure and allowing the sterilization chamber 102 to remain at approximately room pressure. This passive waste removal vent 112 can include a pathway for flow to a catalyst member to remediate the disinfectant.

[0025] At the end of the delivery phase, the fluid mover 108 and the nebulizer 110 are deactivated, and the inlet valve 104 is closed. The outlet valve 106 is opened, and aerosol of the disinfectant is removed from the cleaning chamber 102 with an active removal / waste system 112, which can include a pump that pulls aerosol and / or vapor out of the cleaning chamber 102, such as from the surface of the medical device. With the nebulizer 110 off, the fluid mover 108 can also be used to assist in removal of the disinfectant. The system 112 can also include a pathway for flow between the cleaning chamber 102 and a catalyst member to remediate the disinfectant. The system 112 can allow a source of fresh air to be drawn into the cleaning chamber 102 (e.g., from an ambient environment).

[0026] The switching of the various components of the medical cleaning procedure 100 is generally under software control to ensure appropriate operation of the fluid mover 108, the nebulizer 110, and the valves 104, 106 in correct order and to ensure that timing is accurately controlled. The medical cleaning procedure 100 can also incorporate flow sensors in line between the nebulizer 110 and the cleaning chamber 102 and / or incorporate liquid level sensors in the nebulizer 110 to measure when predetermined levels of disinfectant have been administered to the cleaning chamber 102 or used by the nebulizer 110. Additionally, the surface of the cleaning chamber 102 can be electronically heated to a controlled temperature by thermostat means or otherwise, hence accelerating the speed of cleaning.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the remediation system 56, referred to as remediation system 356. The illustrated remediation system 356 includes a vessel 358 and a cellular catalyst member 357 disposed within the vessel 358. The cellular catalyst member 357 is used to remediate a disinfectant or other cleaning fluid. In particular, the cellular catalyst member 357 remediates the disinfectant via contact with the disinfectant. For example, the disinfectant flows through the vessel 358 in which the cellular catalyst member 357 is disposed,where the walls 361 of the vessel 358 define a boundary confining the flow of the disinfectant and thereby force the disinfectant to come into contact with the cellular catalyst member 357. Although the illustrated remediation system 356 includes the vessel 358 to confine the flow of disinfectant therethrough, in additional or alternative embodiments, a separate, discrete vessel is not used. For example, in some embodiments, the cellular catalyst member 357 itself defines a wall or a boundary that confines the flow of the disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member 357. For instance, an outer surface of the cellular catalyst member 357 could block flow of the disinfectant out of the cellular catalyst member 357. In such embodiments, the remediation system 356 may not include a separate, discrete vessel 358.

[0028] In certain embodiments, the cellular catalyst member 357 is manufactured to have a large reactive surface area and / or a large unit volume to increase the availability of the surface of the cellular catalyst member 357 that can contact the disinfectant, thereby increasing the catalytic action (reaction rate) for efficient / increased remediation. In many instances, it is preferable to increase the reactive surface area per unit volume in alignment with general consumer preferences for smaller form-factors. However, while a large reactive surface area, a larger unit volume, or a denser form factor can increase the catalytic action, it can also increase fluidic resistance, which in turn can have a negative impact on the device cleaning procedure. As an example, a high fluidic resistance can reduce a flow rate of disinfectant across a device, thereby potentially reducing a cleaning efficiency / efficacy provided by the disinfectant. As another example, to compensate for the reduced flow rate of disinfectant caused by a high fluidic resistance, a greater cost associated with driving the flow of disinfectant may be utilized, such as by operating a cleaning device (e.g., a fan, a pump) may be operated at a higher level and / or by implementing more cleaning devices. To this end, a cellular structure for use in the cellular catalyst member 357 can, in certain embodiments, be manufactured to provide a balance between fluidic resistance of the disinfectant along the flow paths versus an amount of catalytic action to remediate the disinfectant.

[0029] Stated differently, in accordance with certain embodiments, a cellular catalyst member, such as cellular catalyst member 357, can have cellular structure that is specifically designed / configured to remediate a specific disinfectant in association with a cleaning process. In accordance with certain embodiments presented herein, at least one of a distribution or size of the plurality of pores is selected based on the one or more disinfection parameters associated with the cleaning process. The disinfection parameters associated with the cleaning process can include, for example, one or more properties of the disinfectant used in the cleaning process(e.g., one or more chemical properties of the disinfectant, a phase of the disinfectant as it passes through the cellular catalyst member, a viscosity of the disinfectant, etc.) and / or one or more properties of the cleaning process itself, such as flow characteristics of the cleaning process (e.g., flow rate, pressure, etc.). In accordance with certain embodiments presented herein, at least one of a distribution or size of the plurality of pores is selected based on one or more properties of the catalyst used in the cellular catalyst member. As can be appreciated, parameters for flow rate, catalytic action, etc. can be determined empirically.

[0030] In certain examples, at least one of a distribution or size of the plurality of pores in the cellular structure (forming part of the cellular catalyst member) is selected based on the one or more disinfection parameters to, for example, provide a predetermined amount of catalytic action to remediate the disinfectant. As used herein, a “predetermined amount of catalytic action” can refer to a minimum or target amount of catalytic action (e.g., across / through the cellular catalyst member) such that the disinfectant, upon exit from the cellular catalyst member, has been remediated to target level (e.g., rendered harmless in accordance with an applicable standard). As used herein, a “distribution of the plurality of pores” can refer to an overall arrangement (e.g., length, width, height, density, etc.) of the pores to define the flow paths through the cellular catalyst member.

[0031] It is also to be appreciated that, as described elsewhere herein, the term “flow paths” is used to refer a series of interconnected pores that enable the disinfectant to pass from a proximal end of the cellular catalyst member (e.g., where the disinfectant is received) to a distal end of the cellular catalyst member (e.g., where the disinfectant exits and has been remediated to the target level). In accordance with the techniques presented herein, the flow paths through the cellular catalyst member are “tortuous” or “winding” and, in practice, the flow of the disinfectant can be relatively stochastic in nature (e.g., the cellular structure generally does not include direct or preferential flow paths for the disinfectant).

[0032] In general, a relationship exists between the properties of the disinfectant, the flow rate of the cleaning process, the catalytic action (catalyst), and the pore size or distribution. For example, for a given catalyst / foam overall dimension and a given disinfect and flow pressure, as pore size or distribution is increased, the flow rate increases at the expense of catalytic action. As such, it would be appreciated that the ability to reach a target level of remediation is a multi - dimensional / multi-variable problem. However, as described elsewhere herein, the use of the cellular structure (e.g., a plurality of interconnected pores) provides the ability to solve themulti-dimensional and provide remediation for different disinfectants in association with different cleaning processes.

[0033] In one example arrangement, a design constraint for a cellular catalyst member member presented herein could be to have a minimum a flow rate of (e.g., flow rate X) for a given disinfectant, yielding a cellular catalytic member with a pore size (e.g., pore size Y). Through a design process, it can be determined that that pore size Y results in sub-optimal catalytic action. Accordingly, the design constraint (e.g., the flow rate) is updated is changed (e.g., bigger fan). This process can be iterated to achieve a pore size or distribution that achieves a target or predetermined catalytic action for the given disinfectant and / or flow rate. Therefore, as described elsewhere herein, the pore size or distribution of the pores can be specifically selected / tuned based on one or more disinfection parameters associated with the associated cleaning process.

[0034] In accordance with embodiments presented herein, a cellular catalyst member, such as cellular catalyst member 357, has a cellular structure that includes struts that are arranged to provide pores through which the disinfectant can flow. As used herein, a “strut” refers to a solid segment that extends to form the geometry of the cellular structure . Additionally, a “pore” refers to a space formed between connected struts. For example, multiple struts are connected to one another to define a pore. Adjacent pores may be at least partially defined by one or more common or shared struts. In operation, the disinfectant can flow through any of the pores, and the flow of the disinfectant through the pore results in contact between the disinfectant and the struts that form the pore . In this manner, the pores define flow paths for the disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member 357, and the cellular structure of the cellular catalyst member 357 directs the disinfectant to contact the reactive surface area provided by the struts of the cellular catalyst member 357 to improve remediation of the disinfectant. The cellular structure of the cellular catalyst member 357 presented herein can have any quantity of struts and / or pores to fill a volume within the vessel 358 and provide a sufficiently large reactive surface area and / or unit volume to remediate the disinfectant while providing a selected fluidic resistance for the disinfectant.

[0035] In accordance with certain embodiments presented herein, the cellular structure of the cellular catalyst member 357 can have a stochastic cell structure, pseudo-stochastic structure, or a non-stochastic structure. In examples in which the cellular catalyst member 357 has a stochastic structure, the structure can comprise an open-cell foam structure. In examples in which the cellular catalyst member 357 has a non-stochastic structure, the structure cancomprise a three-dimensional open-cell lattice or truss structure. In accordance with certain embodiments presented herein, the cellular catalyst member 357 could comprise a closed-cell structure. As an example, the closed-cell structure can include a honeycomb shape in which multiple pore openings are distributed along a surface with limited spacing between adjacent pores, and the pores extend (e.g., linearly extend) away from the surface.

[0036] In accordance with embodiments presented herein, the structure of the cellular catalyst member 357 can be at least partially user-defined to provide a desirable flow paths. As an example, the positioning and / or relative pore / strut sizes at different portions of the cellular structure can be user-defined to define a tortuous flow paths that increases the amount of surface area of the cellular catalyst member 357 that comes into contact with the disinfectant as the disinfectant flows through the vessel 358. In such cases, a stochastic cellular structure can be considered as having a pseudo-stochastic structure, rather than a truly random structure, in which certain parameters of the cellular structure are user-defined and at least partially bounded, instead of being entropically random.

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a single cell 463 (e.g., having a dodecahedron shape) of an example cellular catalyst member in accordance with certain embodiments presented herein. The cell 463 includes struts 404, which are connected to one another at a vertex 405, and connected struts 404 surround a space to define a pore / opening 408. That is, the pore 408 is bounded by multiple struts 404. In the illustrated embodiments, five struts 404 define each pore 408 having a pentagonal shape. However, any suitable quantity of struts 404 connected in any manner can define a pore 408 of another cell, and the cellular catalyst member can include any suitable quantity of cells 463. The struts 404 and the pores 408 of the illustrated cell 463 also cooperatively enclose an internal volume / chamber 410. That is, each pore 408 exposes the internal volume 410 to an exterior 412 of the internal volume 410 such that disinfectant can flow between the internal volume 410 and the exterior 412 (e.g., into the internal volume 410, out of the internal volume 410) via any of the pores 408.

[0038] A cellular catalyst member can include multiple cells (such as cells 463) arranged to form an open-cell structure. As an example, the cells are positioned together to avoid irregular gaps or overlap (e.g., to be “space filling”) and can be one or more types of polyhedra that repeat throughout a volume occupied by the cellular catalyst member. The open-cell structure refers to an arrangement in which disinfectant can flow between multiple cells (e.g., between the internal volumes of the cells) that are placed together. For example, one of the pores 408 enables disinfectant flow between adjacent cells. In some embodiments, each cell 463 includesmultiple intake openings and / or multiple discharge openings. In other words, the disinfectant can flow into the internal volume 410 via multiple pores 408 and / or out of the internal volume 410 via multiple pores 408. Regardless of the particular flow of the disinfectant with respect to the internal volume 410, flow of the disinfectant through the pores 408 can cause the disinfectant to contact the struts 404 to cause remediation of the disinfectant.

[0039] The illustrated cell structure is relatively orderly in that the struts 404 have substantially the same size (e.g., the same cross-sectional area, such as about 0.2 mm in diameter, the same length) and the pores 408 have substantially the same size (e.g., the same cross-sectional area). However, it should be noted that a cell structure in accordance with certain embodiments presented herein can have differently sized struts 404 and / or pores 408.

[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a cellular catalyst member 557 having struts 504 that define pores 506. The struts 504 and the pores 506 are arranged in a relatively orderly manner such that internal volumes 508 defined by the struts 504 and pores 506 repeat throughout a volume of the cellular catalyst member 557. However, the struts 504 are arranged to avoid a line of sight from one end to the other end of the cellular catalyst member 557, thereby avoiding a clear or preferential flow paths through the cellular catalyst member 557 that could otherwise reduce or limit contact between the disinfectant and the cellular catalyst member 557.

[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a cellular catalyst member 657 having struts 604 that define pores 606. The cellular structure of the cellular catalyst member 657 can be somewhat similar to that of the cellular catalyst member 557. However, the size of the pores 606 and / or of internal volumes 608 defined by the struts 604 and pores 606 can be relatively smaller than the size of the pores 506 and / or of the internal volumes 508 of the cellular catalyst member 557. For this reason, the cellular catalyst member 657 can restrict fluid flow therethrough.

[0042] In the example of FIG. 6, the smaller size of the pores 606 and / or of the internal volumes 608 increases exposure of the struts 604 to the disinfectant. In other words, the struts 604 have a relatively larger reactive surface area. Accordingly, the cellular catalyst member 657 can provide increased contact with the disinfectant, thereby increasing a catalytic action density (e.g., an amount of surface area of the struts 604 within a particular volume) to remediate the disinfectant. Indeed, increasing the catalytic action density typically increases fluid resistance such that a desirable balance between remediating the disinfectant and flowing the disinfectantthrough a catalyst at a target rate is to be achieved via the catalyst. For example, a catalyst having a particular cellular structure is to be designed to enable the disinfectant to be sufficiently remediated without reducing the flow of the disinfectant through the catalyst below a threshold flow rate and / or without having to increase operation of a fluid driving device (e.g., a fan, a pump) to direct the disinfectant through the catalyst at a sufficient flow rate.

[0043] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a cellular catalyst member 757 having struts 704 that define pores 706. Compared to the previous cellular catalyst members described above, the cellular catalyst member 757 has irregularities in its internal volumes 708 to create a varying three-dimensional structure. For example, the cellular catalyst member 757 includes variably sized struts 704, struts that are not linear (e.g., the struts have a curved or arcuate shape), and / or variably shaped pores 706. As an example, a first pore 706A is larger than a second pore 706B. The cellular structure of the cellular catalyst member 757 is therefore stochastic or pseudo-stochastic, rather than non-stochastic or orderly.

[0044] It should be noted that a cellular catalyst member can include any other suitable cellular structure. By way of example, the cellular structure includes a closed-cell structure in which disinfectant is blocked from flowing between multiple cells. That is, the disinfectant flows into the cellular catalyst member via a cell, and the disinfectant exits the cellular catalyst member upon discharge from the cell. For example, each cell has a single intake opening and a single discharge opening, such as by extending linearly to define a 2-dimensional tessellation extruded into a third dimension. For a closed-cell structure, the struts can provide a group of geometric channels that are bunched together, and the disinfectant (e.g., separate flows of the disinfectant) is directed through the channels. Flow of the disinfectant through each channel exposes the disinfectant to the struts that define each channel, thereby facilitating destruction of the disinfectant. That is, a plurality / collection of struts define a cross-section of a channel,. For instance, the cross-section of each channel includes a circle, a triangle, a rectangle, a hexagon, another shape, or combinations thereof. It should be noted that the cross-section of the channels can vary (e.g., be variably sized, variably shaped) relative to one another. In some instances, any of the disclosed cellular structures can be considered a foam or lattice (e.g., a user-defined foam or lattice).

[0045] In certain examples, any of the cellular catalyst members 457, 557, 657, 757 can be provided by attaching (e.g., adhering) a catalyst material to a scaffold providing the cellular structure. In such embodiments, a base material, such as a polymer, a ceramic, and / or a metal, is initially arranged into a structure having a desired profile (e.g., defining struts and pores). Amedium (e.g., a slurry) ofthe catalyst material canthen be applied / adhered to the base material, thereby coating the base material with the catalyst material. In this manner, the base material is a carrier having a surface covered by the catalyst material.

[0046] In certain examples, the base material with the catalyst material coating is heated to a high temperature in order to bind the catalyst material in place, such as by sintering (e.g., for a metallic catalyst) or firing (e.g., for a ceramic catalyst) to stabilize the cellular structure of the catalyst material. That is, the resulting cellular structure of the cellular catalyst member includes the catalyst material coating having the shape originally provided by the base material. As such, the profile of the underlying base material defines the final, rigid cellular catalyst member. For this reason, the base material (e.g., the geometry of the base material, such as pore sizes) is controlled to provide the desirable final product.

[0047] In some embodiments, a ceramic material is used as the base material to facilitate attachment of a coating thereto via its porous and absorbent properties that help with capturing and binding of a catalytic material. In additional or alternative embodiments, a polymer is used as the base material, and the high temperature that binds the catalyst coating in place can bum off the base material such that the final heated product is primarily composed of catalyst material.

[0048] In additional or alternative embodiments, a catalyst material is directly used to form the cellular structure such that a cellular catalyst member is provided without having to perform a separate operation of forming a base material separate from a catalyst material. By way of example, additive manufacturing (e.g., three-dimensional (3-D) printing) can be used to form the desired structure of the cellular catalyst member. During additive manufacturing, catalyst material (e.g., metal, ceramic) is directly output and stacked to provide layers of the catalyst forming the cellular structure. As such, the cellular catalyst member can be formed without usage of an initial base material. In such embodiments, the specific geometry of cells can be determined or modeled prior to fabrication (e.g., deposition of catalyst material) to guide the additive manufacturing process.

[0049] For any of the above or other manufacturing techniques, the arrangement of the pores can be controlled to provide a desirable flow paths of the disinfectant through the cellular structure, such as to naturally or inherently avoid defining a preferential flow paths therethrough. For example, in laminar flow regimes (e.g., lower flow rates for a given fluid and channel width), particular flow patterns, such as flow channeling, may form such that a vastmajority of fluid flow occurs at a center of an available flow paths area (e.g., a center of a crosssection of a vessel through which the fluid is directed) compared to other portions of the cellular structure. The preferential flow paths can reduce interactions with certain parts of the catalyst (e.g., with struts positioned near the vessel wall that is away from the center of the flow paths), resulting in lower efficiencies to remediate the disinfectant. Additionally, the preferential flow paths can cause uncontrolled increases in temperature (e.g., a thermal runaway condition), because catalytic action is generally exothermic and causes heat release and because an increase in temperature facilitates catalytic action, thereby creating a cycle of continually increasing temperature and catalytic action when particular parts of the catalyst constantly interact with the disinfectant fluid as a result of the preferential flow paths. Consequently, the preferential flow paths can create a concentration of heat buildup at the particular parts of the catalyst to expose such parts of the catalyst to undesirably elevated temperatures.

[0050] For the above and other reasons, specific pore sizes and / or alignments can be readily created to distribute the disinfectant in a manner that exposes the disinfectant to an increased surface area of the catalyst (e.g., the struts). In other words, to avoid a preferential flow paths, the pores can be arranged to change the flow direction of the disinfectant, thereby limiting a flow of the disinfectant directly along a prevailing flow direction through the vessel. As an example, an alignment of pores with respect to the prevailing flow direction is adjusted. For instance, the prevailing flow direction extends along a length of the vessel (e.g., from an inlet to an outlet of the vessel). The struts and pores can be oriented such that the flow paths defined by the pores directs the disinfectant in a flow direction that is transverse to the prevailing flow direction, such as toward a side of the vessel (e.g., radially outward toward the vessel wall). Consequently, rather than flowing directly along the prevailing flow direction, the disinfectant can flow in different directions (e.g., toward the vessel wall, then away from the vessel wall) in order to complete its travel through the cellular catalyst member and the vessel. In this manner, the disinfectant is forced through a longer, more tortuous path of travel as compared to flowing directly along the prevailing flow direction, thereby increasing contact between the disinfectant and the catalyst. Accordingly, the efficiency of the cellular catalyst member to remediate the disinfectant can be increased and / or a distribution of heat resulting from catalytic action can be more uniform to limit an undesirable temperature increase of any particular part of the cellular catalyst member.

[0051] In some embodiments, the pore arrangements are designed independently of the strut size (e.g., struts of different sizes can be arranged to provide pores of the same size, struts ofthe same size can be arranged to provide pores of different sizes), and certain properties of the cellular catalyst member, such as a balance between catalytic action and fluid resistance associated with the surface area and / or the unit volume (e.g., a density) of the cellular catalyst member, can be varied between different cellular structures. By way of example, a first cellular structure can have pore sizes ranging between 1 millimeters (mm) to 10 mm for remediating a first disinfectant (e.g., for an application in which a higher flow rate is desired), and a second cellular structure can have pore sizes that are below 1 mm for remediating a second disinfectant. In other words, cellular catalyst members having different cellular structures / parameters can be more suitable for remediating different disinfectants.

[0052] In certain examples, pore sizes of a cellular catalyst member can also be established based on a desired flow of the disinfectant through the cellular structure. Similarly, the struts can have different sizes, such as a diameter or thickness between 0. 1 mm to 1 mm and varying lengths / shapes, to define such pore sizes. The size of the struts and / or of the pores can also be based on the vessel in which the open-cell structure is to be disposed. For example, the struts are sufficiently sized to enable insertion of the open-cell structure into the vessel, as well as removal of the open-cell structure from the vessel (e.g., the struts have a large enough diameter to avoid deformation that would otherwise cause a permanent interference fit with the vessel).

[0053] Moreover, the struts and pores can be randomly distributed in three dimensions (e.g., while maintaining a set range of pore size and / or strut size parameters) and / or deliberately tessellated (e.g., via a mathematical generation) in three dimensions such that the pores do not align on any one axis, thereby providing the flow paths that causes the disinfectant to flow in various flow directions. Indeed, the design of the cellular catalyst member can be nuanced and granularly controlled. For example, the length, thickness, cross-sectional area, shape, positioning, coupling, and / or orientation of the struts and / or the size, cross-sectional area, shape, location, and / or orientation of the pores can be user-defined and readily established during a manufacturing process. Such properties can be based on the medical device to be cleaned.

[0054] In any case, the cellular catalyst member may be manufactured to be well distributed within the vessel and across the cellular catalyst member to increase contact between the disinfectant and the cellular catalyst member. In other words, the flow paths defined by the pores causes the disinfectant to constantly change direction, thereby forcing the disinfectant to flow across surfaces of different struts, and catalytic activity would take place at these different strut surfaces. Moreover, the density of the cellular structure can be well distributed, even upto the vessel wall. That is, the struts are positioned and extend uniformly within the vessel such that there is limited interruption of the cellular structure (e.g., of the struts forming the pores) that would otherwise create a large gap to result in a preferential flow therethrough. Indeed, the struts can be arranged to conform to the vessel wall and limit relatively large gaps that otherwise can be formed as a result of a mismatch between the geometry of the cellular structure and of the vessel. In this manner, the cellular structure may have increased efficiencies to facilitate remediation of the disinfectant.

[0055] Regardless of the cellular structure of the cellular catalyst member, the struts of the cellular structure have a relatively high surface area to volume ratio, such as in comparison to spherical profiles. For example, the struts include a cylindrical shape or an elongated profile. Thus, the struts provide increased volume efficiency and increase an amount of catalyst material exposed to the disinfectant for catalytic action. Additionally, such a profile of struts can enable the struts to be more easily arranged to define the pores and therefore flow paths for the disinfectant. Indeed, in comparison to usage of spherical particles (e.g., beads), such as random close packing of spherical particles that result in a large difference in packing density to create a preferential flow paths (e.g., where the spherical particles interface with internal walls of the vessel, at the center of an available flow paths area to generate flow channeling), the struts can be more easily positioned to alter the flow of disinfectant. Furthermore, such arrangement of the struts having an improved volume to surface area efficiency and desirable fluid flow can be controlled more easily in comparison to spherical particles, which can have either increased wasted internal volumes (e.g., for larger sized spheres) or impose excessive fluidic resistance (e.g., for smaller sized spheres). Further, the configuration of the struts can be arranged for providing structural and fabrication support. For example, a size of the struts is large enough to provide sufficient stability, but small enough to avoid wasted internal volume in which no catalytic action occurs. In some cases, the structure of the cellular catalyst member can undergo a treatment process that generates micro fissures in the struts through which the disinfectant can flow, thereby further increasing the surface area of the catalyst to facilitate remediation of the disinfectant.

[0056] Further still, the cellular structures can be arranged to improve heat control related to the vessel and / or to the catalyst. For instance, the cellular structure is a contiguous body (e.g., as opposed to being composed of multiple, individual pellets, beads, or chips that are not directly connected to one another) in which the struts are in direct contact with and therefore thermally coupled to one another. As a result, heat can be more easily conducted along eachstrut (e.g., from struts located at a center of the cellular structure to struts located more adjacent to the vessel wall). Additionally, multiple struts of the cellular structure can conform to the walls of the vessel to be in intimate contact with the vessel, thereby increasing thermal conductivity between the catalyst and the vessel. Thus, the cellular structure can be particularly arranged to adjust heat dispersion.

[0057] As an example, because reaction rate increases as the temperature of the catalyst and reactants increases, adding heat can help facilitate catalytic action and the remediation of the disinfectant. For instance, the cellular structure is placed in contact with the vessel, and heat is applied to the vessel (e.g., the vessel wall) and efficiently transferred to the struts, thereby heating the catalyst. For this reason, the temperature of the catalyst can be more easily increased, further improving catalytic efficiency to the disinfectant. As another example, heat can be more easily removed from the catalyst. For instance, excessive heat (e.g., generated by ongoing catalytic action) can undesirably affect a structural integrity of the catalyst material and / or of the vessel to reduce a useful lifespan of the catalyst and / or of the vessel and / or to deform the catalyst and / or the vessel, which can undesirably alter the flow paths established by the arrangement of the struts (e.g., to provide the pores) and potentially reduce catalytic action. Thus, it may be desirable to remove heat in certain situations to avoid an excessive increase in temperature of the catalyst. For example, a cold medium is applied to the vessel, and heat is efficiently transferred from the catalyst to the vessel directly contacting the catalyst, then absorbed by the cold medium applied to the vessel to reduce the temperature of the catalyst. In either case, the temperature of the catalyst can be more easily controlled (e.g., increased, decreased).

[0058] In certain implementations, the particular material of the cellular catalyst member can also be selected to provide desirable heat-related qualities. As an example, a metallic material can provide better heat transfer and distribution properties. However, a ceramic material can be more thermally resistant to maintain its shape at high temperatures. Thus, a ceramic material can potentially be less subject to deformation and related consequences (e.g., fatigue from constant deformation and force imparted during deformation).

[0059] A cellular catalyst member can also have multiple catalytic zones that each include respective properties suitable for remediating the disinfectant. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a cellular catalyst member 857 having a first catalytic zone 820 and a second catalytic zone 822 with different properties to provide a varying three- dimensional structure (e.g., a varying open-cell structure, a varying closed-cell structure). Eachof the catalytic zones 820, 822 includes a respective set of struts and pores. In particular, the first catalytic zone 820 includes first struts 804A and first pores 806A, and the second catalytic zone includes second struts 804B and second pores 806B. In some embodiments, during a manufacturing process of the cellular catalyst member 857, the arrangement of the first struts 804A and of the first pores 806A and the arrangement of the second struts 804B and of the second pores 806B are user-defined to generate a cellular structure providing a desirable catalytic action for remediating a disinfectant 853 directed through the cellular catalyst member 857.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the first catalytic zone 820 and the second catalytic zone 822 are stacked to create a single assembly. For instance, the disinfectant 853 is directed sequentially through the first catalytic zone 820 and then through the second catalytic zone 822 to provide a staged reaction. In some embodiments, the catalytic zones 820, 822 are contiguous, e.g. to enable the disinfectant 853 to flow directly from the first catalytic zone 820 to the second catalytic zone 822 for increased remediation efficiency. That is, the first catalytic zone 820 is an upstream portion (e.g., the first struts 804A are upstream struts and the first pores 806A are upstream pores) that provides catalytic action to cause an initial reaction of the disinfectant 853, whereas the second catalytic zone 822 is a downstream portion (e.g., the second struts 804B are downstream struts and the second pores 806B are downstream pores) that provides catalytic action to cause a subsequent reaction of the disinfectant 853 and / or a byproduct of the initial reaction of the disinfectant 853.

[0061] In one example, as the disinfectant 853 is remediated, heat is transferred from the disinfectant 853 to the cellular catalyst member 857. For instance, the disinfectant 853 is initially composed primarily of gas. However, as the disinfectant 853 is directed through the cellular catalyst member 857 and undergoes catalytic action, the disinfectant 853 loses heat and can condense to form liquid particles. Thus, while the disinfectant 853 is primarily in a gaseous state / phase at the first catalytic zone 820, the disinfectant 853 can have a substantial number of particles in a mist state / phase (e.g., a liquid state / phase, a vaporous state / phase) at the second catalytic zone 822. For this reason, the first struts 804A and the first pores 806A of the first catalytic zone 820 can have first properties (e.g., first sizes, first locations, first orientations) to accommodate disinfectant in a gaseous state / phase, and the second struts 804B and the second pores 806B of the second catalytic zone 822 can have second properties (e.g., second sizes, second locations, second orientations) to accommodate disinfectant in a mist state / phase.

[0062] As an example, a size of the first struts 804A and of the first pores 806A can each be relatively smaller while providing sufficient structural stability and fluid flow for gaseous disinfectant to flow therethrough, whereas a size of the second struts 804B and of the second pores 806B can each be relatively larger to increase structural stability (e.g., for supporting denser liquid particles adhered thereto) and limiting fluid resistance for mist disinfectant to flow therethrough.

[0063] By providing the catalytic zones 820, 822 having different properties, the disinfectant in both the gas phase and in the mist phase can be suitably accommodated to maintain desirable remediation of the disinfectant 853. Such implementation of different properties to accommodate disinfectant in multiple phases can be more difficult to achieve for other arrangements, such as those having spherical particles rather than elongated struts. For instance, implementing particles having differently sized spheres (e.g., diameters) to accommodate a multi-phase disinfectant can create large gaps between larger sphere particles, and smaller sphere particles can slide through the large gaps to reduce a structural stability of the sphere particle arrangement and limit formation of separate, discrete catalytic zones.

[0064] In further embodiments, the struts 804 in different catalytic zones 820, 822 can be composed of a different material to provide different catalytic actions. For example, the first struts 804A are composed of a metallic material, whereas the second struts 804B are composed of a ceramic material. Changing the material of the cellular catalyst member 857 along the flow paths of the disinfectant 853 can further enable acute control of remediating the disinfectant 853, such as to adjust a reaction rate of the disinfectant 853 along the flow paths.

[0065] Although the catalytic zones 820, 822 are arranged sequentially in the illustrated embodiment, it should be noted that in additional or alternative embodiments, the catalytic zones 820, 822 are arranged in a parallel (or other) arrangement. For example, the disinfectant 853 can be directed to one of the catalytic zones 820 but not to the other of the catalytic zones 820, 822. For instance, different disinfectants are directed to different catalytic zones 820, 822 (i.e., a first disinfectant is directed through the first catalytic zone 820, a second disinfectant is directed through the second catalytic zone 822). Thus, a single cellular catalyst member 857 can be used to remediate multiple disinfectants, such as disinfectants having different compositions and / or in different states / phases of matters. In such embodiments, the properties of the struts 804 and / or of the pores 806 can be particularly established to accommodate the respective compositions of the different disinfectants.

[0066] In further embodiments, the strut and / or pores of a catalyst can gradually vary along the flow paths of a disinfectant without defining discrete catalytic zones 820, 822. In other words, rather than having different sections with distinct, respective properties of struts and pores, a catalyst can have struts and pores with incrementally varying properties. For instance, the size of the struts and / or of the pores can gradually increase to accommodate a phase change of the disinfectant from gas to a mist. In a specific example, for a closed-cell structure (e.g., a honeycomb) in which cells may have a single intake opening and a single discharge opening, the intake opening may be differently sized (e.g., larger) than the discharge opening for each cell. In other words, the cross-section of any of the elongated channels or walled tubes can vary (e.g., be variably sized, variably shaped) along its length of extension, such as to better interact with disinfect particles of different phases. Regardless, the varying properties of struts and pores of a catalyst can be user-defined and established during a manufacturing process to provide a desirable catalytic action to remediate a disinfectant.

[0067] Each of FIGs. 9, 10, and 11 discussed below illustrates a respective method associated with a cellular catalyst member used to remediate a disinfectant (e.g., a cleaning fluid). It should be noted that each method can be performed differently than depicted. For example, for any of the methods, an additional operation can be performed. Additionally or alternatively, any of the operation can be performed differently than depicted, performed in a different, and / or not performed. It should also be noted that the operations of the respective methods can be performed in any suitable manner relative to one another, such as sequentially and / or in parallel with one another.

[0068] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method 900 for remediating a disinfectant used to clean at least one portion of a medical device. More specifically, at block 902, a disinfectant (e.g., a cleaning fluid) is directed across (e.g., onto, into, through, etc.) at least one portion of the medical device to clean (e.g., disinfect) the at least one portion of the medical device. The disinfectant can be directed across the at least one portion of the medical device via a fluid moving device (e.g., a fan, a pump). Therefore, block 902 can be considered a medical cleaning procedure. In some embodiments, the disinfectant is directed within the medical device, such as through a lumen. In additional or alternative embodiments, the disinfectant is directed onto an external surface of the medical device. As an example, the medical device is positioned within a chamber, and the disinfectant is directed into the chamber. In any case, the disinfectant can remove contaminants from the medical device.

[0069] At block 904, the disinfectant flows through a cellular catalyst member (e.g., any of the cellular catalyst members 57, 357, 557, 657, 757 described herein) to remediate the disinfectant. Thus, block 904 can be considered a remediation procedure. For example, the disinfectant flows from the medical device to the cellular catalyst member. The cellular catalyst member includes a catalyst material that facilitates a chemical reaction of the disinfectant to, for example, form a more favorable chemical composition. By way of example, the cellular structure includes pores that form flow paths therethrough. The disinfectant flows through the flow paths and comes into contact with the catalyst material along the flow paths to facilitate the chemical reaction that destructs the disinfectant. In some embodiments, the cellular catalyst member is disposed within a vessel (e.g., a vessel that also defines the chamber in which the medical device is positioned, a vessel that defines a chamber separate from the chamber in which the medical device is positioned) that confines the disinfectant, thereby forcing the disinfectant to remain in contact with the cellular catalyst member. Moreover, in some applications, the disinfectant flows through the cellular structure in a laminar flow (e.g., by limiting operational stress of the fluid moving device, by restricting a flow rate through the cellular structure to increase contact between the disinfectant and the cellular structure).

[0070] In some implementations, after the disinfectant has been remediated, the remediated disinfectant is removed and discarded. By way of example, the disinfectant includes hydrogen peroxide, which is remediated to form water and oxygen that can each be discharged to a surrounding environment. Additionally or alternatively, the remediated disinfectant is further cleaned / sanitized. For example, the remediated disinfectant could include contaminants removed from the medical device, and the remediated disinfectant is further cleaned to remove such contaminants. In any case, remediating the disinfectant improves an ease of handling the disinfectant, such as for discharge from a remediation system.

[0071] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method 1050 for manufacturing a cellular catalyst member (e.g., having an open-cell structure, having a closed-cell structure), in accordance with certain embodiments presented herein. More specifically, at block 1052, one or more disinfection parameters associated with a cleaning process to disinfect a device are identified. At 1054, a cellular catalyst member is formed to include a plurality of pores to define flow paths for the disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member. The cellular catalyst member is configured to remediate the disinfectant as the disinfectant flows through the cellular catalyst member and at least one of a distribution or size of the plurality of pores are selected based on the one or more disinfection parameters.

[0072] As detailed above, the one or more disinfection parameters can include one or more properties of the disinfectant (e.g., one or more chemical properties of the disinfectant, a phase of the disinfectant as it passes through the cellular catalyst member, a viscosity of the disinfectant, etc.) and / or one or more properties of the cleaning process, such as flow characteristics of the cleaning process (e.g., flow rate, pressure, etc.). In certain examples, the distribution and / or size of the plurality of pores are selected based on one or more properties of the catalyst used in the cellular catalyst member. In certain examples, the distribution and / or the size of the plurality of pores are selected to provide a minimum amount of catalytic action as the disinfectant flows through the cellular catalyst member (e.g., the pores are tuned to balance a fluidic resistance versus an amount of catalytic action for remediating a disinfectant). As an example, arranging pores (e.g., forming pores having relatively smaller pores sizes) to increase contact between the disinfectant and the cellular catalyst member to increase the amount of catalytic action can reduce a flow rate of the disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member, whereas arranging pores (e.g., forming pores having relatively larger pore sizes) to increase a flow rate of the disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member can reduce contact between the disinfectant and the cellular catalyst member to reduce the amount of catalytic action. Therefore, the pore size of the pores can be tuned to provide a sufficient amount of catalytic action that remediates the disinfectant while enabling the disinfectant to flow through the cellular catalyst member at a desirable flow rate. The pore sizes can be tuned by adjusting the arrangement of struts, which can be implemented to avoid producing volume inefficiencies and undesirable flow that can occur through usage of other structural shapes (e.g., spherical beads).

[0073] In some embodiments, a target flow rate of disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member is determined, such as based on an available operation of a fluid moving device. The pores are then tuned to provide a particular amount of catalytic action, such as a surface area of contact between the disinfectant and the cellular catalyst member, while achieving the target flow rate of disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member (e.g., without having to increase operation of a device that drives movement of disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member). In additional or alternative embodiments, a target amount of catalytic action (e.g., a target rate of reaction to remediate the disinfectant) is determined, and the pores are tuned to provide a flow rate of disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member while achieving the target amount of catalytic action. As can be appreciated, the catalytic action can be a function of the disinfectant and / or the cellular catalyst member. By tuning the pore sizes to controlcatalytic action and fluid resistance, a wider range of design possibilities can be enabled, such as particularly sized fluid moving devices (e.g., smaller fans) and / or specific throughput of remediating disinfectant, to increase a flexibility in implementation (e.g., based on a cost constraint related to fluid moving devices). The cellular catalyst member can be used in association with the cleaning process to remediate the disinfectant.

[0074] The cellular catalyst member can be formed / manufactured in a variety of different manners. In one example, an additive manufacturing process (e.g., 3-D printing) is used to form cellular catalyst member having the pores by forming, such as depositing, a feedstock (e.g., a slurry-based feedstock, a powder-based feedstock, a bulk solid-based feedstock) layer by layer. Any suitable additive manufacturing process, such as at least one of direct ink writing, binder jetting, selective laser sintering, selective laser melting, fused deposition modeling, digital light processing, two-photon polymerization, laminated object manufacturing, or stereolithography, can be used. However, for each different manufacturing process, various parameters can be considered to provide the cellular catalyst member having desirable properties (e.g., pore sizes). For example, with respect to direct ink writing, it is desirable for the rheology of the ink and its associated viscosity and flow behavior to provide a sufficiently fluid ink that can also maintain its shape during deposition to form the intended cellular catalyst member. Other parameters, such as a thickness of each layer of the cellular catalyst member being formed, a density and / or porosity of the cellular catalyst member (e.g., based on a filling ratio), a size of extruded material, and / or speed of depositing material, can be considered and tuned to provide a desirable cellular catalyst member. Moreover, in certain embodiments, post-processing of an additively manufactured cellular catalyst member can be performed. For instance, an initially printed cellular catalyst member can be sintered to achieve desired mechanical properties and density.

[0075] Gelcasting can also be used to form the cellular catalyst member. During gelcasting, monomers react to form polymers to create a three-dimensional structure. The three- dimensional structure is molded to a desired shape and then frozen to retain the polymeric particles in the desired shape. Directing foaming is another method of manufacturing and includes mixing an agent (e.g., an inorganic chemical, an organic chemical) and a ceramic component with one another, forming gas bubbles in the mixture via a physical or chemical treatment, and solidifying the mixture (e.g., via sintering) to provide the cellular catalyst member in which the pores are provided by way of the gas bubbles. A further manufacturing method is replica technique (e.g., polymeric sponge method) in which a polymeric sponge,such as reticulated polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, and / or cellulose, is immersed in a ceramic or metallic suspension having a solid content (e.g., between 50-70 weight percentage), thereby impregnating the polymeric sponge with the suspension composition. The impregnated polymer sponge is removed from the suspension, and excess suspension material is removed from the polymer sponge (e.g., via a rolling mill that squeezes the polymer sponge). A drying and thermal treatment (e.g., at about 500 degrees Celsius) then bums out the polymer material and other organic substances, and the remaining ceramic / metallic particles are sintered to provide the cellular catalyst member, which is a close replica of the polymeric sponge originally immersed in the suspension. Yet another manufacturing method is sacrificial template in which a pore-forming material (e.g., polylactic acid) and a geopolymer slurry (e.g., a fly ash-based material) are mixed to prepare a biphasic composite material. The pore-forming material is then removed, such as via thermal decomposition, melting, dissolution, sublimation, and / or chemical treatment, to form a porous geopolymer providing the cellular catalyst member having an inverse copy of the pore -forming material.

[0076] In certain embodiments, the method 1050 is performed to create a base material that does not provide catalytic action in itself, and a coating process is performed to attach (e.g., adhere) a catalyst material onto the base material. As an example, physical vapor deposition is performed by vaporizing a material and depositing the vaporized material onto a surface (e.g., atom by atom), such as via a physical -thermal collision process. Physical vapor deposition can include cathodic arc deposition, electron-beam deposition, evaporative deposition, pulsed laser deposition, plasma spray deposition, and / or sputter deposition, for instance. As another example, chemical vapor deposition is performed by surrounding a base material with a liquid / gaseous precursor (e.g., by injecting the precursor into a chamber in which the base material is positioned), then causing the precursor to react or decompose to form a coating material (e.g., via an increased temperature, plasma action, light radiation), which in turn deposits on and bonds to the base material. As a further example, dip coating is performed by submerging the base material with the catalyst material coating, then allowing the catalyst material coating to dry onto the base material. Calcination can be used to further adhere the coating by thermally treating without melting under restricted supply of ambient oxygen. As yet another example, electroplating is performed by preparing a direct current electrical circuit in which the base material is the cathode and the catalyst material coating is the anode. A complete circuit is then formed by submerging the base material and the catalyst material coating in an electrolyte solution, and the direct current is supplied to the catalyst materialcoating to dissolve the catalyst material coating in the electrolyte solution and move the dissolved catalyst material to deposit onto the base material.

[0077] In such implementations, the coating process is performed as part of a post-processing procedure. In other words, the base material is initially manufactured, and the catalytic material is then attached to the base material. Performing the coating process can increase flexibility of manufacturing. For example, a more structurally suitable base material (e.g., fly ash hollow spheres) can be provided to achieve desirable micro-structures, and a catalytic material that provides a desirable catalytic action can then be implemented.

[0078] Regardless of the method of manufacturing, the pores can be formed to provide tortuous flow paths through the cellular catalyst member. Providing the tortuous flow paths can avoid preferential flow paths (e.g., direct flow paths) that otherwise could reduce an amount of catalytic action to remediate the disinfectant, particularly for a laminar flow of the disinfectant. Indeed, the tortuous flow paths can increase contact between the disinfectant and the cellular structure, thereby increasing the amount of catalytic action and providing increased remediation of the disinfectant.

[0079] In some embodiments, properties of the pores are user-defined. By way of example, a range of property values (e.g., pore sizes) are user selected. In such embodiments, the cellular catalyst member can then be stochastically manufactured while conforming to the user selected property values. For instance, the struts and pores can be variably arranged while conforming to the range of property values. In this manner, the cellular catalyst member is pseudostochastic in that the struts and pores are stochastically generated while being confined to a boundary of property values.

[0080] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method 1100 for manufacturing a cellular catalyst member (e.g., having an open-cell structure, having a closed-cell structure) with multiple catalytic zones, in accordance with certain embodiments presented herein. At block 1102, a first catalytic zone of a cellular catalyst member is formed. The first catalytic zone includes first struts and first pores having first properties. At block 1104, a second catalytic zone of the cellular catalyst member is formed. The second catalytic zone includes second struts and second pores having second properties, different form the first properties. As an example, the first struts and the second struts have different size ranges. As another example, the first pores and the second pores have different size ranges. As a further example, the first struts and the second struts are composed of a different material (e.g., different catalyst material coatings).

[0081] The different properties associated with the catalytic zones can be more suitable for remediating respective disinfectants. In some embodiments, a disinfectant is directed sequentially through the catalytic zones. As the disinfectant flows through the catalytic zones, a state / phase of matter of the disinfectant can change, and the properties associated with the catalytic zones can be more suitable for remediating the disinfectant of different states / phases of matter. For instance, in one example, the first catalytic zone can be configured to receive gaseous disinfectant and is associated with relatively smaller struts and pores that increase contact between the gaseous disinfectant and the cellular catalyst member to increase catalytic action. However, the second catalytic zone can be configured to receive mist-phase (e.g., vaporous, liquid) disinfectant and is associated with relatively larger struts, which can provide structural stability upon impingement of liquid thereon, along with relatively larger pores, which can facilitate flow of liquid therethrough. Thus, the struts and / or the pores of different catalytic zones can be tuned to provide a staged reaction of the disinfectant (e.g., a first reaction rate of gaseous disinfectant at the first catalytic zone, a second reaction rate of mist-phase disinfectant at the second catalytic zone) and to balance a fluidic resistance versus an amount of catalytic action desired to remediate an associated phase of the disinfectant. In additional or alternative embodiments, different disinfectants are directed through the catalytic zones in parallel with one another. That is, a first disinfectant (e.g., having a first composition) is directed through the first catalytic zone and a second disinfectant (e.g., having a second composition, different from the first composition) is directed through the second catalytic zone. The properties of the catalytic zones are established to be more suitable for remediating the different disinfectants. By way of example, different amounts of catalytic action are suitable for remediating the different disinfectants, and the properties of the catalytic zones are established to provide the corresponding amounts of catalytic action. In any case, forming catalytic zones for the cellular catalyst member can help better remediate a disinfectant.

[0082] In some embodiments, the respective properties of the catalytic zones are user-defined. By way of example, a first range of property values (e.g., strut sizes, pore sizes) of the first catalytic zone and a second range of property values of the second catalytic zone are user selected. In such embodiments, the first catalytic zone and / or the second catalytic zone can be pseudo-stochastic by being stochastically generated while abiding to the respective boundaries of property values.

[0083] As should be appreciated, while particular uses of the technology have been illustrated and discussed above, the disclosed technology can be used with a variety of devices inaccordance with many examples of the technology. The above discussion is not meant to suggest that the disclosed technology is only suitable for implementation within systems akin to that illustrated in the figures. In general, additional configurations can be used to practice the processes and systems herein and / or some aspects described can be excluded without departing from the processes and systems disclosed herein.

[0084] This disclosure described some aspects of the present technology with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which only some of the possible aspects were shown. Other aspects can, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein. Rather, these aspects were provided so that this disclosure was thorough and complete and fully conveyed the scope of the possible aspects to those skilled in the art.

[0085] As should be appreciated, the various aspects (e.g., portions, components, etc.) described with respect to the figures herein are not intended to limit the systems and processes to the particular aspects described. Accordingly, additional configurations can be used to practice the methods and systems herein and / or some aspects described can be excluded without departing from the methods and systems disclosed herein.

[0086] According to certain aspects, systems and non-transitory computer readable storage media are provided. The systems are configured with hardware configured to execute operations analogous to the methods of the present disclosure. The one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media comprise instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to execute operations analogous to the methods of the present disclosure.

[0087] Similarly, where steps of a process are disclosed, those steps are described for purposes of illustrating the present methods and systems and are not intended to limit the disclosure to a particular sequence of steps. For example, the steps can be performed in differing order, two or more steps can be performed concurrently, additional steps can be performed, and disclosed steps can be excluded without departing from the present disclosure. Further, the disclosed processes can be repeated.

[0088] Although specific aspects were described herein, the scope of the technology is not limited to those specific aspects. One skilled in the art will recognize other aspects or improvements that are within the scope of the present technology. Therefore, the specificstructure, acts, or media are disclosed only as illustrative aspects. The scope of the technology is defined by the following claims and any equivalents therein.

[0089] It is also to be appreciated that the embodiments presented herein are not mutually exclusive and that the various embodiments may be combined with another in any of a number of different manners.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising: directing a disinfectant across at least one portion of a medical device to clean the at least one portion of the medical device; and subsequently flowing the disinfectant through a cellular catalyst member to remediate the disinfectant.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein directing the disinfectant across the at least one portion of the medical device comprises: directing the disinfectant through a lumen of the medical device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein flowing the disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member comprises: directing the disinfectant through a vessel in which the cellular catalyst member is disposed.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the disinfectant comprises hydrogen peroxide.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the cellular catalyst member has a varying three- dimensional structure.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the cellular catalyst member has a stochastic structure.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cellular catalyst member has an open-cell structure .

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the cellular catalyst member is a lattice.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the cellular catalyst member is a coated ceramic foam.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein flowing the disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member comprises:flowing the disinfectant through different catalytic zones defined by the cellular catalyst member.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the different catalytic zones are configured to provide a staged reaction for remediation of the disinfectant.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein each catalytic zone includes a different catalyst material.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein each catalytic zone includes a different pore size range.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising: sequentially flowing the disinfectant through different catalytic zones.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the cellular catalyst member provides flow paths for the disinfectant, and wherein the cellular catalyst member has a gradual change in pore size along the flow paths.

16. A cellular structure for remediating a disinfectant, the cellular structure comprising: a plurality of openings configured to receive the disinfectant from a cleaning procedure, wherein the plurality of openings form flow paths for the disinfectant, wherein the plurality of openings is sized based at least on one or more disinfection parameters associated with the cleaning procedure and to provide a predetermined amount of catalytic action to remediate the disinfectant as the disinfectant flows through the cellular structure.

17. The cellular structure of claim 16, wherein the one or more disinfection parameters include one or more properties of the disinfectant.

18. The cellular structure of claim 16, wherein the one or more disinfection parameters include a flow rate of the disinfectant during the cleaning procedure.

19. The cellular structure of claim 16, wherein the plurality of openings is further sized based at least on one or more properties of a catalyst to be used in the cellular structure to remediate the disinfectant.

20. The cellular structure of claim 16, wherein the plurality of openings comprises a plurality of upstream openings and a plurality of downstream openings such that the flow paths extends from the plurality of upstream openings to the plurality of downstream openings, wherein a first respective size of each of the plurality of upstream openings is different from a second respective size of each of the plurality of downstream openings.

21. The cellular structure of claim 20, comprising: a plurality of upstream struts defining the plurality of upstream openings; and a plurality of downstream struts defining the plurality of downstream openings, wherein a first respective strut size of each of the plurality of upstream struts is smaller than a second respective strut size of each of the plurality of downstream struts.

22. The cellular structure of claim 16, wherein the flow paths formed by the plurality of openings extends tortuously through the cellular structure.

23. A method, comprising: identifying one or more disinfection parameters associated with a cleaning process to disinfect a device using a disinfectant; and forming a cellular catalyst member to include a plurality of pores to define flow paths for the disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member, wherein the cellular catalyst member is configured to remediate the disinfectant as the disinfectant flows through the cellular catalyst member, and wherein at least one of a distribution or size of the plurality of pores is selected based on the one or more disinfection parameters associated with the cleaning process.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein one or more disinfection parameters include one or more properties of a disinfectant to be used in the cleaning process, and wherein the at least one of a distribution or size of the plurality of pores is selected based on one or more properties of the disinfectant.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the one or more properties of the disinfectant include one or more chemical properties of the disinfectant.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the one or more properties of the disinfectant include a phase of the disinfectant.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the one or more properties of the disinfectant include a viscosity of the disinfectant.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein one or more disinfection parameters include one or more flow characteristics of the cleaning process, wherein at least one of a distribution or size of the plurality of pores is selected based on the one or more flow parameters of the cleaning process.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the one or more flow characteristics of the cleaning process include a flow rate of a disinfectant during the cleaning process.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein forming the cellular catalyst member to include the plurality of pores to define flow paths for the disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member includes: using one or more properties of a disinfectant to be used in the cleaning process and one or one or more flow characteristics of the cleaning process to determine the distribution or the size of the plurality of pores.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein forming the cellular catalyst member to include the plurality of pores to define flow paths for the disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member includes: using the one or more disinfection parameters associated with a cleaning process to determine the distribution or the size of the plurality of pores that provides a minimum amount of catalytic action as the disinfectant flows through the cellular catalyst member.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein using the one or more disinfection parameters associated with a cleaning process to determine the distribution or the size of the plurality ofpores that provides a minimum amount of catalytic action as the disinfectant flows through the cellular catalyst member further comprising: using the one or more disinfection parameters associated with a cleaning process to determine the distribution or the size of the plurality of pores that provides a minimum amount of catalytic action and a selected flow rate for the disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member.

33. The method of claim 23, further comprising: identifying one or more properties of a catalyst to be used in the cellular catalyst member to remediate the disinfectant; and using the one or more disinfection parameters associated with a cleaning process and the one or more properties of the catalyst to determine the distribution or the size of the plurality of pores.

34. The method of claim 23, further comprising: using the cellular catalyst member in association with the cleaning process to remediate the disinfectant.

35. The method of claim 23, wherein forming the cellular catalyst member to include the plurality of pores to define flow paths for the disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member includes: forming a plurality of catalytic zones in the cellular catalyst member.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein forming the plurality of catalytic zones in the cellular catalyst member comprises: forming a plurality of catalytic zones configured to provide a staged reaction to remediate the disinfectant.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein forming the plurality of catalytic zones in the cellular catalyst member comprises: forming a first catalytic zone of the plurality of catalytic zones via the plurality of pores; andforming a second catalytic zone of the plurality of catalytic zones via the plurality of pores, wherein a first pore range of the first catalytic zone is different from a second pore range of the second catalytic zone.

38. The method of claim 23, wherein forming the cellular catalyst member to include the plurality of pores to define flow paths for the disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member comprises: performing an additive manufacturing process to form the cellular catalyst member.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the additive manufacturing process comprises at least one of: direct ink writing, binder jetting, selective laser sintering, selective laser melting, fused deposition modeling, digital light processing, two-photon polymerization, laminated object manufacturing, or stereolithography.

40. The method of claim 38, comprising: performing a sintering process after the additive manufacturing process.

41. The method of claim 23, wherein forming the cellular catalyst member to include the plurality of pores to define flow paths for the disinfectant through the cellular catalyst member comprises: forming a cellular base member; and coating the cellular base member with a catalyst material.

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