Monitoring sterilant concentration in a sterilization process
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring the concentration of an oxidative gas or vapor during a sterilization process in a sterilization chamber, the method comprising:
- providing a sensor which comprises a chemical which undergoes a reaction with the oxidative gas or vapor, thereby producing a heat change, said chemical being coupled to a first temperature probe which detects the heat change produced by the reaction between the chemical and the oxidative gas or vapor to be monitored;
positioning the sensor inside of an enclosure containing an item to be sterilized, the enclosure being defined by a barrier, said barrier being impermeable to contaminating microorganisms and having at least a portion thereof which is permeable to the oxidative gas or vapor, the sensor being electrically connected through the barrier to contacts located exterior of the enclosure;
connecting the sensor to a control system exterior of the enclosure via the contacts;
exposing the sensor to the oxidative gas or vapor at the location; and
determining the concentration of the oxidative gas or vapor interior of the enclosure based upon the heat change produced by the reaction between the chemical and the oxidative gas or vapor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method monitors the concentration of an oxidative gas or vapor during a sterilization process in a sterilization chamber. A sensor formed of a chemical reactive with the oxidative gas or vapor coupled to a temperature probe is positioned inside of an enclosure containing an item to be sterilized. The enclosure is defined by a barrier impermeable to contaminating microorganisms and having at least a portion thereof which is permeable to the oxidative gas or vapor. The sensor is electrically connected through the barrier to contacts located exterior of the enclosure and connected to a control system thereby.
100 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring the concentration of an oxidative gas or vapor during a sterilization process in a sterilization chamber, the method comprising:
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providing a sensor which comprises a chemical which undergoes a reaction with the oxidative gas or vapor, thereby producing a heat change, said chemical being coupled to a first temperature probe which detects the heat change produced by the reaction between the chemical and the oxidative gas or vapor to be monitored;
positioning the sensor inside of an enclosure containing an item to be sterilized, the enclosure being defined by a barrier, said barrier being impermeable to contaminating microorganisms and having at least a portion thereof which is permeable to the oxidative gas or vapor, the sensor being electrically connected through the barrier to contacts located exterior of the enclosure;
connecting the sensor to a control system exterior of the enclosure via the contacts;
exposing the sensor to the oxidative gas or vapor at the location; and
determining the concentration of the oxidative gas or vapor interior of the enclosure based upon the heat change produced by the reaction between the chemical and the oxidative gas or vapor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An enclosure adapted to hold an item for sterilization in an oxidative gas or vapor, the enclosure comprising:
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a barrier defining the enclosure, the barrier being impermeable to contaminating microorganisms and having at least a portion thereof which is permeable to the oxidative gas or vapor;
a sensor disposed within the enclosure which comprises a first temperature probe coupled to a chemical which is reactive with the oxidative gas or vapor to produce a heat change; and
wherein the sensor is electrically connected through the barrier to contacts located exterior of the enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification