Apparatus and process for concentrating a sterilant and sterilizing articles therewith
First Claim
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1. A method of sterilizing an article comprising the steps of:
- placing the article into a chamber containing an inner atmosphere;
introducing a solution comprising hydrogen peroxide and water into a vaporizer in fluid communication with the chamber through a port, the solution having a ratio of hydrogen peroxide to water;
pumping a portion of the inner atmosphere out of the chamber through the port thereby reducing pressure in the chamber and in the vaporizer;
vaporizing water vapor out of the solution;
drawing the water vapor from the vaporizer to increase the ratio of hydrogen peroxide to water in the vaporizer;
terminating the pumping step without terminating the vaporizing steps;
vaporizing hydrogen peroxide vapor out of the solution and flowing the hydrogen peroxide vapor from the vaporizer into the chamber; and
contacting the article with the hydrogen peroxide vapor for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization of the article.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a process for sterilization of medical instruments by concentrating a sterilant such as hydrogen peroxide from a vaporizer, which is connected to the sterilization chamber through the same port as the pump, and sterilizing articles therewith. The sterilant is concentrated by removing more water from the vaporizer than peroxide.
39 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of sterilizing an article comprising the steps of:
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placing the article into a chamber containing an inner atmosphere;
introducing a solution comprising hydrogen peroxide and water into a vaporizer in fluid communication with the chamber through a port, the solution having a ratio of hydrogen peroxide to water;
pumping a portion of the inner atmosphere out of the chamber through the port thereby reducing pressure in the chamber and in the vaporizer;
vaporizing water vapor out of the solution;
drawing the water vapor from the vaporizer to increase the ratio of hydrogen peroxide to water in the vaporizer;
terminating the pumping step without terminating the vaporizing steps;
vaporizing hydrogen peroxide vapor out of the solution and flowing the hydrogen peroxide vapor from the vaporizer into the chamber; and
contacting the article with the hydrogen peroxide vapor for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization of the article. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus for sterilizing an article with a concentrated hydrogen peroxide vapor, the apparatus comprising:
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a source of liquid germicide comprising hydrogen peroxide;
a chamber adapted to receive the article, wherein said chamber has a port;
a first vaporizer in fluid communication with the chamber through the port; and
a pump in fluid communication with the chamber through the port. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification