Attachable container sterilization system

• US 20030138347A1
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Lin, Szu-Min
• Application Number:
  US10/029,532
• Publication Number:
  US 20030138347A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/208 Hydrogen peroxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/28 Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour apparatus involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M1/34; methods involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/122 Chambers for sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/196666 Carbon containing compound [e.g., vinylchloride, etc.]

Abstract

A sterilization system employs an attachable/detachable container to which is connected a source of sterilant for sterilizing items within the container. When disconnected from the source of sterilant the container is sealed from microbial ingress.

Claims

1. A sterilization system comprising:

a sealed sterilization container for containing items to be sterilized, the container having an inlet port and an outlet port;

a source of sterilizing fluid connectable to the inlet port and to the outlet port; and

wherein the inlet port and the outlet port comprise a passive microorganism impermeable closure wherein the container is sealed from microorganism ingress while disconnected from the source to maintain sterility of the items therein.

2. A sterilization system according to claim 1 wherein the passive closure mechanism comprises a covering of a vapor permeable, microorganism impermeable material.

3. A sterilization system according to claim 1 wherein the passive closure mechanism comprises a valve biased into a closed position.

4. A sterilization system according to claim 1 wherein the sterilizing fluid is a chemical vapor.

5. A sterilization system according to claim 4 wherein the sterilizing fluid is hydrogen peroxide vapor.

6. A sterilization system according to claim 1 and further comprising a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet ports to create a flow of the sterilizing fluid through the container.

7. A sterilization system according to claim 6 and further comprising a fan for inducing a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet ports.

8. A sterilization system according to claim 1 and further comprising one or more baffles to lengthen a flow path between the inlet port and the exit port.

9. A method of sterilizing items comprising the steps of:

placing the items into a sealed sterilization container;

connecting a source of sterilizing fluid to the container;

flowing sterilizing fluid into the container to sterilize the items;

disconnecting the container from the source of sterilizing fluid; and

sealing the container from microorganism ingress whereby to maintain sterility of the items therein.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the step of sealing the container comprises having a port thereon, which is connectable to the source of sterilizing fluid, sealed with a microorganism impermeable, vapor permeable material.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the step of sealing the container comprises automatically closing a valve prior to disconnecting the container from the source of sterilizing fluid, the valve closing a port on the container which is connectable to the source of sterilizing fluid.

12. A method according to claim 9 wherein the sterilizing fluid is a chemical vapor.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the sterilizing fluid is hydrogen peroxide vapor.

14. A method according to claim 9 wherein the container has a second port and comprising the step of flowing the sterilizing fluid from the port to the second port through the container.

15. A method according to claim 14 and comprising the step of creating a continuous flow from the source of sterilizing fluid into the container through the port, out of the container through the second port and back to the source.

16. A method according to claim 15 and further comprising the step of inducing the flow with a fan within the source.