Method of delivering liquid sterilant to a sterilizer

• US 20050196313A1
• Filed: 03/04/2004
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ASP Global Manufacturing GmbH (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Morrison, Todd, Choperena, Alfredo M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,440,139 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/186 Peroxide solutions
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/20 Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/15 Biocide distribution means, e.g. nozzles, pumps, manifolds, fans, baffles, sprayers
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps

Abstract

A method of delivering a liquid sterilant to a sterilizer involves piercing a cell of a cassette with a first needle having a first lumen, flowing a gas into the cell to pressurize the cell relative to a pressure within the first lumen and drive the liquid sterilant out of the cell through the first lumen. The liquid sterilant travels from the lumen to a vaporizer in the sterilizer.

Claims

1. A method of delivering a liquid sterilant to a sterilizer comprising the steps of:

a) piercing a cell of a cassette with a first needle having a first lumen;

b) flowing a gas into the cell to pressurize the cell relative to a pressure within the first lumen and drive the liquid sterilant out of the cell through the first lumen; and

c) flowing the liquid sterilant from the lumen to a vaporizer in the sterilizer.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein a second lumen through the first needle opens into the cell and further comprising the step of injecting the gas into the cell through the second lumen.

3. A method according to claim 1 and further comprising the steps of piercing the cell with a second needle having a second lumen opening so that the lumen opens into the cell and injecting the gas into the cell through the second lumen.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the gas is at atmospheric pressure and the first lumen is at a pressure below atmospheric pressure.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the gas is at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein steps a), b) and c) are repeated with a second cell.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the liquid sterilant comprises hydrogen peroxide.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein in step a) the needle enters the cell laterally.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein in step a) the needle enters the cell at an upper portion thereof and travels downwardly therein.

10. A method according to claim 9 and further comprising the step of positioning the first needle so that the first lumen opens into the cell at or near its lowest point whereby to maximize extraction of liquid sterilant from the cell.

11. A method according to claim 1 and further comprising the step of positioning the first needle so that the first lumen opens into the cell at or near its lowest point whereby to maximize extraction of liquid sterilant from the cell.

12. A method according to claim 1 and further comprising the step of positioning the first needle so that the first lumen opens into the cell at a predetermined vertical position and extracting the liquid sterilant above the predetermined position, such that less than a total amount of liquid sterilant in the cell is thus extracted.