Method and Apparatus for Sterilization of Medical Instruments and Devices by Ultraviolet Sterilization
First Claim
1. A method for sterilizing an object, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting the object into a container, wherein at least a portion of the container is substantially transparent to ultraviolet-C radiation having a wavelength from about 235 nm to about 295 nm;
sealing the container; and
irradiating, for an exposure time, the container and the object with ultraviolet-C radiation having a wavelength from about 235 nm to about 295 nm.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An object is sterilized with ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation having a wavelength from about 235 nm to about 295 nm. An advantageous wavelength for the UV-C radiation is about 253.7 nm. The object is inserted into a container, which is then sealed. At least a portion of the container is substantially transparent to UV-C radiation over the wavelengths of interest. The container and object are placed into a UV-C irradiation device and are irradiated for an exposure time with UV-C radiation having a predetermined intensity. The exposure time is determined such that a predetermined portion of user-specified pathogens disposed on the object is inactivated. Technical sterilization (99.9999% inactivation) can be attained with relatively short exposure times. The container can be a flexible pouch or a rigid kit. Suitable materials that are substantially transparent to UV-C radiation over the wavelengths of interest include quartz, borosilicate glass, cyclic olefin copolymer, and fluoropolymer.
26 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for sterilizing an object, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting the object into a container, wherein at least a portion of the container is substantially transparent to ultraviolet-C radiation having a wavelength from about 235 nm to about 295 nm; sealing the container; and irradiating, for an exposure time, the container and the object with ultraviolet-C radiation having a wavelength from about 235 nm to about 295 nm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A pouch comprising:
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a pouch body comprising a material substantially impermeable to transmission of pathogens and substantially transparent to ultraviolet-C radiation having a wavelength from about 235 nm to about 295 nm; and a pouch opening configured to be sealed such that the pouch, after the pouch opening has been sealed, is substantially impermeable to transmission of pathogens. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A container comprising:
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a receptacle comprising; a receptacle plate comprising a first material substantially impermeable to transmission of pathogens and substantially transparent to ultraviolet-C radiation having a wavelength from about 235 nm to about 295 nm; a receptacle side wall comprising a second material substantially impermeable to transmission of pathogens, wherein the receptacle side wall is sealed to the receptacle plate; and a receptacle opening opposed to the receptacle plate; and a cover comprising a cover plate comprising a third material substantially impermeable to transmission of pathogens and substantially transparent to ultraviolet-C radiation having a wavelength from about 235 nm to about 295 nm, wherein the cover is configured to mechanically seal the receptacle opening, such that, after the cover has mechanically sealed the receptacle opening; the cover plate is opposed to the receptacle plate; and the container is substantially impermeable to transmission of pathogens. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A container comprising:
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a receptacle comprising; a first receptacle plate comprising a first material substantially impermeable to transmission of pathogens and substantially transparent to ultraviolet-C radiation having a wavelength from about 235 nm to about 295 nm; a second receptacle plate comprising a second material substantially impermeable to transmission of pathogens and substantially transparent to ultraviolet-C radiation having a wavelength from about 235 nm to about 295 nm, wherein the second receptacle plate is opposed to the first receptacle plate; a side wall comprising a third material substantially impermeable to transmission of pathogens, wherein the side wall is sealed to the first receptacle plate and sealed to the second receptacle plate; and a receptacle opening opposed to a portion of the side wall; and a cover comprising a cover plate comprising a fourth material substantially impermeable to transmission of pathogens, wherein the cover is configured to mechanically seal the receptacle opening, such that, after the cover has mechanically sealed the receptacle opening, the container is impermeable to transmission of pathogens. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification