METHOD FOR STERILIZATION

• US 3,606,996 A
• Filed: 05/02/1969
• Issued: 09/21/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James M. Wolf
• Original Assignee: James M. Wolf
• Inventors: Wolf, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolk, Morris O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zatarga, Joseph T.
• Application Number:
  US04/821,276
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 21/1,2,60,82-83,85,91,92,93
• US Class Current: 422/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/04 Heat A61L2/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/20 Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/26 Textiles, e.g. towels, beds, cloths

Abstract

A method for the sterilization utilizing essentially instantaneous and transient thermal pulses generated in a gaseous medium in contact with the surfaces. The thermal pulses kill the micro-organisms and have a duration of less than about 1 second so that the surface is not damaged. The surface to be treated is substantially free of liquid material so that the thermal pulse acts directly upon the micro-organisms. The sterilization is particularly useful for medical and industrial purposes.

Claims

1. The method for the treatment of surfaces requiring sterilization in order to destroy micro-organisms on the surface which comprises:

a. providing a surface to be sterilized inside a bag in a sealed and confined space defined by a rigid chamber confining the bag to prevent rupture;

b. contacting the surfaces to be sterilized inside the bag with a gaseous medium, the surfaces in contact with the gaseous medium being substantially free of liquid material which masks the surfaces from sterilization;

c. transiently exposing the surfaces to a thermal pulse produced by the ignition of a comBustible mixture of gaseous oxidizer and oxidizable materials said pulse being generated in the gaseous medium in the bag which is confined by the rigid chamber and having peak temperatures substantially above the minimum temperatures required to destroy the micro-organisms without damage to the surfaces; and

d. removing the bag from the rigid chamber such that it is sealed so as to at least prevent pathogenic micro-organism contamination of the surface before subsequent use.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the surfaces are in the form of a fabric which is sterilized in the sealed and confined space.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the surfaces are in the form of an instrument which is sterilized in the sealed and confined space.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein oxidizing conditions are maintained in the gaseous medium during generation of the thermal pulse.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface to be treated is dried to remove liquid material before being contacted with the gaseous medium and wherein the gaseous medium is substantially dry.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface is aseptically handled prior to use to prevent micro-organism contamination.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the gaseous medium consists of the mixture of gaseous oxidizer and oxidizable materials

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the combustible gaseous material is a mixture of hydrogen and air.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the combustible gaseous material is a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the combustible gaseous material is a mixture of methane and air.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the combustible material is a mixture of methane and oxygen.