Hydrogen peroxide liquid film sterilization method
First Claim
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1. A method of liquid-contact sterilization which comprises:
- vaporizing from an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide a gaseous vapor consisting of hydrogen peroxide and water vapor;
passing the said gaseous vapor into an evacuated sterilization zone and into contact therein with an article to be sterilized;
maintaining the article at a temperature below the dew point of the entering vapor so that aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is condensed out of that said vapor in contact with the said article as a layer of liquid thereon; and
maintaining the said film of liquid on the article for a predetermined period to effect sterilization of the article.
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Abstract
A method is provided of hydrogen peroxide sterilization of medical articles whereby there are obtained the advantages of both vapor penetration, especially for such articles as surgical packs, and direct liquid-sterilant article contact, in which a vapor mixture comprising hydrogen peroxide is brought into contact with the article to be sterilized, the article being at a temperature below the dew point or condensation temperature of the vapor mixture, is caused thus to condense as a liquid film on the article, and is revaporized and hence removed from the so-sterilized article.
86 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of liquid-contact sterilization which comprises:
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vaporizing from an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide a gaseous vapor consisting of hydrogen peroxide and water vapor; passing the said gaseous vapor into an evacuated sterilization zone and into contact therein with an article to be sterilized; maintaining the article at a temperature below the dew point of the entering vapor so that aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is condensed out of that said vapor in contact with the said article as a layer of liquid thereon; and maintaining the said film of liquid on the article for a predetermined period to effect sterilization of the article. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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2. A method of liquid sterilization which comprises:
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vaporizing from an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide a mixed gaseous vapor consisting of hydrogen peroxide and water vapor free of solid contaminates which may exist in the said solution and passing the said vapor into an evacuated sterilization zone and therein into contact with an article to be sterilized whereby the vapor penetrates the interstices of the said article; maintaining the article at a temperature below the dew point of the entering vapor so that hydrogen peroxide solution is condensed out of said vapor as a layer of liquid on the said article; maintaining the said film of liquid on the article for a predetermined period to effect sterilization of the article; and vaporizing the hydrogen peroxide solution from the surface of the article and removing the so-sterilized-article from the sterilization zone. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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Specification