Chemical sterilizer system
First Claim
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1. A method of sterilizing materials with a liquid chemical sterilant vaporized in a sealable, heated sterilizer chamber, comprising:
- placing materials to be sterilized in said sterilizer chamber and sealing said sterilizer chamber;
heating said sterilizer chamber to a sterilant evaporation temperature;
pre-evacuating a portion of the atmosphere from said sterilizer chamber with a vacuum pump and producing a reduced pressure in said sterilizer chamber;
disengaging said vacuum pump from said sterilizer chamber at a predetermined reduced pressure therein;
introducing a predetermined quantity of said liquid chemical sterilant by gravity from a pre-filled shot chamber into said sterilizer chamber for vaporization therein and for mixture with residual atmosphere therein;
heating said sterilizer chamber and contents to a controlled sterilization temperature for vaporizing said introduced chemical sterilant;
maintaining said sterilization temperature for a timed period;
discharging spent vaporized sterilant and air from said sterilizer chamber through cooling means to condense and cool said vaporized sterilant;
engaging said vacuum pump to pump atmospheric air into said sterilizer chamber to rapidly cool said chamber and dilute said vaporized sterilant; and
passing said discharged, cooled and condensed spent sterilant to a condensate reservoir for separating said condensed sterilant from gases and vapors.
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Abstract
A chemical sterilizer system for sterilizing items by vaporizing a liquid chemical sterilant in a sterilizing chamber. Pre-evacuation of the sterilizer chamber enhances the sterilizing activity. Sterilant is injected into the sterilizer chamber from a prefilled shot chamber. Subsequent to the exposure period, spent sterilant is condensed and fresh air is pumped into the sterilizer chamber from a vacuum pump. An automated valving system uses a minimal number of three-way valves and one or more two-way valves to control the fluid flow functions in the sterilization cycle.
105 Citations
4 Claims
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1. A method of sterilizing materials with a liquid chemical sterilant vaporized in a sealable, heated sterilizer chamber, comprising:
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placing materials to be sterilized in said sterilizer chamber and sealing said sterilizer chamber; heating said sterilizer chamber to a sterilant evaporation temperature; pre-evacuating a portion of the atmosphere from said sterilizer chamber with a vacuum pump and producing a reduced pressure in said sterilizer chamber; disengaging said vacuum pump from said sterilizer chamber at a predetermined reduced pressure therein; introducing a predetermined quantity of said liquid chemical sterilant by gravity from a pre-filled shot chamber into said sterilizer chamber for vaporization therein and for mixture with residual atmosphere therein; heating said sterilizer chamber and contents to a controlled sterilization temperature for vaporizing said introduced chemical sterilant; maintaining said sterilization temperature for a timed period; discharging spent vaporized sterilant and air from said sterilizer chamber through cooling means to condense and cool said vaporized sterilant; engaging said vacuum pump to pump atmospheric air into said sterilizer chamber to rapidly cool said chamber and dilute said vaporized sterilant; and passing said discharged, cooled and condensed spent sterilant to a condensate reservoir for separating said condensed sterilant from gases and vapors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification