Plasma cycling sterilizing process
First Claim
1. A method for plasma sterilization of an interior of a chamber and any articles therein within a controlled temperature range comprising:
- a) exposing the interior of said chamber and any articles therein to a gas plasma flowing from a plasma generating chamber until the temperature in said chamber rises to a preselected maximum temperature;
b) terminating flow of the gas plasma to said chamber until the temperature in said chamber falls to a preselected temperature below the preselected maximum temperature; and
c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until sterilization of the interior of said chamber and any articles therein as defined by a preselected probability of survivors is effected; and
wherein said any articles in said chamber are enclosed in porous packaging.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for plasma sterilization within a controlled temperature range includes exposing the interior of a chamber and any articles therein to a gas plasma flowing from a plasma generating chamber until the temperature in the chamber rises to a preselected maximum temperature. The flow of the plasma gas to the chamber is terminated when the temperature in the chamber falls to a temperature below the preselected maximum temperature. These steps are repeated until sterilization of the interior of the chamber or any articles therein is effected. The temperature below the preselected maximum temperature when gas plasma flow is again initiated is preferably not more than 3° C. below the preselected maximum temperature. The gas plasma can be generated from a gas mixture that includes oxidizing and/or reducing agents. Preferably the pressure in the sterilizing chamber rises to from 0.1 to 10 torr when the gas plasma is flowing into the chamber, and the pressure in the sterilizing chamber falls to a lower pressure when the gas plasma flow into the sterilizing chamber is terminated. The articles to be sterilized include the interior of a vessel or chamber. The vessel or chamber itself serves as a sterilizing chamber and connects to the plasma generating chamber.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for plasma sterilization of an interior of a chamber and any articles therein within a controlled temperature range comprising:
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a) exposing the interior of said chamber and any articles therein to a gas plasma flowing from a plasma generating chamber until the temperature in said chamber rises to a preselected maximum temperature; b) terminating flow of the gas plasma to said chamber until the temperature in said chamber falls to a preselected temperature below the preselected maximum temperature; and c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until sterilization of the interior of said chamber and any articles therein as defined by a preselected probability of survivors is effected; and wherein said any articles in said chamber are enclosed in porous packaging.
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2. A method for plasma sterilization of an interior of a chamber and any articles therein within a controlled temperature range comprising:
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a) exposing the interior of said chamber and any articles therein to a gas plasma flowing from a plasma generating chamber until the temperature in said chamber rises to a preselected maximum temperature; b) terminating flow of the gas plasma to said chamber until the temperature in said chamber falls to a preselected temperature below the preselected maximum temperature; and c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until sterilization of the interior of said chamber and any articles therein as defined by a preselected probability of survivors is effected; and wherein the preselected maximum temperature does not exceed 132°
C.
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3. A method for plasma sterilization of an interior of a chamber and any articles therein within a controlled temperature range comprising:
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a) exposing the interior of said chamber and any articles therein to a gas plasma flowing from a plasma generating chamber until the temperature in said chamber rises to a preselected maximum temperature; b) terminating flow of the gas plasma to said chamber until the temperature in said chamber falls to a preselected temperature below the preselected maximum temperature; and c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until sterilization of the interior of said chamber and any articles therein as defined by a preselected probability of survivors is effected; and wherein; the step of exposing the interior of said chamber and any articles therein to a gas plasma is performed at a pressure of from 0.01 to 100 torr, until the temperature in said chamber rises to about 63°
C.; andthe step of terminating flow of gas plasma to said chamber is performed as long as the temperature in said chamber remains above 60°
C., said chamber having a reduced pressure when the plasma gas flow is terminated.
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4. A method for plasma sterilization of an interior of a chamber and any articles therein within a controlled temperature range comprising:
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a) exposing the interior of said chamber and any articles therein to a gas plasma flowing from a plasma generating chamber until the temperature in said chamber rises to a preselected maximum temperature; b) terminating flow of the gas plasma to said chamber until the temperature in said chamber falls to a preselected temperature below the preselected maximum temperature; and c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until sterilization of the interior of said chamber and any articles therein as defined by a preselected probability of survivors is effected; and wherein the gas plasma is generated from a mixture of gases including an oxidizing agent.
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5. A method for plasma sterilization of an interior of a chamber and any articles therein within a controlled temperature range comprising:
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a) exposing the interior of said chamber and any articles therein to a gas plasma flowing from a plasma generating chamber until the temperature in said chamber rises to a preselected maximum temperature; b) terminating flow of the gas plasma to said chamber until the temperature in said chamber falls to a preselected temperature below the preselected maximum temperature; and c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until sterilization of the interior of said chamber and any articles therein as defined by a preselected probability of survivors is effected; and wherein the gas plasma is generated from a mixture of gases including a reducing agent.
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6. A method for plasma sterilization of an interior of a chamber and any articles therein within a controlled temperature range comprising:
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a) exposing the interior of said chamber and any articles therein to a gas plasma flowing from a plasma generating chamber until the temperature in said chamber rises to a preselected maximum temperature; b) terminating flow of the gas plasma to said chamber until the temperature in said chamber falls to a preselected temperature below the preselected maximum temperature; and c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until sterilization of the interior of said chamber and any articles therein as defined by a preselected probability of survivors is effected; and wherein the gas plasma is generated from a mixture of gases including oxidizing and reducing agents.
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7. A method for plasma sterilization of an interior of a chamber and any articles therein within a controlled temperature range comprising:
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a) exposing the interior of said chamber and any articles therein to a gas plasma flowing from a plasma generating chamber until the temperature in said chamber rises to a preselected maximum temperature; b) terminating flow of the gas plasma to said chamber until the temperature in said chamber falls to a preselected temperature below the preselected maximum temperature; and c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until sterilization of the interior of said chamber and any articles therein as defined by a preselected probability of survivors is effected; and wherein said any articles in said chamber are unpackaged, and the preselected maximum temperature does not exceed 132°
C.
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8. A method for plasma sterilization of an interior of a chamber and any articles therein within a controlled temperature range comprising:
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a) exposing the interior of said chamber and any articles therein to a gas plasma flowing from a plasma generating chamber until the temperature in said chamber rises to a preselected maximum temperature; b) terminating flow of the gas plasma to said chamber until the temperature in said chamber falls to a preselected temperature below the preselected maximum temperature; and c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until sterilization of the interior of said chamber and any articles therein as defined by a preselected probability of survivors is effected; and wherein said chamber is a lyophilizer. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification