Vapor sterilization using a non-aqueous source of hydrogen peroxide
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for hydrogen peroxide sterilization of an article, comprising:
- a container for holding the article to be sterilized; and
a source of hydrogen peroxide vapor located within said container, said source comprising a substantially non-aqueous organic hydrogen peroxide complex which does not decompose to release a hydrohalic acid, said source configured so that said vapor can contact said article to effect sterilization.
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Abstract
An apparatus and process for hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization of medical instruments and similar devices make use of hydrogen peroxide vapor released from a substantially non-aqueous organic hydrogen peroxide complex, such as a urea-peroxide complex. Optionally, a plasma can be used in conjunction with the vapor. A method for preparing substantially non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide complexes is also provided. These complexes are useful as a source of peroxide vapor in hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilizers and as a component of self-sterilizing packaging materials.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. An apparatus for hydrogen peroxide sterilization of an article, comprising:
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a container for holding the article to be sterilized; and a source of hydrogen peroxide vapor located within said container, said source comprising a substantially non-aqueous organic hydrogen peroxide complex which does not decompose to release a hydrohalic acid, said source configured so that said vapor can contact said article to effect sterilization. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization of an article, comprising:
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placing said article into a container; and contacting the article with a hydrogen peroxide vapor released from a substantially non-aqueous organic hydrogen peroxide complex which does not decompose to release a hydrohalic acid, so as to contact and sterilize the article. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for hydrogen peroxide sterilization of an article, comprising:
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placing the article in a enclosure containing a substantially non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide complex; sealing said enclosure; and allowing said enclosure to stand at a temperature below about 70°
C. for a time sufficient to release hydrogen peroxide vapor from said complex to effect sterilization of the article. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 43, 44)
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37. A sealed enclosure containing a sterile product and a substantially, non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide complex capable of releasing hydrogen peroxide vapor.
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38. A method for hydrogen peroxide sterilization of an article having an exterior and a narrow lumen therein, comprising:
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connecting a vessel containing a substantially non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide complex to the lumen of the article; placing the article within a container; evacuating the container; and contacting the lumen of the article with hydrogen peroxide vapor released from said substantially non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide complex at a temperature less than about 70°
C. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
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45. A method for hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization of an article, comprising:
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placing said article into a container; and contacting the article with a hydrogen peroxide vapor to contact and sterilize the article, said vapor being released from a substantially non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide complex which does not decompose to release a hydrohalic acid.
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Specification