Method for disinfecting and sterilizing microbial contaminated materials
First Claim
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1. A method for disinfecting and sterilizing microbial contaminated or infectious materials, the steps comprising:
- (a) loading the material for disinfecting and sterilizing into a vacuum-proof sterilization chamber;
(b) introducing liquid hydrogen peroxide into the sterilization chamber so as to penetrate the material;
(c) introducing liquid acetic acid into the sterilization chamber so as to penetrate the material;
(d) evacuating gas from the sterilization chamber so as to evaporate the liquid at least partially;
(e) introducing gaseous ozone into the sterilization chamber; and
(f) treating the material in a sterilization chamber for a sufficient time period so as to disinfect and sterilize the materials.
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Abstract
Microbial contaminated materials, such as medical instruments and waste from medical laboratories or hospitals, are disinfected and sterilized by using a combination of peracetic acid and ozone in a sterilization chamber. The peracetic acid is formed within the sterilization chamber by introducing liquid hydrogen peroxide and liquid acetic acid into the chamber.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for disinfecting and sterilizing microbial contaminated or infectious materials, the steps comprising:
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(a) loading the material for disinfecting and sterilizing into a vacuum-proof sterilization chamber; (b) introducing liquid hydrogen peroxide into the sterilization chamber so as to penetrate the material; (c) introducing liquid acetic acid into the sterilization chamber so as to penetrate the material; (d) evacuating gas from the sterilization chamber so as to evaporate the liquid at least partially; (e) introducing gaseous ozone into the sterilization chamber; and (f) treating the material in a sterilization chamber for a sufficient time period so as to disinfect and sterilize the materials. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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9. The method of claim 8 wherein the catalyst is sulfuric acid.
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10. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (f) the ozone and the formed peracetic acid are present in the vapor phase.
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11. The method of claim 1 wherein the steps (b) to (e) are carried out at least two times.
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12. The method of claim 1 wherein the sterilization chamber includes feeding means for feeding hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid and ozone into the chamber.
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13. The method of claim 1 wherein the molar ratio of acetic acid to ozone is 3/1 to 1/3.
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14. The method of claim 1 wherein the humidity in step (e) or (f) is at least 10%.
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15. The method of claim 1 wherein the material is infectious waste in a solid or liquid state.
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16. The method of claim 2 for treating contaminated or infectious waste wherein the waste is ground before, during or after step (b) or (c).
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17. The method of claim 1 wherein step (e) is carried out at least twice.
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Specification