Self-sterilizing packaging
First Claim
1. A system for sterilizing a sterilizable object, the system comprising:
- a container having an interior, said container having a sealable opening through which a sterilizable object may be placed into the interior of said container;
a sterilant generator disposed within the interior of said container;
a sterilant activator operative within the interior of said container; and
an indicator adapted to indicate when sterilizing conditions have been achieved within the interior of said container;
whereby, when a sterilizable object is placed within the interior of said container, and the opening of the container is sealed, the sterilant generator is activated by the sterilant activator to release an effective amount of sterilant within the interior of the container to sterilize said sterilizable object.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sterilization system and process is provided which is useful in the chemical sterilization of medical supplies and equipment. The system includes a container having an internal generator of a sterilant such as chlorine dioxide. An internal container activator, such as high humidity or manual manipulation, is provided and stimulates the formation and release of the sterilant. The package includes a first indicator responsive to the release of sterilant and a second indicator which records the passage of a predetermined time interval. The combination of the sterilant indicator and the time interval indicator signals that proper sterilization conditions have been met and that the objects have been suitably sterilized.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A system for sterilizing a sterilizable object, the system comprising:
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a container having an interior, said container having a sealable opening through which a sterilizable object may be placed into the interior of said container;
a sterilant generator disposed within the interior of said container;
a sterilant activator operative within the interior of said container; and
an indicator adapted to indicate when sterilizing conditions have been achieved within the interior of said container;
whereby, when a sterilizable object is placed within the interior of said container, and the opening of the container is sealed, the sterilant generator is activated by the sterilant activator to release an effective amount of sterilant within the interior of the container to sterilize said sterilizable object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for sterilizing a sterilizable object, the system comprising:
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a container having an interior and a sealable opening through which a sterilizable object may be placed;
a sterilant generator that will produce an effective amount of chlorine dioxide gas, said sterilization generator being disposed within said container;
a visual indicator in communication with the interior of the container, said visual indicator being responsive to the presence of the effective amount of chlorine dioxide gas;
a time indicator disposed in communication with the container and adapted to indicate the passage of a predetermined time interval;
wherein, when a sterilizable object is placed within the interior of the container and the opening is sealed, the generator releases an effective amount of chlorine dioxide within the container when said generator is activated, while a time indicator is activated to indicate when a sufficient time interval has elapsed. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A process of sterilizing a sterilizable object comprising the steps of:
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supplying a sterilizable object to be sterilized;
placing the sterilizable object within an interior of a sealable container;
providing a generator of a sterilant within the container;
sealing the sterilizable object within said container;
activating a time indicator disposed on the container;
activating said generator so as to release a sterilant from the generator, the sterilant reacting with a visible change indicator in communication with the interior of the container and responsive to the presence of an effective amount of the sterilizing gas; and
maintaining the container in a sealed condition until sterilizing conditions have been achieved. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification