Method and apparatus for sterilizing a heat sensitive fluid
First Claim
1. A method for sterilizing a heat sensitive fluid in a medical solution comprising providing a first heat sensitive fluid component, providing a second fluid component, heating said second fluid component to a first temperature, said first temperature being greater than a predetermined sterilizing temperature, mixing said first heat sensitive fluid component with said heated second fluid component, whereby said first heat sensitive fluid component is heated and said heated second fluid component is cooled, and a mixed fluid is provided at a second temperature, said second temperature being at least said predetermined sterilizing temperature, and maintaining said mixed fluid at said second temperature for a predetermined sterilizing period, whereby a predetermined sterilizing dose is obtained for delivery to a recipient.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for sterilizing heat sensitive fluids are provided. The methods include providing a first heat sensitive fluid component, providing a second fluid component, heating the second fluid component to a temperature greater than a predetermined sterilizing temperature, mixing the first heat sensitive fluid component with the heated second fluid component to heat the first heat sensitive fluid components and provide a mixed fluid at a temperature at least up to the predetermined sterilizing temperature, and maintaining the mixed fluid at that temperature for a predetermined sterilizing period. Apparatus for carrying out this method is also provided.
68 Citations
44 Claims
- 1. A method for sterilizing a heat sensitive fluid in a medical solution comprising providing a first heat sensitive fluid component, providing a second fluid component, heating said second fluid component to a first temperature, said first temperature being greater than a predetermined sterilizing temperature, mixing said first heat sensitive fluid component with said heated second fluid component, whereby said first heat sensitive fluid component is heated and said heated second fluid component is cooled, and a mixed fluid is provided at a second temperature, said second temperature being at least said predetermined sterilizing temperature, and maintaining said mixed fluid at said second temperature for a predetermined sterilizing period, whereby a predetermined sterilizing dose is obtained for delivery to a recipient.
- 23. Apparatus for sterilizing a heat sensitive fluid in a medical solution comprising a first vessel containing a first heat sensitive fluid component, a second vessel containing a second fluid component, a first heater for heating said second fluid component to a first temperature, said first temperature being greater than a predetermined sterilizing temperature, mixing means for mixing said first heat sensitive fluid component with said second fluid component to obtain a mixed fluid at a second temperature at least equal to said predetermined sterilizing temperature, and residence means for maintaining said mixed fluid at said second temperature for a predetermined sterilizing period, whereby a sterilized fluid is provided for delivery to a recipient.
Specification