The present invention provides a sterilization process particularly well suited for sterilizing instruments and other devices having long narrow lumens. Apparatus in which the process can be practiced is also provided. The process uses a multicomponent sterilant vapor wherein one component is water. The lumened instruments are fluidly connected to the exhaust manifold of the sterilizer. A deep vacuum is drawn in the sterilization chamber followed by the injection of pulses of the sterilant vapor until a higher, but still subatmospheric pressure level is reached. When the pressure level reaches a predetermined subatmospheric level, a flow-through sterilization phase begins. It includes successive alternating periods of sterilant flow and the discontinuance of such flow. During sterilant flow periods, there are sterilant injection pulses where the sterilant flows through the chamber and the lumened instruments to exhaust. Each such flow period is followed by a hold period. Following the sterilization phase, there are one or more aeration steps to remove sterilant from the chamber.

Sterilization apparatus and method for multicomponent sterilant

A metal sterilization container (10) comprises a pan (12) forming the bottom of the container holding a tray (14), with a cover (16) forming the top of the container, and a filter element (20). The filter (20) covers an opening in the cover (16) so that the inside of the container (10), formed when the cover is removably sealed to the pan (12), can communicate with the atmosphere surrouning the sealed container allowing gas plasma to enter and exit the container passing through the filter (20). Items to be sterilized are placed on the tray (14) and the cover (16) is attached and sealed to the pan (12). The sealed container is then placed in a gas plasma environment. The container is preferably made of aluminum with an anodic coating of 0.5 mils (0.0005 inches) or less with the pan (12) and cover (16) electrically insulated from one another via the coating.

Filtered gas plasma sterilization container with improved circulation

A system for treating articles, preferably with a sterilizing gas. The system includes a chamber (10) into which the articles are received and valves (V2, V1) for supplying the sterilizing gas to the chamber and for removing the gas from the chamber after a predetermined time period. The sterilizing gas is generated on site from at least two components, thus minimizing problems in the transportation of the gas to the location. The sterilizing gas generated on site is preferably chlorine dioxide and the two components may be chlorine gas and sodium chlorite. The system includes a progammed microprocessor controller (100) for controlling the valves executing a predetermined sequence of instructions. The predetermined sequence of instructions define a state diagram for the system having a plurality of successive states. In order to provide for system safety, the controller preferably employs a plurality of abort states to which the system returns in the event of a failure. Depending on the nature of the failure, the system automatically moves to the proper abort state.

Gas sterilant system

A method of improving the delivery of low vapor pressure chemical vapor sterilant into complex objects, such as lumens and piping dead legs using vapor compression.

A method of enhanced penetration of low vapor pressure chemical vapor sterilants during sterilization

The operation of a steam sterilizer (200) is monitored by a test unit (100) and a controller which together comprise a system which can be operated in two principal method schemes: (1) the testing for completeness of air removal from a sterilizer chamber (202), and (2) the testing for effective sterilization conditions. These methods each have two principal modes of operation: (a) the performance of a Bowie and Dick type test, as is usually done on a once-a-day basis; and (b) monitoring the sterilizer (200) during load conditions. In a preferred embodiment a test unit (100) including temperature (122) and pressure sensors (124), a moisture sensor (126) and a heat sink (112) are positioned within the chamber (100) of a steam sterilizer (200) and transmit by radio (120) the conditions therein to an external controller (150). The test unit (100) can employ a replaceable cartridge (110) to assure effective operation even after a large number of cycles of operation.

Sterilizer test method and apparatus

Air removal is completed and ascertained, in steam sterilization systems which use steam flow through a sterilizing chamber to facilitate air removal, by methods which enable steam-table values for a dependent variable relationship of pressure and temperature, as exhibited by confined saturated steam, to be utilized under steam flow conditions. Apparatus for controlling and measuring chamber conditions are provided so that such established steam-table values for confined steam can be readily and reliably used to establish and ascertain complete air removal while steam is flowing through the chamber. In a representative embodiment, chamber pressure is held substantially constant while the remaining variable chamber temperature is measured. Venting of chamber atmosphere is continuous during such control of chamber pressure with chamber temperature being measured until a value is reached corresponding to the steam-table value at the level of the chamber pressure being held. With complete removal of the air ascertained, sterilizing exposure conditions can be established rapidly by substantially reducing venting of chamber atmosphere since any remaining portions of the cycle, whether establishing or maintaining sterilizing exposure conditions, need not be relied on for removal of air. Control apparatus, electromechanical and electronic processor, are provided for automatically completing air removal and ascertaining effective air removal.

Establishing and ascertaining desired air removal in steam sterilization

In steam sterilization systems which use steam flow through a sterilizing chamber (50) to facilitate air removal, chamber pressure is held substantially constant while chamber temperature is measured. Venting of chamber atmosphere is continuous during such control of chamber pressure with chamber temperature being measured until the actual temperature value reaches the steam saturation temperature in accordance with steam tables at the value of the chamber pressure being held. With complete removal of the air ascertained, sterilizing exposure conditions can be established rapidly by substantially reducing venting of chamber atmosphere since any remaining portions of the cycle, whether establishing or maintaining sterilizing exposure conditions, need not be relied on for removal of air. Control apparatus, electromechanical and electronic processor, may be provided for automatically completing air removal and ascertaining effective air removal.

Method and apparatus for steam sterilization

Sterilizer control and methods involving use thereof

Verfahren zur steuerung eines sterilisierapparates und -apparat

L'INVENTION CONCERNE UN APPAREIL DE STERILISATION ET SON PROCEDE DE COMMANDE ET DE MISE EN OEUVRE. L'APPAREIL COMPREND UNE CHAMBRE 10 DE STERILISATION DANS LAQUELLE DES CONDITIONS DE TEMPERATURE ET DE PRESSION PEUVENT ETRE DETERMINEES AU MOYEN D'UN DISPOSITIF ELECTRONIQUE 36 DE COMMANDE QUI EST ASSOCIE A UN DISPOSITIF 72 D'ADAPTATION DE CYCLE ET A UN PANNEAU 76 D'AFFICHAGE AFIN QU'IL SOIT POSSIBLE A L'UTILISATEUR DE L'APPAREIL DE MODIFIER UN CYCLE FONDAMENTAL DE STERILISATION, PROGRAMME DANS LE DISPOSITIF 36 DE COMMANDE, EN FONCTION DES BESOINS DE CET UTILISATEUR. A CET EFFET, LE DISPOSITIF 72 D'ADAPTATION DE CYCLE PEUT UTILISER UNE MEMOIRE MAGNETIQUE, PAR EXEMPLE A CARTE MAGNETIQUE, PORTANT DES INFORMATIONS D'ADAPTATION INALTERABLES ET DESTINEES A MODIFIER LE PROGRAMME DE BASE. LE CYCLE AINSI ADAPTE PEUT ETRE REPETE AUTANT DE FOIS QUE SOUHAITE. DOMAINE D'APPLICATION : STERILISATEURS INDUSTRIELS, STERILISATEURS POUR HOPITAUX, ETC.

Thomas George Cook

Papers

Establishing and ascertaining desired air removal in steam sterilization

Method and apparatus for steam sterilization

Sterilizer control and methods involving use thereof

Verfahren zur steuerung eines sterilisierapparates und -apparat

Procede de commande et de mise en oeuvre d'un appareil de sterilisation et cet appareil