Devices, systems and methods for zone sterilization

A method for the point-of-use disinfecting and sterilizing of a zone defining an interior exposed to a bioprocessing fluid, the method comprising:

• humidifying a sterilizing gas to about 70% humidity or above;
• supplying pressurized and humidified ozone gas from a gas transfer device to the interior of the zone;
• dispersing the pressurized ozone gas through the interior of the zone for a predetermined soak period;
• receiving at the gas transfer device post-soak ozone gas from the zone;
• and
• detecting the level of humidity and ozone gas in the received post-soak sterilization gas.

A system for the point-of-use disinfection and sterilizing of a fluid flow component defining an interior, the system comprising:

• a portable gas transfer device comprising a housing;
• a sterilant gas source in fluid communication with the housing and configured to contain a pressurized sterilant gas;
• a humidity generator in fluid communication with the housing to maintain a sterilant gas humidity of about 70% or more;
• the housing having a first passageway in fluid communication with the gas source and configured to supply pressurized and humidified sterilant gas from the gas source to the interior of the fluid flow component for a pre-determined soak period;
• a gas discharge chamber in fluid communication with the housing;
• and
• the housing having a second passageway in fluid communication with the gas discharge chamber and configured to supply post-soak sterilant gas from the fluid flow component to the gas discharge chamber.

A gas dispersion device for the point-of-use disinfecting and sterilizing of a zone defining an interior exposed to a bioprocessing fluid with ozone gas from a pressurized ozone gas source, wherein the zone defines a component fluid flow path for flowing a product, the gas dispersion device comprising:

• a housing defining a second fluid flow path, the housing sealingly engageable with the zone so as to be in fluid communication with the interior of the zone when engaged, the housing engageable with the pressurized ozone gas source so as to be in fluid communication with the pressurized ozone gas source when engaged;
• a gas flow member held in the housing, the gas flow member having an upper portion and a lower portion, the gas flow member comprising a supply gas passageway extending from the top portion to at least one gas dispersion opening at the bottom portion for supply and dispersion of ozone into the zone for a predetermined soak period, the gas flow member further comprising at least one return gas passageway extending from the bottom portion to the top portion for post-soak ozone gas;
• and
• wherein the gas dispersion device is engageable with a humidifier for humidifying the ozone gas prior to the soak period.