Process and apparatus for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, or combinations thereof

An apparatus for treatment of a medical device, comprising:

• a first treatment chamber configured to conduct a first treatment stage therein comprising subjecting the medical device to a first pressure, a first temperature, and a first sterilant concentration;
• a second treatment chamber operatively connected to the first passage and in communication with the first chamber via the first passage, the second treatment chamber configured to conduct a second treatment stage therein comprising subjecting the medical device to a second pressure, a second temperature, and a second sterilant concentration that is different from at least one of the first pressure, the first temperature, and the first sterilant concentration, respectively;
• a shuttle system in communication with the second chamber, the shuttle system configured to transport the medical device between the first chamber and the second chamber via the first passage;
• a programmable hardware device configured to control a parameter in at least one of the first treatment stage and the second treatment stage, wherein the parameter is selected from the group consisting of the first pressure, the first temperature, the first sterilant concentration, the second pressure, the second temperature, the second sterilant concentration, a time the medical device spends in at least one of the first chamber and the second chamber, and combinations thereof, wherein the programmable hardware device is configured to, based on the parameter, move the object to the second chamber, begin the second treatment stage, or a combination thereof;
• and
• a hydrogen peroxide source associated with at least one of the first treatment chamber and the second treatment chamber, wherein the first sterilant concentration and the second sterilant concentration each comprise a hydrogen peroxide concentration.