Apparatus and method for sterilization of an article

A method for sterilization of an article having a first end, a second end and at least one lumen extending between the first end and the second end, the method comprising:

• providing the article in a container, wherein the container comprises a container inlet arranged to allow ingress of sterilant from a first chamber of a sterilization apparatus, wherein the container comprises a container outlet comprising a plurality of container connector ports, and wherein at least one of the plurality of container connector ports is configured to fluidly connect to the at least one lumen at the second end of the article when the article is in the container;
• and
• positioning the container in the first chamber of the sterilization apparatus with the first end of the article in fluid communication with the first chamber through the container inlet, wherein the first chamber comprises an outlet which is fluidly connectable to a pump for adjusting an internal pressure in the first chamber, and wherein the first chamber comprises an inlet which is fluidly connectable to a sterilant source for supplying sterilant to the first chamber;
• forming a fluid path from the first chamber to a second chamber of the sterilization apparatus, the fluid path extending from the first end of the article, through the at least one lumen of the article, through the container outlet to the second chamber, wherein the second chamber comprises a plurality of chamber connector ports, and wherein at least one of the plurality of chamber connector ports is fluidly connected to the at least one of the plurality of container connector ports, thereby forming the fluid path;
• supplying the sterilant to the first chamber;
• creating a pressure difference between an internal pressure of the first chamber and an internal pressure of the second chamber whilst a valve between the first and second chambers is in a closed position, wherein the valve is configurable between an open position and a closed position for fluidly connecting and isolating the first and second chambers respectively;
• and
• modulating the valve to an the open position and allowing the sterilant to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber through the at least one lumen of the article.

An apparatus for sterilization of an article, the article having a first end, a second end and at least one lumen extending between the first end and the second end, the apparatus comprising:

• a first chamber having:
• an outlet which is fluidly connectable to a pump for adjusting an internal pressure in the first chamber, and
• a container inlet arranged to allow ingress of the sterilant from the first chamber, the at least one lumen being in fluid communication with the first chamber through the first end of the article and the container inlet when the article is housed in the container, and
• a second chamber fluidly connectable to the container outlet to form at least one fluid path extending from the first chamber to the second chamber through the at least one lumen of the article when the article is in the container, wherein the fluid connection between the at least one second end of the article and the container outlet, and between the container outlet and the second chamber, is by one or more conduits;
• and
• an inlet which is fluidly connectable to a sterilant source for supplying sterilant to the first chamber;
• a container for housing the article, the container receivable in the first chamber and having:
• a container inlet arranged to allow ingress of the sterilant from the first chamber, the at least one lumen being in fluid communication with the first chamber through the first end of the article and the container inlet when the article is housed in the container;
• and
• a container outlet configured to be fluidly connected to the at least one lumen of the article when the article is in the container;
• a second chamber fluidly connectable to the container outlet to form at least one fluid path extending from the first chamber to the second chamber through the at least one lumen of the article when the article is in the container, wherein the fluid connection between the at least one second end of the article and the container outlet, and between the container outlet and the second chamber is by one or more conduits;
• a valve between the second chamber and the container outlet, the valve being configurable between an open position and a closed position for fluidly connecting and isolating the first and second chambers respectively.