Sterilization System and Components for Express Cycle Sterilization
AssigneeCase Medical, Inc.
InventorsMarcia A. Frieze, Allan S. Frieze
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Abstract
A sterilization container, insert therefor, and systems are described, wherein at least one of the container or the insert therefor at the contact point between them is constructed of a conductive, non-corrosive material, most preferably stainless steel, while the bulk of the container or insert therefore is constructed of a non-conductive material, most preferably anodized aluminum. The container, insert, and whole systems are suitable for use in gas plasma sterilization procedures, but especially in those procedures that include a hydrogen peroxide gas plasma “express” cycle.
Claims22
A sterilization container for use in a hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization system and compatible with use in an “express” cycle of said sterilization system wherein said container is constructed such that any metal-to-metal mated surfaces at the interior of said container have a first surface that is a conductive metal and a second surface that is mated therewith that is a non-conductive metal.
An insert for a sterilization container for use in a hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization system and compatible with an “express” cycle thereof wherein said insert is constructed such that any metal-to-metal mated surfaces thereof have a first surface that is a conductive metal and a second surface that is mated therewith that is a non-conductive metal.
A sterilization container system optionally with one or more inserts therefor suitable for use in a hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization express cycle comprising:
- a) a sterilization container;
- and
- b) optionally, one or more inserts for placing in said container;
- said container having four walls, a bottom and a cover, defining an interior of said container;
- wherein each contact point between said container wall, bottom, and cover which is between two discrete pieces thereby resulting in first mated surfaces is constructed so that such mated surfaces at the contact points thereof has one portion of the mated surface of a conductive metal and the other surface that is mated therewith of a non-conductive metal;
- and
- wherein each contact point between any of the container interior walls, bottom, or cover on the one hand and any insert therefor placed inside said container is so configured that such contact points result in second mated surfaces wherein one of second mated surfaces is of a conductive metal and the other surface that is mated therewith in said second mated surfaces is a conductive metal;
- and
- wherein any connectors that have a portion in the interior of said container that result in a third mated surface are so constructed as to have one of the third mated surfaces to be of a conductive material and the other of the third mated surface that is mated therewith to be of a non-conductive metal;
- such that each metal to metal mated surface of the interior of said container is a mating of conductive metal and non-conductive metal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.