# US 2014/0154132 A1 · Sterilization System and Components for Express Cycle Sterilization

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- Number: US 2014/0154132 A1
- Document ID: US20140154132A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/778,362
- Filed: 2013-02-27
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03
- Assignees: Case Medical, Inc.
- Applicants: Case Medical, Inc.
- Inventors: Marcia A. Frieze; Allan S. Frieze
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140154132A1

## CPC

- A61L 2/208: Hydrogen peroxide
- A61L 2/14: Plasma, i.e. ionised gases
- B01J 19/088: {giving rise to electric discharges (for heating purposes H05B7/00; for the production of ozone C01B13/11, H01T19/00)}
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sterilization container of claim 1 wherein contact points for a tray or insert thereof comprise (a) a conductive metal when the container interior surface is otherwise generally a non-conductive metal or (b) a non-conductive metal when the container interior surface is otherwise generally a conductive metal.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The sterilization container of claim 2 wherein portions thereof that are not at the contact point are at least in part made of a non-conductive material.

### Claim 4

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.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The insert of claim 4 wherein contact points thereof for contact with said sterilization container interior comprise (a) a conductive metal when the contact point of the sterilization container comprises a non-conductive metal or (b) a non-conductive metal when the contact point of the sterilization container comprises a conductive metal.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The container of claim 1 wherein said conducting metal is stainless steel.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The container of claim 1 wherein the non-conductive metal is anodized aluminum.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The insert of claim 4 wherein said conducting metal is stainless steel.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A method of sterilization in a hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization procedure comprising using the sterilization container of claim 1.

### Claim 10 (depends on 4)

A method of sterilization in a hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization procedure comprising using the insert of claim 4.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9 further comprising an insert for said container 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.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9 wherein said gas plasma sterilization procedure comprises an “Express” cycle procedure.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein said gas plasma sterilization procedure comprises an “Express” cycle procedure.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9 wherein said “express” cycle is a cycle of at least about 2 minutes and not more than about 6 minutes.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein said “express” cycle is a cycle of at least about 2 minutes and not more than about 6 minutes.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9 wherein said “express” cycle wherein the concentration of hydrogen peroxide used is at least about 40% to not more than about 89%.

### Claim 17 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein said “express” cycle wherein the concentration hydrogen peroxide used is at least about 40% to not more than about 89%.

### Claim 18

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.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The container system of claim 18 wherein said conductive metal is stainless steel and said non-conductive metal is anodized aluminum.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The container system of claim 18 wherein said container walls, top, and bottom are anodized aluminum, said top is substantially anodized aluminum; and further comprising a cover—wall-contact liner which is stainless steel.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The container system of claim 20 wherein said inserts are substantially anodized aluminum with stainless steel feet or stainless steel connectors for contacting said insert with the internal surfaces of the bottom or walls of said container.

### Claim 22 (depends on 18)

The container system of claim 18 wherein the conductive metal is selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, titanium, copper, platinum, brass, nickel, bronze, iron, and non-anodized aluminum.