System for sterilizing equipment, associated method, and chlorine dioxide gas generating device for use with same

15) A method of sterilizing equipment in a chamber using a chlorine dioxide gas generating system, the chlorine dioxide gas generating system comprising a chlorine dioxide gas generating device, a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the chlorine dioxide gas generating device, and a port member fluidly coupled to the vacuum pump, the chlorine dioxide gas generating device comprising a housing having a cavity, an anode and a cathode each coupled to and disposed within the cavity, a solution comprising a first reagent and a second reagent disposed within the cavity, and a hydrophobic membrane coupled to the housing, the method comprising:

• sealing the chamber to the port member;
• generating the chlorine dioxide gas out of the solution in the chlorine dioxide gas generating device via electrolysis responsive to an electric current being passed into the anode and the cathode;
• pumping the chlorine dioxide gas from the chlorine dioxide gas generating device into the chamber with the vacuum pump such that the chlorine dioxide gas exits the housing through the hydrophobic membrane while fluids are prevented from flowing therethrough;
• after a predetermined period of time, pulling a gas other than the chlorine dioxide gas into and out of the chamber at least one time with the vacuum pump in order to remove humidity from the chamber and cause the chlorine dioxide gas to be drawn out of the chamber;
• and
• vacuum sealing the chamber.

26) A method, comprising:

• providing a chlorine dioxide gas generating system comprising an activator comprising a power source, a chlorine dioxide gas generating device, and a container, the chlorine dioxide gas generating device comprising a housing, a hydrophobic membrane coupled to the housing, an anode, a cathode, and a reagent solution comprising a first reagent and a second reagent, the container being in fluid communication with the chlorine dioxide gas generating device;
• passing an electric current from the power source into the anode and the cathode, and in response, generating chlorine dioxide gas via electrolysis with the first and second reagents;
• delivering the chlorine dioxide gas out of the chlorine dioxide gas generating device through the hydrophobic membrane;
• and
• receiving the chlorine dioxide gas into the container in a controllable, start and stop manner without additional reagents being circulated into the housing of the chlorine dioxide gas generating device.

28) A chlorine dioxide gas generating device comprising:

• a housing having a cavity, the housing comprising a lid and at least one sealing member, the lid having a first through hole and a second through hole;
• an anode and a cathode each coupled to and disposed within the cavity;
• a solution comprising a first reagent and a second reagent disposed within the cavity and configured to generate chlorine dioxide gas out of the solution via electrolysis in a portable manner responsive to an electric current being passed into the anode and the cathode, the chlorine dioxide gas being configured to exit the housing via the first through hole of the lid while an additional gas enters the housing via the second through hole of the lid;
• and
• a hydrophobic membrane coupled to the housing and configured to allow the chlorine dioxide gas to exit the housing while preventing fluids from flowing therethrough,
• wherein the at least one sealing member is sealed to the lid over the first through hole and the second through hole in order to prevent evaporation of the first and second reagents.