Systems, apparatus and methods for sterilizing an object using a self-contained sterilization chamber

A method for sterilizing an object, the method comprising:

• providing an isolation unit for sterilizing an object, the isolation unit comprising:
• a housing having an interior compartment comprising a sterilization chamber;
• a hatch that is integrated into the isolation unit so as to provide selective access to the sterilization chamber;
• and
• a locking mechanism operatively coupled to the hatch, wherein the locking mechanism functions as a fail-deadly switch to prevent opening of the hatch once the locking mechanism is engaged;
• placing an object to be sterilized into the sterilization chamber;
• placing a sterilizing element in the sterilization chamber, the sterilizing element releasing sterilizing gas in the sterilization chamber;
• closing the hatch so as to seal the sterilization chamber off from an ambient environment outside the isolation unit, thereby allowing the sterilizing gas to accumulate within the sterilization chamber substantially without permeating into the ambient environment;
• engaging the locking mechanism and initiating a sterilization cycle so as to prevent the hatch from being opened, wherein the locking mechanism cannot be disengaged until satisfaction of a predetermined condition;
• and
• allowing the object to become sterilized through exposure to the sterilizing gas;
• wherein satisfaction of the predetermined condition causes the locking mechanism to become automatically disengaged, wherein the predetermined condition is an amount of time and wherein prior to the locking mechanism being automatically disengaged, the locking mechanism cannot be disengaged through a user-initiated override.

A system for sterilizing an object, the system comprising:

• an isolation unit;
• a sterilizing element;
• a locking mechanism;
• a timer;
• placing the object in the sterilization chamber;
• placing the sterilizing element in the sterilization chamber;
• initializing a cycle countdown timer;
• and
• sealing the sterilization chamber with the locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism cannot be disengaged until the cycle countdown timer expires.