Cold gas sterilization process
AssigneeMoore-Perk Corporation
InventorsRichard J. Forstrom, Michael D. Wardle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A "cold" gas sterilization process that operates at temperatures below 80.degree. C. in a temperature range that is generally considered nonsporicidal. The process is capable of sterilizing with gaseous hydrogen peroxide at extremely low concentrations in a gas phase, such as 0.5 mg/L. The widely used process of "cold" sterilizing with ethylene oxide is typically run at a gas concentration of 630 mg/L and 55.degree. C. Apparatus is also disclosed for use of this process in "cold" sterilization of contact lenses.
Claims10
A method of "cold" gas sterilization which comprises:
- surrounding an article to be sterilized with hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of less than 75 mg/L;
- and maintaining such gas in contact with such article at temperatures below 80.degree. C. until such article is sterile, whereupon sterility of said article is established and including the step of maintaining said article in a sterile condition protected from recontamination until use.
A method of "cold" sterilizing an article not suited for total liquid submersion, comprising the steps of:
- encasing said article in a chamber;
- surrounding the article in the chamber with hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of less than 75 mg/L;
- and maintaining such gas in contact with the article at temperatures below 80.degree. C. until such article is sterile, whereupon sterility of said article is established and including the step of maintaining said article in a sterile condition protected from recontamination until use.
A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the method includes the step of evacuating the chamber.
A method of "cold" gas sterilization which comprises:
- surrounding an article to be sterilized with hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of less than 75 mg/L and at a pressure of less than atmospheric;
- and maintaining said gas under such conditions in contact with such article at temperatures below 80.degree. C. until such article is sterile, whereupon sterility of said article is established and including the step of maintaining said article in a sterile condition protected from recontamination until use.
A method of "cold" gas sterilization which comprises:
- surrounding an article to be sterilized with hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of 0.1 to 50 mg/L;
- and maintaining such gas in contact with the article for a period of greater than 60 seconds and at temperatures of from 45.degree. C. to 65.degree. C. until such article is sterile, whereupon sterility of said article is established and including the step of maintaining said article in a sterile condition protected from recontamination until use.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.