US 4,448,750 A · Sterilization method

Abstract

A method for disinfecting and/or sterilizing small objects such as medical and dental instruments and the like wherein the object to be disinfected and/or sterilized is contacted with a liquid, such as an aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate and carbamide, which is substantially transparent to ultraviolet radiation and has some bactericidal activity itself, at a temperature in the range from about 0.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. and preferably at about 25.degree. C., and the object while contacted by the liquid is exposed simultaneously to ultrasonic radiation having a frequency in the range from about 8 kilohertz to about 300 kilohertz, preferably from 15 kilohertz to 60 kilohertz, with an energy density of application from about 10 watts/liter to about 5 watts/milliliter, and to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength in the range from about 1500 .ANG. to about 4000 .ANG., preferably at about 2537 .ANG..

Claims12

Dependent claims

A batchwise and static method of disinfecting and/or sterilizing small objects such as medical and dental instruments and the like comprising the steps of:

(a) contacting an object to be disinfected and/or sterilized with a stationary body of liquid or liquid solution which has a percent transmittance greater than twenty percent to ultraviolet radiation;
(b) exposing said object while contacted by said liquid to ultrasonic radiation;
(c) exposing said object while contacted by said liquid to ultraviolet radiation;
(d) said steps of exposing said object to ultrasonic radiation, ultraviolet radiation and liquid being performed simultaneously;
and
(e) said liquid being relatively chemically stable at the temperature employed and under the ultraviolet and ultrasonic energy conditions employed.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sterilization method

Life of this patent

Sterilization method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12