Apparatus method for sterilization using ethylene oxide

Abstract

A method and gas sterilizing unit for gas sterilization of a product. The method and gas sterilizing unit obviates the need of a separate preconditioning area or cell, the need to transfer items being sterilized to a separate sterilizing chamber and the need to further transfer the sterilized items to a separate degassing cell or area or room. The gas sterilizing unit comprises a corrugated wall structure which defines a chamber therein, at least one door opening into the chamber, a device for heating and cooling of the chamber, a source of pressure and vacuum, a mechanism for the recovery of the gas sterilant from within the chamber, a manual control panel or programmed logic controller or a programmable computer or PC for controlling each of temperature, pressure, relativity humidity, and for controlling the flushing of the chamber with nitrogen, the injecting into the chamber of a measured amount of a gas sterilant such as ethylene oxide, the recovery and treatment of the gas sterilant and for control of the timing of each of the steps of the process. The gas sterilizing unit supports the method for gas sterilization in that the method or process can be completed in one and the same sterilizing unit resulting in an increase in efficiency and lower energy consumption. The sterilizing unit and the sterilizing press will permit a dynamic preconditioning cycle where heat and humidity can be introduced to the product under a vacuum and pulsed up and down in pressure. The sterilizing unit and the sterilizing process will also permit the degassing to take place under dynamic conditions which enhances the effectiveness of the process and reduces the time needed to achieve safe levels of ethylene oxide. Worker exposure to product which is outgassing while moving the product from a sterilizing chamber to a degassing room is eliminated.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.