Vapor sterilization using inorganic hydrogen peroxide complexes
AssigneeJohnson & Johnson Medical, Inc.
InventorsPaul Taylor Jacobs, Szu-Min Lin, Xiaolan Chen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and process for hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization of medical instruments and similar devices make use of hydrogen peroxide vapor released from an inorganic hydrogen peroxide complex. The peroxide vapor can be released at room temperature and atmospheric pressure; however, the pressure used can be less than 50 torr and the temperature greater than 86.degree. C. to facilitate the release of hydrogen peroxide vapor. Preferred hydrogen peroxide complexes for use in the invention include Na.sub.4 P.sub.2 O.sub.7.3 H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4.H.sub.2 O.sub.2. The heating rate can be greater than 5.degree. C. Optionally, a plasma can be used in conjunction with the vapor.
Claims131
An apparatus for hydrogen peroxide sterilization of an article, comprising:
- a container for holding the article to be sterilized;
- and
- a source of hydrogen peroxide vapor in fluid communication with said container, said source comprising an inorganic hydrogen peroxide complex which does not decompose to form a hydrohalic acid, said source configured so that said vapor can contact said article to effect sterilization.
A method for hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization of an article, comprising contacting the article with hydrogen peroxide vapor released from an inorganic hydrogen peroxide complex to sterilize the article, wherein said peroxide complex does not decompose to a hydrohalic acid.
A method for hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization of an article, comprising contacting the article with hydrogen peroxide vapor released from a Na.sub.4 P.sub.2 O.sub.7 hydrogen peroxide complex by heating the complex so as to produce hydrogen peroxide vapor that can contact and sterilize the article.
A method for hydrogen peroxide sterilization of an article, comprising:
- placing the article in a container;
- placing a hydrogen peroxide complex of an inorganic salt which does not decompose to form a hydrohalic acid into vapor communication with said container;
- and
- allowing said container to stand at a temperature below about 70.degree. C. for a time sufficient to release hydrogen peroxide vapor from said complex to effect sterilization of the article.
A method for hydrogen peroxide sterilization of an article having an exterior and a narrow lumen therein, comprising:
- connecting a vessel containing a hydrogen peroxide complex to the lumen of the article, said hydrogen peroxide being a complex which does not decompose to form a hydrohalic acid;
- placing the article within a container;
- evacuating the container;
- and
- contacting the lumen of the article with hydrogen peroxide vapor released from said hydrogen peroxide complex.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.