Method of hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization
AssigneeJohnson & Johnson Medical, Inc.
InventorsSzu-Min Lin, James Archie Swanzy, Paul Taylor Jacobs
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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 a substantially non-aqueous organic hydrogen peroxide complex, such as a urea-peroxide complex. Optionally, a plasma can be used in conjunction with the vapor. A method for preparing substantially non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide complexes is also provided. These complexes are useful as a source of peroxide vapor in hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilizers and as a component of self-sterilizing packaging materials.
Claims8
A method for hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization of an article, comprising:
- placing the article within a container;
- contacting the article with a hydrogen peroxide vapor released from a substantially non-aqueous organic hydrogen peroxide complex in an environment having a relative humidity of 10% or less;
- generating a plasma within said container to surround said article;
- and
- maintaining the article in said plasma.
A method for hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization of an article comprising:
- placing the article within a container;
- contacting the article with a hydrogen peroxide vapor released from a substantially non-aqueous organic hydrogen peroxide complex in an environment having a relative humidity of 10% or less;
- generating a plasma at a site that is spaced apart from the article;
- flowing the plasma to the article;
- and
- maintaining the article in said plasma.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.