Patent EP0302420A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0302420A2
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EP
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Low pressure hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization system
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
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Filing: 1988-07-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-07-29
Abstract
Abstract A low-pressure vapor sterilization process which employs hydrogen peroxide vapor as the active agent. In the process, the article to be sterilized is placed in a than about 1.33 mbar (1 torr). Aqueous hydrogen peroxide is added to the chamber and allowed to vaporize. The chamber is maintained at a pressure below the vapor pressure of the hydrogen peroxide and at a temperature of less than about 40°C. for a period of time sufficient to achieve sterilization of the article.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul T. Jacobs
- 👤 Szu-Min Lin
- 👤 Tralance O. Addy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/16; A61L2/20; A01; A01N; A01N59/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A process of vapor sterilization of articles, comprising the steps of : (a) placing an article to be sterilized into a sterilization chamber; (b) evacuating said chamber to a pressure below about 1.33 mbar (1.0 torr); (c) creating a hydrogen peroxide atmosphere in said chamber and allowing hydrogen peroxide vapor to contact said article; and (d) maintaining said chamber at a pressure below the vapor pressure of the hydrogen peroxide for a period of time sufficient to achieve sterilization.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A process of vapor sterilization of articles, comprising the steps of : (a) placing an article to be sterilized into a sterilization chamber; (b) evacuating said chamber to a pressure below about 1.33 mbar (1.0 torr); (c) creating a hydrogen peroxide atmosphere in said chamber and allowing hydrogen peroxide vapor to contact said article; and (d) maintaining said chamber at a pressure below the vapor pressure of the hydrogen peroxide for a period of time sufficient to achieve sterilization.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the concentration of hydrogen peroxide vapor contacting said article is in the range of from about 0.1 to about 10 mg/liter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said chamber is evacuated to a pressure of from about 66.5 µbar to 0.13 mbar (0.05 to 0.1 torr).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said hydrogen peroxide is introducing into said chamber in the form of an aqueous solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in said solution is from about 10% to 70% by weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in said solution is from about 30% to about 50% by weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said period of time is less than 1 hour.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said chamber is maintained at a temperature of less than about 40°C during the sterilization process.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said chamber is maintained at room temperature during the sterilization process.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
94 words
A process of vapor sterilization of articles, comprising the steps of (a) Placing an article to be sterilized into a sterilization chamber; (b) evacuating said chamber to an initial pressure of less than about 1.33 mbar (1.0 torr); (c) introducing a solution of hydrogen peroxide into said chamber and allowing said hydrogen peroxide solution to vaporize and contact the article to be sterilized; (d) maintaining said chamber at a temperature below about 40°C and at a pressure below the vapor pressure of the hydrogen peroxide for a period of time sufficient to achieve sterilization.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
A process of vapor sterilization of articles, comprising the steps of (a) Placing an article to be sterilized into a sterilization chamber; (b) evacuating said chamber to an initial pressure of less than about 1.33 mbar (1.0 torr); (c) introducing a solution of hydrogen peroxide into said chamber and allowing said hydrogen peroxide solution to vaporize and contact the article to be sterilized; (d) maintaining said chamber at a temperature below about 40°C and at a pressure below the vapor pressure of the hydrogen peroxide for a period of time sufficient to achieve sterilization.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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