US5008079A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for sterilizing or disinfecting objects
Assignee: Santasalo Sohlberg Oy AB
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Filing: 1989-01-19
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Granted: 1991-04-16
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Expires: 2009-01-19
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting objects, especially thermosensitive objects, in a closed chamber such as an autoclave. The use of such sterilizing or disinfecting takes place particularly in health institutions such as hospitals, outpatient departments, etc., as well as in the pharmaceutical industry. The sterilization or disinfection is carried in a strong oxidizing agent, which can be an organic peracid, advantageously peracetic acid in gaseous form. Sterilization or disinfection is carried out in a closed chamber, under a vacuum or at atmospheric pressure. Utilizing a vacuum increases concentration of the active agent in the chamber, so that the requisite sterilizing time is shortened. According to the procedure, the sterilization or disinfection is carried out at, e.g. 40 DEG to 50 DEG C. which also increases the concentration of the active agent, so that a short action time is achieved involving minimal thermal stress on the objects which are being sterilized or disinfected. The peracetic acid used in the method is completely environmentally protective and safe because it disintegrates rapidly into oxygen and harmless acetic acids.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Wutzler
- 👤 Horst Mucke
- 👤 Lauri Santasalo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/16; A61L2/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
Method for sterilizing or disinfecting instruments in a closed chamber, comprising carrying out said disinfecting or sterilizing with an organic peracid in a concentration of more than about 7 up to about 50% in aqueous solution, said organic peracid being a powerful oxidizing agent and wherein said disinfecting or sterilizing is additionally carried out with a quantity of agent of about 1 to 100 mg per liter of chamber volume.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
Method for sterilizing or disinfecting instruments in a closed chamber, comprising carrying out said disinfecting or sterilizing with an organic peracid in a concentration of more than about 7 up to about 50% in aqueous solution, said organic peracid being a powerful oxidizing agent and wherein said disinfecting or sterilizing is additionally carried out with a quantity of agent of about 1 to 100 mg per liter of chamber volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
Method for sterilizing or disinfecting instruments in a closed chamber, comprising carrying out said disinfecting or sterilizing with an organic peracid in a concentration of more than about 7 up to about 50% in aqueous solution, said organic peracid being a powerful oxidizing agent and wherein the concentration of said peracid in aqueous solution is about 20 to 50%.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
Method for sterilizing or disinfecting instruments in a closed chamber, comprising carrying out said disinfecting or sterilizing with an organic peracid in a concentration of more than about 7 up to about 50% in aqueous solution, said organic peracid being a powerful oxidizing agent and wherein the concentration of said peracid in aqueous solution is about 20 to 50%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the concentration of said peracid in aqueous solution is about 40%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
Method of sterilizing or disinfecting instruments in a closed chamber, comprising carrying out said disinfecting or sterilizing with an organic peracid in a concentration of more than about 7 up to about 50% in aqueous solution, said organic peracid being a powerful oxidizing agent and wherein said disinfecting or sterilizing is additionally carried out at a temperature of about 20° to 60° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
Method of sterilizing or disinfecting instruments in a closed chamber, comprising carrying out said disinfecting or sterilizing with an organic peracid in a concentration of more than about 7 up to about 50% in aqueous solution, said organic peracid being a powerful oxidizing agent and wherein said disinfecting or sterilizing is additionally carried out at a temperature of about 20° to 60° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said disinfecting or sterilizing temperature is about 20° to 55° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said temperature is about 45° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
Method for sterilizing or disinfecting instruments in a closed chamber, comprising carrying out said disinfecting or sterilizing with an organic peracid in a concentration of more than about 7 up to about 50% in aqueous solution, said organic peracid being a powerful oxidizing agent additionally comprising carrying out said disinfecting or sterilizing in a vacuum, and drawing off part of said agent after said agent has been introduced into said chamber, and adding said withdrawn agent back into said chamber in order to provide a higher concentration of active substance in said chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
Method for sterilizing or disinfecting instruments in a closed chamber, comprising carrying out said disinfecting or sterilizing with an organic peracid in a concentration of more than about 7 up to about 50% in aqueous solution, said organic peracid being a powerful oxidizing agent additionally comprising carrying out said disinfecting or sterilizing in a vacuum, and drawing off part of said agent after said agent has been introduced into said chamber, and adding said withdrawn agent back into said chamber in order to provide a higher concentration of active substance in said chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
Method for sterilizing or disinfecting instruments in a closed chamber, comprising carrying out said disinfecting or sterilizing with an organic peracid in a concentration of more than about 7 up to about 50% in aqueous solution, said organic peracid being a powerful oxidizing agent and wherein said disinfecting or sterilizing is carried out in a non-vacuum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
Method for sterilizing or disinfecting instruments in a closed chamber, comprising carrying out said disinfecting or sterilizing with an organic peracid in a concentration of more than about 7 up to about 50% in aqueous solution, said organic peracid being a powerful oxidizing agent and wherein said disinfecting or sterilizing is carried out in a non-vacuum.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8, additionally comprising vaporizing about 10 to 300 ml of agent per 100 liter of chamber volume.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9, additionally comprising vaporizing about 30 to 100 ml of agent per liter of chamber volume.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
Method for sterilizing or disinfecting instruments in a closed chamber, comprising carrying out said disinfecting or sterilizing with an organic peracid in a concentration of more than about 7 up to about 50% in aqueous solution, said organic peracid being a powerful oxidizing agent, and additionally comprising heating said agent to a suitable temperature by vaporizing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
Method for sterilizing or disinfecting instruments in a closed chamber, comprising carrying out said disinfecting or sterilizing with an organic peracid in a concentration of more than about 7 up to about 50% in aqueous solution, said organic peracid being a powerful oxidizing agent, and additionally comprising heating said agent to a suitable temperature by vaporizing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said vaporizing is carried out in apparatus separate from said closed chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said vaporizing is carried in said chamber itself.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-10-15 | 1995-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-10-15 | 1999-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-15 | 2002-10-15 | 2003-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |