초록 ▼

A method of and system for sterilizing the internal surfaces of one or more elongate relatively narrow passages of interest contained in a device of interest, said passages having end openings and being susceptible of sustaining flow there along by inducing a positive flow of sterilizing gas through

A method of and system for sterilizing the internal surfaces of one or more elongate relatively narrow passages of interest contained in a device of interest, said passages having end openings and being susceptible of sustaining flow there along by inducing a positive flow of sterilizing gas through each passage of interest in a selected direction. Gas flow through a device of interest is caused by a passive two-chamber device which generates a transient pressure gradient between the ends of the lumens of the device in response to externally imposed variations of pressure. Sterilant gas is provided from outside the two chamber systems.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method of gas phase sterilization of elongate devices of interest of a class having internal surfaces which include one or more elongate lumen passages of interest, said passages having end openings and being susceptible of sustaining a flow of gas there along the met

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method of gas phase sterilization of elongate devices of interest of a class having internal surfaces which include one or more elongate lumen passages of interest, said passages having end openings and being susceptible of sustaining a flow of gas there along the method comprising the steps of:(a) inserting one end of each device of interest including one end of said passages of interest through a resilient opening in a closed chamber, said closed chamber being opened to each said passage of interest and wherein said closed chamber has a volume greater than the total volume of all connected passages of interest to be sterilized;(b) establishing a net flow of sterilant gas through each passage of interest in a selected direction by subjecting the one or more end openings not inserted into one of said closed chamber to transient alternating cycles of decreasing pressure and pressurization thereby producing a directionally reversing net flow through said one or more passages of interest;(c) introducing sterilant vapor with said repressurization steps of said cycles; and(d) varying said pressure sufficiently that said net flow in each direction exceeds the volume of said one or more passages;(e) providing vapor permeability for sterilizing the portion of said devices of interest at the connection with said closed chamber.