Patent ID: 7258835
Filing Date: 2007-08-21
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
1. A method for sterilizing objects in a sterilization container, wherein the sterilization container includes: a chamber for containing the articles to be sterilized, the chamber having an opening communicating from inside to outside the container, a valve outside the chamber and operable between a valve open position and a valve closed position and at the valve closed position, the valve is operable to block passage through the opening of the chamber and the valve is operable to the valve closed position by pressure applied to the valve; a stop communicating with the valve, the stop is operable between a valve stop position for stopping closing of the valve from the valve open position and a valve closing position for permitting the valve to operate to the valve closed position; and a temperature sensor associated with the stop, the sensor is operable for enabling operation of the stop between the valve stop position and the valve closing position; the method comprising: loading the chamber with objects to be sterilized therein, and closing the chamber except for the opening; then exposing the chamber and the opening in the chamber to steam sterilization while operating the stop to the valve stop position for retaining the valve in the valve open position so that the chamber opening remains open; then applying pressure and elevated temperature at the container and the opening while the valve is in the valve open position, and also permitting draining of condensate from the chamber through the chamber opening while the valve is in the valve open position; then discontinuing the sterilization and high pressure and permitting reduced pressure to develop in the chamber due to cooling and condensation while the valve remains in the valve open position; then permitting drying of the chamber and contents therein and development of a vacuum therein, while the valve remains in the valve open position; sensing the temperature at the chamber by means of the temperature sensor during performance of the method, and upon sensing a predetermined reduction in said temperature after discontinuance of the sterilization, moving the stop from the valve stop position to the valve closing position without causing the valve to close the container, thereby enabling the valve to operate to the valve closed position; applying pressure at the chamber and at the valve for operating the valve to the valve closed position while the stop is in the valve closing position, for closing the opening in the chamber for thereby preventing loss of sterility of the items in the chamber.