Patent ID: 6379613
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
Method for steam-sterilizing a load in a chamber (13), including the steps:a) connecting the chamber with a vacuum pump (20) and reducing the pressure in the chamber, forcing out an essential part of the initially enclosed air, b) shutting the connection between the chamber (13) and the vacuum pump (20) and connecting the chamber with a steam generator (5), building up the pressure and temperature in the chamber up to a first predetermined value, c) shutting the connection between the chamber (13) and the steam generator (5) and connecting the chamber with a condenser (19), decreasing the pressure and temperature in the chamber and forcing out further essential parts of the initially enclosed air, d) eventually repeating the steps b) and c) until the originally enclosed air is forced out essentially totally, but with the provision for step b) that the connection between the chamber (13) and the condenser (19) is shut too, e) shutting the connection between the chamber (13) and the vacuum pump (20) and connecting the chamber with a steam generator (5), building up the pressure and temperature in the chamber up to a second, predetermined value, the process value, which is greater than said first predetermined value, f) shutting the connection between the chamber (13) and the steam generator (5) and connecting the chamber with a condenser (19), decreasing the pressure and temperature in the chamber, g) shutting all connections from the chamber to the steam generator, the condensor and the vacuum pump and opening an air inlet (26) in order to achieve a pressure equilibrium of the chamber with the outside, opening the chamber and taking out the sterilized load, wherein at least during and/or after one of the steps b) and/or e) condensation from the chamber (13) is drained directly or via a condensation collector (11) to the steam generator (5).