Patent ID: 7880887
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: A61L,G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for measuring concentration of a gas in a sterilization chamber surrounded by a vessel comprising: (a) at least one light source which emits light, at least a first portion of which is directed along a path that does not intersect the sterilization chamber and a second portion of which is directed along a path that passes through at least a portion of the sterilization chamber; (b) a first detector which receives at least some light of the first portion; (c) a second detector positioned to receive at least some of the light from the second portion after the second portion has passed through the sterilization chamber; and (d) a controller which (i) receives signals from at least the first and second detectors, (ii) processes the signals to determine changes in the output of the said at least one light source, light loss and absorption due to components of the apparatus, and the concentration of the gas in the sterilization chamber, (iii) compares expected operating ranges with signals received from at least one of the detectors to identify problems, and (iv) generates output signals based upon the concentration of the gas in the sterilization chamber.