Patent ID: 8945468
Filing Date: 2015-02-03
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
1. A method of sterilizing at least one item, comprising: introducing a first working fluid into an interior chamber having an inner wall; holding the item to be sterilized; circulating the first working fluid in the interior chamber through at least one fluid tight recirculation loop having a heater in thermal communication therewith; heating the first working fluid up to an operational temperature of above the boiling point of the first working fluid at one atmosphere; maintaining the first working fluid at the operational temperature of above the boiling point of the first working fluid for a period of time within the interior chamber; venting fluid unobstructedly and continuously from the chamber to outside of the chamber through a one-way one atmosphere check valve projecting through the inner wall of the chamber so as to maintain a pressure therein of approximately one atmosphere; continuously increasing the concentration of the first working fluid within the interior chamber to at least 85% concentration; maintaining the at least 85% concentration of the first working fluid for a duration of at least an order of 100 seconds; and exposing the item to be sterilized to the heated first working fluid in the interior chamber in a first mode of sterilization.