Patent ID: 7014813
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
1. A method of sterilizing a sealable enclosure comprising: circulating a carrier gas and sterilant through the enclosure and through a flow path having an outlet from the enclosure and an inlet to the enclosure, any sterilant in the gas flow received from the enclosure being rendered suitable for disposal, and the content of water vapor being reduced following which the gas flow is heated and further sterilant is added to sterilize the enclosure, the flow path having two parallel branches in one of which any sterilant in the gas flow is rendered suitable for disposal and any water vapor content in the gas is reduced and in the other of which the carrier gas is heated and sterilant is added to the gas; initially circulating said carrier gas through said one branch, monitoring the moisture content of the gas in the enclosure and terminating flow of carrier gas through said one branch when the relative humidity in the enclosure has been reduced to a predetermined level such that the surfaces of the enclosure are relatively dry; initiating flow of the carrier gas through said other branch and adding a sterilant vapor or vapors to the gas passing through the other branch until condensation of the sterilant takes place in the enclosure; terminating supply of sterilant to the carrier gas; and continuing to circulate the carrier gas substantially saturated with sterilant vapor for a predetermined time through the other branch and enclosure to ensure sterilization of the enclosure terminating flow through said other branch and redirecting the flow of carrier gas through said one branch to extract the sterilant from the gas enclosure to render the sterilant suitable for disposal and to reduce the relative humidity of the carrier gas.