Patent ID: 6408538
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
A method of sterilizing an item, wherein the item is one of a musical instrument and a musical instrument accessory, using a gas diffusion process, comprising steps of:providing an open, sealable diffusion bag to contain the item; placing the item into an interior of the open diffusion bag; evacuating air from the diffusion bag; sealing the diffusion bag; positioning the diffusion bag in a chamber of a sterilizer having a ventilation system for removal of exhaust gas from the chamber; providing a sterilizing atmosphere in the interior of the diffusion bag by releasing into the diffusion bag ethylene oxide at a concentration sufficient to act as a sterilant; heating ethylene oxide to an appropriate temperature; maintaining the temperature of the ethylene oxide for a sufficient time to sterilize the item; and removing the diffusion bag from the sterilizer after the item is sterilized.