Patent ID: 7186372
Filing Date: 2007-03-06
Classification: A61B,A61L

Abstract:
1. A method for assessing a sterilization of a lumen of a device in a vapor phase hydrogen peroxide sterilization process, the method comprising the steps of: a) measuring concentration of hydrogen peroxide vapor exterior of the lumen; b) calculating at least once a concentration of hydrogen peroxide at a selected location within the lumen based upon time of exposure, concentration of hydrogen peroxide exterior of the lumen and the physical characteristics of the lumen, wherein the physical characteristics of the lumen comprise: diameter of the lumen, length of the lumen to the selected location, type of material forming the lumen and temperature of the material forming the lumen; c) indicating a parameter relevant to said sterilization of said lumen based upon said concentration of said hydrogen peroxide at the selected location; and wherein the concentration of hydrogen peroxide at the selected location is calculated based upon the following relationship: where: t represents the time from when hydrogen peroxide vapor first is introduced exterior of the lumen.