Patent ID: 8721984

Claim:
A device for sterilization, comprising: a source of liquid NO 2 ; a pre-chamber, in fluid communication with the source of liquid NO 2 ; a valve arrangement, constructed and arranged to, when the pre-chamber is at a low pressure, controllably allow NO 2 to flow from the source of liquid NO 2 to the pre-chamber to charge the pre-chamber with a controlled dose of NO 2 ; a sterilization chamber, in fluid communication with the pre-chamber, such that, when the sterilization chamber is held at a pressure lower than a pressure of the pre-chamber, at least a portion of the NO 2 will flow into the sterilization chamber; a source of humidity, constructed and arranged to provide a controlled level of humidity in the sterilization chamber; a controller, configured and arranged to control a duration of exposure to the sterliant gas of an object to be sterilized in the sterilization chamber; and an exhaust, in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber and including a chemical scrubber constructed and arranged to remediate the NO 2 gas prior to exhausting it.