Patent ID: 7713473

Claim:
A method of providing a vapor phase sterilant solution to a sterilization chamber, the method comprising the steps of: providing a vaporizer comprising a cavity; providing a first inclined face extending in a first direction and a second inclined face extending in a second direction which is different than the first direction, wherein the first and second inclined faces are arranged to form an elongate ridge therebetween, the elongate ridge comprising: a first end positioned adjacent to a first sidewall of the cavity; and a second end positioned adjacent to a second sidewall of the cavity; providing a nozzle positioned on the first sidewall, wherein the nozzle comprises an opening defined therein; showering a liquid sterilant solution from the opening, wherein the liquid sterilant solution travels from the opening in a direction along a portion of the elongate ridge from the first end toward the second end; flowing the liquid sterilant solution over the first inclined face; flowing the liquid sterilant solution over the second inclined face; vaporizing the liquid sterilant solution flowing over the first and second inclined faces to form the vapor phase sterilant solution; and transferring the vapor phase sterilant solution to the sterilization chamber.