American Sterilizer Company

Steris Inc.

Peter E Zell

Sanjeeth M Pai

Bonnie Stewart

Thaddeus Joseph Mielnik

William R Barron

H William Hillebrenner

George E Sparber

Vipul B Sheth

David E Shoff

William C Little

Joseph M Stack

Charles T Curtis

Kevin H Butler

Robert S Petko

The present invention provides a system and method for real-time monitoring and control of anti-microbial cycle parameters within a load-simulation device 6. The system and method simulate the same conditions as those within an acceptable standard challenge load to be sterilized. Integration of the system into a control system 17 allows critical anti-microbial parameter levels to be achieved and maintained within the simulated load throughout a cycle, thus resulting in a significant reduction in the number of unsuccessful cycles. A redundant parameter-monitoring system 100 within the system is included. When acceptable parameter levels are shown to have been met, the processed load is automatically released for use immediately upon completion of the cycle, thus eliminating the need for biological indicators and chemical integrators.

Apparatus and method for real-time monitoring and control of

The invention is a system and method for real-time monitoring and control of chemical sterilant concentration during all phases of a sterilization cycle by employing semiconductor-based sensor modules to selectively detect and measure the actual sterilant concentration in real time. In response to the transmitted concentration values, the sterilizer control system controls critical environmental parameters to maintain concentration levels within acceptable ranges for given time periods to assure sterilization efficacy and that the sterilant has been properly exhausted at completion of the cycle. The selectivity, sensitivity and accuracy of the semiconductor sensor are optimized by calibrating the sensor to baseline environmental parameters and by adjusting the sensor concentration reading when environmental parameters change during the sterilization cycle, by programming a new baseline value for the sterilant concentration at the new condition.

Monitoring and control of sterilization processes with semiconductor

The invention includes a system and a method for maintaining a selected concentration of a sterilant vapor during vapor phase sterilization. The system includes a sterilization chamber with a source of multicomponent vapor containing a sterilant vapor, an electromagnetic radiation source capable of generating radiation at a plurality of wavelengths, a radiation detector for detecting and quantitating the electromagnetic radiation absorbed at the wavelengths, the detector generating absorbance signals proportional to the concentration of the sterilant vapor in the multicomponent vapor, a microprocessor programmed to compare the absorbance signals with reference absorbance signals, to calculate the sterilant vapor concentration therefrom and to generate an output signal, and a controller to receive the output signal and to control addition of the sterilant vapor to the sterilization chamber to maintain a selected concentration of the sterilant vapor in the sterilization chamber during the sterilization process. The method allows sterilization conditions to be optimized to reduce the time required for and to increase the sterilization efficacy of the sterilization procedure.

Real-time monitor and control system and method for hydrogen peroxide

The invention is a system and method for real-time monitoring and control of sterilization cycle parameters within a load-simulation device that simulates the same conditions as those within an acceptable standard challenge load to be sterilized. Integration of the device into the sterilizer control system allows critical sterilization parameter levels to be achieved and maintained within the simulated load throughout a sterilization cycle, thus resulting in a significant reduction in the number of unsuccessful cycles. A redundant parameter-monitoring system within the device is included. When acceptable sterilization parameter levels are shown to have been met, the sterile load is automatically released for use immediately upon completion of the cycle, thus eliminating the need for biological indicators and chemical integrators.

Method for real time monitoring and control of load sterilization and

A system for sterilizing an object including a hollow cassette for containing the object, a sealable opening in the cassette for ingress and egress of the object, a seal for forming a fluid-tight seal around the opening, input and output ports in the cassette for receiving and exhausting a sterilizing fluid and a sealing check valve in the input and output ports for providing a fluid-tight seal when no connections are made to the input and output ports such that when the object is sterilized within the cassette, the cassette will maintain a sterilized atmosphere for the object until the cassette is opened to allow use of the object.

Device and system for sterilizing objects

A method for controlling air flow from an inlet to a chamber and from the chamber through the inlet to atmosphere wherein an ethylene oxide gas sterilization process is practiced in the chamber, which process includes conditions of controlled alternating vacuum and pressure. The method employs a diaphragm actuated two-way valve in the inlet line in combination with a remotely mounted three-way solenoid valve. The chamber is sealed against air flow during conditions of vacuum by spring biasing, and during conditions of pressure by spring and pressure biasing, a closure against an orifice in the two-way valve. The vacuum in the chamber is relieved at predetermined periods by selectively exerting sufficient fluid pressure against the diaphragm of the two-way valve to force the closure, which is operatively connected to the diaphragm, away from the orifice into an open position. The three-way solenoid valve selectively directs fluid to the diaphragm to exert fluid pressure against it and directs fluid to a location remote from the diaphragm to withdraw the fluid pressure exerted against the diaphragm.

Bi-directional sealing method to control fluid flow between an air inlet

A discharge evacuation system includes a conduit which accepts a fluid discharge containing a liquid discharge and a gaseous discharge. The conduit includes a main outlet through which the liquid discharge flows from the conduit into the discharge side of a plumbing system and a backup outlet through which at least a portion of the liquid discharge flows from the conduit when a predetermined volume of liquid discharge backs up within the conduit. Apparatus is provided for removing at least a portion of the gaseous discharge from the conduit and directing the flow of the portion of the gaseous discharge to an area remote from the area in which the conduit is located.

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Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Peter E Zell