The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 08, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 30, 1998
Szu-Min Lin, Laguna Hills, CA (US);
Paul T. Jacobs, Trabuco Canyon, CA (US);
Jenn-Hann Wang, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Alfredo M Choperena, San Juan Capistrano, CA (US);
Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, NJ (US);
Abstract
Various forms of apparatus and methods for pretreating and sterilizing a lumen with a peroxide solution prior to sterilization of the interior of the lumen by exposing the lumen to reduced pressure and, optionally, plasma in a sterilization chamber. The pretreatment is preferably done before placing the lumen in the sterilization chamber. The method also includes exposure of the exterior of the lumen to peroxide vapor to sterilize the exterior of the lumen. Pretreatment of the interior of the lumen with liquid peroxide greatly improves the efficiency of sterilization of the interior. Exposure of the lumen to plasma reduces the time required for sterilization.