WO2002043780A1 - Sterilisation de lumieres allongees - Google Patents

Sterilisation de lumieres allongees Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002043780A1
WO2002043780A1 PCT/US2000/042379 US0042379W WO0243780A1 WO 2002043780 A1 WO2002043780 A1 WO 2002043780A1 US 0042379 W US0042379 W US 0042379W WO 0243780 A1 WO0243780 A1 WO 0243780A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
interest
sterilization
gas
chamber
passages
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/042379
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Nicholas Kowanko
Original Assignee
Enviromedical Systems, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Enviromedical Systems, Inc. filed Critical Enviromedical Systems, Inc.
Priority to PCT/US2000/042379 priority Critical patent/WO2002043780A1/fr
Priority to AU2001245092A priority patent/AU2001245092A1/en
Publication of WO2002043780A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002043780A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/16—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
    • A61L2/20—Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
    • A61L2/208—Hydrogen peroxide
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A61L2/14—Plasma, i.e. ionised gases
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/16—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
    • A61L2/20—Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
    • A61L2/206—Ethylene oxide
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/26—Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
    • A61L2/28—Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2202/12—Apparatus for isolating biocidal substances from the environment
    • A61L2202/122—Chambers for sterilisation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to gas phase (vapor) sterilization and, more particularly, to disinfecting and sterilizing devices having elongate, narrow passages or lumens accessible from both ends such as those commonly associated with vascular catheters endoscopes and similar devices. While the entire device must be sterilized, the invention is primarily concerned with the successful sterilization of the more difficult internal surfaces concurrently with sterilization of the exterior.
  • the invention employs techniques that produce a flow of sterilizing gas through the internal passage or passages in a given load (items to be concurrently sterilized) during processing which results in a rapid and complete exposure of internal passage or channel surfaces of each item of the load to the sterilant vapor by transforming each lumen or other channel or passage of interest into a flow channel for the sterilant gas during successive evacuation and pressurization cycles.
  • vapor sterilization has offered several distinct advantages over other forms
  • one major disadvantage heretofore associated with the technique involves an inability to conduct sufficient sterilizing vapor to contact the central internal surfaces of rather long and narrow passages such as the lumens of catheters and endoscopes in an expeditious manner.
  • present systems operate by partially evacuating the sterilization chamber prior to the introduction of the sterilizing material in a repressurization step.
  • the chamber may be subjected to a series of evacuation and pressurization cycles in this manner.
  • Complete sterilization of the internal surfaces depends on diffusion of the sterilant gas, which might be ethylene oxide or another material usually diluted in a carrier gas along the passages from the open ends to produce sufficient antimicrobial activity at the midpoint of each narrow passage.
  • sterilant gas or sterilant vapor or " sterilizing gas or sterilizing vapor”, as used in this specification, refer to any substance, whether true gas or vapor of a volatile liquid, which is capable of sterilizing the load of interest and which is in the gaseous state under use conditions. It may consist of a single active ingredient or a mixture of ingredients, and may contain inactive diluents or carriers. Also, the term “"lumen”, “channel”, “passage”, or the like, refers to any internal passage accessible from both ends which is relatively long in relation to its diameter and therefore difficult to readily sterilize near or at its midpoint by diffusion of a sterilant gas from the ends.
  • cassette refers to any relatively compact package form suitable for containing and adapted to receive any of the class of devices (having integral elongate passages) suitable for sterilization and/or storage in accordance with the invention.
  • the cassettes may be of any convenient shape and are assumed to be of sufficient rigidity to withstand the necessary pressure differential used in the method of the invention and the term includes, without limitation, the common rectangular shaped containers.
  • sterilizization means a sufficient reduction in the live microbe and/or spore population to render the device of interest to be safe for its intended use. This is normally a 7-9 logio reduction of the bacteria and/or spore population.
  • a primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of vapor sterilization particularly suited to the sterilization of devices of interest having internal surfaces including relatively long, narrow passages characteristic of the lumens of catheters and endoscopic instruments, together with devices for carrying out the method.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of vapor sterilization that is based on inducing a reversible positive flow of sterilant vapor throughout the length of a passage of interest to be sterilized.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to establish a positive flow of sterilant vapor throughout the length of a passage to be sterilized by inducing an end-to- end pressure differential to an open-ended passage to be sterilized by exposing each end to a different time variable (transient) pressure function to transform the passage into a flow channel and to promote flow therethrough to produce immediate antimicrobial activity along the entire length of the passage.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to accomplish the method of the invention using only a passive partitioned cassette to contain the device of interest and a vacuum/pressurization chamber to contain the cassette.
  • Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a close tolerance passage or gas permeable collar at the partition wall within the cassette so as to achieve sterilization of the area of the device contacting the partition.
  • a further object of the present invention is to produce a time variable (transient) end-to-end pressure differential in each open-ended passage to be sterilized on a reversing basis.
  • a still further object of the present invention is to provide a partitioned two-chamber cassette to contain a device having an elongate passage to be sterilized with one end in each chamber having gas permeable accesses in each chamber to be exposed simultaneously to vacuum/pressurization sterilization cycling in which the combination of the relative chamber sizes and permeabilities can be used to determine the time variable pressure difference between the chambers.
  • the present invention provides a new method and apparatus for achieving timely total gas or vapor sterilization in devices generally having internal passages which are difficult to sterilize utilizing diffusion techniques. These include, for example, the elongated lumens of vascular catheters and the interior passages of endoscopes.
  • the present invention achieves rapid vapor sterilization by providing for immediate and complete contact between the internal surfaces of the instrument passages and the sterilizing vapor by providing means which produce a flow of sterilant gas in and throughout the entire length of the passage of interest to be sterilized.
  • the present invention enables a variety of open-ended passages including the long, narrow tubes or instrument passages of endoscopes or catheter lumens to be dependably sterilized internally in a timely manner even at the most difficult central portion of the load.
  • the method adapts to a number of apparatus embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the detailed description by way of example, and lends itself to the use of existing equipment.
  • the present invention introduces a method and apparatus for gas phase sterilization of elongated tubular devices of interest in which sterilant gas flow through lumens of the devices of interest is induced by a flow-dependent transient pressure gradient set up between the ends of the lumens.
  • the transient pressure gradient can be created by exposing each end of each lumen to a separate chamber and concurrently evacuating or concurrently pressurizing both chambers at different effective rates.
  • a preferred method is one in which each end of a passage of interest in a device to be sterilized is subjected to a different transitory pressure change function when a sterilization container containing the device is exposed to a vacuum or pressurization step thereby producing a transitory pressure gradient function between passage ends which transforms the passage of interest into a flow channel and induces a flow of sterilant gas along the length of the passage.
  • the different transitory pressure change functions may be produced in any of a number of ways which result in the net effect of a pressure gradient which typically operates to induce a flow of sterilant material in one direction when the ambient pressure is reduced as by a vacuum pump or in the opposite direction when the pressure is increased by the introduction of sterilant gas.
  • a device to be sterilized is generally loaded into a storage container, preferably in the form of a cassette, which may be of a design unique to that species of device.
  • the container is provided with two compartments or chambers of equal or unequal, but relatively fixed size. At least one of the chambers has an area of vapor permeability that accesses the volume outside the cassette.
  • both chambers are subjected to evacuation/pressurization cycles with sterilant gas being added in the pressurization cycles in a manner that effectively affects the chambers according to different transitory pressure change functions and thereby induces a flow between the chambers in the passages of interest. Flow in one direction during evacuation reverses during pressurization.
  • the chamber sizes and difference in the transitory pressure change functions are preferably sufficient to cause at least one complete volume change in all passages of interest. It will be appreciated that a net flow that amounts to less than one volume change will also eventually result in sterilization in accordance with the invention; however, additional cycles and thus a longer sterilization time will be required with lesser flow amounts.
  • net flow means the flow through the passages of interest during one pressurization or evacuation cycle. Flow through the passage of interest can be accomplished in a number of ways. If the two cassette compartments are unequal in size, evacuating or pressurizing them at the same volumetric rate will produce a different rate of pressure change in the compartments to produce the desired effect.
  • the smaller volume chamber must still have a volume that exceeds the total volume of the passages to be sterilized. If the cassette compartments are not sufficiently unequal in size, relatively diverse volumetric flow rates for evacuation/pressurization can be used to compensate.
  • Relative flow rates can be adjusted in a number of ways according to the invention.
  • the two chambers of the cassette may be provided with gas permeable accesses of different capacities and the cassette exposed to the cycle steps within a common larger sterilizing chamber or the chambers may be connected to vacuum/pressurization devices that effectively treat them unequally due to size of connection, relative permeability, etc.
  • the seal is preferably a resilient, but porous material such as a foam material that allows seepage but not direct flow.
  • a relatively low clearance fit may also be used. It is an important aspect of the invention that the entire device be sterilized and, accordingly, sterilant material must readily reach and sterilize that segment of the device which is in the vicinity of the barrier or partition, either directly or through a porous material. It is noteworthy that the method can manifest itself in any of a variety of devices and technique combinations and offers a new practical solution to a longstanding problem.
  • the required time and number of cycles also will vary with the type of items to be sterilized and the previous histories of those items. Typically, 2 to 5 evacuation/pressurization steps are required.
  • the open-ended internal passages or lumens of interest need not run the length of the device; they only need straddle the barrier between the chambers.
  • guidewire or other shorter lumens contained some devices in addition to much longer lumens may be sterilized by proper placement of the device so that one access opening is on either side of the barrier.
  • Any sterilant material compatible with the material of the endoscope or other device being sterilized may be employed as the sterilizing vapor.
  • ETO ethylene oxide
  • H 2 O 2 hydrogen peroxide
  • HCHO formaldehyde
  • Purge cycling is used to remove chemical sterilants after sterilization.
  • sterilant material is consumed by impurities during the sterilization process which, in turn, reduces the strength or anti-microbial capacity or potency of the gas unless the sterilant is replenished. This is particularly true in confined spaces.
  • the flow-through system of the invention changes the gas within even the most clandestine central passage spaces often enough to enable the strength of the sterilant to be maintained at a relatively high level throughout the load during the process.
  • the invention may also operate using a single access.
  • One single access embodiment that employs the technique of the present invention involves providing one end of an open- ended endoscope tube or other elongated open-ended hollow device to be treated with a closed chamber in the form of a removable gastight hollow fitting (cap or bulb) of internal volume greater than the internal volume of the device to be sterilized to assure sufficient flow through during sterilization.
  • the hollow fitting preferably includes a gas permeable collar that fits over the endoscope tube or the end of another device of interest constructed so that the area under the collar is also exposed to the sterilant gas and the entire device is sterilized.
  • This system is designed to be placed in a packaging container that, in turn, is itself placed entirely inside of a pressure variable gas sterilization chamber for processing.
  • the packaging container becomes a second chamber which contains the first, i.e., the larger chamber entirely contains the smaller with the passages of interest situated therebetween with respect to flow.
  • a similar effect is realized when one compartment of the cassette embodiment is sealed and the entire system is forced to "breathe" through the other via the passages of interest.
  • the packaging container is first partially evacuated and thereafter the desired amount of active sterilant gas is admitted. Sterilant gas entering the chamber enters each partially evacuated lumen at the exposed open end thereof and flows through each entire device passage to equalize the pressure in the cap, bulb or closed cassette chamber volume thereby providing a fresh stream of sterilizing gas throughout the length of the tube.
  • the device may be enclosed in a gas permeable container or bag and the tightly fitting chamber placed over one end of the package so as to enclose one opening of the device lumens, the package or bag acting as a gas permeable collar.
  • This embodiment is especially useful for endoscopes packaged to be stored hanging in a straight posture.
  • cassettes or other such devices of the present invention readily replace typical contemporary flow-through (gas permeable) sterile soft-sided packaging (some of which are also known as peel pouches) , and which can be used with some single access versions of the present invention.
  • the cassettes or cap or bulb devices should be rigid enough to resist flexure during cyclic pressure changes although large pressure differentials do not normally occur.
  • Figure 1 illustrates schematically a perspective view of a two-compartment cassette system for accomplishing vapor sterilization in accordance with the invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic perspective diagram of an enclosed lumen and bulb single access arrangement for a device to be sterilized in accordance with the invention
  • Figure 3 illustrates in perspective a greatly enlarged inter-chamber transition area as in Figure 1 partially cut away to show portions of the interior and a gas-permeable layer;
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically illustrate in perspective a further adaptation or variation useful for processing endoscopes
  • Figure 6 depicts in perspective an alternate embodiment of the cap or bulb of Figure 2 or the container of Figure 4 for receiving one end of a device to be sterilized
  • Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective schematic representation of an embodiment utilizing a formed plastic tray and chamber arrangement for accommodating an elongated lumen device for sterilization;
  • Figure 7A is a an enlarged perspective view of the chamber of Figure 7;
  • Figure 8 is a fragmentary schematic perspective view of a device similar to that in Figure 7 in which the chamber is an integral part of the tray;
  • Figure 9 is a fragmentary schematic perspective diagram illustrating another arrangement in which the lumen is contained in a medical bag attached to a partially external plastic chamber within a sterilizing environment;
  • Figure 10 is a fragmentary schematic perspective diagram similar to that in Figure 8 wherein both the elongated lumen to be sterilized and the plastic chamber are contained within a gas permeable sealed peel pouch.
  • the present invention offers a method for gas phase sterilization of elongated tubular devices of interest, such as medical catheters and endoscopes, in which sterilant gas flow through the lumen(s) of the devices of interest is induced by creating a different transient pressure gradient function at each end of those lumens.
  • the transient pressure gradient is preferably created by exposing each end of each lumen to a separate chamber and concurrently evacuating or concurrently pressurized both chambers at different effective rates.
  • the method can be practiced using any of a variety of sterilization devices and provides new flow-through approaches to the total gas or vapor sterilization of relatively elongate narrow open-ended passages in medical and other devices requiring sterilization that enables rapid and total sterilization by virtue of providing a positive flow of sterilizing gas contacting all internal surfaces.
  • the approach is particularly suited to long and narrow passages with end openings, the central portions of which have heretofore challenged and resisted timely vapor sterilization because of the difficulty in accessing these regions with effective antimicrobial concentrations.
  • any suitable sterilant gas may be used in accordance with the present invention including ETO, H 2 O 2 , HCHO, ion plasma sterilizers, peracids, including performic acid, peracetic, perpropionic acid and mixtures thereof as more completely described in the above-cross referenced copending application.
  • the techniques of the invention are particularly useful for cold sterilization which, as used herein, refers to procedures which effect sterilization at temperatures substantially below the 120-132°C typically employed using high pressure steam techniques.
  • any suitable range of pressures may be employed in implementing the techniques of the invention, although a range which centers at or below one atmosphere is generally the easiest to implement.
  • the process is also generally designed to enable operation at relatively low sterilization temperatures, i.e., below 100°C and preferably below 70°C.
  • any type of device having intricate internal passages which are openly accessible but difficult to reach by diffusion and which will admit to sterilization using the present invention are presumed to be intended to be included and those illustrated, together with the particular embodiments or devices to carry out the invention, are given by way of example and not limitation.
  • FIG. 1 depicts a preferred embodiment in which a hollow sterilizing cassette package or container having a body generally at 10 and a removable lid 11 is nominally subdivided into unequal compartments including a first small chamber or compartment 12 of volume Vi and a second chamber or compartment 14 of volume 2 •
  • T e cassette package including body 10 and lid 11 is shown inside a larger sterilization chamber shown as a transparent fragment at 16 of volume V 3 which is attached by one or more external accesses represented by 18 which represents both a gas admitting or supply system that includes a source of sterilizing and/or purge gas 36 and to a vacuum system (not shown) in a well-known manner. Separation of the compartments 12 and 14 is accomplished by a separator barrier or partition 20.
  • the separator 20 as indicated by the arrow 22 may be located in a variety of locations as shown in phantom at 20a and 20b depending on the desired relative sizes of Ni and V 2 and generally contains one passage or opening therethrough, which is illustrated as having components or portions in the body 10 and lid 11 at 26 to accommodate an elongated, hollow tube 28 to be treated.
  • the tube is situated with one open end 30 in the compartment 14 and the other open end 32 in the chamber 12.
  • the passage 26 should be snug with, but not in gastight relation to the tube 28.
  • a snug fit between the tube 28 and the barrier 20 minimizes direct flow between the chambers, but allows leakage for sterilization of the entire device is all that is necessary.
  • External vapor-permeable areas accesses or ports connecting to the container 12 are represented for the chambers 12 and 14 respectively by 34 and 36.
  • the tube 28 represents any elongated device lumen or passage and the areas 34 and 36 represent accesses of any size or degree of permeability. It will be understood that the lid 11 and body 10 are provided with the necessary peripheral seals when assembled.
  • the embodiment of Figure 1 is designed to operate by pressure modulation in the chamber 16 (V 3 ) using alternating evacuation and sterilizing gas input or pressurization steps for sterilization as through access 18.
  • V 3 » (V ⁇ +V 2 ) and a wide range of ratios between Vi and V 2 is acceptable when the transport capacity of accesses 34 and 36 are of the same or nearly the same vapor transporting capacity provided that one is larger than the other.
  • the smaller chamber should still be greater than the total internal volume of the lumens to be sterilized.
  • the desired ratio between Vi and N 2 is from about 2:1 to about 20:1; however, lower or higher ratios may be employed if desired.
  • Both compartments 12 and 14 may alternatively be connected via a conduit arrangement attached at 34, 36 (not shown) to a common source of sterilizing vapor and a common evacuating system in a well known manner.
  • the connecting vapor-permeable accesses may be unequal in vapor transmission capacity to thereby produce a difference in effective rates of pressurization and evacuation for the two chambers.
  • the two compartments 12 and 14 may be equal or unequal in volume.
  • only one access need be used in one embodiment where the system interfaces through only one chamber. This represents one version of a single access system and can be accomplished by closing one port or vapor permeable access 34, 36.
  • the vapor passing or transmitting capacity of the areas 34, 36 may be varied by adjusting size, permeability or both and that may be combined with sizing the compartments 12 and 14 to produce any conceivable combination.
  • the rate of change of the external pressure in the main chamber represented by 16 or V 3 can also be varied.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a single access configuration in which a first chamber V 5 is entirely contained within a second V 6 and the lumen of interest V 4 extends between V 5 and V ⁇ . It will be recognized that this is similar to removing either Vi or V 2 in Figure 1 and sealing the remaining access to the outside 34 or 36 such that the function of the remaining chamber (Vi or V 2 ) is assumed by V 3 which, of course, preserves the general principle of Figure 1.
  • An elongated tube generally at 40 shown broken at 42, illustrates an elongated internal lumen at 44 which encloses or contains a total volume denoted as V 4 .
  • a hollow cap or bulb 46 having an internal volume V 5 , is shown attached to the tube 40 using a gas permeable collar 48.
  • V ⁇ an internal volume represented by V ⁇ .
  • Both end accesses 52 and 54 of the tube 10 are open so that a free flow between V 5 and ambient through V 4 may be established, together with flow penetrating the collar 48.
  • the relative sizes of V 4 and V 5 are without restriction except that, to promote timely sterilization, V 5
  • a preferred range of ratios between V 5 and V 4 is from approximately 1 to 10 with a most preferred range of about 2-4. Of course, normally Ve » V 5 + V 4 . This will depend on the nature of the device to be processed.
  • the entire assembly including the attached cap or bulb is designed to be subjected to sterilization in a common package represented by chamber 50, which may be placed in a sterilization chamber as at 16 in Figure 1.
  • the package 50 is shown having a permeable access 56 and an internal volume Vg.
  • Vg the ratio of V 5 to V 4 designed for a particular sterilant or sterilization process, such that cycling of the pressure in Vg produces sufficient reversible flow through the opening 52 to enable the entire volume V 4 to be purged quickly in both directions by the actual or net flow in and out of V 5 .
  • the sterilization chamber containing the device of Figure 2 including dimensionally stable flow- through container 50 is, in turn, placed in a conventional sterilization chamber (not shown) , made accessible to a vacuum system and a pressurization system through the access represented by 56 which may be similar in configuration to 34, 36 of Figure 1.
  • the volume V ⁇ is first evacuated to a desired pressure below atmospheric causing outward flow to equalization. Thereafter, sterilant gas with or without a carrier gas, as desired, is introduced into the chamber 50 and, as the pressure in V ⁇ increases, an amount of this flows inward through the opening 52, through lumen 44 and through the opening 54 into V 5 .
  • FIGs 4 and 5 An additional embodiment or configuration is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 in which an endoscope device 60 with open-ended lumen 61 is sterilized in a storage package 62 that later is mounted to enable hanging storage in a straight configuration.
  • the package 62 is shown protruding through an opening and partially deployed in a container 64 having a volume V 7 .
  • Vapor permeable or gas transport areas in the wall of the package 62 are represented by 66 and 68 and an optional permeable area is shown in the otherwise sealed container 64 at 70.
  • the passage of the package 62 into the container 64 may be similar to the intercha ber transition area illustrated in Figure 3.
  • the volume of the package may be represented by Vs.
  • the system including the container 64 and package 62 may be placed in a sterilization chamber 72 having a volume Vg and an external connection as at 74 which is conventionally connected to a vacuum line and source of sterilant vapor or purge gas according to known techniques.
  • the package 62 is shown mounted on a backing 80 for hanging on a hook as by using opening 82.
  • the system of Figure 4 may be operated according to the method of Figure 1 when optional transport area 70 is provided and according to the method associated with Figure 2 without it.
  • the container 64 is represented as a cubic or box-like structure, it will be appreciated that it can be of any desired shape so long as it functions in the manner intended. This, of course, is also the case with respect to the hollow cap or bulb 46 of Figure 2 and the cassette and lid combination of Figure 1.
  • the opening in the container 64 may be in the form of a clamping device or any other confining mechanism that fits over one end of the package 62 to cause vapor material flowing between the package 62 and the container 64 to predominantly use the lumen 61.
  • the chamber or container 64 may be a clamp-on envelope device.
  • Such an alternate container is shown at 90 in Figure 6 which includes a spring clamp 92 connected to a semi-rigid structure 94.
  • the clamp 92 provides an opening 96 adapted to receive a tube as at 40 in Figure 2 or a package as at 62 in Figure 4 and may have a vapor transport permeable area as at 98.
  • the clamp 92 is operable to engage a tube or package for sterilization as needed.
  • the sterilization cycle for the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 begins with the evacuation of both chambers 12 and 14. If the chambers are unequal in size, because of the difference in volume between the two chambers, the pressure in the smaller chamber volume initially decreases more rapidly than that of the larger one thereby producing a transient pressure gradient between the two chambers. This imbalance induces a net flow through the tube 28 from the larger chamber into the smaller chamber which continues until the pressure finally equalizes at the end of the evacuation portion of the sterilization cycle.
  • sterilant vapor is introduced into both chambers and a reverse imbalance occurs with the pressure rising faster in the smaller compartment than in the larger compartment thereby inducing a gradient which results in a flow through the tube 28 and collar 26 from the smaller chamber into the larger chamber until pressure equalization is again reached.
  • Sterilization is accomplished by a series of cyclical alternate pressurization and evacuation steps, each resulting in a purging and replacement of the gas atmosphere within the tube 28, thereby assuring complete sterilization of the inner surfaces of the tube.
  • a similar effect can be produced by varying the vapor transport capacity of the ports 34, 36 accessing compartments. A higher capacity for vapor transmission produces the effect of making the chamber smaller.
  • a number of purge cycles may be used at the end of the process to remove traces of sterilant material from the cassette.
  • cassette 10 or package 62 may be replaced by peel pouch package for containing an endoscope, medical catheter or the like.
  • the system can be configured to operate with separate vacuum pumps and pressurization devices attached at 34, 36 so long as these are properly controlled and coordinated in order to achieve a desired transient or time variable pressure gradient between the ends of the internal lumens of the device to be sterilized. These accommodations are considered well within the general knowledge of those skilled in the art.
  • an important aspect of the invention is the total sterilization of the device of interest and, in this regard, the passages or openings between the chambers as at 26 in Figure 1, 48 in Figure 2 and 76 in Figure 4 are provided with gas or vapor permeable material at the interface with the device so that these areas remain exposed to the sterilant gas during the process.
  • the passages 26 and 48 may be appropriately lined as at 27 in Figure 3 using material that prevents direct cross flow between the chambers but one which is highly porous to allow penetration of the sterilant vapor through the layer 27 to the surface of the device as at 28.
  • a few porous openings are illustrated in Figure 3 at 29, but it will be appreciated that the entire surface of the device 28 will be adequately exposed to sterilant gas during the process.
  • a low clearance fit of low leakage may also suffice.
  • Figures 7 , 7A and 8 show another embodiment of containers systems for use in sterilizing endoscopes, catheters or other such devices in accordance with the invention in plastic trays which may be packages for shipping or even trays used for resterilization in the case of devices which are used more than once and require resterilization between uses.
  • Figure 7 depicts a fragmentary view of a part of a sterilization chamber 100 containing a port 102 which indicates intake and exhaust communication with a source of sterilant vapor and vacuum.
  • a formed plastic tray is shown inside the sterilization chamber at 104 which in turn contains a breathing medical paper seal or other gas permeable area as indicated at 106 in which vapor exchange can take place with the atmosphere in the sterilization chamber 100.
  • a device to be sterilized in the form of an elongated lumen representation is shown at 108 mounted within the tray and connected at one end by insertion into a chamber 110 at 112.
  • the chamber 110 may be held in a recess in the tray 104 as part of the retention of the device in the tray, this may be a snap-fit relation.
  • a color chemical indicator 114 may be placed in the chamber 110 to indicate contact with the sterilant gas as a result of the sterilization process.
  • the chamber 110 may be plastic or other material which will withstand a vacuum but which is sufficiently transparent so that the color indicator 114 can be recognized through the tray.
  • the tray itself is also shown as a transparent device as is the sterilization chamber in the illustration, primarily to enhance clarity and understanding.
  • Figure 7A is an enlarged view of the chamber 110 of Figure 7 which can be fabricated from a plastic tube of a much larger diameter than that of the catheter or scope 108 to be sterilized.
  • the chamber 110 is provided with a closed end 116 and the chemical sterilant indicator 114 may be located at or near that end 116.
  • a second enclosure 118 and access opening 112; the chamber further describes an interior volume at 120 which, as has been previously described, should be greater than the volume of the lumen or lumens to be sterilized 108.
  • the plastic tube or other member describing the generally cylindrical chamber 110 should be sufficiently strong to withstand a vacuum being pulled on the system without collapse and the end closings 116 and 118 may be an integral part of this system or be formed separately and joined by adhesive, screw or press fits but must be substantially gastight.
  • the access port 112 is designed for a catheter or scope to be inserted through it into the chamber and so is preferably of a film material that is rather thin and elastic.
  • the port hole should be designed to be undersized so that the catheter scope, as it is pushed through the hole, will force the hole to enlarge or stretch and the material will then form a substantially tight seal around the catheter or scope.
  • the film material must be of a composition that allows some limited leakage or permeation of gas so as to permit the system to sterilize the area of contact between the catheter, scope, etc., and the film.
  • materials such as polyethylene film that is permeable by ethylene-oxide gas or an open-salved foam film should provide the necessary permeability.
  • the indicator dot 114 represents a chemistry that is affixed to the inside of the plastic chamber and can be viewed from the outside of the transparent plastic chamber and also through the plastic tray 104.
  • the indicator contains the necessary chemistry to indicate or record, by changing color, the adequate presence of sterilant gas in a concentration normally required to achieve sterility. This demonstrates that sterilant gas has passed through the entire length of the lumen 108 indicating that the device has been subjected to the sterilization procedure.
  • Figure 8 depicts an embodiment similar to that of
  • Figure 7 but in which the formed plastic tray for containing the lumen-carrying device 120 is provided with an integral hollow chamber 122 molded as part of the tray and having an access port at 124 and a chemical sterility indicator at 126 within the integral hollow chamber.
  • the criteria for the chamber 122 are the same as those for 110 of Figures 7 and 7A and so far as the sterilization process is concerned with the chamber being formed as a permanent part of the tray rather than a snap-in arrangement as shown in Figure 7.
  • Figure 9 shows yet another variation in which a gas permeable or breathable medical bag or custom peel pouch 130 contains a catheter or other lumen containing device 132 which extends through a seal opening 134 to a attached hollow chamber or tube 136 as previously described.
  • the tube or chamber 136 is not entirely enclosed in the breathable medical bag or peel pouch 130 but protrudes partially into the sterilization chamber 100.
  • An optional chemical sterilization indicator is shown at 136.
  • Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing the plastic chamber as being contained entirely within the breathable medical bag or custom peel pouch 130.
  • a sterilization chamber may be used to simultaneously (concurrently) process a plurality of the illustrated or other devices in accordance with the invention.
  • the barrier 20 may be provided with a plurality of openings 39 to accommodate a plurality of tubular devices 26 or a plurality of cassettes or devices 10 can be provided in a batch to be sterilized in a common chamber.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé et un système permettant de stériliser les surfaces internes d'au moins un passage d'intérêt allongé et relativement étroit contenu dans un dispositif d'intérêt. Ces passages présentent des ouvertures d'extrémité et sont susceptibles de prolonger le flux sur toute leur longueur en induisant un flux positif de gaz stérilisant par chaque passage d'intérêt dans une direction choisie. Le flux gazeux à travers un dispositif d'intérêt est produit par un dispositif passif à deux chambres qui génère un gradient de pression transitoire entre les extrémités des lumières du dispositif en réponse à des variations de pression imposées de l'extérieur. Le gaz stérilisant est fourni de l'extérieur des systèmes à deux chambres.
PCT/US2000/042379 2000-11-29 2000-11-29 Sterilisation de lumieres allongees WO2002043780A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2000/042379 WO2002043780A1 (fr) 2000-11-29 2000-11-29 Sterilisation de lumieres allongees
AU2001245092A AU2001245092A1 (en) 2000-11-29 2000-11-29 Sterilization of elongate lumens

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2000/042379 WO2002043780A1 (fr) 2000-11-29 2000-11-29 Sterilisation de lumieres allongees

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WO2002043780A1 true WO2002043780A1 (fr) 2002-06-06

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6312646B2 (en) 1998-08-17 2001-11-06 Enviromedical Systems, Inc. Sterilization of elongate lumens
EP2344348A1 (fr) * 2008-10-08 2011-07-20 Langford IC Systems, Inc. Appareil et procédé pour retraiter des instruments à lumière
US9089880B2 (en) 2006-03-03 2015-07-28 Langford Ic Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for reprocessing lumened instruments
US10814027B2 (en) 2017-12-07 2020-10-27 Asp Global Manufacturing Gmbh Sterilization-assistance device
US10967084B2 (en) 2017-12-15 2021-04-06 Asp Global Manufacturing Gmbh Flow restrictor

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5443801A (en) * 1990-07-20 1995-08-22 Kew Import/Export Inc. Endoscope cleaner/sterilizer
WO1997024147A1 (fr) * 1996-01-02 1997-07-10 Kew Import/Export Inc. Appareil de nettoyage et de sterilisation a usage medical
WO1999030748A1 (fr) * 1997-12-17 1999-06-24 Ethicon, Inc. Recipient special destine au nettoyage et a la sterilisation de dispositifs a lumiere
EP1016371A1 (fr) * 1998-12-30 2000-07-05 Ethicon, Inc. Procédé destiné au nettoyage et à la stérilisation d'articles ayant une lumière

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5443801A (en) * 1990-07-20 1995-08-22 Kew Import/Export Inc. Endoscope cleaner/sterilizer
WO1997024147A1 (fr) * 1996-01-02 1997-07-10 Kew Import/Export Inc. Appareil de nettoyage et de sterilisation a usage medical
WO1999030748A1 (fr) * 1997-12-17 1999-06-24 Ethicon, Inc. Recipient special destine au nettoyage et a la sterilisation de dispositifs a lumiere
EP1016371A1 (fr) * 1998-12-30 2000-07-05 Ethicon, Inc. Procédé destiné au nettoyage et à la stérilisation d'articles ayant une lumière

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6312646B2 (en) 1998-08-17 2001-11-06 Enviromedical Systems, Inc. Sterilization of elongate lumens
US8568666B2 (en) 2006-03-03 2013-10-29 Langford Ic Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for reprocessing lumened instruments
US8658090B2 (en) 2006-03-03 2014-02-25 Langford Ic Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for reprocessing lumened instruments
US8697001B2 (en) 2006-03-03 2014-04-15 Langford Ic Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for reprocessing lumened instruments
US9023277B2 (en) 2006-03-03 2015-05-05 Langford Ic Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for reprocessing lumened instruments
US9089880B2 (en) 2006-03-03 2015-07-28 Langford Ic Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for reprocessing lumened instruments
EP2344348A1 (fr) * 2008-10-08 2011-07-20 Langford IC Systems, Inc. Appareil et procédé pour retraiter des instruments à lumière
EP2344348A4 (fr) * 2008-10-08 2012-05-02 Langford Ic Systems Inc Appareil et procédé pour retraiter des instruments à lumière
US10814027B2 (en) 2017-12-07 2020-10-27 Asp Global Manufacturing Gmbh Sterilization-assistance device
US10967084B2 (en) 2017-12-15 2021-04-06 Asp Global Manufacturing Gmbh Flow restrictor

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