Patent US4169124A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4169124A
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Cold gas sterilization process
Assignee: Allegiance Corp
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Filing: 1977-09-26
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Granted: 1979-09-25
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Expires: 1997-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A "cold" gas sterilization process that operates at temperatures below 80 DEG C. in a temperature range that is generally considered nonsporicidal. The process is capable of sterilizing with gaseous hydrogen peroxide at extremely low concentrations in a gas phase, such as 0.5 mg/L. The widely used process of "cold" sterilizing with ethylene oxide is typically run at a gas concentration of 630 mg/L and 55 DEG C. Apparatus is also disclosed for use of this process in "cold" sterilization of contact lenses.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. Forstrom
- 👤 Michael D. Wardle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:54
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01N; A01N59/00; A61; A61L; A61L12/00; A61L12/08; A61L12/084; A61L12/12; A61L12/124; A61L2/00; A61L2/16; A61L2/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of "cold" gas sterilization which comprises: surrounding an article to be sterilized with hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of less than 75 mg/L; and maintaining such gas in contact with such article at temperatures below 80° C. until such article is sterile, whereupon sterility of said article is established and including the step of maintaining said article in a sterile condition protected from recontamination until use.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of "cold" gas sterilization which comprises: surrounding an article to be sterilized with hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of less than 75 mg/L; and maintaining such gas in contact with such article at temperatures below 80° C. until such article is sterile, whereupon sterility of said article is established and including the step of maintaining said article in a sterile condition protected from recontamination until use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the gas is maintained at temperatures above approximately 20° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the gas in maintained in contact with such article for a period greater than 60 seconds.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of "cold" sterilizing an article not suited for total liquid submersion, comprising the steps of: encasing said article in a chamber; surrounding the article in the chamber with hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of less than 75 mg/L; and maintaining such gas in contact with the article at temperatures below 80° C. until such article is sterile, whereupon sterility of said article is established and including the step of maintaining said article in a sterile condition protected from recontamination until use.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of "cold" sterilizing an article not suited for total liquid submersion, comprising the steps of: encasing said article in a chamber; surrounding the article in the chamber with hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of less than 75 mg/L; and maintaining such gas in contact with the article at temperatures below 80° C. until such article is sterile, whereupon sterility of said article is established and including the step of maintaining said article in a sterile condition protected from recontamination until use.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the method includes the step of evacuating the chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the article is encased in a sealed sterilizer tank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the article is encased in a package with at least one portion of the package being pervious to passage of hydrogen peroxide gas, but impervious to microbial passage.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of "cold" gas sterilization which comprises: surrounding an article to be sterilized with hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of less than 75 mg/L and at a pressure of less than atmospheric; and maintaining said gas under such conditions in contact with such article at temperatures below 80° C. until such article is sterile, whereupon sterility of said article is established and including the step of maintaining said article in a sterile condition protected from recontamination until use.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of "cold" gas sterilization which comprises: surrounding an article to be sterilized with hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of less than 75 mg/L and at a pressure of less than atmospheric; and maintaining said gas under such conditions in contact with such article at temperatures below 80° C. until such article is sterile, whereupon sterility of said article is established and including the step of maintaining said article in a sterile condition protected from recontamination until use.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein the gas is under a negative pressure of at least 15 inches of Hg.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of "cold" gas sterilization which comprises: surrounding an article to be sterilized with hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of 0.1 to 50 mg/L; and maintaining such gas in contact with the article for a period of greater than 60 seconds and at temperatures of from 45° C. to 65° C. until such article is sterile, whereupon sterility of said article is established and including the step of maintaining said article in a sterile condition protected from recontamination until use.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of "cold" gas sterilization which comprises: surrounding an article to be sterilized with hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of 0.1 to 50 mg/L; and maintaining such gas in contact with the article for a period of greater than 60 seconds and at temperatures of from 45° C. to 65° C. until such article is sterile, whereupon sterility of said article is established and including the step of maintaining said article in a sterile condition protected from recontamination until use.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-09-24 | 1983-03-26 | 1983-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-24 | 1987-03-26 | 1987-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-24 | 1991-03-26 | 1991-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |