Rapid sterilization system

Abstract

A sterilization system includes a sterilization chamber, a vacuum pump associated with the sterilization chamber, a vaporizer in association with the sterilization chamber, a sterilant distillation system associated with the chamber, a source of sterilant solution associated with the vaporizer and with the sterilant distillation system, and a control system which has programmed therein a first cycle in which the sterilant is admitted to the sterilization chamber at a first concentration, and a second cycle in which sterilant is concentrated in the sterilant distillation system to a second concentration, higher than the first concentration and from there admitted into the sterilization chamber and wherein the first and second cycles are selectable.

1 . A sterilization system comprising: 
 a sterilization chamber;    a vacuum pump associated with the sterilization chamber;    a vaporizer in association with the sterilization chamber;    a sterilant distillation system associated with the chamber;    a source of sterilant solution associated with the vaporizer and with the sterilant distillation system; and    a control system for controlling operation of the vacuum pump, vaporizer, and sterilant distillation system, the control system having programmed therein a first cycle in which the sterilant is admitted to the sterilization chamber at a first concentration, and a second cycle in which sterilant is concentrated in the sterilant distillation system to a second concentration, higher than the first concentration and from there admitted into the sterilization chamber and wherein the first and second cycles are selectable.    
     
     
         2 . A sterilization system according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second cycles are selectable by a user.  
     
     
         3 . A sterilization system according to  claim 1  wherein the first cycle is adapted to sterilize devices having a first pre-determined lumen dimensions and the second cycle is adapted to sterilize devices having a second pre-determined lumen dimensions and wherein the first cycle is faster than the second cycle and the first pre-determined lumen dimensions is shorter or larger than the second pre-determined lumen dimensions.  
     
     
         4 . A sterilization system according to  claim 1  and further comprising a valve to separate the vaporizer from the sterilization chamber.  
     
     
         5 . A sterilization system according to  claim 4  wherein the first cycle is configured to vaporize the sterilant with the valve in an open position.  
     
     
         6 . A sterilization system according to  claim 4  wherein the second cycle is configured to vaporize the sterilant with the valve in a closed position while concentrating the sterilant from the first concentration to the second concentration.  
     
     
         7 . A sterilization system according to  claim 6  wherein the second cycle is configured so that the valve is then opened after the sterilant concentration is reached to the second concentration.  
     
     
         8 . A sterilization system according to  claim 4  and further comprising an orifice between the vaporizer and the sterilization chamber.  
     
     
         9 . A sterilization system according to  claim 8  wherein the orifice is formed through a portion of the valve.  
     
     
         10 . A sterilization system according to  claim 8  wherein the orifice is a separate element and is in a parallel position to the valve.  
     
     
         11 . A sterilization system according to  claim 1  and further comprising a condenser between the vaporizer and the sterilization chamber.  
     
     
         12 . A sterilization system according to  claim 11  and further comprising a temperature control system to control the temperature of condenser.  
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 12  wherein the first cycle is configured to vaporize the sterilant with the condenser controlled at a first temperature, wherein the first temperature is higher then the condensation temperature of the sterilant.  
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 12  wherein the second cycle is configured to vaporize the sterilant with the condenser controlled at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is lower then the condensation temperature of the sterilant.  
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 14  wherein the second cycle is configured to set the condenser temperature to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is higher then the condensation temperature of the sterilant.