Sterilizer

Abstract

A sterilizer is connectable to an external chamber. A sterilization gas generator is configured to generate sterilization gas. A gas supply system including a first gas supply system which is configured to supply the sterilization gas from the sterilization gas generator to a sterilization chamber; and a second gas supply system which is different from the first gas supply system and configured to supply the sterilization gas from the sterilization gas generator to the external chamber.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A sterilizer which is connectable to an external chamber, the sterilizer comprising:
 a sterilization gas generator configured to generate sterilization gas;   a sterilization chamber; and   a gas supply system comprising:
 a first gas supply system configured to supply the sterilization gas from the sterilization gas generator to the sterilization chamber; 
 a second gas supply system configured to supply the sterilization gas from the sterilization gas generator to the external chamber; and 
 a first circulation system configured to circulate the sterilization gas, air, or a mixture thereof in the sterilization chamber, 
   wherein the first circulation system comprises an in-line circulator configured to circulate the sterilization gas, air or a mixture thereof through the in-line circulator such that the sterilization gas, air or a mixture thereof is discharged from the sterilization chamber, bypasses the sterilization gas generator and returns to the sterilization chamber.   
     
     
         14 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein:
 the sterilization chamber includes a gas feeding port configured to supply the sterilization gas to the sterilization chamber therethrough, and   the first gas supply system includes the gas feeding port and the second gas supply system does not include the gas feeding port.   
     
     
         15 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising a gas outlet port configured to supply the sterilization gas to the external chamber therethrough,
 wherein the second gas supply system includes the gas outlet port and the first gas supply system does not include the gas outlet port.   
     
     
         16 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the sterilization chamber includes:
 a first door configured to transfer a sterilization target article to or from an outside of the sterilizer therethrough; and   a second door configured to transfer the sterilization target article between the sterilization chamber and the external chamber therethrough.   
     
     
         17 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising a housing in which the sterilization gas generator, the sterilization chamber and the gas supply system are provided. 
     
     
         18 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the gas supply system includes a plurality of gas outlet ports configured to supply the sterilization gas to a plurality of external chambers therethrough. 
     
     
         19 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the gas supply system includes:
 a gas inlet port configured to collect the sterilization gas supplied to the external chamber therethrough; and   a filter provided downstream of the gas inlet port.   
     
     
         20 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein:
 the sterilization chamber includes a gas discharging port configured to discharge the sterilization gas from the sterilization chamber therethrough, and   the first gas supply system includes the gas discharging port and a filter provided downstream of the gas discharging port.   
     
     
         21 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein:
 the gas supply system further comprises a first substitution system configured to substitute the sterilization gas in the sterilization chamber with air passing through a first filter and a second substitution system configured to substitute the sterilization gas in the external chamber with air passing through a second filter, and   the first and second substitution systems each include an atmosphere-side opening end and a sterilization gas reduction catalyst provided in the atmosphere-side opening end.   
     
     
         22 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein:
 the sterilization gas is hydrogen peroxide gas generated from hydrogen peroxide solution, and   the catalyst has a function to detoxify the hydrogen peroxide gas.   
     
     
         23 . An isolator system comprising:
 the sterilizer as set forth in  claim 13 ; and   an external chamber connected to the sterilizer.   
     
     
         24 . The isolator system as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein the external chamber is a cell manipulation chamber of an isolator. 
     
     
         25 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the first circulation system circulates the sterilization gas supplied by the first gas supply system. 
     
     
         26 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising a controller,
 wherein the controller switches operations between the first gas supply system and the first circulation system.   
     
     
         27 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein
 the gas supply system further comprises a first substitution system configured to substitute the sterilization gas in the sterilization chamber with air passing through a first filter,   the first gas supply system is configured to supply the sterilization gas to the sterilization chamber without the sterilization gas passing through the first filter prior to entering the sterilization chamber, and   the first circulation system configured to circulate the sterilization gas supplied into the sterilization chamber by the first gas supply system such that the sterilization gas passes through the first filter.   
     
     
         28 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein
 the first gas supply system is configured to discharge the sterilization gas from the sterilization chamber through a second filter, and   the first substitution system configured to substitute the sterilization gas in the sterilization chamber with air passing through the second filter.   
     
     
         29 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein:
 the gas supply system further comprises a first substitution system configured to substitute the sterilization gas in the sterilization chamber with air passing through a filter, and   said filter is optionally sterilized by operations of the first gas supply system and the first circulation system.   
     
     
         30 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 29 , wherein the filter is in contact with the sterilization chamber. 
     
     
         31 . The sterilizer as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein:
 the first gas supply system supplies the sterilization gas to the sterilization chamber without the sterilization gas passing through a first filter prior to entering the sterilization chamber, and   the second gas supply system supplies the sterilization gas to the external chamber without the sterilization gas passing through a second filter prior to entering the external chamber.