Sterilisation services apparatus and method of sterilisation

Abstract

A method of sterilising items by placing items to be sterilised into a puncture resistant sealable vapour barrier sterilisation bag, performing steam sterilisation under pressure via a conduit coupled to the bag whilst maintaining a heated compensating pressure environment around the exterior of the bag during steam sterilisation so as to reduce mechanical stress on the hag and sealing the bag at the completion of sterilisation. There is also provided a sterilisation services apparatus for sterilising the contents of a sterilisation bag including a pressure compensating compartment having a sealable door that maintains a heated compensating pressure environment around the exterior of a sterilisation bag during steam sterilisation so as to reduce mechanical stress on the bag.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of sterilising items including the steps of:
 I. placing items to be sterilised into a puncture resistant sealable vapour barrier sterilisation bag;   II. performing steam sterilisation under pressure via a conduit coupled to the bag whilst maintaining a compensating pressure environment around the exterior of the bag during steam sterilisation so as to reduce mechanical stress on the bag; and   III. sealing the bag at the completion of sterilisation.   
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein after placing the items into the bag, the bag is sealed so as to leave only an opening suitable for sealingly coupling with the conduit. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the bag is evacuated prior to steam sterilisation and the pressure around the bag is reduced below atmospheric pressure during evacuation so as to facilitate effective evacuation of the bag. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein steam sterilisation is performed within the bag at above atmospheric pressure and the pressure around the bag is maintained above atmospheric pressure during steam sterilisation so as to reduce mechanical stress on the bag. 
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the bag is maintained in a pressure compensating compartment during sterilisation. 
     
     
         22 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the interior of the bag and items within the bag are dried during the evacuation of the sterilant from within the bag after the sterilization cycle. 
     
     
         23 . A method as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the exterior of the inflated bag is maintained in contact with heated surfaces during the sterilisation and drying cycle to facilitate drying of the interior of the bag and items to be sterilised. 
     
     
         24 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein a drying fluid is introduced via an opening in the bag, circulated within the bag and removed from the bag to facilitate drying of items in the bag. 
     
     
         25 . A method as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the bag is sealed after sterilisation and drying within the pressure compensating compartment before the pressure compensating compartment is opened. 
     
     
         26 . A method as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the bag is heat sealed. 
     
     
         27 . A sterilisation services apparatus for sterilising the contents of a sterilisation bag including:
 I. a pressure compensating compartment having a sealable door that maintains a compensating pressure environment around the exterior of a sterilisation bag during steam sterilisation and drying so as to reduce mechanical stress on the bag;   II. a fluid conduit adapted to couple to an opening of a sterilisation bag during sterilisation within the pressure compensating compartment;   III. a steam generator to supply steam to the bag via the conduit;   IV. a bag sealing unit to seal the opening of the sterilisation bag, and   V. a vacuum pump for evacuating a sterilisation bag via the conduit prior to steam sterilisation.   
     
     
         28 . A sterilisation services apparatus as claimed in  claim 27  including a pair of fluid conduits adapted to couple with one or more openings of the sterilisation bag to facilitate the circulation of fluid in via one conduit and out via another. 
     
     
         29 . A sterilisation services apparatus as claimed in  claim 28  wherein heated air is supplied to facilitate drying of the load within the sterilisation bag. 
     
     
         30 . A sterilisation services apparatus as claimed in  claim 27  including a clamp to form a sealed connection between the conduit and an opening of a sterilisation bag by applying a clamping pressure thereto. 
     
     
         31 . A sterilisation services apparatus as claimed in  claim 27  including a heat sealing bar and anvil to heat seal the bag in front of the conduit coupling.