Apparatus And Method For Sterilizing Endoscope

Abstract

A method of sterilizing an article includes receiving the article in a sterilization chamber. The method also includes applying a vacuum to a first pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes introducing a sterilant into the sterilization chamber. The method also includes maintaining the first pressure in the sterilization chamber for a first period of time. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a second pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes maintaining the second pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a third pressure. The method also includes maintaining the third pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to atmospheric pressure. The method further includes between venting and maintaining steps applying a vacuum to a fourth pressure less than 100 torr, introducing additional sterilant, and maintaining the fourth pressure.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a sterilization chamber, wherein the sterilization chamber is configured to receive a medical device;   (b) a vacuum source in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber;   (c) a sterilant applying module in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber;   (d) a valve in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber and an atmosphere outside of the sterilization chamber, the valve being operable to selectively open and close a vent path between the sterilization chamber and the atmosphere; and   (e) a control module in communication with the vacuum source, the sterilant applying module, and the venting valve, wherein the control module contains a control logic configured to execute a sterilizing algorithm such that the control logic is configured to:
 (i) selectively activating the vacuum source to apply a vacuum to the sterilization chamber to decrease pressure within the sterilization chamber to a first pressure, 
 (ii) selectively activating the sterilant applying module to apply sterilant to the sterilization chamber, and 
 (iii) selectively activating the valve to increase pressure within the sterilization chamber to a second pressure. 
   
     
     
         2 . A system comprising:
 the apparatus of  claim 1 ; and   the medical device.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the medical device is an endoscope. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the medical device is a plurality of endoscopes. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first pressure is less than the second pressure. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second pressure is atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first pressure is less than 100 torr. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second pressure is less than 100 torr. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control logic is further configured to selectively activate the vacuum source to apply the vacuum to the sterilization chamber to reduce pressure within the sterilization chamber to a third pressure. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the control logic is further configured to selectively activate the venting valve to increase pressure within the sterilization chamber to a fourth pressure. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the third pressure is less than the fourth pressure. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the fourth pressure is atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the third pressure is less than 100 torr. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the fourth pressure is less than 100 torr. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the fourth pressure is less than the second pressure. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second pressure is less than the fourth pressure. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a sterilization chamber;   (b) a vacuum source in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber, the vacuum configured to selectively apply a vacuum to the sterilization chamber to decrease pressure within the sterilization chamber to a first pressure;   (c) a module having a sterilant, the module being in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber to permit application of the sterilant to the sterilization chamber; and   (d) a valve in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber and an atmosphere outside of the sterilization chamber, the valve being operable to selectively open and close a vent path between the sterilization chamber and the atmosphere to increase pressure within the sterilization chamber to a second pressure.   
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 the apparatus of  claim 17 ; and   a medical device.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the medical device is an endoscope 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the medical device is a plurality of endoscopes.