Disclosed is a steam sterilizer, and a single use/disposable container for use in the sterilizer and a sterilization method. The container is a rigid or semi-rigid container having a sealable elongate conduit through which steam sterilant may be introduced into the container and steam sterilant and condensate may be removed from the container. Once one or more items to be sterilized are placed in the container a cover is sealed over the mouth of the container. The steam sterilizer has a sterilization chamber adapted to receive the container and provide sterilant within and around the container. Sterilant is provided to the container via the conduit which is sealed at the end of the sterilization process.
B65B 31/06 - Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzle being arranged for insertion into, and withdrawal from, the mouth of a filled container and operating in conjunction with means for sealing the container mouth
B65B 55/18 - Sterilising contents prior to, or during, packaging by liquids or gases
A61B 50/30 - Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
A steam steriliser, a single use/disposable container for use in the steriliser and a sterilisation method. The container is a rigid or semi-rigid container having a sealable elongate conduit through which steam sterilant may be introduced into the container and steam sterilant and condensate may be removed from the container. Once one or more items to be sterilised are placed in the container a cover is sealed over the mouth of the container. The steam steriliser has a sterilisation chamber adapted to receive the container and provide sterilant within and around the container. Sterilant is provided to the container via the conduit which is sealed at the end of the sterilisation process.
A61B 50/30 - Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
B65B 31/06 - Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzle being arranged for insertion into, and withdrawal from, the mouth of a filled container and operating in conjunction with means for sealing the container mouth
B65B 55/18 - Sterilising contents prior to, or during, packaging by liquids or gases
The present invention relates to a puncture resistant sealable vapour barrier sterilisation bag capable of withstanding a steam sterilisation process whilst providing an effective microbiological barrier having a first sealable opening suitable for receiving items to be sterilised and a second sealable opening adapted to couple to a sterilisation conduit. A third sealable opening may be provided in the bag to facilitate circulation within the bag via the second and third openings when the first opening is sealed. The bag forms the means for sterilising an article(s) solely within the plastic bag in conjunction with a sterilisation services supply device. The bag is preferably formed of plastics. Preferably a multilayer construction including a puncture resistant outer layer and a heat-sealable inner layer. The bag may include a covert marking technology and/or a readable unique identification code such as a tamper-resistant label applied to the bag to facilitate uniformity and traceability.
A method of sterilizing items by placing items to be sterilized into a puncture resistant sealable vapor barrier sterilization bag, performing steam sterilization under pressure via a conduit coupled to the bag while maintaining a heated compensating pressure environment around the exterior of the bag during steam sterilization so as to reduce mechanical stress on the bag and sealing the bag at the completion of sterilization. There is also provided a sterilization services apparatus for sterilizing the contents of a sterilization bag including a pressure compensating compartment having a sealable door that maintains a heated compensating pressure environment around the exterior of a sterilization bag during steam sterilization so as to reduce mechanical stress on the bag.
B65B 31/02 - Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
B65B 55/18 - Sterilising contents prior to, or during, packaging by liquids or gases
The present invention relates to a puncture resistant sealable vapour barrier sterilisation bag capable of withstanding a steam sterilisation process whilst providing an effective microbiological barrier having a first sealable opening suitable for receiving items to be sterilised and a second sealable opening adapted to couple to a sterilisation conduit. A third sealable opening may be provided in the bag to facilitate circulation within the bag via the second and third openings when the first opening is sealed. The bag forms the means for sterilising an article(s) solely within the plastic bag in conjunction with a sterilisation services supply device. The bag is preferably formed of plastics. Preferably a multilayer construction including a puncture resistant outer layer and a heat-sealable inner layer. The bag may include a covert marking technology and/or a readable unique identification code such as a tamper-resistant label applied to the bag to facilitate uniformity and traceability.
B65B 55/14 - Sterilising contents prior to, or during, packaging by heat
B65D 30/08 - Sacks, bags or like containers characterised by the material used with laminated or multiple walls in spaced face-to-face relationship, e.g. double walls
B65D 30/10 - Sacks, bags or like containers characterised by shape or construction
6.
STERILISATION SERVICES APPARATUS AND METHOD OF STERILISATION
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 bag 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.
B65B 31/06 - Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzle being arranged for insertion into, and withdrawal from, the mouth of a filled container and operating in conjunction with means for sealing the container mouth
B65B 55/12 - Sterilising contents prior to, or during, packaging
B65B 31/06 - Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzle being arranged for insertion into, and withdrawal from, the mouth of a filled container and operating in conjunction with means for sealing the container mouth
A method and apparatus for sterilization in which items to be sterilized are placed in an impervious sealable package and the sterilization process is carried out within the package. The apparatus (10) includes a cabinet (18) in which a package (P) preferably with a carrier (11) located within, can be positioned. A snorkel (17) is inserted into the package (P) and via connector (23) vacuum, pressure and sterilant can be applied to the interior of the package (P). A sealing arrangement (14b, 22b) can seal the package closed after the sterilization process has been completed.
A61L 2/24 - Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
B65B 31/06 - Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzle being arranged for insertion into, and withdrawal from, the mouth of a filled container and operating in conjunction with means for sealing the container mouth
B65B 51/30 - Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat successively, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes
B65B 55/12 - Sterilising contents prior to, or during, packaging
B65D 33/16 - End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices
B65D 81/20 - Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
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