William S Andersen

US Patent:

51184710, Jun 2, 1992

Filed:

Feb 22, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/483529

Inventors:

Harold W. Andersen - Oyster Bay NY
William K. Andersen - Oyster Bay NY
Charles H. Harrison - Haw River NC

Assignee:

H.W. Andersen Products, Inc. - Oyster Bay NY

International Classification:

A61L 220

US Classification:

422 34

Abstract:

Apparatus for sterilizing articles includes a sealed first enclosure made at least partially of a gas-permeable plastic film and a sealed container releasably containing a gaseous sterilant under pressure, the container being enclosed within the first enclosure. An openable second enclosure made at least partially of a gas-permeable plastic film is also provided and the first enclosure and the articles to be sterilized are disposed in the second enclosure. The sterilant which is characterized by toxicity and flammability when released from its container diffuses from the first enclosure into the second enclosure at a rate capable of establishing sterilization conditions in the second enclosure during a sterilization cycle to thereby effect sterilization of the articles in the second enclosure. A third enclosure is also provided in which the second enclosure containing the articles to be sterilized is disposed. A flushing system introduces a flushing medium into the second enclosure to flush out the sterilizing gas therein during a flushing cycle following completion of the sterilization cycle and conducts the sterilant gas and air to a remote area, whereby the flushing system minimizes the extent of residue sterilant gas in the work surrounding the apparatus.

US Patent:

52271323, Jul 13, 1993

Filed:

Dec 12, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/806910

Inventors:

Harold W. Andersen - Oyster Bay NY
William K. Andersen - Oyster Bay NY
Charles H. Harrison - Haw River NC

Assignee:

H. W. Andersen Products, Inc. - Oyster Bay NY

International Classification:

A61L 220

US Classification:

422 2

Abstract:

Apparatus and method for sterilizing articles includes a sealed first enclosure made at least partially of a gas-permeable plastic film and a sealed container releasably containing a gaseous sterilant under pressure, the container being enclosed within the first enclosure. An openable second enclosure made at least partially of a gas-permeable plastic film is also provided and the first enclosure and the articles to be sterilized are disposed in the second enclosure. The sterilant which is characterized by toxicity and flammability when released from its container diffuses from the first enclosure into the second enclosure at a rate capable of establishing sterilization conditions in the second enclosure during a sterilization cycle to thereby effect sterilization of the articles in the second enclosure. A third enclosure is also provided in which the second enclosure containing the articles to be sterilized is disposed. A flushing system introduces a flushing medium into the second enclosure to flush out the sterilizing gas therein during a flushing cycle following completion of the sterilization cycle and conducts the sterilant gas and air to a remote area, whereby the flushing system minimizes the extent of residue sterilant gas in the work surrounding the apparatus.