Patent · US Expired

Use of chlorine dioxide gas as a chemosterilizing agent

US4681739A · kind A · utility

65Cited by
26References
60Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 18, 1984
Grant dateJul 21, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 18, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA01N59/00
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for sterilizing a substantially gas impermeable surface which is contaminated with spores comprises the steps of exposing the surface to a humid gaseous environment to enhance the susceptibility of the spores to subsequent chemosterilization, and then exposing the spores to an amount of gaseous chlorine dioxide in an inert carrier gas effective to sterilize the surface and a method for sterilizing an article contaminated with spores which comprises exposing the surface to a gaseous atmosphere comprised of chlorine dioxide gas and water vapor, wherein the amount of water vapor in said atmosphere is adapted to enhance the susceptibility of said spores to the sporicidal action of chlorine dioxide.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.