Patent · US Expired

Low temperature sterilizer

US4944919A · kind A · utility

18Cited by
9References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 27, 1987
Grant dateJul 31, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 27, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61L2/24
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus for exposing objects to saturated steam at subatmospheric pressure is computer controlled during a conditioning phase prior to the commencement of an exposure phase to apply vacuum to a sealed chamber while steam is simultaneously being injected to that chamber. The fluid stream flowing through the chamber sweeps air and condensate from the chamber and creates a partial vacuum within the chamber. The steam flow rate is controlled to establish the desired exposure temperature within the chamber. Vacuum is controlled to establish an exposure pressure at which steam is saturated at the exposure temperature. The exposure phase commences after the exposure temperature and pressure are established within the chamber.

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