Procedure to produce a disinfecting hot atmosphere and device to accomplish this

US6299837A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Kendro Laboratory Products, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Elke Paul · Munster, DE
• Waldemar Pieczarek · Bruchköbel, DE
• Hubert Heeg · Mömbris, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 15, 1998
• Grant date: Oct 9, 2001
• Expiry date: Dec 15, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12M41/14
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A gassing incubator includes an inner housing bounding a inside space. The inside space communicates to the exterior through an opening. The opening is selectively sealed closed by a movable door. The inner housing includes a floor which is configured to receive and retain water. To disinfect the inside space, water is disposed on the floor and the opening is sealed closed. The inside space is then heated to a disinfecting temperature of about 90.degree. C. The water is also heated so as to produce a relative humidity of greater than about 80% within the inside space. This atmosphere is maintained for a disinfection phase of at least 9 hours. The hot and humid atmosphere of the inside space produces great heat sensitization of cells which might be present. As a result, substantially all of the cells within the inside space are killed during the 9-hour disinfection phase. Before the subsequent initial operation of the gassing incubator, there follows a condensation phase to reduce the relative humidity within the inside space, and a cooling and post-heating phase.