Apparatus for bio-decontamination of enclosures

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a hermetic space (23) for carrying out operations under aseptic conditions, said hermetic space having a device for sterilizing said hermetic space, the contents of which comprise a gas generator (17, 18), said gas generator having a A fan (18) for generating an air flow and an evaporator (17) for evaporating the hydrogen peroxide solution carried by the air flow through the sealed space to condense on the surface of the sealed space to sterilize its surface . A pump (13) is provided for evacuating the sealed space from a position away from the gas generator, thereby ensuring that the sterilant vapor reaches the part of the sealed space farthest from the generator, and maintaining the air pressure in the gas generator. The pressure is less than the pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the generator such that any leak path within the sealed space is a leak from the atmosphere into the sealed space without releasing sterilant vapor into the atmosphere outside the sealed space.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a device for sterilizing closed spaces, especially small closed spaces. Background technique [0002] US-A-5,229,071 discloses a batch process and apparatus for the controlled release of gas-phase air pollutants into the atmosphere by catalytic oxidation while minimizing the energy required and the volume of exhaust gas emitted into the atmosphere. The unit has a recirculation airflow driven by a recirculation fan which moves the gases normally and naturally present at start-up through the particulate catalyst bed, into the oxidant, into contact with the surface of the process gas heater and back to the recirculation fan. The gaseous contaminants can be drawn into the system using a vacuum pump. [0003] US-A-5,160,700 discloses a sterilizing system comprising a sealed container for holding a gas-phase sterilant under pressure and a first sealed space at least partly made of a gas-permeable material. The container and the ar...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Other specifications use lesser amounts of liquid, but all methods used produce significant condensation inside the MSC, with additional paraformaldehyde deposits

[0008] Filling MSCs with formalin gas has a number of disadvantages: first, formalin and paraformaldehyde residues are formed, which can only be removed by prolonged aeration; second, the sterilization process is slow, with a typical exposure time of Eight hours; third, it is difficult to ensure that the gas reaches all parts of the MSC, especially the filter plenum; fourth, the vapor is toxic with an occupational exposure limit of 1 ppm; finally, special precautions are required to avoid gas leakage from the MSC , and in some installations the laboratory must be evacuated during the fumigation process

Most (if not all) MSCs cause some level of leakage

The introduction of gas into the chamber is accompanied by an increase in temperature, which causes an increase in internal pressure

Unless controlled, this pressure increase can cause fumigant gases to leak outside, posing a potential hazard to laboratory personnel

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