Vacuum sterilization process and devices

Abstract

Vacuum sterilization process with the application of vapour of a mixture of peracetic acid with hydrogen peroxide and residual gas plasma from atmospheric air, excited by pulsed electrical discharge; operational devices and methods used in the sterilization process, preferably a process of sterilization in vacuum, dry, and at low temperature (room temperature).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a sterilization process, operational devices and respective methods applied for the sterilization of various different items of apparatus and products, using vacuum techniques, the application of sterilizing gas and plasma. More particularly, this invention makes use of gas from a solution of peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide evaporated under vacuum, with the partial separation of water from the solution for sterilization, as well as the use of plasma from residual atmospheric air for the elimination of residues, with temperature monitoring and control. BACKGROUND ART [0002] Among chemical methods of sterilization, the use of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid is acquiring considerable prominence. This is due to their bactericidal, sporicidal, and fungicidal properties, which have been known for many years (BAULDRY, M. G. C., The bactericidal, fungicidal and sporicidal properties of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid, Jou...

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Benefits of technology

[0020] 4.) The reduction of the water in the sterilizing gas which is injected increases efficiency and allows for the penetration of vapour into the environment with restricted diffusion. In this innovative process, the separation of water from the solution of the peracetic acid mixture, before the injection of the gas, is carried out with evaporation under vacuum and heating;

[0021] 5.) Evacuation of the residual vapour of the sterilizing gas by means of a vacuum pump of the liquid loop type after the period of time for diffusion and sterilization of the articles. As a departure from the previous processes, in which the sterilizing gas is evacuated by a high-vacuum pump in order to reduce the pressure and form plasma with this gas, with the present invention filtered atmospheric air is injected into the residual sterilizing gas, then evacuated with a vacuum pump of the liquid loop type, with the mixture being diluted in water. The cycle is repeated two or more times. After this operation, a mechanical vacuum pump is used t

Problems solved by technology

Despite the high diversity of the sterilization systems which use peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide and ethylene oxide, there are still a number of problems of operational and financial nature, as well as risks of contamination of the materials and the environment during the process.

For example, application in diluted form requires large volumes of the sanitizing liquid, the materials cannot be packed, and sterile water is required for the rinsing, as well as a clean area for drying, thus incurring in the risk of re-contamination.

These systems incur high energy consumption, as a function of the use of heater devices.

The process with ethylene oxide requires long periods of sterilization, as well as aeration, since this substance is highly toxic.

The difficulty with penetration of the hydrogen peroxide in the environment with restricted diffusion is due to the presence of water vapour which, because it reaches the area concerned first, has a higher vapour press

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