Method and apparatus for sterilization
A method and apparatus for sterilization in which items to be sterilized are placed in an impervious sealable package and the sterilization process is carried out within the package. The apparatus ( 10 ) includes a cabinet ( 18 ) in which a package (P) preferably with a carrier ( 11 ) located within, can be positioned. A snorkel ( 17 ) is inserted into the package (P) and via connector ( 23 ) vacuum, pressure and sterilant can be applied to the interior of the package (P). A sealing arrangement ( 14 b , 22 b ) can seal the package closed after the sterilization process has been completed.
1. Steam sterilization system including:
i. an impervious sealable package surrounding a carrier containing item(s) to be sterilized; and
ii. a steam sterilization apparatus including:
a. an enclosure to locate and retain a snorkel engageable in an open mouth of the package;
b. a snorkel clamping unit to seal the open mouth of the package about the snorkel,
c. a sterilisation unit to selectively apply a vacuum and steam sterilant to the interior of the package to carry out a sterilization process therein; and
d. a package sealing unit to seal the open mouth of the package at the conclusion of the sterilization process.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the enclosure is a housing into which the sealable package can be located for the sterilization process to take place, said snorkel opening into the housing.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the housing is in part formed by a drawer with which the sealable package is engageable, the drawer positionable in a cabinet to assume a closed position and thereby form with the cabinet the housing within which the sealable package is located.
4. The system of claim 3 further including a heating plate which forms the base of the drawer when the drawer is in the closed position.
5. The system apparatus of claim 3 wherein the heating plate is an electronically heated steam generator.
6. The system of claim 3 further including at least one pressure surface contactable with the sealable package to restrain the sealable package during a sterilization process.
7. The system of claim 6 further including a connector for connecting vacuum and sterilant supply to the snorkel when the snorkel sealing unit has sealed the mouth of the packaging on the snorkel.
8. The system of claim 3 wherein the snorkel sealing unit includes a clamp mechanism and a sealing mechanism.
9. The system of claim 3 further including an interlock mechanism to lock the drawer in the closed position.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the sealable package is non-porous, able to withstand temperatures in excess of 134 deg Celsius and pressure up to 2 bar, be resistant to puncturing or tearing and able to withstand sub-atmospheric pressure for a prolonged period.
11. The system combination of claim 1 wherein the carrier is in the form of a case or tray with perforations.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the carrier includes a lid.
13. The system of claim 11 wherein the carrier is made from a plastics or metal material.