A method of sterilizing an article includes receiving the article in a sterilization chamber. The method also includes applying a vacuum to a first pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes introducing a sterilant into the sterilization chamber. The method also includes maintaining the first pressure in the sterilization chamber for a first period of time. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a second pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes maintaining the second pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a third pressure. The method also includes maintaining the third pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to atmospheric pressure. The method further includes between venting and maintaining steps applying a vacuum to a fourth pressure less than 100 torr, introducing additional sterilant, and maintaining the fourth pressure.

A tray (100) for accommodating a coiled medical device, such as a catheter assembly (700), includes a first compartment (101), a second compartment (102), and a third compartment (103). The catheter assembly (700) and devices associated with a catheterization procedure, such as syringes (701,702) containing sterile water and lubricating jelly and a specimen container (703) can be disposed within the tray. Printed instructions (1001) can be included with the tray (100). One or more layers of wrap material (2200) can be folded about the tray (100) to enclose the tray (100) and other items, such as an additional layer of wrap material (2701), packaged liquid hand sanitizer (2401), and packaged gloves (2402). When a health care services provider (3101) unfolds the wrap material, the same can be used to create a sterile field beneath a patient (3201).

A method of packaging pre-filled medical devices is disclosed. The method comprises producing a packaging having a front panel and a back panel defining a compartment capable of holding one or more medical devices wherein at least one of the front panel or top panel has a portion containing a gas permeable material while the remaining portion of the pouch is gas impermeable. This gas permeable material allows gas to pass through the material and contact the one or more articles contained within the compartment or allows gas to pass through the gas permeable material from the inside of the compartment to the outside of the container. Upon completion of sterilization, the pouch is sealed and the gas permeable portion is cut away leaving the sterilized medical device enclosed in a completely gas impermeable pouch.

A reprocessing case may be used to assist in reprocessing an instrument, such as an endoscope in an automated reprocessor. The reprocessing case may include various features such that the case may include and be transitioned between a closed configuration, an open configuration, and a disinfection configuration. In particular the reprocessor may transition the case to a disinfection configuration during a reprocessing procedure.

A method for sterilizing closure elements (3) for packaging containers (1), wherein the closure elements (3) are collected individually by a holding mechanism (25) in the region of a sterile chamber (12) and are placed onto an opening (4) of a filled packaging container (1) and connected to the latter, and wherein the closure elements (3), while being conveyed inside the sterile chamber (12), are treated by means of at least one sterilizing medium (6, 7, 52) during a sterilizing process.

System, method and process for disinfection of internal surfaces in aseptic tanks and pipelines by flooding with sanitizing fog in facilities designed to store liquids in general, such system comprising an external equipment with means to generate sanitizing fog, controlling means of gases flow rate, in-line detectors and draining means of gases inside the tank, input means of fog carrying means comprising inert gases. Disinfection process comprises introduction of a sanitizing fog with droplets with a maximum size of 10 m, preferably with maximum size of 5 m, simultaneously with removal of gases enclosed inside such tanks and pipelines, maintaining a positive pressure inside such tanks and pipelines, such method providing reduction of oxygen concentration inside the tanks in two steps, the first one comprising reduction to near 10% and the second a reduction to a value below 1%, filling the tank with a sanitizing fog during the second step.

A device for transferring a sterile product from one container to another under aseptic conditions. The first container to initially contain the sterile product and equipped with an outlet. The outlet has a first pipe and two independently operable valves mounted in series thereon. The second container is equipped with an inlet having a second pipe and two independently operable valves mounted in series thereon. A removable hose to provide a sealed connection of the free end of the first pipe and the free end of the second pipe. A connector to connect the removable hose to a system for sterilizing the internal volume thereof. The system is operable when the removable hose connects the free end of the first pipe with the free end of the second pipe in a sealed manner.

Disclosed herein are methods for pasteurizing architectural coating compositions using heat, radiation or other energy sources without additionally polymerizing the compositions and storing same.

A tray (100) for accommodating a coiled medical device, such as a catheter assembly (700), includes a first compartment (101), a second compartment (102), and a third compartment (103). The catheter assembly (700) and devices associated with a catheterization procedure, such as syringes (701,702) containing sterile water and lubricating jelly and a specimen container (703) can be disposed within the tray. Printed instructions (1001) can be included with the tray (100). One or more layers of wrap material (2200) can be folded about the tray (100) to enclose the tray (100) and other items, such as an additional layer of wrap material (2701), packaged liquid hand sanitizer (2401), and packaged gloves (2402). When a health care services provider (3101) unfolds the wrap material, the same can be used to create a sterile field beneath a patient (3201).

Provided is a method for operating a device for shaping plastic preforms to form plastic containers, wherein the device has a movable support on which a plurality of shaping stations for shaping plastic preforms to form plastic containers are arranged, and these shaping stations each have blow molds that are suitable for and intended for molding the plastic preforms and are arranged at least indirectly on blow mold supports. The blow molds are kept at least temporarily in a magazine device, wherein this magazine device is suitable for and intended for receiving several sets of blow molds.