A cap sterilizer (50) includes an infeed chamber (52), a sterilant atomizing chamber (53), and an air rinse chamber (54). At least the infeed chamber (52) and the air rinse chamber (54) are exhausted. Both an exhaust pressure (E2) in the infeed chamber (52) and an exhaust pressure (E4) in the air rinse chamber are higher than an exhaust pressure (E3) in the sterilant atomizing chamber (53), or the sterilant atomizing chamber (53) is not exhausted.

A sterilizing method for sterilizing a sterilization object housed in a chamber (11) includes a first vapor injection step (S502) of injecting vapor produced from an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide to an inside of the chamber (11), an ozone injection step (S505) of injecting ozone gas to the inside of the chamber (11) after the first vapor injection step (S502), and a second vapor injection step (S507) of injecting vapor produced from water or vapor produced from a solution containing a volatile component to the inside of the chamber (11) after the ozone injection step (S505).

Method and disinfection system for disinfecting a closed space or surface including light fixtures fixedly positioned at predefined locations in a closed space. The disinfection system includes a UV emitter module positioned over a robotic system. The light fixtures and the UV emitter module emit ultraviolet C (UVC) light for disinfecting the closed space or a surface in the closed space. The disinfection system includes sensors for measuring the amount of UVC light delivered by the light sources and UV emitter module. The disinfection system includes a control system for determining a profile for the closed space or surface based on the amount of UVC light needed and corresponding time to disinfect. The control system communicatively connects to the sensors. The control system monitors the amount of UVC light and controls the operation of the light sources and UV emitter module to deliver the required amount of UVC light.

A decontamination system for a device, such as a lumen device, is provided. The decontamination system includes a terminal package defining a device receiving area. The terminal package includes a fluid inlet through which sterilant fluid can be delivered to the device receiving area. An accumulator apparatus is provided that is configured to switch between trapping sterilant fluid delivered into the device receiving area and delivering sterilant fluid to the device receiving area based on pressure changes in the device receiving area.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for the application of vaporized chemicals in sterilization procedures, and systems and methods for controlling (e.g., distributing, moving, or exhausting) such chemicals. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure may relate to systems and methods for effecting terminal sterilization of medical products using vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP), and/or for the distribution of VHP to, or removal of VHP from, a sterilization system or parts thereof.

In a method and device for separating components in a corona discharge zone an air stream containing water molecules is passed between at least one ionizing electrode and at least one non-ionizing electrode; and high voltage is applied to the electrodes to create a corona discharge zone consisting of a plasma region wherein ozone is formed and a dark region where predominantly hydrogen peroxide is formed. The air flow entering the corona discharge zone is divided into two separate air flows, a first of which passes through the corona discharge plasma region, and a second of which passes through the dark corona discharge region; and a negative pressure gradient is applied to the plasma region only so as to remove the ozone and thereby separate the ozone from the hydrogen peroxide.

A sterile container includes a container pan, a container cover, a closure for closing the sterile container, and a seal or sealing element between the container pan and the container cover. The seal or sealing element is vapor-permeable.

A process for providing a sterilized dental article, at least a portion of the surface of which exhibiting a contact angle of less than 45°. The process includes the subsequent steps of a) providing a dental article and b) subjecting the initial dental article to a hydrogen peroxide plasma treatment. It is characterized in that the hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization treatment of step b) is carried out in the presence of a carbon-containing compound, which during treatment is converted to form a carboxylic group attached to the surface of the dental article.

An example sterilization indicator (102) includes a cover (122), an indicator (102), and a seal (142). The cover (122) defines at least a portion of a cavity (138). The indicator (102) is disposed within the cavity (138). The indicator (102) is configured to fluidly couple with an internal cavity (110) of a sterilization package (package) and indicate an exposure to a sterilant. The seal (142) is configured to form a microorganism barrier between an exterior of the cover (122) and an internal cavity (110) of a sterilization package (100).

Devices and methods for provided both an antimicrobial vapor such as hydrogen peroxide and/or peracetic acid and water vapor in an enclosed or partially enclosed space are described. The device and method provided is for the reduction or elimination of microbes from air and surfaces in contact with air within an enclosed or partially enclosed space using hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid in the vapor phase and also provide for humidity from water vapor. The device and method are directed towards a release of an antimicrobial vapor and water vapor through a permeable container/barrier containing a matrix into which water and an antimicrobial vapor producing material are absorbed.