Abstract: A sterilant source for use in a portable sterilant system includes a gas-impermeable vial, a frangible ampule containing a first sterilant gas precursor material, disposed within the gas-impermeable vial, a second sterilant gas precursor material, disposed within the gas-impermeable vial and outside the ampule. The first and second sterilant gas precursor materials are selected to be mutually reactive to generate a sterilant gas. The system further includes an activation mechanism, actuatable to break the frangible ampule to release the first sterilant gas precursor material to allow it to react with the second sterilant gas precursor material to generate the sterilant gas.

Abstract: A sterilant source for use in a portable sterilant system includes a gas-impermeable vial, a frangible ampule containing a first sterilant gas precursor material, disposed within the gas-impermeable vial, a second sterilant gas precursor material, disposed within the gas-impermeable vial and outside the ampule. The first and second sterilant gas precursor materials are selected to be mutually reactive to generate a sterilant gas. The system further includes an activation mechanism, actuatable to break the frangible ampule to release the first sterilant gas precursor material to allow it to react with the second sterilant gas precursor material to generate the sterilant gas.

Abstract: A process challenge device includes a controllable response produced by using a filter material, configured such that a sterilant gas must pass through the filter material to reach the biological indicator (BI). The filter material provides a controllably absorptive barrier, where the absorption of the sterilant is via chemical reaction, through which the sterilant gas must pass to reach the BI.

Abstract: A sterile barrier packaging system includes a container configured to hold at least one object to be sterilized, and a respective mating component for the object. The container is configurable in an expanded configuration, wherein the object and the mating component are held spaced apart in mutual registration. The container is further configurable in a compressed configuration, wherein the object and mating component are mated. A method of sterilizing an object includes sterilizing the object in a container holding the object and a mating component spaced apart in mutual registration and subsequently compressing the container to mate the component with the object.

Abstract: A sterilization system includes a plurality of modular gas impermeable chambers separable by doors movable between an open position in which gas may flow freely between the adjacent chambers and a closed position in which gas flow between the adjacent chambers is prevented. A conveyor system carries objects between the chambers. Sterilant gas is controllably deliverable to at least one of the chambers. Objects are conveyed between the chambers to execute a sterilization operation.