Abstract: Devices and methods for sterilizing lumens involve a booster that is attached to the lumen. In preferred embodiments, the contact area between the lumen and the booster enhances the penetration of an antimicrobial agent to the contact area.

Abstract: Devices and methods for sterilizing lumens involve a booster that is attached to the lumen. In preferred embodiments, the contact area between the lumen and the booster enhances the penetration of an antimicrobial agent to the contact area.

Abstract: A method is provided for rapidly determining whether a load of equipment to be sterilized in a sterilization chamber absorbs, adsorbs, condenses, or decomposes significant amounts of germicide vapor or gas, such as hydrogen peroxide. The initial slope of the curve of a plot of ln(c/c0) versus time is determined, where c is the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and c0 is the maximum concentration of hydrogen peroxide. The initial slope is determined in the first 100 seconds after the maximum in the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. If the initial slope is approximately 0.016 sec−1 or less, the load is acceptable. If the initial slope is significantly steeper than 0.016 sec−1, the load absorbs, adsorbs, condenses, or decomposes significant amounts of hydrogen peroxide. If the slope of the curve is steep, the system can abort the sterilization run before significant amounts of hydrogen peroxide have been absorbed, adsorbed, or condensed.

Abstract: A method is provided for rapidly determining whether a load of equipment to be sterilized in a sterilization chamber absorbs, adsorbs, condenses, or decomposes significant amounts of germicide vapor or gas, such as hydrogen peroxide. The initial slope of the curve of a plot of ln(c/c0) versus time is determined, where c is the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and c0 is the maximum concentration of hydrogen peroxide. The initial slope is determined in the first 100 seconds after the maximum in the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. If the initial slope is approximately 0.016 sec−1 or less, the load is acceptable. If the initial slope is significantly steeper than 0.016 sec−1, the load absorbs, adsorbs, condenses, or decomposes significant amounts of hydrogen peroxide. If the slope of the curve is steep, the system can abort the sterilization run before significant amounts of hydrogen peroxide have been absorbed, adsorbed, or condensed.

Abstract: A method is provided for rapidly determining whether a load of equipment to be sterilized in a sterilization chamber absorbs, adsorbs, condenses, or decomposes significant amounts of germicide vapor or gas, such as hydrogen peroxide. The initial slope of the curve of a plot of ln(c/co) versus time is determined, where c is the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and co is the maximum concentration of hydrogen peroxide. The initial slope is determined in the first 100 seconds after the maximum in the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. If the initial slope is approximately 0.016 sec−1 or less, the load is acceptable. If the initial slope is significantly steeper than 0.016 sec−1, the load absorbs, adsorbs, condenses, or decomposes significant amounts of hydrogen peroxide. If the slope of the curve is steep, the system can abort the sterilization run before significant amounts of hydrogen peroxide have been absorbed, adsorbed, or condensed.

Abstract: Devices and methods for sterilizing lumens involve a booster that is attached to the lumen. In preferred embodiments, the contact area between the lumen and the booster enhances the penetration of an antimicrobial agent to the contact area.

Abstract: A method of enhanced sterilization with improved material compatibility. The following enhancements have been made. First, repeated venting, evacuation, and plasma treatments can be performed in the pre-plasma stage. Second, a lower power level can be used in the post-plasma stage than in the pre-plasma stage. Third, after the post-plasma stage, the chamber can be held at atmospheric pressure or sub-atmospheric pressure for a period of time after venting, before re-evacuating the chamber, rather than evacuating after the chamber is vented to atmospheric pressure or sub-atmospheric pressure. Any of the three enhancements may be used separately, and it is not necessary to practice all three enhancements to obtain at least some of the benefits of enhanced sterilization with improved material compatibility.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering fluids to contact areas between parts in a medical device having two or more parts is disclosed. A plurality of projections are placed on the contact area, and, when fluid is applied to the medical device, more fluid flows around the projections than through the material from which the medical device is made. The medical device can be, for example, a scissors, a forceps, a holder, a hemostat, or a rongeur. The fluid can be a cleaning fluid, a rinsing fluid, a scrubbing fluid, or a germicide. The cleaning, rinsing, scrubbing, disinfecting, or sterilizing may be done in a vessel at ambient pressure or reduced pressure. During the contacting, more fluid flows around the projections than through the material from which the medical device is made.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sterilizing devices having contact areas with an antimicrobial fluid such as hydrogen peroxide. If the device is a lumen, the lumen is held in an adaptor which is connected with a vessel containing the antimicrobial fluid. The lumen, adaptor, and vessel containing the antimicrobial fluid are placed in a sterilization chamber. When the sterilization chamber is evacuated, the antimicrobial fluid in the vessel volatilizes, thereby sterilizing the interior of the lumen. The adaptor has one or more features which improve the sterilization of the areas of contact between the adaptor and the lumen. 1. The surface of the adaptor which is in contact with the lumen can be textured or uneven so as to reduce surface contact and enhance bidirectional diffusion of the sterilant. 2. The adaptor can be made of a material which has minimal chemical and physical interaction with the sterilant. 3.

Abstract: A system for providing fluid to a device comprises an interface separating a first space from a second space. The interface has at least one opening for receiving the device. The opening has a contact surface which contacts the device forming a contact area. Means for enhancing penetration of the fluid to the contact area is coupled to the opening. This system significantly reduces or total eliminates the occlusion area on the surface of the device.

Abstract: In a flexible endoscope having a flexible insertion tube comprising a tubular, biocompatible elastomeric outer covering thereabout which encloses an interior space, the improvement according to the present invention comprises a vapor barrier between the outer covering and the interior space. Thus, vapor, such as hydrogen peroxide or other sterilants, passing through the outer covering from an atmosphere thereabout is prevented from entering the interior space by the vapor barrier. Further, the vapor is thus prevented from interacting with substances, such as lubricants, within the interior space to produce agents harmful to the elastomeric covering.