Abstract: A system for sterilizing bottles with a gaseous sterilant. The system includes moving means for continuously moving bottles one after another along a path. An assembly is provided for distributing a predetermined amount of the gaseous sterilant from a source of gaseous sterilant to each of the bottles. The assembly includes a plurality of injectors that are movable with the bottles. One of the plurality of injectors is associated with each of the bottles. The injector is fluidly connected to the source of gaseous sterilant when the bottle associated with the injector is disposed along a first portion of the path. The injector is disposed above the bottle when the injector is in a first position. The injector is disposed within an interior of the bottle when the injector is in a second position such that the predetermined amount of the gaseous sterilant is conveyed into the interior of the bottle.

Abstract: A decontamination system having modular components to efficiently decontaminate enclosures of various dimensions. The decontamination system includes a main unit comprising a controller, a supply of liquid decontaminant, a vaporizer for vaporizing the liquid decontaminant to generate a vaporized decontaminant, and a destroyer for breaking down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. An embodiment of the present invention includes a detachable dryer and a detachable external blower that are in fluid communication with the main unit. An optional external destroyer and an optional external dryer may be controlled by the controller of the main unit to respectively increase the destroying and drying capacity of the decontamination system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a sensor used to sense the concentration of vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP). A concentration of liquid hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution is determined and correlated with a corresponding concentration of vaporized hydrogen peroxide indicative of an “actual” vaporized hydrogen peroxide concentration. An error value is determined by comparing the “actual” vaporized hydrogen peroxide concentration to a “measured” vaporized hydrogen peroxide concentration, indicated by the sensor being calibrated. The error value is used to properly calibrate the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the efficacy of a sterilizing environment on a test indicator, comprising a test chamber, a loading chamber adjacent to the test chamber and an opening connecting the test chamber to the loading chamber. A movable gate mechanism has a first position closing the opening and isolating the test chamber from the loading chamber, and a second position wherein the opening connects the test chamber to the loading chamber. A system is connected to the inlet port and the outlet port of the test chamber for supplying a sterilant vapor to the test chamber to establish a sterilizing environment in the test chamber. An indicator holder is operable to move a test indicator from the loading chamber into and out of the test chamber when the gate mechanism is in the second position.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence of vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) in a region, comprising the steps of providing a sealable region having an inlet port and an outlet port, creating a flow of a carrier gas into, through and out of the region, delivering vaporized hydrogen peroxide into the carrier gas flow upstream of the region inlet port, destroying the vaporized hydrogen peroxide at a first location downstream from the region outlet port, monitoring the temperature of the carrier gas before and after the first location, and determining a presence of vaporized hydrogen peroxide in the region based upon the temperature readings before and after the first location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decontaminating a region with a gaseous or vaporous decontaminant (e.g., vaporized hydrogen peroxide) without dehumidification (e.g., without the use of a dryer). The saturation concentration of the decontaminant inside the region is monitored, and the concentration of the decontaminant inside the region is regulated to prevent condensation of the decontaminant. The bioburden reduction is continuously monitored during a decontamination phase to ascertain successful completion of a decontamination process in accordance with a target bioburden reduction.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a portable decontamination unit. The invention also relates to a decontamination process. The decontamination unit may be ruggedized for use in hostile environments such as those that may be anticipated for military applications.

Abstract: A decontamination system for decontaminating a region with a vaporized decontaminant, such as vaporized hydrogen peroxide. The concentration of the vaporized decontaminant within the region is modified in response to operating conditions. The decontamination system adjusts the concentration of the vaporized decontaminant in response to the monitored saturation concentration of the decontaminant, thereby preventing condensation of the vaporized decontaminant during a decontamination cycle. The decontamination system also adjusts the concentration of the vaporized decontaminant in order to minimize the time required to complete a successful decontamination operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a sensor used to sense the concentration of vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP). A concentration of liquid hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution is determined and correlated with a corresponding concentration of vaporized hydrogen peroxide indicative of an “actual” vaporized hydrogen peroxide concentration. An error value is determined by comparing the “actual” vaporized hydrogen peroxide concentration to a “measured” vaporized hydrogen peroxide concentration, indicated by the sensor being calibrated. The error value is used to properly calibrate the sensor.

Abstract: A hydrogen peroxide vapor generation unit (10) receives hydrogen peroxide and water solution at an interface (20) and interconnects with an air dryer (14) by way of nipples (72, 92). In one embodiment, the dryer includes a clamping assembly (42) which is latched (74, 94) with the nipples and which receives a disposable desiccant cartridge (40). In an alternate embodiment, a reusable desiccant cartridge (40?) is connected directly to the nipples (72, 92). When the desiccant cartridge (40?) is saturated, it is removed and placed in a regenerator unit (120). A regenerated cartridge is installed in its place.

Abstract: A decontamination system having modular components to efficiently decontaminate enclosures of various dimensions. The decontamination system includes a main unit comprising a controller, a supply of liquid decontaminant, a vaporizer for vaporizing the liquid decontaminant to generate a vaporized decontaminant, and a destroyer for breaking down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. An embodiment of the present invention includes a detachable dryer and a detachable external blower that are in fluid communication with the main unit. An optional external destroyer and an optional external dryer may be controlled by the controller of the main unit to respectively increase the destroying and drying capacity of the decontamination system.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating articles, comprising the steps of: (a) moving a plurality of articles having a known temperature along a first path; (b) conveying a carrier gas along a second path that includes an elongated plenum, the second path intersecting the first path downstream from the plenum; (c) heating the carrier gas to a temperature of at least about 105° C. at a location upstream of the plenum; (d) introducing into the carrier gas in the plenum an atomized mist of a liquid hydrogen peroxide of known concentration; and (e) controlling the following: (1) the volumetric flow of carrier gas along the second path; (2) the volume of hydrogen peroxide introduced into the carrier gas; and (3) the temperature of the carrier gas introduced into the plenum, such that the concentration of the vaporized hydrogen peroxide in the carrier gas where the first path intersects the second path has a dew point temperature below the known temperature of the articles.

Abstract: A vapor decontamination system for decontaminating a defined region. The system is comprised of a chamber defining a region, and a generator for generating vaporized hydrogen peroxide from a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. A closed loop circulating system is provided for supplying the vaporized hydrogen peroxide to the region. A destroyer within the closed loop circulating system breaks down the vaporized hydrogen peroxide. A bypass conduit is provided to bypass the destroyer. A controller causes vaporized hydrogen peroxide from the generator to bypass the destroyer during a predetermined phase of operation.

Abstract: A flash vapor generator (10) provides a constant flow of vaporized hydrogen peroxide for rapidly sterilizing a large decontamination tunnel (11) with a high container throughput. The vaporizer includes a heated block which defines an interior bore or bores. The conditions within the decontamination tunnel are carefully monitored to avoid condensation of the vapor while maintaining the vapor as close as possible to the saturation limit.

Abstract: A flash vaporizer (34) provides a constant flow of vaporized hydrogen peroxide or other antimicrobial compounds for rapidly sterilizing large enclosures (10), such as rooms or buildings. The vaporizer includes a heated block (50) which defines an interior bore or bores (70, 72, 74). The flowpath created by the bore or bores increases in cross sectional area as the hydrogen peroxide passes through the block to accommodate the increase in volume during the conversion from liquid to gas. The vapor is injected into dry air in a duct that circulates it to the large enclosure.

Abstract: A method of microbially decontaminating at least one of a defined area and an item within the defined area. The method includes the steps of (a) inductively heating a block comprising an electrically non-conductive material and an electromagnetically responsive material; (b) passing an atomized liquid into an interior passage defined by the block, wherein the inductively heated block vaporizes the atomized liquid that contacts walls of the passage to form an antimicrobial vapor; and (c) flowing the vapor out of the block to the defined area to microbially decontaminate at least one of the defined area and the item.

Abstract: A vapor decontamination system for decontaminating a defined region. The system is comprised of a chamber defining a region, and a generator for generating vaporized hydrogen peroxide from a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. A closed loop circulating system is provided for supplying the vaporized hydrogen peroxide to the region. A destroyer breaks down the vaporized hydrogen peroxide, and a sensor downstream from the destroyer is operable to sense moisture in the system and provide electrical signals indicative thereof. A controller determines the presence of vaporized hydrogen peroxide in the region based upon the electrical signals from the sensor.

Abstract: A vaporizer heating apparatus is comprised of electromagnetically responsive material and electrically non-conductive material. A antimicrobial fluid to be vaporized, such as water or hydrogen peroxide solution, is supplied to the heating apparatus where it is converted to a vapor. In one embodiment of the present invention, electromagnetically responsive material particulate is embedded into the electrically non-conductive material. In another embodiment of the present invention, a microwave generator is used to produce heat.

Abstract: A system for injecting liquid hydrogen peroxide using a closed-loop flow control for controlling the injection rate of the liquid hydrogen peroxide. An injection rate is determined from measuring the rotational speed of a pump motor. If the determined injection rate varies from the desired injection rate, the speed of the pump motor is modified. Pulse width modulation (PWM) is used to control the pump motor speed.

Abstract: An induction coil (36) generates a magnetic field which induces current in an induction vessel (28). The induction vessel is heated by the current and supplies the heat to a passage (34) within the vessel. A liquid to be vaporized, such as water or hydrogen peroxide solution, is supplied to the passage where it is converted to vapor. The vapor is supplied to a defined area, such as a chamber (14) of a steam or vapor hydrogen peroxide sterilizer (10), where items are microbially decontaminated by the vapor.