CONTROL OF GASEOUS STERILIZATION

摘要

The disclosure relates to a method of sterilising a sealable enclosure comprising the steps of initially adjusting the relative humidity in the enclosure to a level substantially below ambient, circulating a carrier gas to the enclosure at a temperature raised above ambient and supplying a sterilant vapour or vapours to the circulating carrier gas sufficient to saturate substantially the gas. On cooling in the enclosure, a condensate of the sterilant vapour is formed on surfaces in the enclosure, which is measured whilst continuing to circulate the gas/vapour until a required amount of condensate has been formed on said surface. Supply of sterilant vapour to the gas is terminated whilst circulating the saturated gas/vapour continues to maintain the condensate on the enclosure surfaces for a predetermined period of time. Finally the sterilant vapour is extracted from the chamber.