PROCESS FOR STERILIZATION WITH LIQUID STERILANT USING CONTROLLED PUMPDOWN RATE

摘要

A method for sterilizing a device, includes the following steps: contacti ng the device with liquid sterilant outside or inside a sterilization chamber a t a first pressure, placing the device in the chamber before or after the contacting step, and decreasing the pressure of the chamber to a second pressure below the vapor pressure of the liquid sterilant. At least the decrease in pressure below about the vapor pressure of the liquid sterilant occurs at a pumpdown rate of less tha n 0.8 liters per second, calculated based on the time required to evacuate the chamber from atmospheric pressure to 20 torr when the chamber is empty and dry.