INTEGRITY TESTABLE AUTOCLAVABLE, STERILE TRANSFER BAG

摘要

The present invention is formed of a transfer bag (1) that is capable of being sterilized by steam or gas and then sealed to form an integral sterile device. It is preferably attached to a closed collar (5) designed to fit onto a transfer port. The bag is formed of two sections, a first steam penetrable, porous section (8) and a second non-porous section (9). The items are loaded into the bag through an opening; it is sealed and exposed to a steam or sterilizing gas environment. Steam or gas enters the first section (8) of the bag and moves throughout the interior of the bag sterilizing the bag and its contents. After sterilization, the bag is removed and the contents are moved so as to all be within the second section (9) of the bag. The bag is then sealed adjacent to the interface between the first and second sections to ensure the sterility of the bag and its contents. At the same time or shortly thereafter, a vacuum or positive pressure is applied to the second portion of the bag to serve as a visual indication that the sterilizing process has occurred and that the sterility of the bag and its contents has been maintained.