| 摘要 |
Method and apparatus for sterilizing articles such as dental handpieces include introducing the article and liquid sterilant solution into a collapsible pouch formed of vapor-impermeable sheet material, sealing the collapsible pouch to form a gas-tight assembly, and heating the gas-tight assembly to vaporize the liquid sterilant solution to produce an atmosphere of hot sterilant vapor. The liquid sterilant is introduced into the pouch in a quantity sufficient to create an overpressure when vaporized which is indicated by the collapsible pouch expanding to a distended condition. In one embodiment, the liquid sterilant solution is vaporized by irradiating the gas-tight assembly with microwave radiation in which case the article is sterilized under the combined effects of chemical vapor and microwave irradiation. In other embodiments particularly suited for sterilizing a plurality of articles, the at least one article is surrounded by shielding, which may be separate from or integrated with the pouch, which presents a barrier to the transmission of microwave radiation. The pouch containing the shielded article or articles and liquid sterilant is sealed and the gas-tight assembly is irradiated with microwave radiation to vaporize the sterilant whereupon the article or articles are sterilized under the effect of chemical vapor. |
