David A Cristol

US Patent:

20050013729, Jan 20, 2005

Filed:

Nov 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/716778

Inventors:

Susan Brown-Skrobot - Jacksonville FL, US
Stephen Beaton - Jacksonville FL, US
Eric Bussey - Middleburg FL, US
James Ebel - Jacksonville FL, US
Gregory Hill - Ponte Vedra Beach FL, US
James Peck - Jacksonville FL, US
John Heaton - Atlantic Beach FL, US
David Cristol - Jacksonville FL, US
Timothy Newton - Jacksonville FL, US
John Enns - Jacksonville FL, US

International Classification:

A61L002/10

US Classification:

422024000, 250455110

Abstract:

This invention provides a process of sterilizing a medical device, and preferably the contents of a sealed container which comprises said medical device, comprising the step of exposing said medical device to ultraviolet radiation whereby the Dof (ATCC 7953) is at least 3.9 mJ/cmultraviolet radiation in the range of 240-280 nm to the spore. Further, this invention provides a process of sterilizing a medical device comprising the step of subjecting said medical device to ultraviolet radiation wherein the minimum total energy density of said ultraviolet radiation in the range of 240-280 nm which reaches the microorganisms present on said medical device is at least 18 mJ/cm. This invention further provides an apparatus for delivering UV radiation to a medical device for sterilization comprising a radiation source and a reflector for said radiation source wherein said reflector directs radiation from said radiation source such that at least J/cmbroad spectrum radiation of which at least 50 mJ/cmof said radiation is UV radiation in the range of 240-280 nm to a treatment area for said medical device, said treatment area is at the focal plane of said reflector. This invention provides a process and apparatus in which sterilization can be achieved in less than 20 seconds, preferably less than 15 seconds, more preferably in less than 5 seconds. The process and apparatus are efficient and continuous.