Method for sterilizing lumen devices

Abstract

A method, according to the present invention provides for sterilizing an interior of a lumen of an article. The method comprises the steps of: contacting the interior of the lumen with a liquid comprising hydrogen peroxide; heating the article; and exposing the article to sub-atmosphere pressure sufficient to vaporize the hydrogen peroxide within the lumen and for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization of the interior of the lumen. Preferably, the liquid comprises a condensed vapor.

1 . A method for sterilizing an interior of a lumen of an article, comprising: 
 contacting the interior of the lumen with a liquid comprising hydrogen peroxide;    heating the article; and    exposing the article to sub-atmospheric pressure sufficient to vaporize the hydrogen peroxide within the lumen and for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization of the interior of the lumen.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises a condensed vapor.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the contacting step comprises delivery via one or more methods selected from the group consisting of injection, static soak, liquid flow, aerosol spray, condensation and physical placement.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the lumen is at least 27 cm in length and has an internal diameter of no more than 3 mm.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the article is heated to at least 28° C.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the article is heated to at least 40° C.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the article is heated to at least 45° C.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating is conducted at atmospheric pressure.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating is conducted at reduced pressure.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating comprises application of electromagnetic energy to an environment about the article.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of exposing the article to a plasma.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the exposing step comprises exposing the article to pressure less than the vapor pressure of hydrogen peroxide.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the sub-atmospheric pressure is between 0 and 100 torr.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the sub-atmospheric pressure is above 30 torr.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the sub-atmospheric pressure is above 50 torr.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the interior of the lumen represents a diffusion restriction which is at least as diffusion restricted as a lumen 27 cm in length and having an internal diameter of 3 mm.