Chlorine Dioxide Sterilization for Medical Packaging
16 patents in this list
Updated:
Sterilizing medical devices and packaging materials with chlorine dioxide presents significant chemical engineering challenges. The gas must achieve 6-log microbial reduction while avoiding condensation, salt deposits, and material degradation. At typical sterilization concentrations of 1-500 ppm, chlorine dioxide's reactivity requires precise control of temperature, humidity, and exposure time to maintain efficacy without compromising package integrity.
The fundamental challenge lies in delivering consistent sterilization outcomes while managing chlorine dioxide's inherent chemical instability and corrosive potential across diverse medical materials and geometries.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including in-situ gas generation systems, controlled-release formulations, hybrid liquid-gas approaches, and material-specific exposure protocols. These and other approaches focus on achieving reliable sterilization while preserving both product functionality and packaging barrier properties.
1. Process for Purification and Stabilization of Chlorine Dioxide Solutions via Gas Removal and Separation Techniques
ALETHIA LIFE SCIENCES AG, 2023
Producing ultrapure aqueous solutions of chlorine dioxide that can be used as medical disinfectants by treating existing chlorine dioxide solutions to remove impurities and stabilize the chlorine dioxide. The process involves adding a gas removal reagent, separating the chlorine dioxide, and then dissolving it in water to obtain a purified chlorine dioxide solution. This allows producing stable, long-term storable chlorine dioxide solutions from existing ones with higher impurity levels. The process can be used regardless of the original production method.
2. Method for Producing High-Purity Aqueous Chlorine Dioxide Solutions via Gas Removal and Redissolution
ALETHIA LIFE SCIENCES AG, 2021
A method to produce high-purity aqueous chlorine dioxide solutions for medical disinfection applications that avoids impurities and provides long-term stability. The method involves treating a starting chlorine dioxide solution to remove gases like chlorine and sulfur dioxide, then separating the chlorine dioxide and dissolving it in water again to obtain a purified solution. This prevents impurities that can corrode surfaces, form toxic byproducts, or decompose chlorine dioxide. The method allows using existing chlorine dioxide production processes, then purifying the solution for medical use.
3. Chlorine Dioxide Disinfectant Preparation System with Multi-Stage Water Purification and Gas Mixing
JINAN CLEANBAO ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2020
A medical-grade chlorine dioxide disinfectant preparation system for producing precise concentration chlorine dioxide disinfectant for medical environments. The system uses a multi-stage water purification process to produce high purity water. This purified water is then mixed with chlorine dioxide gas generated in a separate reactor. The purified water and chlorine dioxide are circulated and mixed in a common tank to achieve the desired chlorine dioxide concentration in the disinfectant.
4. Sealed Multi-Compartment System for Chlorine Dioxide Generation with Liquid and Solid Reactant Separation
Fan Liren, 2019
A long-term stable chlorine dioxide disinfection and sterilization system that allows for long-term storage of chlorine dioxide without degradation for applications like medical device disinfection, water treatment, food processing, and environmental disinfection. The system uses a sealed container with separate compartments for liquid and solid reactants. The liquid compartment holds reactants that can generate chlorine dioxide. The solid compartment contains a chlorine dioxide precursor that reacts with the liquid when the compartments are combined. This allows creating stable chlorine dioxide solutions for disinfection and sterilization by mixing the reactants instead of storing chlorine dioxide itself.
5. Cabinet System with Two-Phase Reactor for In-Situ Chlorine Dioxide Mist Generation
Fan Liren, 2019
Cabinet-type chlorine dioxide disinfection system for sterilization of medical devices and sanitization of surfaces using an in-situ generation of chlorine dioxide mist. The system has a chlorine dioxide generator, disinfection chamber, and auxiliary equipment. The generator contains a two-phase chemical reactor to produce chlorine dioxide by reacting solid and liquid precursors. The mist is atomized for disinfection in the chamber. The generator jacket and auxiliary equipment control the reaction and disinfection process.
6. Cabinet Chlorine Dioxide Disinfection System with In-Situ Solid-Liquid Reaction Generator
FAN LIREN, 2018
Cabinet-type chlorine dioxide disinfection system for sterilizing medical devices and equipment. It uses an in-situ solid-liquid two-phase reaction generator to produce chlorine dioxide on demand. The chlorine dioxide is atomized and used to sterilize items in a closed cabinet. This provides a contained, efficient, and corrosion-free chlorine dioxide disinfection system compared to traditional chlorine dioxide solutions or gas generators.
7. Chlorine Dioxide Gas Medical Sterilizer with Integrated Gas Generation and Purification System
Omega Vision Co., Ltd., 2017
Medical sterilizer using chlorine dioxide gas for sterilizing medical instruments. The sterilizer has a chlorine dioxide gas generator that converts a stock solution into chlorine dioxide gas. An air injector bubbles the gas with air. A preliminary chamber stores the gas, then it's vacuum-sealed into the sterilization chamber. After sterilization, an air purifier removes residual gas. Replaceable cartridges hold the stock solution, vaporizer, and air purifier chemicals.
8. Chlorine Dioxide Gas Generator with Ultraviolet-Irradiated Stabilized Solution Expansion
FMI INC, 2017
Chlorine dioxide gas generator that generates chlorine dioxide gas in a space and purifies the air in the space, and a sterilization box for medical instruments. The generator expands stabilized chlorine dioxide water and irradiates it with ultraviolet light to generate chlorine dioxide gas. This allows controlled generation of low concentration chlorine dioxide for continuous air purification in living spaces. In medical sterilization boxes, high concentration chlorine dioxide is rapidly generated for sterilization and then maintained for a desired time.
9. Chlorine Dioxide Gas Medical Sterilizer with Replaceable Cartridge System and Integrated Residual Gas Purification
OMEGA VISION CO LTD, 2016
Medical sterilizer using chlorine dioxide gas that provides efficient, rapid, and low-cost sterilization of medical devices. The sterilizer uses replaceable cartridges in a chlorine dioxide generator to create the gas, which is then delivered to a vacuum chamber to sterilize the devices. After sterilization, an air purifier removes residual chlorine dioxide. The cartridge design allows easy replacement and scaling of the sterilizer. The chlorine dioxide gas sterilization offers advantages over other methods like reduced time, no degradation of sensitive materials, and lower toxicity compared to alternatives like ethylene oxide.
10. Device for Generating Chlorine Dioxide Sterilizing Water via Ion Exchange and Catalytic Oxidation
CENTRAL FILTER MFG CO LD, 2015
A device for producing sterilizing water containing chlorous acid and chlorine dioxide that provides a more consistent chlorine dioxide concentration compared to existing methods. The device uses ion exchange and catalytic oxidation to generate chlorine dioxide-containing sterilizing water. It starts with diluting sodium chlorite, ion-exchanging the sodium ions for hydrogen ions to make chlorous acid, then oxidizing the chlorous acid to chlorine dioxide. Diluting the resulting chlorine dioxide water provides the final sterilizing water. This step-by-step process allows better control over chlorine dioxide concentration compared to directly diluting concentrated sodium chlorite.
11. Chlorine Dioxide Gas Decontamination Method Utilizing Low-Impurity Release and Gas Scrubbing
HOBBS JOHN PETER, 2007
Decontamination method using chlorine dioxide gas to disinfect surfaces and enclosures without leaving salt deposits, corrosion, or condensation. The method involves releasing pure chlorine dioxide gas from a solution containing less than 10% impurities like hydrochloric acid, hypochlorite, hypochlorous acid, or sodium chloride. The gas is mixed with a carrier gas and used to disinfect enclosures. This prevents salt deposits and corrosion compared to introducing chlorine dioxide solution. After disinfection, the gas is scrubbed to remove chlorine dioxide before returning it to the enclosure. This avoids condensation issues compared to venting the gas.
12. In Situ Chlorine Dioxide Generation via Proportional Chlorine and Sodium Chlorite Contact
ONEILL GARY A, 2004
Purifying chlorine dioxide solutions for various applications like cleaning, disinfection, and decontamination by generating them on-site instead of using pre-made solutions with high residual levels. The method involves contacting chlorine and sodium chlorite solutions in the right proportions to create chlorine dioxide in situ. This eliminates issues like excessive residuals, acidity, and corrosion associated with pre-made solutions.
13. Sequential Chlorine Dioxide Solution and Gas Treatment for Medical Device Sterilization
SUNSEAL KK, 2003
Cleaning, deodorizing, and sterilizing medical devices like endoscopes after use in a short time. The method involves sequentially using a chlorine dioxide solution and chlorine dioxide gas to effectively clean, deodorize, and sterilize the devices. The steps are: pre-cleaning, immersing in chlorine dioxide solution, chlorine dioxide gas exposure, and drying. The chlorine dioxide solutions can be stabilized and activated, and gases can be mixed with carbon dioxide for synergy.
14. Soft Contact Lens Sterilization Kit with Chlorine-Releasing Agent, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Sterile Saline Apparatus
WEBB GARTH T, 1993
A kit for sterilizing soft contact lenses that includes a chlorine-releasing agent, hydrogen peroxide, an apparatus for producing sterile saline, and a container for immersing the lenses. The sterilization method involves immersing the contact lenses in a solution containing chlorine at 1-500 ppm and hydrogen peroxide at 40-80 ppm for a sufficient time to disinfect the lenses without harming the eyes.
15. Chlorine Dioxide Release System for Lens Disinfection with pH Modulation
ALLERGAN INC, 1991
A method and composition for disinfecting lenses, like contact lenses, using chlorine dioxide while reducing eye irritation. The method involves using a chlorine dioxide precursor, like a tablet containing tartaric acid and sodium chlorite, in an acidic solution. The precursor releases chlorine dioxide when activated. The acidic pH enhances chlorine dioxide production. After disinfecting, neutralizers like sodium carbonate raise the pH. This prevents high chlorine dioxide levels in the lens. The system provides faster disinfection and reduced eye irritation compared to using chlorine dioxide directly.
16. Chlorine Dioxide Gas Sterilization System for Medical Equipment at Ambient Conditions
SCOPAS TECHNOLOGY CO INC, 1990
Using chlorine dioxide gas as a sterilizer for medical equipment and devices by exposing contaminated surfaces to chlorine dioxide at ambient temperature, pressure, and humidity. Chlorine dioxide gas sterilizes impervious surfaces like metals, plastics, ceramics, and glass without requiring heat or liquid sterilization methods. The short-term exposure times make it suitable for sealed devices in gas-permeable packaging.
Get Full Report
Access our comprehensive collection of patents related to this technology