REAL-TIME MONITORING AND CONTROL OF STERILIZATION PROCESSES WITH OXYGEN SENSOR PROBES

摘要

A system and method provides real-time monitoring and control of a concentration of an oxygen-producing sterilant during all phases of a sterilization cycle. An oxygen sensor probe (10) measures the free oxygen in a sterilization chamber (24). Preferably the oxygen sensor probe employs a solid oxide electrolyte (12), such as zirconium dioxide or titanium dioxide. The sensor probe produces an electrical signal which is inversely proportional to the free oxygen and the sterilant concentration. The signal is transmitted in real-time to the sterilizer control system (62, 64) for controlling of critical environmental parameters. The control system controls the sterilant concentration levels within acceptable ranges for time periods sufficient to assure sterilization efficacy at the sensed sterilant concentration. The control system also exhausts the sterilant at completion of the cycle and controls other environmental conditions.