Vacuum sterilization method condensate evacuation method and drying method

摘要

The method is advantageously applied in plasma sterilization processes in particular. Articles to be sterilized are placed in a sealed chamber (11) and the chamber is evacuated. A plasma of residual gas species is generated in the chamber during an initial evacuation step (44). This promotes drying of the articles and advantageously allows a desired pressure to be attained more quickly than without the plasma. Sterilizing gas is injected into the chamber (11), and a second plasma is generated to activate the sterilizing gas plasma, thereby sterilizing the articles in the chamber. IMAGE