1. A method of "cold" gas sterilization which comprises: surrounding an article to be sterilized with hydrogen peroxide gas; and maintaining said gas in contact with such article at temperatures below 80.degree. C. until such article is sterile, whereupon sterility of said article is established, and including the step of maintaining said article in a sterile condition protected from recontamination until use.
2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the gas is maintained at temperatures above approximately 20.degree. C.
3. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the gas is maintained in contact with such article for a period greater than 60 seconds.
4. A method of "cold" sterilizing an article not suited for total liquid submersion, comprising the steps of: encasing said article in a chamber; surrounding the article in the chamber with hydrogen peroxide gas; and maintaining such gas in contact with the article at temperatures below 80.degree. C. until such article is sterile, whereupon sterility of said article is established and including the step of maintaining said article in a sterile condition protected from recontamination until use.
5. A method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the article is encased in a sealed sterilizer tank.
6. A method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the article is encased in a package with at least one portion of the package being pervious to passage of hydrogen peroxide, but impervious to microbial passage.
7. A method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the gas surrounding the article is generated by placing liquid hydrogen peroxide of a concentration in the range of 0.0001% to 35% within the chamber in an amount substantially less than required for total liquid submersion of the article; and vaporizing the hydrogen peroxide liquid within the chamber for gaseous contact for all exposed areas of the article.
8. A method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the liquid placed within the chamber has a hydrogen peroxide concentration of 0.01% to 30%.
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