DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a device and a method for performing sterilization of any article. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to generating gases in-situ from combination of chemicals (reactants) to perform sterilization of the articles.

BACKGROUND
Conventional methods of sterilization include steam autoclaving that is most widely used to sterilize medical instruments in a healthcare facility. Steam auto-claving exposes surgical instruments and other accessories to steam at 121? at 15-20 lbs. of pressure for 30-60 minutes. The sterility assurance level (SAL) is achieved by heat denaturation of proteins, DNA, and subsequent interruption of metabolic functions.
Thus the available methods and devices require heavy and bulky equipment, a huge power supply and plumbing, and good quality water supply. Aside from these logistical problems, autoclaving is not suitable for many plastics and other heat labile materials. In addition, carrying the autoclaving to remote places is difficult since it requires continuous supply of power and is not portable.
Access to sterilized equipment and devices is also required to reduce the transmission of disease from instruments during surgical procedure. Global healthcare requires access to safe surgical sterilization, lack of which drives up the healthcare infection rates.There are only two options available for this purpose viz., autoclaving or pre-sterilized disposables. However, both these techniques have their own limitations, which are further exemplified in resource-limited settings like remote areas or hard to access places.
Sterilant gases such as ClO2 , sulfur dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ozone and ethylene oxide can eliminate or control the growth of microbial contaminations. Many of these sterilant gases are powerful oxidizers. Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) has several applications ranging from being a sterilant, disinfectant, an antiseptic and a sanitizer. Further, ClO2 has been used to disinfect water, water supplies, food and food products and is also known to sterilize devices and equipment in the medical field, food processing and packaging units.
In the prior art references, where the generation of ClO2 gas is used for sterilization of various articles, the system and method disclosed by those references fail to provide pure ClO2 since the reaction between chlorite and acid involved in ClO2 generation never yields 100% (approx. 80%), which results in contamination of reactants like chlorite and acid, which are known to be toxic. Further, the prior art devices and methods requires a different medium for supplying ClO2 gas to sterilize the articles and also the ClO2 gas cannot be stored or transported due to its explosive nature and therefore, requires being generated on-site .The delivery of gases required for sterilizing is cumbersome and occupies space and also adds cost. In addition, they are largely lacking the very important aspect of control release (time and dose) efficiency of reaction and purity of gas.
Thus, there is a need for a device and a method that can generate sterilant gases in pure form in a controlled manner with respect to dose, time, volume. Also, the generated gas must be devoid of any impurities without any residual reactant or by-products and is economical. The process of generation is safe, efficient and is economical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, a sterilizing device for sterilizing one or more than one article including
a sterilizing chamber configured to receive the one or more articles; a consumable chamber containing plurality of reactants; a gas generation chamber configured to allow reaction of the plurality of reactants for generation of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas; wherein a delivery device of the gas generation chamber is configured to deliver the generated chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas to the sterilization chamber for sterilizing the one or more articles.

In one embodiment, the reactants' precursor is chlorite ion donor such as Sodium Chlorite / sodium chlorate) and the activator is H+ ion donor such as Hydrochloric acid / Citric acid/phosphoric acid. The precursor is used in a range of 10% w/v to 25% w/v and the activator is used in a range of 15% w/v or v/v to 65% w/v or v/v for generation of ClO2 gas.
.
In another embodiment, a circulatory fan (13) of the gas generation chamber is configured to circulate the generated ClO2 gas to the sterilization chamber through the delivery chamber.
In another embodiment, the reactants are supplied to the delivery device by a pump.
In another embodiment, the one or more articles are not limited to forceps, clamps, scissors (SS 316 or surgical grade steel); medical device such as cotton, gauze, gloves, fabrics; endoscopes such as bronchoscopes, duodenoscopes, and colonoscopes.
In another embodiment , an extruded activated carbon is provided in a scrubber chamber (8) that is configured to adsorb ClO2 gas present inside the sterilization chamber (6).

In another embodiment, the article placed inside the sterilizing chamber is wrapped in a spun-bonded/melt-blown/spun-bound non-woven pouch or high density polyethylene fibers pouch that enables diffusion of the (ClO2) gas while sterilizing the article.
In another embodiment, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) and light emitting diode (LED) indicator of an electronic chamber are configured to provide indications pertaining to the sterilization for the articles by the sterilizing device.
In another embodiment, an indicating means configured to indicate remaining sterilizing time/duration while sterilizing the article by the sterilizing device.
In another embodiment, an alerting means is configured to alert a user upon completion of sterilizing the article.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for sterilizing an article including steps of placing the article into an sterilizing chamber, supplying a number of reactants to a consumable chamber, reacting the number of reactants in a delivery device and generating chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas in the gas generation chamber, and eventually delivering the generated chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas to the sterilizing chamber In an embodiment, the method provides a circulatory fan (13) associated with the gas generation chamber that is configured to circulate the generated ClO2 gas to the sterilization chamber through the delivery device.
In an embodiment, the method provides an ultrasonic humidifier (15) that is configured to maintain pre-defined relative humidity inside the sterilizing chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention becomes apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B illustrates an isometric exploded view of a sterilizing device (100), according to an embodiment herein; and
Fig. 2 illustrates a flowchart showing a method (200) for sterilizing an article, according to another embodiment herein.
To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a sterilizing device. The following description provides specific details of certain embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings to provide a thorough understanding of those embodiments. It should be recognized, however, that the present invention can be reflected in additional embodiments and the invention may be practiced without some of the details in the following description.
The various embodiments including the example embodiments are now described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the various embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity.
It is understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers that may be present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Spatially relative terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is to be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the structure in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
The terms “sterilizing chamber” and “sterilization chamber” are interchangeably used herein the description.
The term “sterilant concentration” used herein the description means the adequate amount of the sterilizing gas that is potent sterilizes the articles/surgical instruments placed inside the sterilizing device.
The term “article” used herein the description means articles, devices or any kind of surgical instruments.
Embodiments described herein refer to plan views and/or cross-sectional views by way of ideal schematic views. Accordingly, the views may be modified depending on simplistic assembling or manufacturing technologies and/or tolerances. Therefore, example embodiments are not limited to those shown in the views but include modifications in configurations formed on the basis of the assembling process. Therefore, regions exemplified in the figures have schematic properties and shapes of regions shown in the figures exemplify specific shapes or regions of elements, and do not limit the various embodiments including the example embodiments.
The subject matter of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different features or combinations of features similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other technologies. Generally, the various embodiments including the example embodiments relate to a sterilizing device for sterilizing the medical equipment and various surgical instruments.
The present disclosure solves the problem associated with the available devices and method by generating the ClO2 gas in pure form with maximum yield.
Fig. 1 illustrates a sterilizing device (100). The sterilizing device (100) includes a top case lid (1) (hereinafter referred to as a lid), a consumable chamber (2), an electronic chamber (3), a micro-controller (4), a gas generation chamber (5), a sterilizing chamber (6), a battery (7), a scrubber chamber (8), a pump (10) and number of castors (11).
The electronic chamber (3) further includes electronic components such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display and LED indicator. The gas generation chamber (5) further includes a delivery device and a circulatory fan (13).
The consumable chamber (2) includes a number of reactants that cause generation of ClO2 gas. The scrubber chamber (8) is provided with an extruded activated carbon.
Extruded activated carbon is used for gas phase application. Extruded activated carbons are a cylindrical pellet ranging in size from 0.5 mm to 5 mm / powder size < 100 micrometer carbon fibre ranging in size from 10 to 20 denier . It is an effective and highly porous material, providing a large surface area to which residual ClO2 gas is adsorbed.
The reactants contained inside the consumable chamber (2) are pumped into the delivery device of the gas generation chamber (5) by the pump (10). Upon reaching the reactants into the delivery device , the ClO2 gas is generated by the reaction of ClO2- and H+ generating compounds inside the delivery chamber. The generated ClO2 gas in the gas generation chamber (5) is introduced into the sterilization chamber (6) for sterilizing various medical/surgical instruments or other articles. The surgical instruments or other articles/items to be sterilized are placed or held by a tray present inside the sterilizing chamber (6). The number of castors (11) are positioned beneath the sterilizing device (100) for enabling portability of the sterilizing device (100). The sterilizing device (100) is configured to be operated by the battery (7) that runs for 5 to 10 cycles at ambient temperature and at 85% RH and is programmed to function automatically via the microcontroller (4).
In order to sterilize the articles, devices or any kind of surgical instruments, the articles are placed inside the sterilization chamber (6) by wrapping the articles, devices or any kind of surgical instruments in a spun-bonded/melt-blown/spun-bound non-woven or high density polyethylene fibers pouch. After placing the articles inside the sterilizing chamber (6), the sterilizing chamber (6) is closed by a top case lid (1). To execute the sterilization, the top case lid (1) is closed and the sterilizing device (100) is turned on. The battery (7) is adapted to start the sterilization by help of the micro-controller (4). While the sterilizing device (100) is performing sterilization for the articles, the lid (1) of the sterilizing device (100) remains closed and thereby facilitating the auto-locking feature of the sterilizing device (100) during sterilization of the articles. This prevents the sterilizing device (100) from opening in the middle of the sterilization process for the articles. The OLED display of the electronic chamber (3) is configured to provide indications pertaining to the sterilization process for the articles. The LED indicator of the electronic chamber (3) is configured to indicate or guide the sterilization process stage.
In an exemplary embodiment, the LED indicator is provided with blue, red, green, orange and yellow coloured LEDs. The blue LED is adapted to indicate the “ready to use” status for the sterilizing device (100). The red LED is adapted to indicate the “ongoing sterilization process” status for the sterilizing device (100). The green LED is adapted to indicate “sterilization completed” status for the sterilizing device (100). The orange LED is adapted to indicate the “battery percentage between 30 to 40%” status for the sterilizing device (100). The yellow LED is adapted to indicate the “battery percentage below 30%” status for the sterilizing device (100) and the sterilizing device (100) do not start unless the battery (7) is recharged.
An ultrasonic humidifier (15) for obtaining the desired amount of relative humidity inside the sterilization chamber (6) is employed with the sterilizing device (100). Once, the relative humidity of the desired amount is obtained, the pump (10) carries the reactants from the consumable chamber (2) to the delivery device of the gas generation chamber (5). Herein the gas generation chamber (5) the ClO2 gas is generated. The generated ClO2 gas is diffused from the delivery device of the gas generation chamber (5) and is circulated through the circulatory fan (13) inside the sterilization chamber (6). Sterilant concentration of the generated ClO2 gas effectively sterilizes the articles/surgical-instruments placed inside the sterilization chamber (6). The sterilizing effect is further promoted by contacting the instruments by diffusing through the spun-bonded/melt-blown/spun-bound non-woven pouch or high density polyethylene fiber pouch covering the articles/surgical-instruments.
Once the articles or surgical instruments are sterilized upon exposure to the ClO2 gas, the remaining gas is exhausted from the sterilizing device (100). The residual ClO2 gas is removed from the sterilization chamber (6) to the scrubber chamber (8) by an exhaust fan (14). The extruded activated carbon present inside the scrubber chamber (8) is configured to adsorb residual gas present inside the sterilizing chamber (6) after completion of the sterilization process.
In another embodiment, the generated ClO2 gas is introduced at a concentration between 100 parts per million (PPM) to 400 PPM in the sterilization chamber (6) under a specific relative humidity of 80 % to 85 % to expose the articles to be sterilized under the ClO2 gas, for a duration of 15 to 60 mins.
In another embodiment, the articles that are to be sterilized can include but not limited to forceps, clamps, scissors (SS 316 or surgical grade steel); medical device such as cotton, gauze, gloves, fabrics; endoscopes such as bronchoscopes, duodenoscopes, and colonoscopes.
In yet another embodiment, the pump (10) is programmed such that the reactants from the consumable chamber (2) are pumped into the the delivery device of the gas generation chamber (5) in a controlled manner that enables automatic dispensing of the reactants in the delivery device in a predetermined/desired volume from 1 ml to 50 ml.
In another embodiment, the pump (10) is provided with a single pump head of the pump (10) and multiple channels for pumping the reactants from the consumable chamber (2) into the delivery device of the gas generation chamber (5).
In another embodiment, the pump (10) is configured to be actuated by a single stepper motor that is controlled by a control driver printed-circuit board (PCB).
In another embodiment, clutch mechanism actuates clockwise or anticlockwise, and attaches or detaches particular channels. Each channel is actuated separately to transfer fluid one after another in continuous or drip flow or simultaneously or intermittently.
In another embodiment, the pump (10) is provided with multiple pump heads of the pump (10) and multiple channels for pumping the reactants from the consumable chamber (2) into the delivery device of the gas generation chamber (5).
In another embodiment, the reactants placed inside the consumable chamber (2) includes precursor and activator such that the quantity of precursor lies between 10% w/v to 25% w/v and the quantity of activator lies between 15% w/v or v/v to 65% w/v or v/v for generation of ClO2 gas.
In an embodiment, the reactants are precursor is chlorite ion donor such as Sodium Chlorite / Sodium Chlorate) and activator is H+ ion donor such as Hydrochloric acid / Citric acid/phosphoric acid such that the quantity of precursor lies between 10% w/v to 25% w/v and the quantity of activator lies between 15% w/v or v/v to 65% w/v or v/v for generation of ClO2 gas.
In another embodiment, the pump (10) is a peristaltic pump.
In another embodiment, the tray of the sterilizing chamber (6) has slots for even gas distribution and diffusion of the ClO2 gas through the pouch for sterilization. In another embodiment, the sterilizing device (100) weighs from 5 Kgs to 15 Kgs with a dimension from 360*350*190 mm to 450*380*220 mm.
In another embodiment, the sterilizing device (100) is constructed with elements comprisings but not limited to poly-ethylene (PE), poly-propylene (PP), poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), poly-tetra fluoro ethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) which are compatible with ClO2 gas.
The elastomer (12) such as but not limited to ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) or PTFE material can be used in the construction of the gas tight sterilizing device (100).
In another embodiment, the battery (7) is a rechargeable battery. In another embodiment, the battery (7) is a lithium ion / polymer battery.
In another embodiment, one or more than one number of items/articles/surgical instruments can be placed inside the sterilization chamber (6) to impart sterilization by the sterilizing device (100).
In another exemplary embodiment, one or more than one surgical instrument are placed inside the sterilization chamber at humidity controlled environment at an ambient temperature from 250 C to 300 C for the sterilization process.
In an embodiment, the generated ClO2 gas in the delivery device of the gas generation chamber (5) is diffused to the sterilization chamber (6) for sterilizing the wrapped articles or surgical instruments that are placed inside the sterilization chamber (6) by the circulatory fan (13) rotating between 5,000 to 12,000 RPM. The electronic components of the electronic chamber (3) are configured such that the electronic components do not come in contact with ClO2 gas that is generated in the delivery device of the gas generation chamber (5).
In another embodiment, the extruded activated carbon can be present as cylindrical granules or powder or carbon fibre in the scrubber chamber (8).
In another embodiment, an indicating means (not shown) configured to indicate remaining sterilizing time/duration while sterilizing the article by the sterilizing device (100).
In another embodiment, an alerting means is configured to alert a user upon completion of sterilizing the article. The alert can be in the form of any of the but not limited to acoustic or vibration alerts.
In another embodiment, the gas generation chamber (5) is configured to generate any other gas that can act as a sterilant for sterilizing the articles/surgical instruments placed inside the sterilizing chamber (6) of the sterilizing device (100).
Further, there are various experiments iterated hereinbelow that were performed for sterilizing the surgical instruments by defining various sterilizing parameters such as concentration of ClO2 gas, duration of sterilization, temperature of the sterilization chamber (6) and humidity of the sterilization chamber (6) etc.
Experiment example 1
Relative humidity of about 80% is obtained by an ultrasonic humidifier that is adapted to produce mist inside the sterilization chamber (6) by using a metallic diaphragm that is immersed inside a water container containing water of about 2 ml to 20 ml. Once, the relative humidity of the desired amount is obtained in 5 minutes, the pump (10) carries the reactants from the consumable chamber (2) to the delivery device of the gas generation chamber (5). Herein the gas generation chamber (5), 250 PPM of ClO2 gas is generated. The generated ClO2 gas is diffused from the delivery device of the gas generation chamber (5) and is circulated through the circulatory fan (13) at 6700 RPM inside the sterilization chamber (6) for 60 minutes such that the sterilization process executes for 35 minutes. The exhaust fan (14) turns on for the next 20 minutes to remove residual ClO2 gas from the sterilization chamber (6) to the scrubber chamber (8) at 9500 RPM. The sterilization cycle now executes for 60 minutes and the gas concentration is within the OSHA limit (0.2 PPM). Eventually, the sterilizing device (100) turns the green coloured LED indicating to remove the items/articles that are sterilized by the sterilizing device (100).
Experiment example 2
Two red cross kits that further includes 16 surgical instruments each pair along with commercially available 106 CFU/ml Geobacillus stearothermophilus biological indicator spore strips from CROSSTEX, Chennai, India are wrapped in the spun-bonded/melt-blown/spun-bound non-woven pouch and placed inside the sterilization chamber (6). After keeping the surgical instruments, the sterilizing device (100) is turned on and the sterilizing device (100) gets auto-locked automatically before actuating the humidification process by the ultrasonic humidifier. The relative humidity inside the sterilizing chamber (6) is kept as 80% and the temperature inside the sterilizing chamber (6) is kept as 25° C. The concentration of ClO2 gas is maintained at 250 PPM, when the gas is diffused through the delivery device of the gas generation chamber (5). This leads to the duration of the sterilization process as 40 minutes including a 5 minute humidification process. Upon sterilization, the residual concentration of ClO2 gas in the sterilizing chamber (6) is exhausted through the scrubber chamber (8) for the duration of 20 minutes and ensures that the gas concentration is within the OSHA limit (0.2 PPM) before the sterilized article or surgical instrument is taken out from the sterilization chamber (6). Sterility Assurance Level (SAL) 10-6 is achieved after completion of the sterilization process.
Experiment example 3
Sterilization is performed with stainless steel (SS) - 316 coupons and surgical instruments contaminated with commonly found commercially available isolates such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli (106 to 108 CFU/m) from CROSSTEX, Chennai, India along with homogenized chicken blood and tissue samples, BSA from Sigma-Aldrich or egg albumin and other carbohydrates were co-contaminated. Special attention was paid to the grooves and hinges of surgical instruments. Surgical instruments (1 set red cross kits i.e 16 instruments) were enclosed in a SMS (spun bound, melt blown, spun bound) non woven pouch and placed in a sterilizing chamber. Device is turned on and the system auto locks automatically before actuating the humidification process followed by peristaltic pump operation. The sterilizing chamber is humidified to obtain 85% relative humidity (RH) by ultrasonic humidifier. The temperature in the sterilizing chamber is at 28° C, and ClO2 gas is filled in the sterilizing chamber to obtain a concentration of 200 PPM via the delivery chamber (TubeletTM). Sterilization is performed for 40 minutes including a 5 minutes humidification process. After sterilization, the residual concentration of ClO2 gas in the sterilizing chamber is exhausted through the scrubber chamber for the duration of 20 minutes and ensures the gas concentration is within the OSHA limit (0.2 PPM) before the sterilized item is taken out. Sterility Assurance Level (SAL) 10-6 is achieved after completion of the sterilization process.

Experiment example 4
Sterilization duration is set at 15 minutes and 30 minutes, and sterilization is performed in the same manner as in experiment example 2.
Experiment example 5
The ClO2 gas in the delivery chamber of the gas generation chamber (5) is generated by the pumping one reactant and simultaneously pumping the other reactant sporadically into the delivery chamber via the pump (10) and the sterilization is performed in the same manner as is performed in the experiment example 3.
Fig. 2 illustrates a method (200) for sterilizing an article/surgical instrument by the sterilizing device (100).
The method (200) for sterilizing the articles by the sterilizing device (100) include following steps:
placing (20) the article into a sterilizing chamber (6);
placing (22) one or more precursor and activator inside a consumable chamber (2);
reacting (24) one or more reactants in a delivery device of the gas generation chamber(5);
generating (26) chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas in the gas generation chamber (5);
delivering (28) the generated chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas to the sterilizing chamber (2) by a delivery device of the gas generation chamber (5).
In one embodiment, a circulatory fan (13) of the gas generation chamber (5) disclosed in the method hereinabove is configured to circulate the generated ClO2 gas to the sterilization chamber (2) through the delivery device from the gas generation chamber (5).
In another embodiment an ultrasonic humidifier is configured to maintain pre-defined relative humidity inside the sterilizing chamber (6) disclosed in the method hereinabove.

A comparison chart in Table 1 is depeicted as below for the present disclosure:

Features Present invention US Military PCS Eniware Autoclave
Sterilant Chlorine dioxide Chlorine dioxide Nitrogen dioxide Steam sterilization
Portability Yes Yes Yes No
Power No
Battery operated No
Battery operated No
Battery operated Yes
Consumable requirement 1 set - 12 ml each /cycle 300 g salts + 100 ml water mixed in vessel / cycle Nitrogen dioxide generating cylinder Water
Ease of use/ cooling time Easy / No Easy / Data not available Easy / No Easy / Yes
Sterilization Cycle time 60 minutes 30 - 60 minutes 240 minutes 60 mins + 30 mins cooling time
Temperature 250 C – 280 C 550 C 250 C - 280 C 1210 C

The above shows the advantages and technical effect of the presenr disclosure clearly.
The foregoing discussion of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the present invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the present invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects may be combined in alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention the present invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present invention.
Moreover, though the description of the present disclosure has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the present invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A sterilizing device (100) for sterilizing one or more articles, the device comprising;
a sterilizing chamber (6) configured to receive the one or more articles;
b. a consumable chamber (2) containing plurality of reactants;
c. a gas generation chamber (5) configured to allow reaction of the plurality of reactants for generation of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas;
wherein a delivery device of the gas generation chamber (5) is configured to deliver the generated chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas to the sterilization chamber (2) for sterilizing the one or more articles.

2. The sterilizing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of reactants are selected from group comprising of precursors and activators.

3. The sterilizing device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the precursor is used in a range of 10% w/v to 25% w/v and the activator is used in a range of 15% w/v or v/v to 65% w/v or v/v for generation of ClO2 gas.

4. The sterilizing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a circulatory fan (13) of the gas generation chamber (5) is configured to circulate the generated ClO2 gas to the sterilization chamber (2) through the delivery device.

5. The sterilizing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reactants contained inside the consumable chamber (2) are supplied to the delivery device of the gas generation chamber (5) by a pump (10).

6. The sterilizing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an extruded activated carbon is provided in a scrubber chamber (8) that is configured to absorb ClO2 gas present insidethe strelization chamber (6).

7. The sterilizing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more articles includes but not limited to forceps, clamps, scissors (SS 316 or surgical grade steel); medical device such as cotton, gauze, gloves, fabrics; endoscopes such as bronchoscopes, duodenoscopes, and colonoscopes.

8. The sterilizing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the article placed inside the sterilizing chamber (6) is wrapped in a spun-bonded/melt-blown/spun-bound non-woven pouch or high density polyethylene fiber pouch that enables diffusion of the (ClO2) gas while sterilizing the article.

9. The sterilizing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) and light emitting diode (LED) indicator of an electronic chamber (3) are configured to provide indications pertaining to the sterilization for the articles by the sterilizing device (100).

10. The sterilizing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an indicating means configured to indicate remaining sterilizing time/duration while sterilizing the article by the sterilizing device (100).

11. A method (200) for sterilizing an article, the method comprising;
a. placing (20) the article into an sterilizing chamber (6);
b. supplying (22) plurality of reactants to a consumable chamber (2);
c. reacting (24) plurality of reactants in a delivery device of a gas generation chamber (5); and
d. generating (26) chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas in the gas generation chamber (5);
wherein delivering (28) the generated chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas to the sterilizing chamber (2) by a delivery device of the gas generation chamber (5).

12. The method (200) as claimed in claim 10, wherein a circulatory fan (13) of the gas generation chamber (5) is configured to circulate the generated ClO2 gas to the sterilization chamber (2) through the delivery device from the gas generation chamber.

13. The method (200) as claimed in claim 10, wherein an ultrasonic humidifier (15) is configured to maintain pre-defined relative humidity inside the sterilizing chamber (6).