4
5
The 3M™ Steri‑Vac™ Sterilizer/Aerator GSX Series’ ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization cycles consist of ten stages After the sterilization cycle is complete, an aeration cycle is required to remove
any residual EO from the medical devices per manufacturers’ instructions for use (IFUs)
An EO sterilization cycle is defined as a treatment in a sealed, temperature‑controlled chamber comprised of air removal, conditioning, and injecting of EO, exposure to EO, removal of EO and
flushing, aerating, and air admission allowing the opening of the chamber door Figure 1 is a graph of a Pressure Profile of the cycle stages of a GSX Series sterilizer EO sterilization cycle
Time
Atmospheric Pressure
1. Chamber
Preheating
2. Air
Removal
3. Chamber
Test
4. Conditioning
5. EO
Injection
6. EO Exposure
7. EO
Removal
8. Flushing
9. Aeration
10. Air
Admission
P
ressur
e
Figure 1
Pressure Profile GSX Series Sterilizer EO Sterilization Cycle
2 Intended Use
The 3M™ Steri‑Vac™ Sterilizer/Aerator GSX Series is intended for the development and validation of ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization process parameters used in product development and
manufacturing and for routine sterilization of products that require 100% ethylene oxide sterilization in the manufacturing process The GSX Series sterilizer is not intended for use in health
care facilities
Always obtain, understand, and follow national and local regulations before installing a GSX Series sterilizer
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of injury,
always follow the procedures described in this manual