Advanced Sterilization Products Introduces Large-Capacity STERRAD 200 Sterilization System

IRVINE, Calif. -- Advanced

Sterilization Products (ASP), a division of Ethicon, Inc., and a

leading developer of instrument processing technologies, today

announced the U.S. launch of the STERRAD 200 System, a new

large-capacity, low-temperature sterilization system designed to meet

the demands of high-volume healthcare facilities. The launch follows

receipt of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) marketing clearance in

August 2003.

The STERRAD 200 System employs the same proven hydrogen peroxide

gas plasma technology pioneered by ASP in the STERRAD 100S and STERRAD

50 Systems, and features a large-capacity chamber that can process 150

liters in just 75 minutes, as well as other important technology

advances designed to increase efficiency and reduce costs for

healthcare facilities.

According to Santi Corsaro, worldwide president of ASP, the

STERRAD 200 System is a reflection of ASP's commitment to delivering

the latest in sterilization technology. "We are proud to introduce the

newest member of our family of innovative sterilizers," Corsaro said.

"ASP's ongoing focus on research and development has allowed us to

provide customers with advanced instrument processing solutions that

improve efficiency, increase productivity, and enhance patient care.

Now, high-volume sites have the option of choosing the larger capacity

STERRAD 200 System in order to meet their instrument processing

needs."

The STERRAD 200 System's cycle time is more than 12 times faster

than an ethylene oxide (EtO) cycle, providing rapid instrument

turnaround and increasing utilization of instruments. The large

chamber size enhances efficiency by increasing the amount of

instruments processed in a cycle, reducing the staff time needed to

load and unload the chamber.

Unique features of the STERRAD 200 System include an easy-to-read

touch screen interface and an optional bar code reader to track

instruments. Data from the STERRAD 200 System also can be downloaded

to a facility's network for data tracking and record keeping. Finally,

flexible configuration options include a freestanding unit with a

single door or a unique double-door unit for in-wall mounting that

allows the separation of the clean side from the sterile side.

The STERRAD Sterilization System, which is compatible with a wide

range of medical devices and surgical instruments, is based on a

patented process involving the generation of low-temperature gas

plasma from hydrogen peroxide. The system is safe for staff, patients,

and the environment; its by-products are ordinary oxygen and water.

The STERRAD 200 System leaves no toxic residues on surgical

instruments or equipment, eliminating the need for a lengthy aeration

phase, and sterile instruments may be used immediately following the

sterilization cycle or stored for use when needed. Currently, there

are more than 6,000 units in use worldwide, and 23.3 million cycles

have been safely run to date.

Source: ASP