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Process for dry sterilization of medical devices and materials

  • US 4,917,586 A
  • Filed: 11/22/1988
  • Issued: 04/17/1990
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1987
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for sterilization of medical devices and materials comprising the steps of:

  • placing said devices and materials within a gas-tight confining chamber, at least a portion of said chamber being formed from non-metallic material,evacuating said chamber to a substantially low pressure and introducing a gas into said chamber,initiating a microwave discharge in said gas to create a gas plasma within said chamber by application of microwave energy to a microwave cavity located at one end of said chamber remote from and not encompassing said devices and materials, thereby creating a substantially field-free zone away from said cavity, said field-free zone containing said devices and materials whereby said devices and materials are contacted by a substantially electrically neutral active species at a temperature below that which would be detrimental to said devices and materials,maintaining said gas plasma for a controlled period of time,maintaining a flow of said gas through said chamber andwithdrawing the said devices and materials from said chamber.

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