Apparatus and method for disinfecting a contaminated object
First Claim
1. An electrochemical disinfection system for sterilizing an object comprisingcontainer means for receiving said object while it is being disinfected,a solution contained within said container means for enveloping said object while it is received in said container means,two electrodes disposed in contact with said solution,a voltage source connected between said electrodes for applying a voltage thereacross, anda voltage controller for applying said voltage across said electrodes to increase the toxicity of said solution during disinfection and for interrupting application of said voltage to said electrodes to decrease the toxicity of said solution,said solution being conductive for conducting an electric current between said electrodes during application of said voltage,said current generating ions in said solution for dispersion into contact with said object for disinfecting said object during application of said voltage to said electrodes, said ions recombining upon interruption of said voltage.
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Abstract
A system and method for applying a disinfectant solution which may include a salt and a buffer to an instrument, object or mass wherein the solution is selectively rendered disinfecting and neutral by impressing a voltage across it to ionize an unstable salt which yields toxic ions only while the voltage is applied. The system can be used to disinfect both metallic and plastic instruments.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An electrochemical disinfection system for sterilizing an object comprising
container means for receiving said object while it is being disinfected, a solution contained within said container means for enveloping said object while it is received in said container means, two electrodes disposed in contact with said solution, a voltage source connected between said electrodes for applying a voltage thereacross, and a voltage controller for applying said voltage across said electrodes to increase the toxicity of said solution during disinfection and for interrupting application of said voltage to said electrodes to decrease the toxicity of said solution, said solution being conductive for conducting an electric current between said electrodes during application of said voltage, said current generating ions in said solution for dispersion into contact with said object for disinfecting said object during application of said voltage to said electrodes, said ions recombining upon interruption of said voltage.
- 10. A method of disinfecting an object comprising electrolyzing a solution of a stable salt and an unstable salt by a applying a voltage across it to cause the unstable salt to release toxic ions, dispersing said toxic ions in said solution about the object until it is disinfected, and, thereafter, interrupting said voltage to render said solution non-toxic.
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12. A method of disinfecting fruits and/or vegetables comprising immersing the fruits or vegetables in a solution comprising a stable salt and an unstable salt, and applying a voltage across that solution to render the solution disinfecting for decontaminating or preserving the shelf life of said fruits and/or vegetables.
Specification