Process for dry sterilization of medical devices and materials
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for sterilization of articles comprising the steps of:
- placing said articles within an electrically conductive perforated electrode, said electrode being positioned within, and spaced apart from, a gas-tight confining chamber, said chamber being formed from electrically conductive material and connected to a point of potential reference;
evacuating said chamber to a substantially low pressure and introducing a gas into said chamber;
initiating an electrical discharge in said gas within said chamber by application of an electric field between said internal perforated electrode and the electrically conductive chamber wall, creating a gas plasma, having a substantially field free and glowless volume within the confines of the perforated electrode containing said articles, whereby said articles are contacted by substantially electrically neutral active species at a temperature below that which would be detrimental to said articles; and
maintaining said gas plasma for a controlled period of time.
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Abstract
Articles to be sterilized are placed into a confined volume and are subjected to neutral species of an electrical discharge while maintaining the volume glowless and substantially field free by interposing a barrier between the articles and the discharge, the barrier being transparent to neutral species and opaque to charged species emanating from the discharge.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for sterilization of articles comprising the steps of:
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placing said articles within an electrically conductive perforated electrode, said electrode being positioned within, and spaced apart from, a gas-tight confining chamber, said chamber being formed from electrically conductive material and connected to a point of potential reference; evacuating said chamber to a substantially low pressure and introducing a gas into said chamber; initiating an electrical discharge in said gas within said chamber by application of an electric field between said internal perforated electrode and the electrically conductive chamber wall, creating a gas plasma, having a substantially field free and glowless volume within the confines of the perforated electrode containing said articles, whereby said articles are contacted by substantially electrically neutral active species at a temperature below that which would be detrimental to said articles; and maintaining said gas plasma for a controlled period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for sterilization of articles enclosed within sealed pouches formed of a gas permeable material comprising the steps of:
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placing said pouches containing said articles to be sterilized within an electrically conductive positioned within, and spaced apart from a gas-tight confining chamber, said chamber formed from electrically conductive material and connected to a point of potential reference; evacuating said chamber to a substantially low pressure and introducing a gas into said chamber; initialing an electrical discharge in said gas within said chamber by application of an electric field between said internal perforated electrode and the electrically conductive chamber wall, thereby creating a substantially field free and glowless volume within the perforated electrode containing said pouches, whereby said articles are contacted by substantially electrically neutral active species at a temperature below that which would be detrimental to said articles; and maintaining said electrical discharge for a controlled period of time. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for sterilization and treatment of medical and dental articles comprising the steps of:
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placing said articles within a metallic perforated electrode, said electrode being positioned within, and spaced from, a gas-tight confining chamber; evacuating said chamber to a substantially low pressure and introducing a gas into said chamber; initiating an electrical discharge in said gas within said chamber by application of an RF voltage to said internal perforated electrode and across said chamber wall, creating a gas plasma accompanied by a substantially field-free and glowless volume within the perforated electrode containing said articles, whereby said articles are contacted by a substantially electrically neutral active species at a temperature below that which would be detrimental to said articles; and maintaining said gas plasma for a controlled period of time. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A method for sterilization of articles, comprising the steps of:
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placing said articles within an electrically conductive perforated electrode, said electrode being positioned within, and spaced apart from, a gas-tight confining chamber, said chamber being formed from electrically conductive material and connected to a point of potential reference; evacuating said chamber to a substantially low pressure and introducing a gas into said chamber; initiating an electrical discharge in said gas within said chamber by application of an electric field between said internal perforated electrode and the electrically conductive chamber wall, thereby creating a substantially field free and glowless volume within the perforated electrode containing said articles, whereby said articles are contacted by substantially electrically neutral active species at a temperature below that which would be detrimental to said articles; maintaining said electrical discharge for a controlled period of time; and maintaining a flow of said gas through said chamber during said electrical discharge.
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12. A method for sterilization and treatment of articles, comprising the steps of:
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placing said articles within a first metallic perforated electrode, said electrode being positioned within, and spaced from, a gas-tight confining chamber; evacuating said chamber to a substantially low pressure and introducing a gas into said chamber; initiating an electrical discharge in said gas within said chamber, by application of an RF voltage to said internal perforated electrode and across said chamber wall, thereby effecting a substantially field-free and glowless volume within the perforated electrode containing said articles, whereby said articles are contacted by a substantially electrically neutral active species at a temperature below that which would be detrimental to said articles; maintaining said electrical discharge for a controlled period of time; and maintaining a flow of said gas through said chamber.
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Specification