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Process for dry sterilization of medical devices and materials

  • US 5,302,343 A
  • Filed: 04/02/1993
  • Issued: 04/12/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1987
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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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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