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Method of microwave sterilizing a metallic surgical instrument while preventing arcing

  • US 5,599,499 A
  • Filed: 06/05/1995
  • Issued: 02/04/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of sterilizing a metallic object with microwaves while preventing arcing of the metallic object, said method comprising the steps of:

  • placing said metallic object within a volume of space defined by a surface of material, wherein said surface comprises a microwave-to-heat transducer that comprises a first susceptor material and a microwave absorbing material positioned between said first susceptor material and said volume of space;

    exposing said surface of material to microwave radiation;

    converting a portion of said microwave radiation exposing said surface of material to radiant thermal energy within said volume of space;

    exposing said metallic object to said radiant thermal energy in an amount sufficient to sterilize said metallic object; and

    preventing substantially all of said microwave radiation impinging on said surface of material from entering said volume of space.

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