Plasma water vapor sterilizer and method
US5603895A · kind A · utility
16Cited by
10References
7Claims
0Family size
Assignee
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Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S422/906
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for plasma sterilization of articles is provided with a plasma generator, a sterilizing chamber, and a source of water vapor in fluid communication with the plasma generator, and may optionally include an autoclave. A method for plasma sterilization comprises exposing an article to be sterilized to a neutral active species of a plasma generated from water vapor. The exposure of the article to the plasma is carried out at reduced pressures and a chamber temperature of less than about 82.degree. C. for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.