Plasma-enhanced vacuum drying
US5656238A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 11, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 11, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2202/24
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A plasma-enhanced vacuum drying method is disclosed. It is advantageously applied in plasma sterilization processes in particular, and represents a significant improvement for general evacuation drying methods. Articles to be sterilized are placed in a sealed chamber and the chamber is evacuated. A plasma of residual gas species is generated in the chamber during an initial evacuation step. This promotes drying of the articles and advantageously allows a desired pressure to be attained more quickly than without the plasma. Sterilizing gas is injected into the chamber, and a second plasma is generated to activate the sterilizing gas plasma, thereby sterilizing the articles in the chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.