Plasma water vapor sterilizer apparatus
US5753196A · kind A · utility
12Cited by
11References
3Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 28, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 19, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 28, 2016 |
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 includes 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.