Sterilization method and plasma sterilization apparatus
US8012415B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 2007 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2/14
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An object to be sterilized is disposed inside a vacuum chamber, and the inside of the vacuum chamber is evacuated. When the pressure inside the vacuum chamber reaches 3 Pa, a cutoff valve disposed between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum pump is closed. High-frequency power is supplied to an electrode. Oxygen gas is introduced into the vacuum chamber for 0.1 sec. Thereafter, the pressure is held constant for 3 sec. Until the pressure inside the vacuum chamber reaches 10 kPa, introduction of oxygen gas into the vacuum chamber is repeated. When the pressure reaches 10 kPa, the cutoff valve is opened to evacuate the inside of the vacuum chamber and the supply of the high-frequency power is stopped. Introducing the oxygen gas and determining pressure inside the vacuum chamber is repeated, and after 90 min, the pressure inside the vacuum chamber is returned to atmospheric pressure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.