An apparatus and method for sterilization and disinfection using ultrasonic atomization micro-plasma discharge.

Abstract

This invention relates to a sterilization and disinfection device and method using ultrasonic atomization micro-plasma discharge, belonging to the field of medical sterilization and disinfection using micro-plasma technology. This invention utilizes a combination of water mist generated by ultrasonic atomization and gas generated by a gas generator, combined with a micro-plasma generator to enhance the discharge effect. Compared to traditional plasma discharge, this invention utilizes micro-plasma discharge with a size in the millimeter range or smaller, possessing unique advantages such as non-thermal characteristics, high electron density, strong stability, and operation under atmospheric conditions. Furthermore, the combination of extremely small droplets generated by ultrasonic atomization and the jet-like discharge of plasma achieves better discharge uniformity and high efficiency in generating active substances. The jet-like discharge form is also more suitable for medical sterilization and disinfection processes involving environmental surfaces or contact with human skin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sterilization and disinfection device using ultrasonic atomization micro-plasma discharge, belonging to the field of medical sterilization and disinfection using micro-plasma technology. Background Technology

[0002] Plasma technology, as a zero-pollution, low-emission, and environmentally friendly advanced oxidation technology, utilizes high-voltage discharge to generate highly reactive particles such as free radicals with strong oxidizing properties, high-energy electrons, and atoms and molecules in an excited state. These particles readily react with the proteins and nucleic acids inside bacteria and fungi, causing them to die and thus achieving a sterilization effect.

[0003] Currently, plasma biomedical engineering has many applications. Although this approach has a positive effect on skin wound healing, it still has many shortcomings, and the application of methods involving micro-plasma and plasma jets is relatively limited.

[0004] For example, CN 215077890U discloses a contactless low-temperature plasma atomization hand sanitizing device. Although it can disinfect the user's skin, the concentration of active particles in the product is limited due to the lack of a gas source, making it difficult to apply to experimental research in clinical medicine.

[0005] For example, both patents CN215086059U and CN205603215U use plasma discharge to treat water and generate active substances (hydrogen peroxide and activated water), employing a dual-dielectric barrier discharge of mist-like water droplets and a gas-liquid mixed dielectric barrier discharge (including activated water atomization), respectively. However, the plasma size in these two schemes is difficult to match with the extremely small water mist generated by ultrasonic atomization. This results in the plasma discharge effect not being sufficiently improved, lacking uniformity of discharge and high efficiency in generating active substances, making it difficult to meet the requirements of medical sterilization and disinfection.

[0006] CN211214540U also proposes a plasma sterilization cabinet that reduces ozone concentration and improves sterilization efficiency by working together with a plasma generation module, an airflow module, and an atomization module to disinfect the air. However, it only mentions the atomization effect of the atomization module, which generates droplets that discharge through a medium-blocking channel. This solution is not well integrated with the plasma jet, making it difficult to apply the discharge method to medical sterilization.

[0007] In addition, plasma jets transport active particles from the discharge region to the treated region through gas flow. In the past, when plasma jets were generated, liquid substances were usually used directly as the treated region. Conventional foaming methods made it difficult to significantly and effectively increase the yield of active species while ensuring safety and stability, which greatly limited the treatment effect of plasma jets. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the above problems, the present invention provides a sterilization and disinfection device using ultrasonic atomization micro-plasma discharge, comprising:

[0009] A cylindrical container has a mist outlet at the top and an ultrasonic atomizer at the bottom. A splash guard is positioned between the mist outlet and the ultrasonic atomizer, and the splash guard has at least one vent with a wire mesh installed. The cylindrical container contains a solution for ultrasonic atomization, and the splash guard is positioned above the solution surface to prevent splashing and to prevent the solution from reaching the mist outlet above the splash guard.

[0010] It should be understood that in this invention, the direction of the top of the cylindrical container relative to the bottom is referred to as "upper", and the direction of the bottom of the cylindrical container relative to the top is referred to as "lower"; the cylindrical container structure is more conducive to the flow of water mist and gas, and helps to effectively combine with micro-plasma discharge.

[0011] An air intake device, the air intake device including at least one air intake pipe, the air intake pipe being connected to one side of the cylindrical container and communicating with the interior of the cylindrical container;

[0012] A micro-plasma generator is located above the mist outlet. The micro-plasma generator includes at least one micro-plasma pipe, and each micro-plasma pipe is equipped with two discharge electrodes spaced apart by a certain distance.

[0013] The cylindrical container can generate upward-spreading water mist through the ultrasonic atomizer, and the water mist is carried to the mist outlet by the gas introduced through the air inlet device.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the splash guard has four vents arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the air intake device includes a first air intake pipe and a second air intake pipe, the first air intake pipe being located above the second air intake pipe, and the gas introduced into the cylindrical container by the first air intake pipe and the second air intake pipe is one or more of air, oxygen, nitrogen, and argon.

[0016] Furthermore, the splash guard is located at a height between the first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe. The first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe are respectively equipped with a first air valve and a second air valve. The first air inlet pipe and the first air valve are used to prevent water mist condensation and backflow from damaging the micro-plasma generator. The second air inlet pipe and the second air valve are used to help the water mist pass through the splash guard.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, both discharge electrodes are fixed to the side of the micro-plasma pipe and connected to a high-voltage AC power supply, a high-voltage DC power supply or a high-voltage pulse power supply.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the micro-plasma channel is made of quartz or ceramic, and the discharge electrode is made of tungsten, copper, platinum or stainless steel.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gap between the two generating electrodes is 1-5 mm.

[0020] This invention also provides a sterilization and disinfection method using ultrasonic atomization micro-plasma discharge, comprising the following steps:

[0021] Step 1: Fill the cylindrical container with a solution, the liquid level of which is lower than the air inlet device; the solution can be deionized water, distilled water, pure water, ultrapure water, etc.

[0022] Step 2: Adjust the position of the micro-plasma generator so that the micro-plasma pipe is directly above the mist outlet, and connect the discharge electrode to the power supply;

[0023] Step 3: Turn on the ultrasonic atomizer and generate micron-sized water mist that diffuses upward through the ultrasonic atomizer and the solution. Introduce gas into the cylindrical container through the air inlet device, so that the water mist carries the gas and diffuses through the splash guard to the mist outlet and is discharged from the mist outlet.

[0024] Step 4: Turn on the power and adjust the voltage of the micro-plasma generator until a stable and uniform micro-plasma jet is formed;

[0025] Step 5: After the water mist carries the gas through the mist outlet, it mixes with the micro-plasma jet and undergoes a chemical reaction to generate chemical oxide species with chemical oxidation capabilities, represented by hydrogen peroxide ion groups. Among them, the active species are carried by fine water droplets to form ultrasonic atomized plasma active droplets and act on the environmental surface or human skin. When in contact with the environmental surface or human skin, a chemical oxidation free radical reaction occurs and active particles are generated (such as long-lived particles such as O3 and H2O2, and short-lived particles of oxygen and nitrogen active species such as RONS). The active particles can penetrate the environmental surface or human skin tissue to varying degrees, thereby achieving the purpose of sterilization and disinfection.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, in step 3, the gas flow rate of the gas inlet device is 1-8 L / min; in step 4, the voltage of the micro-plasma generator is adjusted to 2.0-8.0 kV.

[0027] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0028] This invention utilizes a combination of water mist generated by ultrasonic atomization and gas generated by a gas generator, combined with a micro-plasma generator to enhance the discharge effect. Compared to plasma discharge, this invention is a micro-plasma discharge with a size of millimeters or smaller, possessing unique advantages such as non-thermal characteristics, high electron density, strong stability, and operation under atmospheric conditions. Furthermore, the combination of the extremely small droplets generated by ultrasonic atomization and the jet-like discharge of plasma also achieves better discharge uniformity and high efficiency in generating active substances. Moreover, the jet-like discharge form is more suitable for medical sterilization and disinfection processes on environmental surfaces or in contact with human skin. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall device structure in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the water mist and airflow movement of the overall device in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of various micro-plasma generators in some embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] In the figure, 1-micro plasma generator, 2-mist outlet, 3-cylindrical container, 4-splash shield, 5-ultrasonic atomizer, 6-first air inlet pipe, 61-first air valve, 7-second air inlet pipe, 71-second air valve, 8-micro plasma discharge area, 9-second atomization area, 10-first atomization area, 11-micro plasma pipeline, 12-discharge electrode. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Example 1

[0034] like Figures 1-2 As shown, the present invention provides a sterilization and disinfection device for ultrasonic atomization micro-plasma discharge, comprising:

[0035] A cylindrical container 3 has a mist outlet 2 at its top and an ultrasonic atomizer 5 at its bottom. A splash guard 4 is positioned between the mist outlet 2 and the ultrasonic atomizer 5, and the splash guard 4 has four centrally symmetrically arranged vents. The cylindrical container 3 contains a solution for ultrasonic atomization. The splash guard 4 is positioned above the liquid level of the solution and can block splashing and prevent the solution from reaching the mist outlet 2 above the splash guard 4.

[0036] An air intake device is provided, comprising a first air intake pipe and a second air intake pipe. The first air intake pipe 6 is located above the second air intake pipe 7. The gas introduced into the cylindrical container 3 by the first air intake pipe 6 and the second air intake pipe 7 is one or more of air, oxygen, nitrogen, and argon. The first and second air intake pipes are connected to one side of the cylindrical container 3 and communicate with the interior of the cylindrical container 3.

[0037] The splash guard 4 is located at a height between the first air inlet pipe 6 and the second air inlet pipe 7. The first air inlet pipe 6 and the second air inlet pipe 7 are respectively provided with a first air valve 61 and a second air valve 71. The first air inlet pipe 6 and the first air valve 61 are used to prevent water mist condensation and backflow from damaging the micro plasma generator. The second air inlet pipe 7 and the second air valve 71 are used to help the water mist pass through the splash guard 4.

[0038] A micro-plasma generator 1 is located above the mist outlet. The micro-plasma generator includes at least one micro-plasma pipe, and each micro-plasma pipe is equipped with two discharge electrodes spaced 1-5 mm apart. Figure 3 As shown, the micro-plasma generator 3 has various discharge structures, including plate-plate structure, needle-plate structure, needle-needle structure, mesh-tip shaft structure, ring-ring structure, and ring-mesh structure. Each structure includes a micro-plasma pipe 11 and two discharge electrodes 12. The two discharge electrodes 12 are fixed to the side of the micro-plasma pipe 11 and are respectively connected to the high-voltage terminal and the ground terminal of the high-voltage power supply (PowerSource, PS).

[0039] The cylindrical container 3 can generate upward-spreading water mist through the ultrasonic atomizer 5, and the water mist is carried to the mist outlet 2 by the gas introduced through the air inlet device.

[0040] Example 2

[0041] Applying the device from Example 1 to sterilization and disinfection includes the following steps:

[0042] Step 1: Fill the cylindrical container 3 with a solution, the liquid level of which is lower than the second air inlet pipe 7; the solution is deionized water;

[0043] Step 2: Adjust the position of the micro-plasma generator 1 so that the micro-plasma pipe 11 is directly above the mist outlet 2, and connect the discharge electrode to the power supply;

[0044] Step 3: Turn on the ultrasonic atomizer 5. In the first atomization area 10, the ultrasonic atomizer 5 and the solution generate micron-level water mist that diffuses upward. Oxygen at a rate of 4L / min is introduced into the cylindrical container 3 through the air inlet device. The water mist carries the gas and diffuses through the splash guard 4 to the mist outlet 2 in the second atomization area 9, and is then discharged from the mist outlet 2.

[0045] Step 4: Turn on the power and adjust the voltage of the micro-plasma generator 1 to 6.8kV until a stable and uniform micro-plasma jet is formed;

[0046] Step 5: After the water mist carries the gas through the mist outlet 2, it mixes with the micro-plasma jet in the micro-plasma discharge region 8 and undergoes a chemical reaction to generate chemical oxide species represented by hydrogen peroxide ion groups with chemical oxidation capabilities. Among them, the active species are carried by tiny water droplets to form ultrasonic atomized plasma active droplets and act on the environmental surface or human skin. When in contact with the environmental surface or human skin, a chemical oxidation free radical reaction occurs and active particles are generated (such as long-lived particles such as O3 and H2O2, and short-lived particles of oxygen and nitrogen active species such as RONS). The active particles can penetrate the environmental surface or human skin tissue to varying degrees.

[0047] The above steps take 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, the concentration of the chemically oxidizing substance H2O2 in the water mist droplets collected at the discharge outlet is measured. The results are shown in the table below:

[0048]

[0049] The results show that the active species such as hydroxyl radicals and H2O2 attached to the ultrasonic atomized active water mist droplets can play a role in wound healing, oral medicine and skin disease treatment in clinical applications. The published literature "Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 2019, 52(4): 045204" also corroborates that the number and type of the above-mentioned active particles are the key to obtaining the expected good clinical treatment effect.

[0050] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A sterilization and disinfection method using ultrasonic atomization micro-plasma discharge, characterized in that, A sterilization and disinfection device using ultrasonic atomization micro-plasma discharge, the device comprising: A cylindrical container has a mist outlet at the top and an ultrasonic atomizer at the bottom. A splash guard is positioned between the mist outlet and the ultrasonic atomizer, and the splash guard has at least one vent with a wire mesh installed. The cylindrical container contains a solution for ultrasonic atomization, and the splash guard is positioned above the solution surface to prevent splashing and to prevent the solution from reaching the mist outlet above the splash guard. An air intake device, the air intake device including at least one air intake pipe, the air intake pipe being connected to one side of the cylindrical container and communicating with the interior of the cylindrical container; A micro-plasma generator is located above the mist outlet. The micro-plasma generator includes at least one micro-plasma pipe, and each micro-plasma pipe is equipped with two discharge electrodes spaced apart by a certain distance. The cylindrical container can generate upward-dispersing water mist through the ultrasonic atomizer, and the water mist is carried to the mist outlet by the gas introduced through the air inlet device. The air intake device includes a first air intake pipe and a second air intake pipe. The first air intake pipe is located above the second air intake pipe. The gas introduced into the cylindrical container by the first air intake pipe and the second air intake pipe is one or more of air, oxygen, nitrogen, and argon. The first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe are respectively equipped with a first air valve and a second air valve. The first air inlet pipe and the first air valve are used to prevent water mist condensation and backflow from damaging the micro plasma generator. The second air inlet pipe and the second air valve are used to help the water mist pass through the splash guard. The splash guard has four vents arranged symmetrically in a central configuration; Both discharge electrodes are fixed to the side of the microplasma pipe and connected to a high-voltage AC power supply, a high-voltage DC power supply, or a high-voltage pulse power supply. The method includes the following steps: Step 1: Fill the cylindrical container with a solution, the liquid level of which is lower than the air inlet device; Step 2: Adjust the position of the micro-plasma generator so that the micro-plasma pipe is directly above the mist outlet, and connect the discharge electrode to the power supply; Step 3: Turn on the ultrasonic atomizer and generate micron-sized water mist that diffuses upward through the ultrasonic atomizer and the solution. Introduce gas into the cylindrical container through the air inlet device, so that the water mist carries the gas and diffuses through the splash guard to the mist outlet and is discharged from the mist outlet. Step 4: Turn on the power and adjust the voltage of the micro-plasma generator until a stable and uniform micro-plasma jet is formed; Step 5: After the water mist carries the gas through the mist outlet, it mixes with the micro-plasma jet and undergoes a chemical reaction to generate chemical oxide species represented by hydrogen peroxide ion groups, which have chemical oxidation capabilities. The active species are carried by tiny water droplets to form ultrasonic atomized plasma active droplets, which act on the environmental surface or human skin. When in contact with the environmental surface or human skin, a chemical oxidation free radical reaction occurs, generating active particles. These active particles can penetrate the environmental surface or human skin tissue to varying degrees, thereby achieving the purpose of sterilization and disinfection.

2. The sterilization and disinfection method using ultrasonic atomization micro-plasma discharge according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 3, the gas intake device introduces gas at a rate of 1-8 L / min.

3. The sterilization and disinfection method using ultrasonic atomization micro-plasma discharge according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 4, the voltage of the micro-plasma generator is adjusted to 2.0-8.0 kV.

4. The sterilization and disinfection method using ultrasonic atomization micro-plasma discharge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microplasma channel is made of quartz or ceramic, and the discharge electrode is made of tungsten, copper, platinum, or stainless steel.

5. The sterilization and disinfection method using ultrasonic atomization micro-plasma discharge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gap between the two generating electrodes is 1-5 mm.

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