Conformable Plasma Chamber for Small-Space Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plasma sterilization devices are inefficient due to excessive plasma generation, toxicity issues, and inability to effectively penetrate small spaces or pores of items, leading to prolonged treatment times and potential damage to items.
Innovation Solution
A plasma treatment device with a conformable treatment chamber that collapses to conform to the shape of the item, reducing the volume of ambient air and requiring minimal plasma to sterilize by using a vacuum system to remove excess air and direct plasma into small spaces, optionally with a filtering mechanism to protect users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid vacuum chamber is used, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to conform to irregularly shaped items and penetrate small spaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible conformable membrane instead of a rigid chamber wall. The membrane can be deformed and molded to match the contours of irregularly shaped items, allowing plasma to penetrate into crevices and pores while maintaining the vacuum seal. This flexible structure resolves the contradiction by providing both conformability and structural integrity through the membrane's elastic properties.
2Reliability
If excessive plasma is generated to ensure complete sterilization, then the sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the treatment time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes excess ambient air from the treatment chamber using a vacuum system before plasma generation. By reducing the volume of air that needs to be treated, the system achieves complete sterilization of the item surface with minimal plasma exposure time. This prevents over-generation of plasma while ensuring thorough sterilization coverage.
3Reliability
If ozone-based plasma is used for sterilization, then the antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but the toxicity to users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a vacuum environment to remove excess ambient air (including oxygen that would form ozone) from the treatment chamber. By operating in a reduced-pressure inert-like environment, the system generates plasma that effectively sterilizes items without producing excessive ozone that could be toxic to users. The vacuum conditions prevent ozone accumulation while maintaining plasma sterilization effectiveness.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a large volume chamber is used to accommodate various items, then the versatility is improved, but the plasma efficiency and treatment speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic conformable membrane that adapts its shape and volume to match the item being treated. Rather than using a fixed large-volume chamber, the membrane conformably encloses only the necessary volume around the item, minimizing the air volume that requires plasma treatment. This dynamic adaptation maintains versatility for various item sizes while maximizing plasma efficiency and treatment speed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device achieves faster, more efficient sterilization by minimizing plasma use, penetrating small spaces, and reducing exposure risks, while being suitable for porous and irregularly shaped items.
Implementation Method 1
a pump operably connected to the treatment chamber, configured to remove ambient air in the treatment chamber, thereby creating a vacuum
Implementation Method 2
at least a portion of the working volume of ambient air returned to the treatment chamber during each treatment cycle is converted to plasma prior to entering the treatment chamber
Implementation Method 3
creating a vacuum that causes the conformable wall to collapse and at least partially conform to the item, so as to reduce the volume of the treatment chamber to a working volume
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~6B
Figure 7A~9H
AI summary
The use of plasma to clean or sterilize items can be particularly advantageous for items that cannot be readily washed or cleaned by standard methods. The toxicity and complications generating sufficient plasma makes it hard to use for such purposes. The subject invention addresses the problem by generating a minimal amount of highly reactive plasma to sterilize an item. This is achieved by reducing the amount of space and ambient air around and within the item. In this way, the plasma generated fills only the required volume of the item to be cleaned and the plasm is directed at the object, not directed at or released into non-target areas.