Direct Plasma Disinfection of Surgical Scope Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for disinfecting surgical scopes, particularly their long and narrow channels and crevices, are inadequate in effectively reducing microbial load, leading to healthcare-associated infections such as MRSA, Clostridium difficile, and Escherichia coli transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using direct plasma generated under sub-atmospheric pressure within a gas-sealable enclosure to disinfect the inner surfaces of surgical device channels by positioning an elongate discharge electrode and applying an electrical potential difference to ambient air, creating a longitudinal plasma cloud that disinfects the channel surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If liquid chemical sterilant solutions are applied to clean surgical scope channels, then cleaning capability is improved, but residual harmful chemicals remain on the channel surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidresidual harmful chemicals

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from liquid chemical sterilants to plasma state matter, changing the physical state parameter from liquid to plasma (ionized gas). This parameter change enables disinfection without leaving harmful liquid residues, as plasma naturally dissipates into harmless atmospheric components (nitrogen, oxygen, argon) after treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The plasma treatment utilizes highly reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) generated during plasma discharge. These strong oxidizing agents effectively kill microorganisms through oxidation of cellular components, providing superior disinfection capability compared to conventional liquid chemicals while avoiding persistent harmful residues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

2Productivity

If conventional cleaning methods are used on surgical scopes, then processing time is reduced, but microbial transmission risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidmicrobial transmission risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces mechanical cleaning methods (brushing, scrubbing) and liquid chemical processing with a plasma-based energy field treatment. This substitution achieves both rapid processing (reducing time) and effective microbial elimination (reducing transmission risk) simultaneously, unlike conventional methods that require lengthy multi-step protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The plasma treatment can be applied continuously along the entire length of the surgical scope channel in a single pass, maintaining continuous disinfection action. This eliminates the need for multiple discrete cleaning steps, reducing overall processing time while ensuring comprehensive microbial coverage throughout the channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If plasma is applied to disinfect surgical scope channels, then microbial reduction is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial reductionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plasma generation system is designed to be universally applicable to various surgical scope types and channel configurations. By using a standardized plasma discharge mechanism that can treat different geometries and materials, the system achieves effective microbial reduction across diverse applications without requiring complex custom-designed treatment chambers for each device type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 method achieves a significant reduction in microbial contamination, with a log reduction of at least 3, 5, or 8 CFU per cm², effectively addressing the challenge of microbial colonization in surgical scopes.

Implementation Method 1

Recent research has demonstrated that plasma, can effectively inactivate microbiological pathogens such bacteria, fungus, and viruses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

electrically igniting the gas (e.g., ambient air) of the annular ignition-region of the channel by applying an electrical potential difference between the electrodes to produce a longitudinal plasma cloud

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Data Source

PatentUS20250332305A1Systems and methods of plasma-disinfecting a channel by direct plasma

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 PLASMATICA LTD

AI summary

A disinfection system and methods thereof for generating direct plasma at sub-atmospheric pressure to treat an inner surface of a channel of a surgical device. The method provides for inserting the surgical device into a gas-sealable enclosure; positioning an elongate discharge electrode within the channel such that the elongate discharge electrode coaxially spans at least a lengthwise majority of the channel to define an annular ignition-region within the channel; electrically coupling a collecting electrode with the conductive circumscribing sleeve of the surgical device; gas-sealing the gas-sealable enclosure; reducing a pressure of the annular ignition-region containing ambient air to a sub-atmospheric pressure; and. electrically igniting the ambient air of the annular ignition-region of the channel by applying an electrical potential difference to produce a longitudinal plasma cloud sufficient to disinfect.