Plasma Sterilant Gas Circulation for Heat-Sensitive Lumens
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterilization methods, particularly those using plasma chambers, face challenges in effectively sterilizing heat-sensitive instruments without causing damage and ensuring high sterility assurance levels, especially in hard-to-reach areas, while maintaining atmospheric pressure.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization apparatus utilizing a plasma sheet with a dielectric barrier and electrodes generates oxidative sterilant gases from air and electricity, which are then circulated through a lumen device using a contained pump, ensuring thorough sterilization without physical damage to delicate instruments and achieving a sterility assurance level of 10−6.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steam autoclave sterilization is used, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but heat-sensitive instruments are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sterilization parameter from high temperature steam to low temperature plasma. The plasma sterilization process operates at temperatures below 50°C, fundamentally altering the thermal parameter to protect heat-sensitive instruments while maintaining sterilization effectiveness through reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical-thermal sterilization system (steam autoclave) with a plasma-based chemical sterilization system. Instead of using high-temperature steam under pressure, the system uses electrically excited gas plasma that generates reactive species for sterilization, substituting a mechanical-thermal process with an electrical-chemical process.
2Reliability
If ethylene oxide sterilization is used, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but high pressure requirements increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pressure-based ethylene oxide sterilization system with a plasma-based system operating at atmospheric pressure. The electrical excitation of gas molecules generates reactive plasma species that achieve sterilization without requiring high-pressure equipment, simplifying the overall system design.
3Reliability
If conventional plasma sterilization is used, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the plasma generation approach from complex radiofrequency or microwave systems to a simpler direct current or pulsed DC electrical discharge system. By altering the electrical parameter regime, the patent achieves effective plasma sterilization with simpler, more cost-effective equipment while maintaining sterilization reliability.
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 apparatus effectively sterilizes heat-sensitive instruments and hard-to-reach areas with a high sterility assurance level of 10−6, using atmospheric pressure and minimal pressure changes, without damaging sensitive components.
Implementation Method 1
Plasma may be generated, at least in one instance, by applying a differential voltage to electrodes on opposite sides of a dielectric medium. The generation of plasma inside a sealed chamber produces sterilant gases in that chamber.
Implementation Method 2
A power supply is connected to the plasma sheet, for example to the electrodes on one of the first or second sides and is configured to create a voltage differential between the first electrodes and the second electrodes. Plasma is generated on the surface of the plasma sheet
Implementation Method 3
Plasma is generated on the surface of the plasma sheet, converting air inside chamber 15 into sterilant gases. The sterilant gases may be for example highly oxidative sterilant gases.
Implementation Method 4
Plasma is generated on the surface of the plasma sheet, converting air inside chamber 15 into sterilant gases
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilization apparatus has a sterilization chamber in which sterilant gases are produced. A sterilant permeable barrier positioned in the sterilization chamber and a pump is disposed in the sterilant permeable barrier. The pump is operable to pull sterilant gases into the sterilant permeable barrier and to expel the sterilant gases into the sterilant permeable barrier.