Reactive Gas Plasma Sterilization for Portable Decontamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterilization methods require expensive equipment, high energy costs, or toxic chemicals, and there is a need for a simple, cost-effective, and portable method using plasma-generated reactive gas.
Innovation Solution
Generate a reactive gas from ambient air using a low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma, which has a higher density than air, allowing for immersion sterilization processes without the need for expensive equipment or toxic chemicals, and utilize a plasma ignition device that can be powered by a household microwave oven.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sterilization methods (autoclaving, chemical gassing) are used, then effective sterilization is achieved, but expensive equipment and toxic chemicals are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the process gas by generating plasma under specific pressure (500-2000 mbar) and temperature conditions, transforming ambient air into reactive plasma gas with enhanced sterilization capability, thereby eliminating the need for toxic chemical sterilants
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical sterilization systems (autoclaves, chemical gassing equipment) with a simplified plasma generation system that uses electromagnetic fields to create reactive plasma directly from ambient air, reducing equipment complexity and cost
2Ease of manufacture
If plasma-generated reactive gas is used for sterilization, then cost-effective and portable sterilization is achieved, but the reactive gas must have sufficient density to enable immersion processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the pressure and temperature parameters of the plasma-generated reactive gas to achieve a density greater than ambient air under the same conditions, enabling effective immersion sterilization processes while maintaining cost-effectiveness and portability
3Ease of operation
If reactive gas with higher density than air is generated, then immersion sterilization processes are enabled, but the plasma generation requires controlled pressure and temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific pressure (500-2000 mbar) and temperature ranges for plasma generation that optimize both the density of the reactive gas for immersion processes and the energy efficiency of plasma generation, balancing operational ease with energy consumption
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 effective sterilization with reduced mechanical effort, lower costs, and increased throughput, enabling decontamination in open containers and during transport, while being portable and suitable for areas with limited infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
generating a reactive gas from a process gas (ambient air) by igniting a plasma
Implementation Method 2
low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma
Implementation Method 3
the reactive gas (R) has a higher density than air under the same ambient conditions at the same pressure and temperature
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the biological decontamination of material to be treated (4) using a reactive gas (R), comprising generating a reactive gas (R) from a process gas by igniting a plasma, filling a container (3) with the reactive gas (R), and decontaminating the material to be treated (4) in the container (3) using the reactive gas (R). The invention further relates to a plasma ignition device (20) comprising an electrically conductive base plate (201) and at least two electrically conductive pins (202), wherein the plasma ignition device (20) is configured to generate an electric field by resonance with microwaves between the pins (202), and wherein a plasma can be ignited by means of the electric field. The invention also relates to a system (1) for the biological decontamination of material to be treated (4) using a reactive gas (R), comprising a container (3) for receiving material to be treated (4) and a plasma ignition device (20).