Vacuum Sterilization Process Using Pulsed DC Plasma
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sterilization methods using hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid face issues such as high energy consumption, equipment damage, and inefficiency in areas with restricted diffusion due to the use of radio frequency plasma and aqueous solutions, which lead to increased costs and risks of contamination.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization process utilizing pulsed DC power to generate plasma from filtered atmospheric air, minimizing water content in sterilizing gases, and using a vacuum system to separate water from solutions before injection, reducing the need for high-vacuum pumps and avoiding corrosive gas exposure to equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radio frequency plasma is used for sterilization, then microbial reduction effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and equipment damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the plasma generation parameters from radio frequency to pulsed DC excitation, and modifies the gas composition by introducing nitrogen to create nitrogen-containing plasma. This parameter change maintains microbial reduction effectiveness while reducing energy consumption and preventing equipment damage from corrosive gases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses nitrogen-containing plasma generated through pulsed DC excitation to create highly reactive nitrogen species (such as nitrogen radicals and nitrogen molecules in excited states) that act as strong oxidants. These oxidants effectively destroy microorganisms without requiring high energy radio frequency plasma, thus maintaining sterilization effectiveness while reducing energy consumption.
2Reliability
If aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid are used for sterilization, then microbial reduction effectiveness is improved, but water content in sterilizing gas increases reducing penetration efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the sterilizing agent from aqueous solution to gas phase by evaporating the peroxide solution and adjusting the vacuum level. This parameter change reduces water content in the sterilizing gas, thereby improving penetration efficiency into areas with restricted diffusion while maintaining microbial reduction effectiveness through the presence of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species.
3Power
If high-vacuum pumps are used to create vacuum for plasma generation, then plasma generation capability is improved, but equipment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the vacuum level parameter from high-vacuum to medium-vacuum conditions, which allows plasma generation without requiring complex high-vacuum pumps. This parameter change reduces equipment complexity and cost while maintaining sufficient plasma generation capability for effective sterilization through the use of pulsed DC excitation and nitrogen-containing gas mixture.
4Reliability
If corrosive sterilizing gases are exposed to equipment during plasma generation, then plasma sterilization effectiveness is improved, but equipment lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses nitrogen-containing plasma generated through pulsed DC excitation to create highly reactive nitrogen species (such as nitrogen radicals and nitrogen molecules in excited states) that act as strong oxidants. These oxidants effectively destroy microorganisms without requiring high energy radio frequency plasma, thus maintaining sterilization effectiveness while reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of reactive plasma species into a beneficial sterilization mechanism by using nitrogen-containing plasma. The reactive nitrogen species provide effective microbial destruction while being less corrosive to equipment compared to traditional oxygen-based plasma, thus extending equipment lifespan while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
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
This approach reduces energy costs, extends equipment lifespan, and enhances penetration and efficiency in sterilizing areas with restricted diffusion, while maintaining effective microbial reduction without the need for plasma exposure for all items.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing pulsed DC power to generate plasma from filtered atmospheric air, minimizing water content in sterilizing gases, and using a vacuum system to separate water from solutions before injection
Implementation Method 2
A sterilization process utilizing pulsed DC power to generate plasma from filtered atmospheric air
Implementation Method 3
The plasma state of the material is obtained by means of electrical discharge in a high-voltage field, DC, AC, or pulsed, in gases at low pressure
Implementation Method 4
using a vacuum system to separate water from solutions before injection, reducing the need for high-vacuum pumps
Data Source
AI summary
Vacuum sterilization process with the application of vapour of a mixture of peracetic acid with hydrogen peroxide and residual gas plasma from atmospheric air, excited by pulsed electrical discharge; operational devices and methods used in the sterilization process, preferably a process of sterilization in vacuum, dry, and at low temperature (room temperature).