Ventilator Gas Path Sterilization Using Plasma-Activated Water Vapor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for sterilizing medical devices, particularly ventilators, are complex, time-intensive, and require aggressive chemicals, leading to prolonged downtime and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a plasma generator and water source to generate plasma-activated water vapor for sterilization, which is conducted through the patient gas pass of ventilators, with integrated waste gas treatment to filter out long-lived species and convert them into short-lived species, ensuring effective and efficient hygiene treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional sterilization methods are used, then sterilization effectiveness is achieved, but device complexity and treatment time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidsterilization process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical sterilization systems with a plasma-based chemical field system. The plasma generator creates reactive species that chemically interact with contaminants, eliminating the need for complex mechanical disassembly and reassembly procedures while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the sterilization process by using plasma-activated water vapor instead of traditional methods. This involves controlling plasma power, water vapor concentration, and exposure time to achieve effective sterilization with simpler equipment and shorter cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If aggressive chemicals are used for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but harmful factors and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidchemical safety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses plasma-generated reactive oxygen species and hydroxyl radicals as strong oxidizing agents. These species chemically oxidize and destroy pathogens, organic contaminants, and biofilms without requiring the handling of aggressive liquid chemicals, thereby maintaining sterilization effectiveness while reducing safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces water vapor as an intermediary medium that carries plasma-generated reactive species through the device. This intermediary approach allows the plasma effect to be delivered safely without direct exposure to high-energy plasma, reducing harmful effects on sensitive medical device components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If conventional sterilization methods are used, then sterilization is achieved, but loss of time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoiddevice downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic plasma pulses to deliver sterilization treatment. Short, intense plasma bursts followed by brief intervals allow cumulative sterilization effect while keeping total treatment time short, significantly reducing device downtime compared to continuous conventional sterilization methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous or near-continuous sterilization operation by processing devices as they move through the system or by rapidly cycling plasma treatment. This continuous action eliminates idle time between sterilization cycles, maximizing device availability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 system provides a cost-effective and time-efficient method for sterilizing ventilators, minimizing downtime by using plasma-activated water vapor to sterilize the patient gas pass while ensuring safety and efficacy through waste gas treatment.

Implementation Method 1

The sterilization device comprises at least one plasma generator and at least one water source and/or water vapor source for provision of water and/or water vapor and being configured to generate plasma-activated water vapor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

the waste gas treatment comprises at least one filter and/or one plasma generator... configured and designed to filter out active species from the plasma-activated water vapor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS12622988B2Apparatus for plasma sterilization of medical devices

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 LOWENSTEIN MEDICAL TECH SA

AI summary

A system for sterilization of a medical device comprising at least one medical device and at least one sterilization device. The sterilization device comprises at least one plasma generator and at least one water source and/or water vapor source for providing water and/or water vapor. The sterilization device is configured to generate plasma-activated water vapor and the system is configured to at least partially conduct the plasma-activated water vapor through the medical device.