Reactive gas, reactive gas generation system and product treatment using reactive gas

A method of medically sterilizing a surface, comprising:

• producing the reactive gas by forming a high-voltage cold plasma (HVCP) from a working gas with a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) system;
• and
• contacting the surface with the reactive gas;
• wherein the HVCP does not contact the surface,
• at least a portion of the surface is at least 3 meters away from the HVCP,
• the reactive gas comprises at least one reactive or excited species other than ozone, and
• the surface is a surface of an enclosed space, or equipment in an enclosed space, where the enclosed space has a volume of at least 28 liters.

A method of medically sterilizing a product with a reactive gas, comprising:

• producing the reactive gas by forming a high-voltage cold plasma (HVCP) from a working gas with a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) system;
• transporting the reactive gas at least 3 meters away from the HVCP;
• followed by contacting the product with the reactive gas, to medically sterilize the product;
• wherein the HVCP does not contact the product,
• the product is a medical device or medical equipment, and
• the reactive gas comprises at least one reactive or excited species other than ozone.