System and method of applying energetic ions for sterilization
AssigneeThe Trustees of Princeton University
InventorJohn A. Schmidt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of sterilization of a container is provided whereby a cold plasma is caused to be disposed near a surface to be sterilized, and the cold plasma is then subjected to a pulsed voltage differential for producing energized ions in the plasma. Those energized ions then operate to achieve spore destruction on the surface to be sterilized. Further, a system for sterilization of a container which includes a conductive or non-conductive container, a cold plasma in proximity to the container, and a high voltage source for delivering a pulsed voltage differential between an electrode and the container and across the cold plasma, is provided.
Claims19
A method for sterilization of container surfaces comprising the steps of:
- evacuating said container to a desired pressure;
- injecting a working gas into said container at said desired pressure;
- causing a plasma discharge to be initiated in said working gas;
- pulsing a voltage potential across said plasma discharge operative to produce energetic ions in said plasma;
- and
- accelerating said energetic ions toward said container surfaces using the pulsed voltage potential;
- wherein said energetic ions effect a sterilization of said container by destruction of microorganisms on surfaces of said container.
A method for sterilization of interior surfaces of a container comprising the steps of:
- forming a plasma discharge in a working gas disposed within said container;
- pulsing a voltage potential between said plasma discharge and an interior surface of said container, said voltage potential being operative to produce energetic ions in said plasma;
- and
- accelerating said energetic ions toward the interior surfaces using the voltage potential;
- wherein said energetic ions effect a sterilization of said container surfaces by destruction of microorganisms on said surface
An apparatus for sterilization of a container comprising:
- means for evacuating said container to a desired pressure;
- means for injecting a working gas into said container at said desired pressure;
- a first electrode introduced through an aperture of said container and protruding into an interior portion thereof;
- a second electrode established at a surface of said container;
- and
- a modulated power supply connected between said first and said second electrode and operative to provide a pulsed voltage potential between said electrodes having a duration of 1-50 microseconds;
- wherein a plasma discharge is caused to be initiated in said injected working gas and said pulsed voltage potential between said electrodes produces energetic ions in said plasma, said energetic ions being accelerated toward the surfaces of the container and effecting sterilization of said container by destruction of microorganisms on surfaces of said container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.