Sterilization, disinfection, sanitization, decontamination, and therapeutic devices, systems, and methods

A method for disinfecting at least one item, comprising:

• placing the at least one item an insert configured to contain the at least one item;
• placing the insert in a chamber that forms a sealed and enclosed area around in the insert and the at least one item;
• activating a disinfectant generator, wherein the disinfectant generator comprises:
• a free radical generator;
• a reservoir of disinfectant media in fluid communication with a vaporizer unit,
• wherein the disinfectant generator is configured to generate a disinfecting effluent capable of destruction of vegetative microorganisms, mycobacterium, small or nonlipid viruses, medium or lipid viruses, fungal spores, and bacterial spores on the at least one item, and
• wherein activation of the disinfectant generator causes disinfecting effluent to enter the chamber and disinfect the at least one item.

A system for treating at least one item, comprising:

• a first unit comprising a disinfectant generator, wherein the disinfectant generator comprises:
• a free radical generator, wherein the free radical generator generates free radicals;
• a vaporizer unit in fluidic communication with a reservoir of disinfectant media, wherein the vaporizer unit is configured to generate a vapor of said disinfectant media;
• a gas distribution unit, wherein a gas from at least one outlet of the gas distribution unit to an inlet of the free radical generator and to the reservoir of disinfectant media or the vaporizer unit,
• wherein the disinfectant generator is configured to generate an effluent capable low-level disinfection, high-level disinfection or sanitization of the at least one item;
• a second unit comprising:
• a chamber for containing an item or items to be treated, wherein the chamber is configured to form a sealed and enclosed area which can receive the at least one item, and
• at least one conduit in fluidic communication with the first unit and the second unit, wherein the conduit is configured to convey the disinfecting effluent from the first unit to the second unit.

A sterilization, disinfection, sanitization, or decontamination system comprising:

• a sterilant source that generates sterilant;
• a chamber configured to contain an item to be sterilized, disinfected, sanitized, or decontaminated and to receive the sterilant from the sterilant source;
• a flow generator configured to circulate the sterilant from the sterilant source to the chamber in a closed-loop such that the sterilant sterilizes, disinfects, sanitizes, or decontaminates the item in the chamber;
• and
• a residual coating source that generates a bactericidal coating,
• wherein the flow generator is configured to circulate the bactericidal from the residual coating source to the chamber in a closed-loop such that the bactericidal coating is deposited on the item in the chamber.

A sterilization, disinfection, sanitization, or decontamination system comprising:

• an evaporator configured to receive a level of liquid agent at a first location, generate a vapor from the liquid agent, and release the vapor at a second location;
• a chamber configured to contain an item to be sterilized, disinfected, sanitized, or decontaminated and to receive the vapor from the evaporator;
• and
• a flow generator configured to circulate the vapor from the chamber to the evaporator in a closed-loop such that the vapor sterilizes, disinfects, sanitizes, or decontaminates the item in the chamber,
• wherein the evaporator comprises a wicking material disposed between the first location and the second location, the wicking material configured to absorb and encourage evaporation of the liquid agent, and
• wherein based at least in part on the level of the liquid agent, the evaporator is configured to achieve a condensation level at or below a threshold level at the second location.

A sterilization, disinfection, sanitization, or decontamination system comprising:

• a vapor generator configured to generate vapor;
• a chamber configured to contain an item to be sterilized, disinfected, sanitized, or decontaminated and to receive the vapor from the vapor generator;
• a flow generator configured to circulate the vapor from the chamber to the vapor generator in a closed-loop such that the vapor sterilizes, disinfects, sanitizes, or decontaminates the item in the chamber;
• an air input coupled with the chamber and configured to allow dry air into the chamber;
• an exhaust coupled with the chamber and configured to remove existing air from the chamber;
• a sensor disposed in the chamber and configured to sense a level of at least one of humidity, pressure, and temperature within the chamber;
• and
• a controller in data communication with the sensor and configured to receive the sensed level from the sensor, and
• wherein based at least in part on a difference between the sensed level within the chamber and external the chamber, the controller is configured transmit instructions either to the exhaust to remove at least a portion of the existing air from the chamber or to the air input to allow dry air into the chamber such that a condensation level in the chamber is at or below a threshold level.

A sterilization, disinfection, sanitization, or decontamination system, comprising:

• an effluent generator configured to generate effluent, wherein the effluent generator comprises a plasma generator;
• a chamber configured to contain an item to be sterilized, disinfected, sanitized, or decontaminated, the chamber comprising an input configured to receive the effluent from the effluent generator;
• a flow generator configured to circulate the effluent from the chamber to the effluent generator in a closed-loop;
• a dryer disposed in a path of the closed-loop between the flow generator and the plasma generator;
• a sensor disposed in the chamber and configured to sense a level of at least one of humidity, pressure, and temperature within the chamber;
• and
• a controller in data communication with the sensor and configured to receive the sensed level from the sensor, and
• wherein based at least in part on a difference between the sensed level within the chamber and external the chamber, the controller is configured transmit instructions to the dryer to dry at least a portion of the effluent entering the plasma generator such that a condensation level at the input of the chamber is at or below a threshold level.

A chamber for sterilizing, disinfecting, sanitizing, or decontaminating one or more wounds on a patient, the chamber comprising:

• an intake port configured to receive gaseous effluent from a effluent generator;
• an exhaust configured to return the gaseous effluent in the chamber to the effluent generator;
• an inflatable structure configured to be inflated by the gaseous effluent such that the inflatable structure does not come into contact with the one or more wounds on the patient and such that the gaseous effluent can circulate within the inflatable structure;
• and
• a sealing device that substantially seals the inflatable structure to the patient and thereby substantially containing the gaseous effluent within the inflatable structure.

A sterilization, disinfection, sanitization, or decontamination system for an appliance having a chamber with a closed space, the system comprising:

• an effluent generator configured to generate effluent, wherein the effluent generator comprises at least one of:
• an evaporator and a plasma generator;
• a flow generator configured to circulate the effluent in a closed loop between the chamber and the effluent generator;
• and
• a Free Radical Destroyer (FRD) to remove free radicals from the effluent before it is discharged into the environment or into the room at the end of the cycle.