US 4,599,216 A · Apparatus for exposure to microwaves

Abstract

The three dimensional movement of items to be exposed to microwave irradiation is facilitated by the apparatus of the present invention which provides for the turningly rotating exposure of such items to microwave irradiation. The microwave sterilization of items and fixation of eucaryotic cell specimens may be accomplished by such microwave irradiation. A kit of spore samples may be used to determine sterilization efficiency of particular microwave ovens. The apparatus for facilitating the exposure of items to microwave irradiation comprises a base; a plate having a substantially horizontal plane and being rotatably mounted on said base; a spit comprising an axis and being turnably mounted on said plate in a manner substantially axially parallel to the horizontal plane; a means for mounting items upon the spit; a means for rotating the plate in the horizontal plane while turning the spit with items mounted thereon and a means for determining a sterilization efficiency in said microwave oven. A method for sterilizing items or fixating eucaryotic cells emplaced within the above described apparatus. An indicator strip to signify exposure to microwave irradiation.

Claims21

Dependent claims

an apparatus for facilitating the exposure of substantially all surfaces of items to microwave irradiation to sterilize said items when said apparatus is disposed in a space and subjected to microwave irradiation from a source of microwave irradiation wherein the microwave irradiation energies varies within said space, the apparatus comprising:

a base;
a plate rotatably mounted on said base;
a spit turnably mounted on said plate a distance generally above said plate;
means for mounting said items upon said spit;
and
means for rotating said plate in a plane while simultaneously turning the spit with said items mounted thereon to turn said items in a plane angularly disposed with respect to the plane in which the plate is rotated, so the items to be sterilized are rotated in one plane by the plate being rotated in one plane or rotation and simultaneously turned in another plane which is angularly disposed with respect to the planar disposition of said first-mentioned plane by the turning of said split to substantially equalize the energies from the source of microwave irradiation to all surfaces of the items to be sterilized when said apparatus containing said items is disposed in said space and subjected to microwave irradiation with said space to sterilize said items.

3 more elements

A process for facilitating the exposure of substantially all surfaces of items to microwave irradiation to sterilize said items when said apparatus is disposed in a space and subjected to microwave irradiation from a source of microwave irradiation wherein the microwave irradiation energies vary within said space, utilizing an apparatus for containing the items to be sterilized wherein the apparatus is adapted to rotate the items in one plane and simultaneously turn the items in another plane angularly disposed with respect to the first-mentioned plane, the process comprising the steps of:

placing the items to be sterilized upon the apparatus;
placing the apparatus with the items to be sterilized placed thereon in said space;
and
rotating the items to be sterilized utilizing said apparatus in one plane of rotation and simultaneously turning the items to be sterilized in another plane which is angularly disposed with respect to the first-mentioned plane while subjecting the items to be sterilized to microwave irradiation for a predetermined period of time to produce irradiated items, so the items to be sterilized are simultaneously rotated in one plane and in another plane which is angularly disposed with respect to the planar disposition of said first-mentioned plane to substantially equalize the energies from the source of microwave irradiation to all surfaces of the items to be sterilized when the apparatus containing said items is disposed in said space and subjected to microwave irradiation within said space to sterilize said items.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for exposure to microwaves

Life of this patent

Apparatus for exposure to microwaves

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21