# US 8,771,595 B2 · Plasma powder sterilization apparatus and methods

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,771,595 B2
- Document ID: US8771595B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/032,478
- Filed: 2013-09-20
- Published: 2014-01-23
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-12
- Assignees: Applied Quantum Energy LLC
- Applicants: Applied Quantum Energy LLC
- Inventors: George Paskalov
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771595B2

## CPC

- A61L 2/14: Plasma, i.e. ionised gases
- A23B 2/05: by heating using irradiation or electric treatment (drying or kilning A23B2/90)
- A23B 2/50: by irradiation without heating
- A23B 4/015: Preserving by irradiation or electric treatment without heating effect
- A61L 2/20: Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES

## Abstract

Systems and methods for plasma sterilization are described. The sterilization method includes placing a substance to be sterilized in a rotating chamber (e.g., drum) and exposing the substance to a radio frequency (RF) plasma. The mixing of the substance and plasma is further promoted by generating a magnetic field that produces a force on the substance in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the chamber. In other aspects, the chamber may have a gas permeable wall. In addition, the substance may be exposed to acoustic shock waves produced by a modulating RF generator.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of sterilizing a substance, comprising:
placing the substance in a rotating chamber;
irradiating the substance with a RF plasma;
applying a force not caused by rotation of the rotating chamber to increase contact of the substance with the RF plasma; and
wherein the force comprises a magnetic field that causes the RF plasma to rotate in a direction opposite to that of the chamber.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the force comprises a magnetic field axially aligned with the chamber.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 wherein a wall of the chamber is used as an electrode for producing the magnetic field.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 wherein an axle of the chamber is used as an electrode for producing the magnetic field.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a pre-ionizer to the RF plasma.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising using an induction plasma to pre-ionize the RF plasma.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising using gas penetration of a wall of the chamber to reduce contact of the substance with the wall.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising modulating a basic frequency of the RF plasma to impart acoustic shock waves to the substance.