Device for sterilizing with gaseous plasma formed from a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for sterilizing objects (19), in particular medical or surgical instruments, which consists in subjecting a gas stream circulating in a chamber wherein an industrial vacuum is created to the action of an electric field so as to create a gaseous plasma whereof the post-discharge stream which is derived therefrom is admitted into a sterilizing chamber where it is contacted with the surface of the objects to be treated. Said device is characterized in that the gas stream consists of a mixture of nitrogen, and of an amount of hydrogen less than 5 %. It comprises means for heating said objects capable of bringing the latter, during treatment, to a temperature not less than 60 DEG C. The invention also concerns a method using said device.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a disinfection and cleaning device, in particular to a disinfection and cleaning device for medical or surgical instruments or devices. The invention also relates to a method for realizing the device. Background technique [0002] As is known, the disinfection process involves the destruction, in proportions prescribed by the Pharmacopoeia, of a large number of pathogenic microorganisms, viruses or proteins present on the internal or external surfaces of the items to be treated. There are many existing methods to achieve this result in a more or less satisfactory manner. [0003] In the medical field, sterilization is usually achieved by means of an autoclave, in which the instruments to be sterilized are heated to a predetermined high temperature of about 120° C. for a predetermined period of time with a period prescribed by legislation. It should first be noted that autoclaves are limited to the disinfection of small-volume...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although the disinfection function by ultraviolet radiation is meaningful in improving the disinfection ability of the device, this disinfection function has a serious disadvantage in that the ultraviolet radiation further increases the harshness of the fragile parts of the appliance.

[0013] However, vacuum pumps of the so-called "industrial" type have the disadvantage of not being able to provide a sufficiently high-purity vacuum (obtaining a residual pressure of the order of 10 Pa to 100 Pa) to avoid the presence of oxidative impurities, including water vapor, When the water vapor produces OH - roots and air residues that produce nitrogen oxides, which apparently enter the disinfection chamber to give the post-discharge gas oxidizing properties

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