US3851436A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilizing and packaging process utilizing gas plasma
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1971-12-13
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1991-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A continuous flow of gas plasma is admitted to a substantially evacuated sterilization chamber containing the object to be sterilized. Argon plasma is produced continually by being subjected to a radio frequency field. Complex shapes such as capillary passages through a blood oxygenator can be sterilized by passing the gas plasma through them. The exterior of objects to be sterilized can be subjected to gas plasma within a packaging envelope, and subsequent to sterilization such envelope can be evacuated and collapsed onto the object to preserve its sterile character.
Inventors
- 👤 S Fraser
- 👤 R Gillette
- 👤 R Olson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
The process of sterilizing an article which comprises enclosing the article in a container, enclosing the container in a sealable chamber, maintaining subatmosphere pressure in the chamber and in the container, and, while maintaining such subatmosphere pressure in the chamber and in the container, flowing nonoxidizing gas plasma into the container, over a surface of the article to be sterilized and then out of the container into the portion of the chamber exteriorly of the container, terminating such flow of gas plasma through the container, and sealing the container to form a sterilized package for the article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
The process of sterilizing an article which comprises enclosing the article in a container, enclosing the container in a sealable chamber, maintaining subatmosphere pressure in the chamber and in the container, and, while maintaining such subatmosphere pressure in the chamber and in the container, flowing nonoxidizing gas plasma into the container, over a surface of the article to be sterilized and then out of the container into the portion of the chamber exteriorly of the container, terminating such flow of gas plasma through the container, and sealing the container to form a sterilized package for the article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process defined in claim 1, in which the container is a plastic bag having sealable openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process defined in claim 1, in which the flow of gas plasma is passed sequentially over the interior and exterior surfaces of the article.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process defined in claim 3, in which the article is a blood oxygenator having a plurality of capillary passages therethrough and a flow of nonoxidizing gas plasma is passed through the capillary passages.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process defined in claim 1, in which the article is a blood oxygenator having a plurality of capillary passages therethrough and a flow of nonoxidizing gas plasma is passed through the capillary passages.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The process defined in claim 5, in which the container is a plastic bag having an opening, the oxygenator has a tube extending through the opening of the plastic bag and communicating with the interior of the oxygenator, and such bag opening and tube are sealable after the flow of nonoxidizing gas plasma through the bag opening and the tube has been terminated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |