Patent US4756882A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4756882A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization system
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
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Filing: 1987-01-27
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Granted: 1988-07-12
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Expires: 2007-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A sterilization process wherein articles contacted with hydrogen peroxide and containing trace amounts of residual hydrogen peroxide are subjected to plasma treatment to generate an active species from the residual hydrogen peroxide which effects sterilization of the article and concurrently removes the residual hydrogen peroxide by converting it into non-toxic decomposition products.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul T. Jacobs
- 👤 Szu-Min Lin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A process of plasma sterilization using hydrogen peroxide as a precursor of the active species in the plasma comprising the steps of contacting the item to be sterilized with a liquid hydrogen peroxide solution, placing the item into a sterilization chamber, said item retaining residual hydrogen peroxide. generating a plasma around the item within the sterilization chamber to generate an active species from said residual hydrogen peroxide, maintaining the item in said plasma for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization by said active species of said residual hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A process of plasma sterilization using hydrogen peroxide as a precursor of the active species in the plasma comprising the steps of contacting the item to be sterilized with a liquid hydrogen peroxide solution, placing the item into a sterilization chamber, said item retaining residual hydrogen peroxide. generating a plasma around the item within the sterilization chamber to generate an active species from said residual hydrogen peroxide, maintaining the item in said plasma for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization by said active species of said residual hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said item is maintained in said plasma until the residual hydrogen peroxide is decomposed into nontoxic products.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the plasma is generated around the item for a period of time about 5 to 60 minutes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said plasma is pulsed at a power-on-power-off ratio of 1:2.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said plasma is generated at a pressure of from about 0.1 to 10 Torr.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said plasma is generated at a power of from about 50 to 200 watts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1, including the further step of packaging said item containing residual hydrogen peroxide before said item is placed in said sterilization chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said item is contacted with an aqueous solution of said hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said aqueous solution contains from about 1 to 10 percent hydrogen peroxide, by weight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said item is contacted for a time of from about 1 minute to 1 hour.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process of removing residual hydogen peroxide from items which have been sterilized by exposure to hydrogen peroxide which comprises placing said sterile item containing residual hydrogen peroxide into a plasma chamber and generating a plasma around said item for a period of time sufficient to decompose said residual hydrogen peroxide into nontoxic decomposition products.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process of removing residual hydogen peroxide from items which have been sterilized by exposure to hydrogen peroxide which comprises placing said sterile item containing residual hydrogen peroxide into a plasma chamber and generating a plasma around said item for a period of time sufficient to decompose said residual hydrogen peroxide into nontoxic decomposition products.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 11 wherein said plasma is generated for a period of from about 5 to 60 minutes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 11 wherein said plasma is pulsed at a power-on-power-off ratio of 1:2.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 11 wherein said plasma is generated at a pressure of from about 0.1 to 10 Torr.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 11 wherein said plasma is generated at a power of from about 50 to 200 watts.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 11 wherein said sterile item is contained in a package.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-07-12 | 1992-01-11 | 1992-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-12 | 1996-01-11 | 1996-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-12 | 2000-01-11 | 2000-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |