US4846101A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for plasma treatment of small diameter tubes
Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
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Filing: 1988-07-01
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Granted: 1989-07-11
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Expires: 2008-07-01
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for generating a plasma in the lumen of a small diameter tube includes a housing (12) having a diaphragm (18) which separates the housing into a first chamber (14) equipped with a gas inbleed (26) assembly and a second chamber (16) connected to a vacuum source. Parallel plate electrodes (58) in the first chamber are encased in a dielectric (42) which prevents substantially all plasma discharge external of a plasma zone between the electrodes. A conduit (64) maintains gas flow between the chambers. A bore (52) through the dielectric includes the plasma zone and receives the tube (54) to be plasma treated. A method for treating the luminal wall of a plastic tube (54) includes positioning a tube in the plasma zone, evacuating the chambers, bleeding a gas into the chambers, and delivering radiofrequency power to the electrodes (58). A long tube may be drawn through the plasma zone, or the dielectric and electrodes may be moved past the tube.
Inventors
- 👤 David B. Montgomery
- 👤 Joel L. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:24
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C16/00; C23C16/04; C23C16/045; A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/04; A61F2/06; A61F2/062; C23C16/44; C23C16/50; C23C16/505; C23C16/509
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for applying a plasma to an interior wall of a plastic article comprising: (a) a housing having first and second chambers separated by a diaphragm defining an aperture for receiving an article to be plasma treated; (b) a dielectric within said first chamber having a bore therethrough, said bore including a cavity in the interior of said dielectric and a plasma zone for receiving said article; (c) an electrode positioned in said cavity and surrounded by said dielectric in all directions except toward said plasma zone and defining said plasma zone; (d) means for opening and sealably closing said housing; (e) means for delivering power to said electrode; (f) means for conducting a gas to said first chamber; and (g) means for connecting said second chamber to a vacuum source.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for applying a plasma to an interior wall of a plastic article comprising: (a) a housing having first and second chambers separated by a diaphragm defining an aperture for receiving an article to be plasma treated; (b) a dielectric within said first chamber having a bore therethrough, said bore including a cavity in the interior of said dielectric and a plasma zone for receiving said article; (c) an electrode positioned in said cavity and surrounded by said dielectric in all directions except toward said plasma zone and defining said plasma zone; (d) means for opening and sealably closing said housing; (e) means for delivering power to said electrode; (f) means for conducting a gas to said first chamber; and (g) means for connecting said second chamber to a vacuum source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for delivering is a coaxial cable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for conducting includes a valve for controlling the flow of said gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for connecting is a nozzle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for determining the pressure in said first and second chambers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for maintaining a pressure differential between said first and second chambers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for maintaining is a conduit through said diaphragm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising drawing means passing sealably through a top wall of said housing for drawing said article through said plasma zone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said drawing means comprises a rod passing slidably through said top wall, said rod having an internal end inside of said upper chamber and an external end outside of said upper chamber, said internal end having affixing means thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said affixing means is a hook.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said affixing means is a magnetic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said drawing means is a casing having a closed end external of said canister, said casing having magnetic means slidably disposed therein, said magnetic means having affixing means on an end thereof inside of said canister.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises separable top and bottom portions sealably engaged by mating threads.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises separable top and bottom portions sealably engaged by an O-ring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said dielectric is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of glass, plastic, rubber and ceramic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said plastic is a polyolefin.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a support rail for said article passing through said bore, said dielectric being slidably mounted on said rail.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 further comprising a clamp for positioning said rail in said housing.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for applying a plasma to an interior wall of a non-conductive article comprising: (a) a housing enclosing a chamber; (b) shielding means within said chamber having a bore therethrough, said bore including a cavity and a plasma zone for receiving an article to be plasma treated; (c) generating means for an electromagnetic field in said cavity and surrounded by said shielding means in all directions except toward said plasma zone; (d) means for opening and sealably closing said housing; (e) means for delivering power to said generating means; (f) means for conducting a gas to said chamber; and (g) means for connecting said chamber to a vacuum source.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for applying a plasma to an interior wall of a non-conductive article comprising: (a) a housing enclosing a chamber; (b) shielding means within said chamber having a bore therethrough, said bore including a cavity and a plasma zone for receiving an article to be plasma treated; (c) generating means for an electromagnetic field in said cavity and surrounded by said shielding means in all directions except toward said plasma zone; (d) means for opening and sealably closing said housing; (e) means for delivering power to said generating means; (f) means for conducting a gas to said chamber; and (g) means for connecting said chamber to a vacuum source.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 19 wherein said generating means is an electrode adapted to generate a capacitively coupled discharge plasma.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 19 wherein said generating means is a coil adapted to generate an inductively coupled discharge plasma.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
189 words
An apparatus for applying a plasma to the luminal wall of a plastic tube comprising: (a) a canister having a side wall, a top wall and a diaphragm, said diaphragm dividing said canister into an upper chamber and a lower chamber and defining an aperture; (b) a dielectric within said upper chamber, said dielectric having a bore therethrough, said bore communicating through said aperture with said upper and lower chambers, said bore including a cavity in the interior of said dielectric and a plasma zone for receiving a tube to be plasma treated; (c) a plurality of electrodes positioned in said cavity and surrounded by said dielectric in all directions except toward said plasma zone and defining said plasma zone therebetween; (d) means for opening and sealably closing said canister; (e) a conduit through said diaphragm for maintaining a pressure differential between said upper and lower chambers; (f) drawing means passing sealably through said top wall; (g) means for delivering electrical power to said electrodes; (h) an inbleed assembly for conducting gas into said upper chamber; and (i) a nozzle for connecting said lower chamber to a vacuum source.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
189 words
An apparatus for applying a plasma to the luminal wall of a plastic tube comprising: (a) a canister having a side wall, a top wall and a diaphragm, said diaphragm dividing said canister into an upper chamber and a lower chamber and defining an aperture; (b) a dielectric within said upper chamber, said dielectric having a bore therethrough, said bore communicating through said aperture with said upper and lower chambers, said bore including a cavity in the interior of said dielectric and a plasma zone for receiving a tube to be plasma treated; (c) a plurality of electrodes positioned in said cavity and surrounded by said dielectric in all directions except toward said plasma zone and defining said plasma zone therebetween; (d) means for opening and sealably closing said canister; (e) a conduit through said diaphragm for maintaining a pressure differential between said upper and lower chambers; (f) drawing means passing sealably through said top wall; (g) means for delivering electrical power to said electrodes; (h) an inbleed assembly for conducting gas into said upper chamber; and (i) a nozzle for connecting said lower chamber to a vacuum source.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 22 wherein said drawing means comprises a rod having an internal end inside of said upper chamber and an external end outside of said upper chamber, said internal end having affixing means thereon.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 22 wherein said drawing means is a tube having a closed end external of said canister, said tube having magnetic means slidably disposed therein, said magnetic means having affixing means on an end thereof inside of said canister.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
224 words
An apparatus for applying a plasma to the luminal wall of a plastic tube comprising: (a) a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a diaphragm defining an aperture for receiving a tube to be plasma treated, a first end plate removably affixed to said housing defining sid first chamber and a second end plate affixed to said housing and defining said second chamber; (b) a dielectric within said first chamber, said dielectric having a bore therethrough, said bore including a cavity in the interior of said dielectric and a plasma zone for receiving said tube; (c) a plurality of electrodes positioned in said cavity and surrounded by said dielectric in all directions except toward said plasma zone and defining said plasma zone therebetween; (d) mating upper and lower support rails for said tube within said first chamber and passing through said bore, said dielectric being slidably mounted on said rails; (e) means for removably mating said upper and lower rails; (f) a conduit through said diaphragm for maintaining a pressure differential between said first and second chambers; (g) means for moving said dielectric on said rails; (h) means for delivering electrical power to said electrodes; (i) an inbleed assembly for conducting gas into said first chamber; and (j) a nozzle for connecting said second chamber to a vacuum source.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
224 words
An apparatus for applying a plasma to the luminal wall of a plastic tube comprising: (a) a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a diaphragm defining an aperture for receiving a tube to be plasma treated, a first end plate removably affixed to said housing defining sid first chamber and a second end plate affixed to said housing and defining said second chamber; (b) a dielectric within said first chamber, said dielectric having a bore therethrough, said bore including a cavity in the interior of said dielectric and a plasma zone for receiving said tube; (c) a plurality of electrodes positioned in said cavity and surrounded by said dielectric in all directions except toward said plasma zone and defining said plasma zone therebetween; (d) mating upper and lower support rails for said tube within said first chamber and passing through said bore, said dielectric being slidably mounted on said rails; (e) means for removably mating said upper and lower rails; (f) a conduit through said diaphragm for maintaining a pressure differential between said first and second chambers; (g) means for moving said dielectric on said rails; (h) means for delivering electrical power to said electrodes; (i) an inbleed assembly for conducting gas into said first chamber; and (j) a nozzle for connecting said second chamber to a vacuum source.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 25 wherein said means for mating is a clamp.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 25 wherein said means for moving said dielectric is a first magnet affixed to said dielectric and adapted for magnetic engagement with a second magnet slidably positioned on said housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-10 | 1993-01-09 | 1993-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-10 | 1997-01-09 | 1997-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-10 | 2001-01-09 | 2001-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |