Patent US5325020A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5325020A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circular waveguide plasma microwave sterilizer apparatus
Assignee: DePuy Orthopaedics Inc
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Filing: 1992-10-15
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Granted: 1994-06-28
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Expires: 2012-10-15
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for plasma sterilization includes a sterilization chamber and at least one microwave plasma generator for producing gas plasma products communicating therewith. The microwave plasma generator comprises a cylindrical metal waveguide and an axially concentric antenna extending into the waveguide. The plasma generator includes an inner plasma container made of a electromagnetic transparent material.
Inventors
- 👤 Bryant A. Campbell, deceased
- 👤 Vincent Formanek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/14; H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/32; H01J37/32009; H01J37/32192; H01J37/32211; H05; H05H; H05H1/00; H05H1/24; H05H1/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for plasma sterilization comprising: a sterilization chamber; a plasma container made of a material transparent to an electromagnetic radiation, said plasma container having a gas inlet for admitting a plasma generation gas and a plasma product outlet conduit for passing plasma gas products into said sterilization chamber; at least one microwave plasma generator for producing the plasma gas products in said plasma container, said microwave plasma generator further comprising: a electromagnetic energy source for generating electromagnetic radiation, a cylindrical metal waveguide enclosing said plasma container for guiding the electromagnetic radiation thereto, and an axially concentric antenna extending into the cylindrical waveguide for feeding the electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic energy source to the cylindrical waveguide.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for plasma sterilization comprising: a sterilization chamber; a plasma container made of a material transparent to an electromagnetic radiation, said plasma container having a gas inlet for admitting a plasma generation gas and a plasma product outlet conduit for passing plasma gas products into said sterilization chamber; at least one microwave plasma generator for producing the plasma gas products in said plasma container, said microwave plasma generator further comprising: a electromagnetic energy source for generating electromagnetic radiation, a cylindrical metal waveguide enclosing said plasma container for guiding the electromagnetic radiation thereto, and an axially concentric antenna extending into the cylindrical waveguide for feeding the electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic energy source to the cylindrical waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plasma container is made of quartz.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plasma container is concentric with the waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic energy source is a magnetron.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic energy source is a klystron.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic energy source is a travelling-wave tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic energy source is a radio-frequency source.
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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) | 1997-06-27 | 1997-12-27 | 1998-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-27 | 2001-12-27 | 2002-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-27 | 2005-12-27 | 2006-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |