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Patent US6403029B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6403029B1
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US
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System and method of applying energetic ions for sterilization
Assignee: Princeton University
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Filing: 2001-01-12
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Granted: 2002-06-11
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Expires: 2021-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A method of sterilization of a container is provided whereby a cold plasma is caused to be disposed near a surface to be sterilized, and the cold plasma is then subjected to a pulsed voltage differential for producing energized ions in the plasma. Those energized ions then operate to achieve spore destruction on the surface to be sterilized. Further, a system for sterilization of a container which includes a conductive or non-conductive container, a cold plasma in proximity to the container, and a high voltage source for delivering a pulsed voltage differential between an electrode and the container and across the cold plasma, is provided.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Schmidt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:00
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B55/00; B65B55/02; B65B55/04; A; A23; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/50; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for sterilization of container surfaces comprising the steps of: evacuating said container to a desired pressure; injecting a working gas into said container at said desired pressure; causing a plasma discharge to be initiated in said working gas; applying a voltage potential across said plasma discharge operative to produce energetic ions in said plasma; and accelerating said energetic ions toward said container surfaces using the voltage potential; wherein said energetic ions effect a sterilization of said container by destruction of microorganisms on surfaces of said container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for sterilization of container surfaces comprising the steps of: evacuating said container to a desired pressure; injecting a working gas into said container at said desired pressure; causing a plasma discharge to be initiated in said working gas; applying a voltage potential across said plasma discharge operative to produce energetic ions in said plasma; and accelerating said energetic ions toward said container surfaces using the voltage potential; wherein said energetic ions effect a sterilization of said container by destruction of microorganisms on surfaces of said container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method for sterilization of claim 1 , wherein said plasma discharge is initiated by a glow discharge technique.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method for sterilization of claim 1 , wherein said plasma discharge is initiated by an RF signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of sterilization of claim 1 , wherein said energetic ions are deposited on said container surface by a capacitive displacement current.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for sterilization of claim 1 , wherein said applied voltage is provided by a modulated power supply operative to cause said voltage to be applied in pulses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method for sterilization of claim 1 , wherein said applied voltage is of a magnitude to impart an ion energy on the order of 50 keV.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for sterilization of interior surfaces of a container comprising the steps of: forming a plasma discharge in a working gas disposed within said container; applying a voltage potential between said plasma discharge and an interior surface of said container, said voltage potential being operative to produce energetic ions in said plasma; and accelerating said energetic ions toward the interior surfaces using the voltage potential; wherein said energetic ions effect a sterilization of said container surfaces by destruction of microorganisms on said surface.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for sterilization of interior surfaces of a container comprising the steps of: forming a plasma discharge in a working gas disposed within said container; applying a voltage potential between said plasma discharge and an interior surface of said container, said voltage potential being operative to produce energetic ions in said plasma; and accelerating said energetic ions toward the interior surfaces using the voltage potential; wherein said energetic ions effect a sterilization of said container surfaces by destruction of microorganisms on said surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method for sterilization of claim 7 , wherein said plasma discharge is initiated by a glow discharge technique.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method for sterilization of claim 7 , wherein said plasma discharge is initiated by an RF signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for sterilization of claim 7 , wherein said applied voltage is provided by a modulated power supply operative to cause said voltage to be applied in pulses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method for sterilization of claim 7 , wherein said applied voltage is of a magnitude to impart an ion energy on the order of 50 keV.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for sterilization of a container comprising: means for evacuating said container to a desired pressure; means for injecting a working gas into said container at said desired pressure; a first electrode introduced through an aperture of said container and protruding into an interior portion thereof; a second electrode established at a surface of said container; and a modulated power supply connected between said first and said second electrode and operative to provide a pulsed voltage potential between said electrodes; wherein a plasma discharge is caused to be initiated in said injected working gas and said pulsed voltage potential between said electrodes produces energetic ions in said plasma, said energetic ions being accelerated toward the surfaces of the container and effecting sterilization of said container by destruction of microorganisms on surfaces of said container.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for sterilization of a container comprising: means for evacuating said container to a desired pressure; means for injecting a working gas into said container at said desired pressure; a first electrode introduced through an aperture of said container and protruding into an interior portion thereof; a second electrode established at a surface of said container; and a modulated power supply connected between said first and said second electrode and operative to provide a pulsed voltage potential between said electrodes; wherein a plasma discharge is caused to be initiated in said injected working gas and said pulsed voltage potential between said electrodes produces energetic ions in said plasma, said energetic ions being accelerated toward the surfaces of the container and effecting sterilization of said container by destruction of microorganisms on surfaces of said container.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sterilization apparatus of claim 12 , wherein a portion of said container structure is constituted as said second electrode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The sterilization apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said second electrode is disposed outside of said container and the energetic ions are deposited on the surface by a capacitive displacement current.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sterilization apparatus of claim 12 , wherein a polarization of said potential difference between said first and said second electrode is established to attract ions to an interior surface of said container.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sterilization apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said second electrode is constituted of a porous material and established proximate to interior surfaces of said container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The sterilization apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said potential difference between said first and said second electrode is established at a magnitude to impart an ion energy on the order of 50 keV.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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