Sterilization of articles using capillary discharge plasma

• Main Authors: DONG WOO YU, STEVEN KIM
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 12.05.2003
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, ORSURGICAL ARTICLES; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION, OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS; ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, OR SURGICALARTICLES; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS INGENERAL; PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OFNEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMICBEAMS

The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for sterilization of articles using capillary discharge atmospheric plasma. More specifically, an apparatus for sterilizing articles using substantially atmospheric pressure plasma includes a plasma generator generating the substantially atmospheric pressure plasma, wherein the plasma generator includes, first and second dielectrics facing into each other, wherein at least one capillary is formed in at least one of the dielectrics, and first and second electrodes on the first and second dielectric bodies, receiving the potential from the power supply, a processing chamber enclosing the plasma generator, and a power supply providing a potential to the plasma generator.