3m Innovative Properties Company

Nardine S Abadeer

Matthew T Scholz

Caleb T Nelson

Steven P Swanson

Petra L Kohler Riedi

Assumpta A G Bennaars-Eiden

A system and methods for sterilizing or disinfecting articles, particularly the hollow internal areas of medical instruments are disclosed. The system includes a plasma generator having an electrode, a shield, and a dielectric gap between the electrode and the shield. A source of electrical power is connected to the plasma generator for applying an electron energy density between the electrode and the shield. A source of gas comprising water vapor, oxygen and nitrogen provides a flow of gas between the electrode and the shield, to form a plasma containing acidic and/or oxidizing species. In the exemplary system, the temperature at the shield's surface is &#x3c;150&#xb0; C. when the electron energy density is &#x3e;0.05 eV/molecule of the gas. Also disclosed is a method for disinfecting an article contaminated with a bio-film or spores, by exposing the contaminated article to the plasma for an exposure time sufficient to achieve at least 2-logreduction in colony forming units.

Growing community of inventors

Columbus, OH, United States of America

Nardine S Abadeer