Microwave plasma sterilisation system and applicators therefor

摘要

A sterilization system having a controllable non-ironismg microwave radiation source for providing microwave energy for combining with a gas to produce atmospheric low temperature plasma for sterilizing biological tissue surfaces or the like. A plasma generating region may be contained in a hand held plasma applicator. The system may include an impedance adjustor e.g. integrated in the plasma applicator arranged to set a plasma strike condition and plasma sustain condition. The gas and microwave energy may be transported to a plasma generating region along an integrated cable assembly. The integrated cable assembly may provide a two way gas flow arrangement to permit residual gas to be removed from the surface. Invasive surface plasma treatment is therefore possible. The plasma applicator may have multiple plasma emitters to produce a line or blanket of plasma.

主权项

1. A manoeuvrable applicator assembly for plasma sterilisation apparatus, the applicator assembly being insertable into a natural orifice of a human or animal body and comprising:
a flexible cable assembly for supplying microwave energy and gas; and a plasma applicator connected to a distal end of the flexible cable assembly to receive the microwave energy and gas therefrom, wherein the flexible cable assembly comprises a coaxial cable located within a separate tube, the coaxial cable and tube being connected to a proximal end of the plasma applicator for supplying the microwave energy and gas respectively, wherein the plasma applicator comprises a coaxial antenna connected to receive microwave power from the coaxial cable supplying the microwave energy, the coaxial antenna having an impedance transformer arranged to increase a voltage present at the distal end of the flexible cable assembly to generate an electric field in the applicator for striking a plasma from the gas supplied to the plasma applicator, and wherein the coaxial cable has a hollow centre conductor for carrying the gas to or from the plasma applicator.