COLD PLASMA STERILIZATION DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

摘要

A cold plasma sterilization device for sterilization of objects such as medical instruments. Gas is fed to a plasma chamber where it is energized by one or more electrodes coupled to a pulse source to thereby generate a cold plasma inside the plasma chamber. A dielectric barrier is sandwiched between the gas compartment and the electrodes to form a dielectric barrier discharge device, inside the plasma chamber, one or more conductive stands that are coupled to ground hold the object to-be-sterilized. The cold plasma exits the plasma chamber, where it is recirculated for further use as a plasma source in subsequent cycles. Gases that can be used include noble gases such as helium, or combinations of noble gases.