摘要 |
The supply of water used in dental operations and other applications in a dental office, or other medical facility, wherein non-contaminated water is necessary to avoid transmission of microorganisms, is enriched with oxygen, whether from ambient air or a source of oxygen. The oxygenated water is passed through a silver containing catalyst cartridge (204). The water borne oxygen is attracted to the silver and forms a weak bond sufficient to permit dissociation to oxidize organic matter, including microorganisms. A small amount of silver dissolves in the water and flows downstream through the attendant conduits (68, 69, 82) to and through dental handpieces and dental implements. A portion of the silver will adhere to the walls of the conduits, handpieces, and implements where it is free to react with the oxygen dissolved in the water flowing therepast. To enhance oxidizing of the organic matter, an ozone generator (48) may be employed to introduce ozone into the water upstream of the silver catalyst cartridge (204).
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