HOT AIR ASEPSIS

摘要

A device for use in an automated system of the type which includes an apparatus, at least one surface of which requires decontamination and/or sterilisation, especially decontamination and/or sterilisation of equipment which comes into contact with biological tissue, particularly plant tissue. The decontaminating and/or sterilising of the surface is undertaken by the application of air at an elevated temperature to the surface. The device (1) comprises an air intake (2) leading to a body (3) which houses an element for heating the incoming air to the required temperature. Power is supplied to the element along an electrical cord (4). A shaped air nozzle (6) is attached to the body (3) which directs the hot air to a U-shaped cradle (6) affixed to the end of the nozzle which supports a tool or other item to be sterilised. A multiple of devices (1) can be affixed to an automated plant tissue division apparatus (7). In use, 1.5 litres of air per second pass through the device to generate a zone of air at between 250 DEG C and 350 DEG C. The air and heating element are activated for 90 seconds before the surfaces of the cradle (6) are ready to be decontaminated. The air flow continues for 120 seconds after the heating elements are switched off to allow the device (1) to cool. Optionally, prior to heat treatment, the surface to be decontaminated is washed in a bath of disinfectant cleaning solution, typically 70 % ethanol, to remove any biological material.