System and method for carrying out sterilization

摘要

An apparatus for electrolyzing fluids is disclosed. The resulting electrolyzed fluids are particularly suited for treating physiological materials such as whole blood, plasma, or cell isolates in order to reduce the effect of harmful microorganisms. A housing (218) holds the fluid and a power supply (102) provides a source of electrical current to an electrode assembly (216) positioned within the housing. The system is particularly suited for disinfecting and/or sterilizing health care instruments. The instruments are bathed in the electrolyzed saline solution. If the instrument includes internal conduits, the system of the present invention also preferably flows the electrolyzed saline solution through such conduits also to provide both cleaning and sterilization. The electrolyzed saline solution is recirculated from the electrodes to the instrument being sterilized. Embodiments of the invention are particularly suited to sterilizing dental drill handpieces without damage to the handpieces.