PLASMA GAS MIXTURE FOR STERILIZER AND METHOD

摘要

A method for plasma sterilization comprises exposing an article to be sterilized to a neutral active species of a plasma generated from a premixed gas mixture comprising oxygen, hydrogen, and a noble gas. The exposure of the article to the plasma is carried out at reduced pressures and a chamber temperature of less than 63 DEG C for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization. The apparatus for plasma sterilization of articles comprises a plasma generator (10, 12, 14), a sterilizing chamber (60), and a source of pressurized gas mixture in fluid communication with the plasma generator. The source of pressurized gas mixture has a noble gas and a substantially nonflammable mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, which is preferably between about 2.0 to 2.4 (v/v) percent hydrogen and between 2.6 to 3.0 (v/v) percent oxygen.