Properties of plasma sterilizer using non-thermal atmospheric-pressure biocompatible plasma

Abstract

Non-thermal atmospheric-pressure biocompatible plasma (NBP) has diverse functions such as surface treatment, and cleaning and decomposing organic matter. Few commercially available devices use plasma to sterilize and disinfect the air and surfaces. We commercialize a new plasma sterilizer that can eradicate viruses, bacteria, etc., using NBP with a compact setup. The hydroxyl (OH) radical species concentration inside the dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) is estimated from the equation reduced by R. Sankaranarayanan, which is approximately 9.78 × 1015 cm−3. The new plasma sterilizer with water droplets developed in this work exhibits excellent sterilization properties, with the OH radical concentration being approximately 30 times higher than that obtained in other types of atmospheric-pressure DBD devices in air saturated with vapor.

Diffusion Criteria of O₃ Gas Emitted From Non-Thermal Atmospheric-Pressure Biocompatible Plasma Sterilizer for Safety Environment

“…Water droplets released from the humidifier, situated 5 cm apart, enter the plasma sterilizer via the fan. The amount of water droplets absorbed by the fan into the plasma sterilizer was determined to be 4.3 mg/s in our previous study [6]. The frequency of the ultrasonic generator used in the humidifier was 28 kHz.…”

“…A compact-sized new plasma sterilizer with a width of 360 mm, height of 220 mm, and thickness of 84 mm was used with a low power of <20 W. Its concise structure and the detailed explanations are described in [6]. The parts of the plasma sterilizer, such as the fan, plasma source, and UV lamp are shown in Fig.…”

“…The E/N value could be expressed by Td, where 1 Td is 10 -21 Vm 2 . The E/N value of the plasma source used in this experiment is described in detail in [6]. The DBD plasma electrode consists of a patterned Ag electrode with SiO2 material coated on a glass substrate.…”

“…Non-thermal atmospheric-pressure biocompatible plasma (NBP) has been shown to effectively sterilize viruses and bacteria by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) [6,7]. NBP is also applicable to treatment of wounds [8] and cancers [9], making it a growth engine for the 21st century.…”

“…We have developed a plasma sterilizer which can be used in medical hospitals, senior hospitals, and ambulances, etc. [6]. The reactive species generated in the plasma source are OH radicals, O3 gas, O radicals, and H2O2, among others.…”