CN2333398Y - A high-frequency low-temperature plasma disinfection and sterilization device - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model of a high-frequency low-temperature plasma disinfection and sterilization device is characterized in that: the metal cooling electrode and the metal shell arranged in the container are respectively used as two electrodes for generating plasma, and are connected to the output end of the high-frequency power supply; the plasma works The substance is hydrogen peroxide; the metal cooling electrode is composed of a hollow metal tube with coolant inside; two vacuum valves are installed between the vacuum pump and the metal container; the device is simple and convenient to operate, non-toxic and non-polluting, and can be used for medical equipment, Efficient and rapid disinfection and sterilization of hygienic materials, paper, food and tableware.

Description

A high-frequency low-temperature plasma disinfection and sterilization device

The utility model relates to a disinfection and sterilization method and equipment in the field of medical and health care, and the technical field of plasma application.

The material properties and structural characteristics of endoscopes such as oral mirrors, gastroscopes, colonoscopes, intraocular lenses, and some medical diagnostic instruments such as rubber and plastic tubes make their sterilization neither traditional high-temperature and high-pressure methods, nor simple. By irradiation or chemical methods. Cross-infection and medical malpractice caused by insufficient disinfection and sterilization of such instruments have always been a difficult problem in the medical and health circles. So far I haven't been able to find an effective way to solve it.

A cold plasma sterilization and disinfection device proposed by Chinese Patent Publication No. CN1093284A, due to the use of high-voltage direct current discharge, its electrodes are prone to sputtering and deposits will be generated on the surface of the device. Precipitation will be formed on the surface of the device, which is difficult to remove, which directly affects the use of the device; and the DC discharge ionization efficiency is low, and the sterilization effect is poor; in addition, the heat generated by the high-voltage discharge cannot be discharged from the device, which will It will cause damage to instruments that are not suitable for high temperature treatment (such as optical elements and photoelectric imaging components of gastroscopes and colonoscopes); the working voltage of this method is 300-1000 volts, which will pose a potential threat to personnel safety. In September 1992, the United States "Journal of healthcare material management" (Journal of healthcare material management, September 1992, P46) provided a microwave discharge plasma disinfection technology. Obviously, this method is not suitable for the disinfection of metals and instruments containing metal components. However, the commonly used ultraviolet disinfection method does not have a disinfection effect on places where ultraviolet rays cannot be irradiated, such as the lumen of the tube or the place with a slit.

The purpose of this utility model is to provide a high-frequency low-temperature plasma disinfection and sterilization device to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art.

Accompanying drawing 1 is the structural schematic diagram of the high-frequency low-temperature plasma disinfection and sterilization device of the present invention.

This high-frequency low-temperature plasma disinfection and sterilization device is characterized in that it includes the following parts: a metal container 1, which is provided with a vacuum-sealed door for placing and removing poisonous articles; a vacuum gauge 8 and a metal container 1 The container 9 containing the plasma working substance hydrogen peroxide is connected with the metal container 1 through a valve 10; the metal cooling electrode 2 arranged in the direction of the central axis of the container 1 and the metal shell of the container 1 are respectively used as two Two electrodes are connected with the two output ends of the high-frequency power supply 3 to form a high-frequency discharge circuit, and the shell of the metal container 1 is grounded; Not less than 5mW/cm ³ , the working frequency is 8-25MHz; the metal cooling electrode 2 is composed of a metal tube through which the coolant passes; one end of the metal tube is the coolant inlet, and the other end is the coolant outlet, respectively connected to The coolant supplier 4 is connected; two vacuum valves 6 and 7 are sequentially installed between the vacuum pump 5 and the metal container 1; the metal container 1 is provided with an insulating support 11 for placing or hanging sterilized articles.

The metal cooling electrode 2 can be formed by bending a hollow metal tube into a spiral or n shape, and the inside of the metal tube is composed of a coolant, or it can be formed by passing a coolant in the interlayer of two coaxial metal circular tubes; the coolant can usually be water , and other coolants can also be used; when water is used as the coolant, the coolant inlet of the metal cooling electrode 2 metal tube is connected with the water supply pipe.

The utility model device can be provided with an air filter 12, which is equipped with a valve 13 between the metal container 1 and connected by a pipeline; the filter layer of the air filter can be multilayer paper, cotton or chemical fiber fabric, non-woven cloth or filter sand tray.

The shape of the metal container 1 can be designed into cylindrical, spherical or rectangular shapes according to specific conditions and actual needs; the material of the metal container 1 is generally selected from stainless steel, and other alloy materials can also be used; as one of the high-frequency discharge electrodes of the device The metal wall of the container 1 can also be replaced by a form in which the electrode of a strip or mesh metal structure is attached to the non-metallic container wall (both inside and outside).

An observation window may also be provided on the shell of the metal container 1 .

The operation mode of the disinfection and sterilization device of the present utility model is as follows:

Place or hang the items to be sterilized on the bracket 11 in the metal container 1; after closing the vacuum-sealed door, start the vacuum pump 5, first open the vacuum valve 6, and then open the vacuum valve 7; When the pressure in the observation container 1 reaches below 2000Pa, first close the vacuum valve 7 in sequence, and then close the vacuum valve 6; Observe that the pointer no longer moves, that is, after the pressure in the container 1 reaches equilibrium, start the high-frequency power supply 3. When the high-frequency voltage applied between the metal wall of the container 1 and the metal cooling electrode 2 is 30-100 volts, the discharge power is according to the metal When the volume of the container 1 is not less than 5mW/cm ³ and the frequency is 8-25MHz, the required plasma can be generated; according to the output indication of the high-frequency power supply 3 or observation through the observation window on the container 1, it can be judged that the plasma in the container 1 Whether there is plasma; for different types of bacteria or viruses, generally the whole process of disinfection and sterilization can be completed within 5 to 15 minutes after the plasma is generated. In order to prevent bacteria in the air from causing re-contamination of the sterilized articles, before taking out the articles, the valve 13 between the container 1 and the air filter 12 must be opened, and the filtered air is put in to make the inside and outside of the container 1 After the pressure reaches equilibrium, the vacuum-sealed door is opened to take out the items.

The working principle of disinfection and sterilization of this device is as follows:

When the metal container 1 is evacuated by the vacuum pump 5, the valve 10 is opened, and the liquid hydrogen peroxide is vaporized and diffused to the entire space in the container 1; hydrogen peroxide has a strong bactericidal effect. It can kill part of the bacteria and viruses on the surface of the treated article; when the high-frequency voltage is applied between the metal wall of the container 1 and the metal cooling electrode 2, the plasma working substance hydrogen peroxide diffused in the container 1 is in the high-frequency electric field Under the action of ions, it is dissociated into charged particles to form plasma, oxygen free radicals and ultraviolet rays, which constitutes an all-round killing environment for bacteria or viruses. According to the point of view of molecular biology, bacteria and viruses are charged, and the charge on the normal cell membrane helps the cell to absorb nutrients, but when the bacteria or virus cells are subjected to the action of charged particles, the charge distribution on it is destroyed, It will directly affect the physiological activities and metabolism of bacteria or virus cells, and eventually lead to death. Under the action of plasma high-frequency electromagnetic field, high-energy particles, oxygen free radicals, bombardment and ultraviolet radiation, the charge distribution of the remaining bacteria and viruses on the surface of the treated article is completely destroyed, and the cell wall and nucleus are electrically broken down, resulting in bacteria The virus dies instantly. Since cooling water or other coolants pass through the hollow cooling electrode 2, and the temperature of the passing coolant is adjusted, the temperature in the container 1 can be maintained at a required lower temperature, which realizes that it is not processed due to high temperature changes. The structural performance of the article can also achieve the purpose of efficient sterilization.

Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the following advantages:

Because the utility model uses low-voltage high-frequency discharge, the initial working voltage is 30-100 volts, and generally 40 volts can be used for normal use, which is much lower than the 300-1000 volts of the existing high-voltage direct current discharge method, and it is safer to use; And the low-voltage high-frequency discharge will not produce pollution to the processed items due to sputtering on the electrode surface and the generation of deposits on the surface of the device by the working gas under the action of the plasma, similar to the high-voltage DC discharge.

Because the metal electrode in the disinfection and sterilization device of the utility model adopts a cooling structure, the temperature of the system during operation is basically at the temperature of the inlet coolant, which avoids the existence of the existing DC high-voltage discharge method due to the fact that the heat generated by the electrode cannot be dissipated in time risk of damage to the item being handled.

Because the utility model device adopts high-frequency discharge, the ionization rate to gas can reach 0.3-0.4%, which is higher than the ionization rate 0.1-0.2% of the existing DC discharge method; therefore charged particles, ultraviolet rays and oxygen free radicals in the plasma The content of bacterium is doubled, which speeds up the process of "bacteria lysis", rapidly promotes the death of bacteria or virus cells, and has a good disinfection and sterilization effect.

Since the initial pressure of the high-frequency low-temperature plasma disinfection and sterilization device of the utility model only needs to be below 2000Pa, it is easier to achieve than the 1.33-500Pa required by the existing high-voltage direct current discharge method, thereby greatly reducing the time required for vacuuming and shortening the pressure. The working cycle of the container is improved, and the utilization rate of the device is improved.

The working substance selected by the disinfection and sterilization device of the utility model is hydrogen peroxide, which has been recognized as non-toxic and harmless by the whole world. It will not produce pollutants before and after being dissociated by the plasma, and will not generate sediment on the surface of the sterilized equipment. Or destroy its surface, overcome the existing DC high-voltage discharge method due to the ionization of the working gas (such as argon, nitrogen and oxygen, etc.) The surface of the sterilized item, especially the damage to the sterilized item directly caused by the sediment on the surface of the optical fiber and glass material.

The high-frequency low-temperature plasma disinfection and sterilization device of the utility model is simple and convenient to operate, non-toxic, non-polluting, and capable of high-efficiency and rapid sterilization. In addition to the disinfection and sterilization of medical devices, it can also be used in industries or work that require disinfection and sterilization, such as hygienic materials, paper, food and tableware.

The operation of the high-frequency low-temperature plasma disinfection and sterilization device of the utility model can also be automatically realized through the control circuit.

Below in conjunction with accompanying drawing 1 concrete description embodiment of the present utility model.

In a cylindrical stainless steel container 1 with a vacuum-tight door, an inner radius of 7.5 cm, and a height of 17 cm, a spiral cooling electrode 2 made of a hollow stainless steel tube is installed in the direction of the central axis, and the two ends of the stainless steel tube are fixed. It is installed on the bottom of the container 1 and is insulated from the flat plate of the container 1; the inside of the stainless steel pipe passes cooling water, one of its two ports can be connected with the tap water supply pipe as a water inlet, and the other port is a cooling water outlet (cooling water can be recycle and re-use). The metal wall of the metal container 1 and the metal tube of the metal cooling electrode 2 are respectively used as two electrodes of high-frequency discharge and connected to the output end of the high-frequency power supply 3; the shell of the metal container 1 is grounded.

Vacuum valves 6 and 7 are installed sequentially between the vacuum pump 5 and the metal container 1; the working sequence is: when the vacuum pump 5 is turned on normally, open the vacuum valve 6 first, and then open the vacuum valve 7; when the system stops working, the sequence of closing the vacuum valves The opening sequence is opposite: first close the vacuum valve 7, then close the vacuum valve 6, and finally close the vacuum pump 5. Its purpose is to prevent the vacuum pump oil vapor from diffusing into the container 1 to cause pollution.

The vacuum gauge 8 communicates with the metal container 1 .

A valve 10 is installed between the container 9 containing the plasma working substance hydrogen peroxide and the metal container 1, and is connected by a pipeline.

The space between the metal cooling electrode 2 and the wall of the metal container 1 can be installed with an insulating support 11 in layers, a vessel can be placed above it, and a hook or clip can be installed below for hanging or clamping the instrument. The distance between the brackets can be adjusted as required.

Place or hang the articles to be disinfected and sterilized on the support 11, after closing the vacuum-sealed door, start the vacuum pump 5, and open the vacuum valves 6 and 7 in turn; During observation), close vacuum valve 7 and 6 successively; Open valve 10 between container 9 and metal container 1 that hydrogen peroxide is housed, hydrogen peroxide diffuses into whole space in metal container 1 after promptly vaporizing; Pass vacuum gauge 8 After observing that the pressure in the container 1 reaches equilibrium, start the high-frequency power supply 3; in the present embodiment, the high-frequency power supply 3 applies a high-frequency voltage of 50 volts and a current of 0.4 amperes between the metal container 1 and the metal cooling electrode 2. It is 13.56MHz; the plasma generated in the container 1 can be observed through the output indication of the high-frequency power supply 3 or from the observation window of the container 1; for different bacteria or viruses, generally 5 to 15 minutes after the plasma is generated is enough to complete the disinfection The whole process of bacteria. Before taking out the articles that have been sterilized, in order to reduce re-contamination, the valve 13 between the metal container 1 and the air filter 12 should be opened first, and filtered air is put in to make the pressure inside and outside the container 1 reach equilibrium. , and then open the vacuum-sealed door to take out the items.

The high-frequency low-temperature plasma disinfection and sterilization device of the utility model was tested and confirmed by the School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China. After using the system for 5 minutes to treat the bacteria artificially cultivated in instruments and containers, such as Aspergillus flavus, the culture test found that All the bacteria have been killed; after 12 minutes of treatment with this system for Escherichia coli, the culture test found that all the bacteria have been killed.

Claims (4)

1. A high-frequency low-temperature plasma disinfection and sterilization device is characterized in that it includes the following parts: a metal container 1, which is provided with a vacuum-sealable door for placing and removing poisonous articles; a vacuum gauge 8 and a metal container. The container 1 is connected; the container 9 containing the plasma working substance hydrogen peroxide is connected with the metal container 1 through a valve 10; the metal cooling electrode 2 arranged in the direction of the central axis of the container 1, the metal cooling electrode 2 and the metal The metal shell of the container 1 is respectively used as two electrodes for high-frequency discharge to generate plasma, and is connected with the two output terminals of the high-frequency power supply 3 to form a high-frequency discharge circuit. The shell of the metal container 1 is grounded; the output of the high-frequency power supply 3 The working voltage is 30-100 volts, the discharge power is not less than 5mW/cm ³ according to the volume of the metal container 1, and the working frequency is 8-25MHz; the metal cooling electrode 2 is composed of a metal tube passing through the coolant inside; the two metal tubes The coolant inlet and outlet at the end are respectively connected with the coolant supplier 4; two vacuum valves 6 and 7 are arranged in turn between the vacuum pump 5 and the metal container 1; the metal container 1 is provided with an insulating bracket for placing or hanging disinfection items 11. 2. The high-frequency low-temperature plasma disinfection and sterilization device according to claim 1, characterized in that the metal cooling electrode 2 can be bent into a spiral or n-shaped hollow metal tube, and the inside of the metal tube is composed of a coolant, or it can be composed of two The interlayer of coaxial metal circular tubes is composed of coolant; when the coolant is water, the coolant inlet of the metal cooling electrode 2 metal tube is connected with the water supply pipe. 3. The high-frequency low-temperature plasma disinfection and sterilization device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that an air filter 12 is arranged on the metal container 1, and a valve 13 is installed between it and the metal container 1; The layer is composed of multiple layers of paper, cotton or chemical fiber fabrics, non-woven fabrics or filter sand trays. 4. The high-frequency low-temperature plasma disinfection and sterilization device according to claim 1, characterized in that the metal wall of the container 1 as one of the high-frequency discharge electrodes of the device can be designed as a strip or mesh metal structure The electrode is attached to the non-metal container wall (both inside and outside) instead.

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