A new device that generates cold plasma could transform how medical tools are sterilized. Source: Purdue UniversityA new approach to room-temperature sterilization of medical equipment is being advanced at Purdue University, where researchers have designed a system to generate cold plasma for such applications. The system uses high-voltage DC power instead of conventionally applied RF or pulsed DC power, agents of electromagnetic interference, which leads to medical device malfunctions, to produce cold plasmas for disinfection and sterilization.
The DC voltage cold plasma technologies simplify development of electrically safe and cost-effective disinfection systems. The approach is more economical relative to the use of e-beams or gamma radiation, as air replaces chemical sterilization agents and medical tools containing plastic, which cannot be subjected to high-temperature disinfection, can be processed.
A method to use the DC voltage cold plasma reactor to produce a sterilizing gas, which could be used to design less expensive sterile packaging for medical devices, was also developed. The researchers are investigating other potential applications for the technology, such as enhancing the germination power of plants in the agricultural industry, preventing bacteria in the food packaging industry and cleaning surfaces in the manufacturing industry. A patent application has been filed by the university’s Office of Technology Commercialization and is available for licensing.
