The plasma sterilizer is the latest device that is used to sterilize medical devices. This technology, like equipment, is used in the most developed clinics in the world. The essence of the technology is as follows: a sterilizing agent, in the role of which hydrogen peroxide acts, acts on the object, interfering with the vital functions of any microorganisms on its surface.
Description of the device
A variety of plasma sterilizers from different companies at present there are quite a lot, but they all work on the same general principle.
- The unit has a chamber in which the peroxide is converted into steam.
- After this, the steam enters a specially prepared vacuum chamber with a biocidal medium. In this environment, various spores and microbes are exposed.
- At this stage, diffusion occurs.
- Further action is accompanied by the launch of a high-voltage discharge, which forms a plasma, as well as active radicals.
- While the plasma is being operated, the working pressure in the chamber changes.
- After that, the chamber with the instruments is again evacuated.
- During the operation of the plasma sterilizer, the released plasma acts on microorganisms.
- The penultimate stage is the restoration of normal pressure.
- The latter is the removal of already sterilized devices from the chamber.
What can be sterilized in the device
You can use this unit in the following industries:
- surgery and microsurgery;
- Dentistry
- ophthalmology;
- traumatology.
In addition, in such a device, you can also process objects that differ in some features. For example, you can sterilize heterogeneous things (syringes). You can also put in the chamber those substances that differ in such a feature as thermolability (i.e., plastic). In addition to the items listed, those with a tendency to corrosion can also be placed in the chamber.
Description of the device "Sterrad"
Today, many companies are engaged in the production of such products, but one of the most common is Sterrad. The plasma sterilizer from this manufacturer is highly efficient, as it can process 150 liters of reagent in just 75 minutes. In addition, this unit also has the following characteristics:
- the device has two sterilization duty cycles, which differ in duration - 75 and 105 minutes;
- control is carried out using the touch color display;
- at the request of the customer, the device can be made one-door or two-door;
- a barcode reader is also available;
- it is possible to connect the device to the hospital network so that it is possible to save data about applying a barcode or about other operations performed;
- the device has a system that measures the concentration of peroxide every second during operation;
- The Sterrad 200 plasma sterilizer also has built-in wheels to make it easier to transport.
It is also worth mentioning that this device has several other features. For example, during sterilization it does not damage instruments sensitive to overheating or liquids. In addition, it is able to increase the wear resistance and reduces the need of the cutting device for sharpening.
Description of the DGM
The main purpose of the DGM plasma sterilizer is not only that it is able to efficiently process various objects, but also that the unit can work with things characterized by instability to thermal loads. However, this device cannot be used, for example, to sterilize tubes made of stainless steel, while having a diameter of less than 1 mm and a length of more than 400 mm.
Among the main advantages of such a device are the following points:
- the working cycle lasts less than one hour;
- after sterilization is completed, the aeration process is not required;
- it is safe to operate the DGM Z 150 plasma sterilizer for both personnel and the environment;
- the process itself is completely safe for things themselves.
Processing process
Low-temperature devices are currently considered a new generation among sterilization equipment. The processing process in such devices is carried out not only in a dry atmosphere, but also at a fairly low temperature - only thirty-six degrees Celsius. As the main working solution, all low-temperature plasma sterilizers use hydrogen peroxide based liquid vapor. In addition, low-temperature plasma is also involved in the work process.
It is also worth noting that this method replaced the sterilization by the gas method using ethylene oxide. The main problem with using ethylene oxide is that this sterilizing agent is very toxic. In addition, after applying such a chemical, it is necessary to ventilate the room in which the processing process took place for a sufficiently long time.
Most often, low-temperature units are located in operating units.
How is the process going?
Before proceeding directly to sterilization, all instruments are first wrapped, and then laid out on special racks available in the units. In addition, a mechanical vacuum pump is used, which is designed to reduce pressure. For the formation of plasma, a strong electric field is used, which is formed when applying pulsed direct current.
The rack inside the camera is not only for placing tools. During operation, this part also acts as an electrode when a plasma is being formed. Immediately after a pulsed direct current is supplied, a certain amount of sterilizing substance is injected into the chamber, which is distributed inside the cavity, uniformly covering the entire surface of the processed tool. To begin to form plasma, it is necessary to maintain a pressure in the region of 0.1 mbar.
Reviews about this equipment are quite positive. This method is innovative, and therefore its use is not so widespread. However, in leading clinics where this method and devices are used, only positive reviews are left about them. Of the negative, we can only distinguish that the cost of such units is very high.