Advances in biological decontamination using a direct current steady state atmospheric pressure plasma discharge apparatus

Summary form only given. Recent advances in bioelectronics have made optimal reusable heat sensitive tools and smart materials, a reality in surgical instruments and catheters. Traditional sterilization methods involving high temperature, pressure and long down times renders it ineffective and unsuitable for such newer breed of instrumentation. The paper illustrates the test results of an effective alternative solution, involving the usage of a non thermal atmospheric pressure resistive barrier plasma discharge for biological decontamination. The discharge apparatus was found to be rapid, effective and portable. Its simple design eliminates the need for any operational expertise in plasma or high voltage sciences. The sterilizer was tested extensively with Escherichia coli and the results indicated 100% decontamination within the first four minutes of plasma exposure. The requisite exposure period was dramatically reduced further by 75% to one minute when the water in the resistive barrier electrodes was replaced with a solution of 30% hydrogen peroxide. Simple tests involving electrostatic filters also revealed evidence of presence of charged/activated ingredients in the generated plasma and plasma could also diffuse through sealed business envelopes to decontaminate infected samples. The plasma discharge was found to be effective for reasonable periods even after the electric current was turned off, thereby significantly lowering power consumption levels. Thus the plasma sterilizer was profiled and tested, while adding further value through important findings such as the presence of charged/activated ingredients and effectiveness of the hydrogen peroxide