Gas Plasma Sterilization -- Application of Space-Age Technology

Abstract

Gas plasma sterilization is new to the healthcare field. The first such sterilizer has been manufactured by Advanced Sterilization Products (J&J, Irvine, CA). The system uses hydrogen peroxide as the substrate gas and radio frequency emissions to generate plasma. This system is a low-temperature, quick-acting process with no toxic residues. It appears that this sterilizer system holds promise in the healthcare field and could help to reduce the use of ethylene oxide.

Vapor Phase Hydrogen Peroxide – Method for Decontamination of Surfaces and Working Areas from Organic Pollutants

“…by an electric pulse, radiofrequency or microwave irradiation. It can be formed at atmospheric pressure and higher temperature (105 °C) or at reduced pressure (~ 40 Pa) and substantially lower temperature (55 -60 °C) which is called low-temperature plasma (Crow & Smith, 1995). It consists of free radicals (mainly hydroxyl or hydroperoxyl radicals), ions, neutral particles and excited atoms or molecules which show high activity in deactivation of contaminants (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2005).…”

“…The Johnson & Johnson Medical company and its division Surgikos Inc. patented for the first time a decontamination device in the form of a vacuum chamber where the contaminated instruments were treated with hydrogen peroxide plasma (Parisi & Young, 1991). This kind of decontamination, marked as "STERAD sterilization system", is recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an advanced sterilization technique for enclosed spaces (Crow & Smith, 1995). Although the systems using VPHP together with plasma are very useful for temperature-or water-sensitive materials, their big disadvantage is that they can only be applied in small closed spaces because of the high vacuum or temperature required in the chamber (Adams et al, 1998).…”

Inactivation of Microorganisms and Endotoxins by Low Temperature Nitrogen Gas Plasma Exposure

“…Useful review articles on plasma sterilization using several sorts of gases have been published so far (Tamazawa, 2004;Stoffels et. al., 2004;Moisan et al, 2001;Crow and Smith, 1995;Griffiths 1993).…”

Non-traditional sterilization techniques for biomaterials and medical devices

“…Very succinctly, a cold plasma (sometimes called the fourth state of matter) is a partially ionized gas at reduced pressure, comprising ions, electrons, ultraviolet light and reactive neutrals such as radicals, excited and ground-state molecules. H 2 O 2 produces reactive species, such as hydroxyl and atomic oxygen radicals, ultraviolet light, etc., which attack the cell membrane, DNA and enzymes (Holler et al ., 1993;Crow and Smith, 1995). Following the reaction, the activated components lose their high energy and recombine to form oxygen and water.…”

“…In Canada, Sterrad®100 and 100S were approved without restriction (Alfa et al ., 1996). The diffusion enhancer was, however, not FDA cleared and sterilization of fl exible endoscopes was not allowed (Crow and Smith, 1995;Rutala, 2008). However, much progress has been made in this regards since the fi rst generation.…”