DESC:BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0001] Embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to sterilizing materials, and more particularly, to a plasma sterilizer to sterilize materials to kill microorganisms.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] Sterilization refers to a process that eliminates or removes or kills or deactivates all forms of life (in particular referring to microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, spores, unicellular eukaryotic organisms such as Plasmodium, etc.) and other biological agents like prions present in a specific surface, object or fluid. Sterilization may be achieved through various means, including heat, chemicals, irradiation, high pressure, and filtration. Sterilization is distinct from disinfection, sanitization, and pasteurization, in that those methods reduce rather than eliminate all forms of life and biological agents present. After sterilization, an object is referred to as being sterile or aseptic. The applications of sterilization are food, medicine and spacecraft. Three primary methods of medical sterilization occur from high temperature/pressure and chemical processes, are plasma gas sterilizers, autoclaves and vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilizers.
[0003] Hydrogen peroxide plasma in the sterilizer are used Liquid hydrogen peroxide is inserted into the sterilizer. The liquid is heated up in a vaporizer in order to turn it into gas. Once that has been accomplished, the hydrogen peroxide gas is heated to an even higher temperature, at which point it turns into plasma. It is most often used for plasma cleaning and sterilization. Hydrogen Peroxide in liquid form is most known for its cleaning or bleaching properties. When an aqueous solution of Hydrogen Peroxide is dosed into a plasma machine vacuum chamber it evaporates and disperses. Further, the Hydrogen Peroxide is toxic and may cause allergy to skin the sterilized material are reused by users.
[0004] Plasma sterilizes by a process called oxidation. The plasma produces a chemical reaction in which all microorganisms are deactivated. The high heat turns the molecules of the hydrogen peroxide into free radicals, which are highly unstable. In their “search” for returning to a stable state, they latch on to the microorganisms in the load. Thus, effectively destroying the components of their cells, such as enzymes, nucleic acids, and DNA.
[0005] Ozone is the most powerful oxidative agent that occurs naturally. With its extra free radical oxygen molecule, ozone is able to destroy germs, viruses, and microbes that may cause surface or air contaminations. Furthermore, ozone leaves no chemical residue typical of alternative detergent or synthetic cleaners, and if handled properly by converting ozone back to oxygen molecules, it can be one of the most effective sterilizing tools. Ozone is a powerful and natural purifier. Best results were achieved at high power levels (350 and 400 W) using pure oxygen, showing that plasma sterilization is a promising alternative to other sterilization methods.
[0006] With the global Covid-19 pandemic everywhere in the world, many healthcare professionals and concerned citizens are grappling with the shortage of respirator masks, vital tools for ensuring that healthcare workers are not infected by the people they’re trying to help. Thus, there remains a need for an improved sterilization system using plasma to kill microorganisms like germs, viruses, corona etc. to enable the reuse hospital/medical tools by physicians

SUMMARY
[0007] In view of foregoing an embodiment herein provides a plasma sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing one or more materials. The plasma sterilizing apparatus includes an air pump, an ozone generator, a sterilizing chamber, and a controller. The air pump pumps atmospheric air into the plasma sterilizing apparatus. The ozone generator receives the atmospheric air from the air pump, and generates ozone (O3) by ionizing oxygen (O2) present in the atmospheric air. The sterilizing chamber sterilizes the one or more materials placed in the sterilizing chamber with the ozone received from the ozone generator. The controller is communicatively connected to the air pump and the ozone generator. When in operation, during a sterilization process, the controller is configured to (i) activate the air pump to pump the atmospheric air into the plasma sterilizing apparatus, and (ii) activate the ozone generator to (a) generate the ozone in concentration ranging from 100 to 1000 parts per million with the atmospheric air, and (b) provide the generated ozone to the sterilizing chamber. The ozone diffuses through the one or more materials and sterilizes micro-organisms present in the one or more materials.
[0008] In some embodiments, the sterilizing chamber includes a receptacle. The one or more materials are placed on the receptacle for sterilization.
[0009] In some embodiments, the ozone generator provides the generated ozone to the sterilizing chamber for a pre-defined period of time for sterilizing the one or more materials at a 360o angle.
[0010] In some embodiments, the pre-defined period of time is in a range of 20 minutes to 30 minutes. The pre-defined period of time is based on a type of one or more materials.
[0011] In some embodiments, the controller is configured with one or more modes of sterilization for sterilizing one or more types of materials. The one or more modes of sterilization includes a low mode, a medium mode and a high mode based on the one or more types of materials.
[0012] In some embodiments, the plasma sterilizing apparatus includes a destruction device that provides magnesium dioxide to convert the ozone present in the sterilization chamber into oxygen after the sterilization process.
[0013] In some embodiments, the plasma sterilizing apparatus includes a moisture unit that provides moisture inside the sterilizing chamber to increase a moisture level inside the sterilizing chamber during the sterilizing process, when the moisture level inside the sterilizing chamber is below a threshold value.
[0014] In an aspect, an embodiment herein provides a method for sterilizing one or more materials using a plasma sterilizing apparatus. The method includes (i) activating an air pump to pump an atmospheric air into the plasma sterilizing apparatus using a controller, and (ii) activating an ozone generator to (a) generate ozone in concentration ranging from 100 to 1000 parts per million with the atmospheric air, and (b) provide the generated ozone to a sterilizing chamber. The ozone diffuses through the one or more materials and sterilized micro-organisms present in the one or more materials.
[0015] In some embodiments, the method includes providing magnesium dioxide to convert the ozone present in the sterilization chamber into oxygen after the sterilization process, using a destruction device.
[0016] In some embodiments, the method includes providing moisture inside the sterilizing chamber to increase a moisture level inside the sterilizing chamber during the sterilizing process, when the moisture level inside the sterilizing chamber is below a threshold value, using a moisture unit.
[0017] The plasma sterilizing apparatus sterilizes the one or more materials at 360o angle to kill micro-organisms present in the one or more materials, ensuring 100% sterilization. This apparatus may be implemented in various places like hospitals, police stations and public places, as the plasma sterilizing apparatus is portable. The plasma sterilizing apparatus is capable of killing 99.7% of 650 different kinds of pathogenic organisms within 20-30 minutes. The plasma sterilizing apparatus provides maximum protection against germs with minimum effort and zero risk, with compactness and easy operation.
[0018] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a plasma sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing a material according to an embodiment herein;
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the plasma sterilizing apparatus of FIG. 1 for sterilizing a material according to an embodiment herein;
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view of the plasma sterilizing apparatus of FIG. 1 on which one or more materials to be sterilized is placed according to an embodiment herein; and
[0023] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method of sterilizing a material according to an embodiment herein; and
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0025] As mentioned, there remains a need for a plasma sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing a material for kill microorganisms. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 for sterilizing a material according to an embodiment herein. The plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 includes an air pump 102, an ozone generator 104, a sterilizing chamber 106, a controller 108 and a power supply 110. The air pump 102 pumps atmospheric air into the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100. The ozone generator 104 is connected to the air pump 102. The ozone generator 104 receives the atmospheric air from the air pump 102 and generates ozone (O3) by ionizing the oxygen (O2) present in the atmospheric air. The sterilizing chamber 106 includes a receptacle on which one or more materials to be sterilized are placed. The sterilizing chamber 106 receives the ozone from the ozone generator 104 for sterilizing the one or more material that is placed inside the sterilizing chamber 106. The controller 108 is communicatively connected to the air pump 102 and the ozone generator 104. When in operation, during a sterilization process, the controller 108 is configured to activate the air pump 102 to pump the atmospheric air into the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 and activate the ozone generator 104 to generate the ozone in a concentration ranging from 100 to 1000 parts per million (PPM). The ozone generator 104 provides the generated ozone to the sterilizing chamber 106 for a predefined period of time for sterilizing the one or more materials at 3600 angle. As the ozone is a gas, the ozone diffuses through the one or more materials at 3600 angle to kill/sterilize micro-organisms present in the one or more materials. In some embodiments, the predefined period of time may be 20-30 minutes and the predefined period of time is mainly dependents on a type of material that needs to be sterilized.
[0027] In some embodiments, the controller 108 controls the ozone generator 104 to generate ozone for different concentrations (e.g. 100 – 1000 PPM) for different types of micro-organisms. In some embodiments, the microorganisms or microbes are microscopic organisms that exist as unicellular, multi cellular, or cell clusters such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, algae, spores, unicellular eukaryotic organisms such as plasmodium, etc. and other biological agents like prions present in a specific surface, object or fluid. In some embodiments, the controller 108 is configured with one or more mode of sterilization for sterilizing different types of materials. In some embodiments, the mode of sterilization may be low, medium and high for different type of the materials. In some embodiments, the mode of sterilization may a mask mode for sterilizing masks, a mobile mode for sterilizing mobile phone etc.
[0028] In some embodiments, the plasma sterilizing apparatus 106 includes a door open sensor that senses an opening of a door of the sterilizing chamber 106. The door open sensor is communicatively connected to the controller 108 and the controller 108 deactivates the ozone generator 104 when the door open sensor senses the opening of the door of the sterilizing chamber 106.
[0029] In some embodiments, the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 includes a display unit that displays one or more modes of sterilization for sterilizing different type of the materials. In some embodiment, the display unit comprises a user interface that allows a user to select a preferred mode of sterilization for sterilizing the one or more materials.
[0030] In some embodiments, the different type of materials includes personal protective equipment (PPE). The personal protective equipment (PPE) is equipment that protects the user against health or safety risks at work. PPE may include items such as safety masks, face shields, helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses, gowns, head covers, respirators, and shoe covers. In some embodiments, the different type of materials also includes respiratory protective equipment (RPE). In some embodiments, face shields, gloves, goggles and glasses, gowns, head covers, and shoe covers protect against the transmission of germs through contact and droplet routes.
[0031] In some embodiments, the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 includes an auto lock unit that auto-locks the door of the sterilizing chamber 106 during the sterilization process and unlocks the door of the sterilizing chamber 106 once the sterilization process is completed. In some embodiments, the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 includes a destruction device that provides magnesium dioxide to convert the ozone present in the sterilization chamber 106 into oxygen after the sterilization process is completed. In some embodiments, the mode of sterilization depends upon the material sterilized.
[0032] In some embodiments, the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 includes a moisture unit that provides moisture inside the sterilizing chamber 106 to increase a moisture level during the sterilization process when the moisture level inside the sterilizing chamber 106 is below a threshold level. The threshold level is an optimum level of moisture required in the sterilizing chamber 106 during the sterilization process.
[0033] In some embodiments, the power supply 110 uses an electric or battery power. The power supply unit supplies power to the air pump 102, the ozone generator 104, the controller 108, the door open sensor, the display unit, the auto-lock unit, the destruction device and the moisture unit.
[0034] In some embodiments, as the ozone generated from the ozone generator 104 is a gas, the generated ozone easily penetrates into the one or more materials at 3600 angle inside the sterilizing chamber 106 for a predefined period of time for sterilizing the one or more materials at 3600 angle to kill micro-organisms present in the one or more materials, thereby ensuring ensures 100% sterilization. The plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 is significantly economic and portable. The plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 may be easily implemented in various places like hospitals, police stations and public places etc. The plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 uses ozone to sterilize hospital laboratory tools. The plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 is effective in sterilizing safety masks, face shields, helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses, gowns, head covers, respirators, and shoe covers. To sanitize tools, users may simply place items inside the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 and select a preferred mode of sterilization.
[0035] The anti-microbial properties of the ozone provide a powerful sanitizing effect that is capable of killing 99.7% of 650 different kinds of pathogenic organisms (bacteria, viruses and fungi) in 20-30 minutes. The plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 is very safe and efficient, does not use any liquids, harmful UV rays, harsh chemicals, or heat, and does not damage any surfaces or leave any chemical residues behind. Furthermore, the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 is able to penetrate into cavities or crevices that were previously unreachable so the tools or personal items are more thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. The plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 gives maximum protection against germs with minimum effort and zero risk, all in a unit that is both compact and extremely easy to operate.
[0036] In some embodiments, the auto lock unit of the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 locks the door of the sterilizing chamber 106 during the sterilization process and unlocks the door of the sterilizing chamber 106 once the sterilization is completed. This may ensure the safety of the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100. The oxygen recycling is taking place by providing magnesium dioxide from the destruction device of the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 to convert the ozone generated into oxygen after the sterilization process is completed.
[0037] In some embodiments, ozone does not produce toxic fumes. At the end of the sterilization process, the plasma is non-toxic by converting the ozone into oxygen, which safely evaporates into the atmosphere. The plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 may run the sterilization process for less than an hour, with the average cycle running 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the sterilizer, and size and contents of the load. That is a huge advantage over other sterilizations. The other advantages of the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 are no chemical residues, safety of handling, safety for the environment, short processing time.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 for sterilizing a material according to an embodiment herein. The plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 includes an air pump 102, an ozone generator 104, a sterilizing chamber 106, a controller 108 and a power supply 110. The air pump 102 pumps atmospheric air into the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100. The ozone generator 104 is connected to the air pump 102. The ozone generator 104 receives the atmospheric air from the air pump 102 and generates ozone (O3) by ionizing the oxygen present in the atmospheric air. The sterilizing chamber 106 includes a receptacle on which one or more materials to be sterilized are placed. The sterilizing chamber 106 receives the ozone from the ozone generator 104 for sterilizing the one or more material that is placed inside the sterilizing chamber 106. The controller 108 is communicatively connected to the air pump 102 and the ozone generator 104. When in operation, during a sterilization process, the controller 108 is configured to activate the air pump 102 to pump the atmospheric air into the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 and activate the ozone generator 104 to generate the ozone in a concentration ranging from 100 to 1000 parts per million (PPM). The ozone generator 104 provides the generated ozone to the sterilizing chamber 106 for a predefined period of time for sterilizing the one or more materials at 3600 angle. As the ozone is a gas, the ozone diffuses through the one or more materials at 3600 angle to kill micro-organisms present in the one or more materials.
[0039] In some embodiments, the controller 108 controls the ozone generator 104 to generate ozone for different concentrations (e.g. 100 – 1000 PPM) for different types of micro-organisms. In some embodiments, the plasma sterilizing apparatus 106 includes a door open sensor 202 that senses an opening of a door of the sterilizing chamber 106. The door open sensor 202 is communicatively connected to the controller 108 and the controller 108 deactivates the ozone generator 104 when the door open sensor 202 senses the opening of the door of the sterilizing chamber 106.
[0040] In some embodiments, the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 includes a display unit 204 that displays one or more modes of sterilization for sterilizing different type of the materials. In some embodiments, the mode of sterilization may be low, medium and high for different type of the materials. In some embodiments, the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 includes an auto lock unit 206 that auto-locks the door of the sterilizing chamber 106 during the sterilization process and unlocks the door of the sterilizing chamber 106 once the sterilization process is completed. In some embodiments, the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 includes a destruction device 208 that provides magnesium dioxide to convert the ozone present in the sterilization chamber 106 into oxygen after the sterilization process is completed. In some embodiments, the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 includes a moisture unit 210 that provides moisture inside the sterilizing chamber 106 to increase a moisture level during the sterilization process when the moisture level inside the sterilizing chamber 106 is below a threshold level.
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view of the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 on which one or more materials to be sterilized is placed according to an embodiment herein. The plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 comprises the sterilizing chamber 106 that includes a receptacle on which one or more materials to be sterilized are placed. The sterilizing chamber 106 receives the ozone from the ozone generator 104 for sterilizing the one or more material that is placed inside the sterilizing chamber 106. When in operation, during a sterilization process, the controller 108 is configured to activate the air pump 102 to pump the atmospheric air into the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100 and activate the ozone generator 104 to generate the ozone in a concentration ranging from 100 to 1000 parts per million (PPM). The ozone generator 104 provides the generated ozone to the sterilizing chamber 106 for a predefined period of time for sterilizing the one or more materials at 3600 angle to kill micro-organisms present in the one or more materials.
[0042] In some embodiments, the controller 108 controls the ozone generator 104 to generate ozone for different concentrations (e.g. 100 – 1000 PPM) for different types of micro-organisms. In some embodiments, the plasma sterilizing apparatus 106 includes a door open sensor that senses an opening of a door of the sterilizing chamber 106. The door open sensor is communicatively connected to the controller 108 and the controller 108 deactivates the ozone generator 104 when the door open sensor senses the opening of the door of the sterilizing chamber 106.
[0043] In some embodiments, the different type of materials includes personal protective equipment (PPE). The personal protective equipment (PPE) is equipment that protects the user against health or safety risks at work. PPE may include items such as safety masks, face shields, helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses, gowns, head covers, respirators, and shoe covers. In some embodiments, the different type of materials also includes respiratory protective equipment (RPE). In some embodiments, face shields, gloves, goggles and glasses, gowns, head covers, and shoe covers protect against the transmission of germs through contact and droplet routes.
[0044] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method of sterilizing a material according to an embodiment herein. At step 202, the air pump 102 is activated to pump the atmospheric air into the plasma sterilizing apparatus 100. At step 404, the ozone generator 104 is activated to generate the ozone in a concentration ranging from 100 to 1000 parts per million (PPM). The ozone generator 104 provides the generated ozone to the sterilizing chamber 106 for a predefined period of time for sterilizing the one or more materials at 3600 angle to kill micro-organisms present in the one or more materials.
[0045] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the appended claims. ,CLAIMS:I/We Claim:
1. A plasma sterilizing apparatus (100) for sterilizing one or more materials, wherein the plasma sterilizing apparatus (100) comprises,
an air pump (102) that pumps atmospheric air into the plasma sterilizing apparatus (100);
an ozone generator (104) that receives the atmospheric air from the air pump (102), and generates ozone (O3) by ionizing oxygen (O2) present in the atmospheric air;
a sterilizing chamber (106) that sterilizes the one or more materials placed in the sterilizing chamber (106) with the ozone received from the ozone generator (104); and
a controller (108) that is communicatively connected to the air pump (102) and the ozone generator (104), wherein when in operation, during a sterilization process, the controller (108) is configured to:
activate the air pump (102) to pump the atmospheric air into the plasma sterilizing apparatus (100); and
activate the ozone generator (104) to (i) generate the ozone in concentration ranging from 100 to 1000 parts per million with the atmospheric air, and (ii) provide the generated ozone to the sterilizing chamber (106), wherein the ozone diffuses through the one or more materials and sterilizes micro-organisms present in the one or more materials.

2. The plasma sterilizing apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sterilizing chamber (106) comprises a receptacle, wherein the one or more materials are placed on the receptacle for sterilization.

3. The plasma sterilizing apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ozone generator (104) provides the generated ozone to the sterilizing chamber (106) for a pre-defined period of time for sterilizing the one or more materials at a 360o angle.

4. The plasma sterilizing apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pre-defined period of time is in a range of 20 minutes (mins) to 30 mins, wherein the pre-defined period of time is based on a type of one or more materials.

5. The plasma sterilizing apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (108) is configured with one or more modes of sterilization for sterilizing one or more types of materials, wherein the one or more modes of sterilization comprises a low mode, a medium mode and a high mode based on the one or more types of materials.

6. The plasma sterilizing apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plasma sterilizing apparatus (100) comprises a destruction device (208) that provides magnesium dioxide to convert the ozone present in the sterilization chamber (106) into oxygen after the sterilization process.

7. The plasma sterilizing apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plasma sterilizing apparatus (100) comprises a moisture unit (210) that provides moisture inside the sterilizing chamber (106) to increase a moisture level inside the sterilizing chamber (106) during the sterilization process, when the moisture level inside the sterilizing chamber (106) is below a threshold value.

8. A method for sterilizing one or more materials using a plasma sterilizing apparatus (100), wherein the method comprises,
activating, using a controller (108), an air pump (102) to pump an atmospheric air into the plasma sterilizing apparatus (100); and
activating, using the controller (108), an ozone generator (104) to (i) generate ozone in concentration ranging from 100 to 1000 parts per million with the atmospheric air, and (ii) provide the generated ozone to a sterilizing chamber (106), wherein the ozone diffuses through the one or more materials and sterilizes micro-organisms present in the one or more materials.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the method comprises,
providing, using a destruction device (208), magnesium dioxide to convert the ozone present in the sterilization chamber (106) into oxygen after the sterilization process.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the method comprises,
providing, using a moisture unit (210), moisture inside the sterilizing chamber (106) to increase a moisture level inside the sterilizing chamber (106) during the sterilization process, when the moisture level inside the sterilizing chamber (106) is below a threshold value.