Patents Assigned to Abtox, Inc.
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Patent number: 5753196Abstract: An apparatus for plasma sterilization of articles includes a plasma generator, a sterilizing chamber, and a source of water vapor in fluid communication with the plasma generator, and may optionally include an autoclave. A method for plasma sterilization comprises exposing an article to be sterilized to a neutral active species of a plasma generated from water vapor. The exposure of the article to the plasma is carried out at reduced pressures and a chamber temperature of less than about 82.degree. C. for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1996Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Assignee: AbTox, Inc.Inventors: Phillip A. Martens, David L. Rainwater
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Patent number: 5650693Abstract: An apparatus for plasma sterilization of articles is provided that comprises a plasma generator and a sterilizing chamber. The plasma generator has an inlet for receiving a premixed gas mixture from a pressurized source. The pressurized gas mixture source is a single container (or multiple containers with the same contents), having a noble gas and further having a non-flammable mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: July 22, 1997Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Bryant A. Campbell, deceased, Kern A. Moulton, Jim Fisher
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Patent number: 5645796Abstract: A process for plasma sterilization in which articles in a sterilizing chamber are taken through at least one combination sterilizing cycle. The articles to be sterilized may include the interior of a vessel or chamber. In that case, the vessel or chamber itself may serve as a sterilizing chamber and connects to the plasma generating chamber. Each combination sterilizing cycle includes a pulsed treatment with gaseous antimicrobial agent, removal of the gaseous antimicrobial agent, and a plasma treatment. The pulsed treatment includes one or more pulse-vacuum cycles, each pulse-vacuum cycle includes the steps of evacuating the sterilizing chamber and exposing the article to the gaseous antimicrobial agent with a predetermined pressure profile during a predetermined time. The gaseous antimicrobial agent is preferably carried in a gas mixture with a nonreactive carrier gas. In one embodiment, the predetermined pressure is pulsed. In another embodiment, it is ramped.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: July 8, 1997Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Ross A. Caputo, Thomas J. Amsler, Kangyan Du, Jeffery Jones, Kern A. Moulton, Bryant A. Campbell, deceased
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Patent number: 5620656Abstract: Devices useful to monitor whether or not an article has been exposed to sterilizing conditions are provided and comprise a package and an indicator associated with the package. The package is sufficiently permeable to admit sterilizing gas or vapor into the package. The indicator associated with the package changes color from a first color (indicating ambient conditions) to a second color (indicating exposure to acidic gas or vapor). Both the first and second colors of the indicator are stable and preferably substantially maintain their colors under ambient conditions. Particularly, preferred embodiments are adapted for use with peracetic acid sterilization processes.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1995Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Afaf Wensky, Phillip A. Martens, Ross A. Caputo
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Patent number: 5603895Abstract: An apparatus for plasma sterilization of articles is provided with a plasma generator, a sterilizing chamber, and a source of water vapor in fluid communication with the plasma generator, and may optionally include an autoclave. A method for plasma sterilization comprises exposing an article to be sterilized to a neutral active species of a plasma generated from water vapor. The exposure of the article to the plasma is carried out at reduced pressures and a chamber temperature of less than about 82.degree. C. for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: February 18, 1997Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Phillip A. Martens, David L. Rainwater
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Patent number: 5593649Abstract: A canister is provided that is adapted for use in a plasma induced sterilization process. The canister contains a gas mixture that is pressurized to between about 2200 psig to about 2500 psig. The gas mixture has about 2.0 to 2.4 (v/v) percent hydrogen and about 2.6 to 3.0 (v/v) percent oxygen, and the rest of the gas mixture is noble gas or a mixture of noble gases.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Jim Fisher, Bryant A. Campbell, deceased, Kern A. Moulton
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Patent number: 5498526Abstract: Biological indicators are provided for use in validating and routinely monitoring oxidizing gas sterilizations. The biological indicators are based on Bacillus circulans spores that are enclosed in packages with sufficient permeability to admit a sterilizing amount of vapor while being substantially bacteria impermeable.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1993Date of Patent: March 12, 1996Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Ross A. Caputo, Phillip A. Martens
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Patent number: 5482684Abstract: A system for testing sterilization processes is provided by a vessel having a chamber, a plasma generator adapted to generate a plasma upstream of the chamber, a monitor associated with the chamber, and a biological or chemical indicator disposable within the chamber. The plasma generator generates upstream plasma that contains a plurality of atomic and/or molecular species, and the monitor is capable of determining a concentration of selected species in the plasma when flowing through the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1994Date of Patent: January 9, 1996Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Phillip A. Martens, Ross A. Caputo
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Patent number: 5472664Abstract: A method for plasma sterilization comprises exposing an article to be sterilized to a neutral active species of a plasma generated from a premixed gas mixture comprising oxygen, hydrogen, and a noble gas. The exposure of the article to the plasma is carried out at reduced pressures and a chamber temperature of less than 63.degree. C. for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization. The apparatus for plasma sterilization of articles comprises a plasma generator, a sterilizing chamber, and a source of pressurized gas mixture in fluid communication with the plasma generator. The source of pressurized gas mixture has a noble gas and a substantially nonflammable mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, which is preferably between about 2.0 to 2.4 (v/v) percent hydrogen and between 2.6 to 3.0 (v/v) percent oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1994Date of Patent: December 5, 1995Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Bryant A. Campbell, deceased, Kern A. Moulton, Jim Fisher
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Patent number: 5413759Abstract: A method for plasma sterilization includes exposing an article to be sterilized to a plasma generated from a gas mixture. The gas mixture being either (a) argon, helium, nitrogen, or mixtures thereof, and oxygen and hydrogen; (b) argon, helium, nitrogen or mixtures thereof, and hydrogen; or (c) argon, helium, nitrogen or mixtures thereof, and oxygen. The exposure of the article to the plasma is carried out at a pressure of from 0.1 to 10 torr and a chamber temperature of less than 63.degree. C. for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization. Contaminated articles can be pretreated in a plasma generated from oxygen and optionally argon, helium and/or nitrogen at the same conditions for up to 5 minutes to remove protein. The apparatus for plasma sterilization of articles includes a plasma generator and a sterilizing chamber. The plasma generator includes a plurality of generator tubes positioned in one or more electromagnetic field zones defined by one or more waveguides.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1993Date of Patent: May 9, 1995Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Bryant A. Campbell, Kern A. Moulton
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Patent number: 5413760Abstract: A plasma sterilizer and method employ essentially uncharged, highly reactive free radicals, atoms and excited molecules of a gas mixture to sterilize articles. The gas mixture includes oxidizing and/or reducing agents and is ionized into a plasma having ionization products that include highly destructive components in the form of charged particles and ultra-violet radiation. A plasma distribution device blocks the ultra-violet radiation and facilitates the recombination of the charged particles such that essentially uncharged, highly reactive free radicals, atoms and excited molecules of the gas mixture are delivered to the articles.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1992Date of Patent: May 9, 1995Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Bryant A. Campbell, deceased, Kern A. Moulton
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Patent number: 5413758Abstract: A process and equipment for plasma sterilization in which articles in a sterilizing chamber are taken through at least one combination sterilizing cycle. The articles to be sterilized may include the interior of a vessel or chamber. In that case, the vessel or chamber itself may serve as a sterilizing chamber and connects to the plasma generating chamber. Each combination sterilizing cycle includes a pulsed treatment with gaseous antimicrobial agent, removal of the gaseous antimicrobial agent, and a plasma treatment. The pulsed treatment includes one or more pulse-vacuum cycles, each pulse-vacuum cycle includes the steps of evacuating the sterilizing chamber and exposing the article to the gaseous antimicrobial agent with a predetermined pressure profile during a predetermined time. The gaseous antimicrobial agent is preferably carried in a gas mixture with a nonreactive carrier gas. In one embodiment, the predetermined pressure is pulsed. In another embodiment, it is ramped.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1993Date of Patent: May 9, 1995Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Ross A. Caputo, Jeffrey Jones, Kern A. Moulton, Bryant A. Campbell, deceased
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Patent number: 5376332Abstract: A method for plasma sterilization includes forming a gas plasma from a substantially oxygen-free mixture containing argon or helium and from 1% to 5% (v/v) hydrogen in a plasma generating chamber, and exposing an article to be sterilized in a sterilizing chamber to a non-explosive mixture of the plasma gas and from 1% up to 20% (v/v) oxygen gas. Preferably, the pressure in the sterilizing chamber is from 0.1 to 10 torr and the chamber temperature is less than 6.degree. C., the mixture from which the plasma is generated contains from 4% to 5% (v/v) hydrogen, and the article in the sterilizing chamber is exposed to a mixture of plasma gas and from 1% to 10% (v/v) oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1993Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: ABTOX, Inc.Inventors: Phillip A. Martens, Bryant A. Campbell
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Patent number: 5325020Abstract: An apparatus for plasma sterilization includes a sterilization chamber and at least one microwave plasma generator for producing gas plasma products communicating therewith. The microwave plasma generator comprises a cylindrical metal waveguide and an axially concentric antenna extending into the waveguide. The plasma generator includes an inner plasma container made of a electromagnetic transparent material.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1992Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: AbTox, Inc.Inventors: Bryant A. Campbell, deceased, Vincent Formanek
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Patent number: 5288460Abstract: A method for plasma sterilization within a controlled temperature range includes exposing the interior of a chamber and any articles therein to a gas plasma flowing from a plasma generating chamber until the temperature in the chamber rises to a preselected maximum temperature. The flow of the plasma gas to the chamber is terminated when the temperature in the chamber falls to a temperature below the preselected maximum temperature. These steps are repeated until sterilization of the interior of the chamber or any articles therein is effected. The temperature below the preselected maximum temperature when gas plasma flow is again initiated is preferably not more than 3.degree. C. below the preselected maximum temperature. The gas plasma can be generated from a gas mixture that includes oxidizing and/or reducing agents. Preferably the pressure in the sterilizing chamber rises to from 0.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1992Date of Patent: February 22, 1994Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Ross A. Caputo, Jeffrey Jones, Kern A. Moulton, Bryant A. Campbell, deceased
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Patent number: 5186893Abstract: A method for plasma sterilization within a controlled temperature range includes exposing an article in a sterilizing chamber to a gas plasma flowing from a plasma generating chamber until the temperature in the sterilizing chamber rises to a preselected maximum temperature. The flow of the plasma gas to the sterilizing chamber is terminated until the temperature in the sterilizing chamber falls to a temperature below the preselected maximum temperature. These steps are repeated until sterilization of the article is effected. The temperature below the preselected maximum temperature when gas plasma flow is again initiated is preferably not more than 3.degree. C. below the preselected maximum temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1990Date of Patent: February 16, 1993Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Kern A. Moulton, Bryant A. Campbell, Ross A. Caputo
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Patent number: 5184046Abstract: An apparatus for plasma sterilization including a sterilization chamber and at least one microwave plasma generator for producing gas plasma products communicating therewith. The mircowave plasma generator includes a cylindrical metal waveguide and an axially concentric magnetron antenna extending into the waveguide. The plasma generator includes an inner plasma container made of a electromagnetic transparent material.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1990Date of Patent: February 2, 1993Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventor: Bryant A. Campbell
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Patent number: 5178829Abstract: A method for flash sterilization with a plasma gas includes exposing an unpackaged article in a sterilizing chamber to a gas plasma flowing from a plasma generating chamber until the temperature in the sterilizing chamber rises to a preselected maximum temperature of at least 100.degree. C. The flow of the plasma gas to the sterilizing chamber is terminated until the temperature in the sterilizing chamber falls to a temperature below the preselected maximum temperature. These steps are repeated until sterilization of the article is effected. The temperature below the preselected maximum temperature when gas plasma flow is again initiated is preferably not more than 3.degree. C. below the preselected maximum temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1990Date of Patent: January 12, 1993Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Kern A. Moulton, Bryant A. Campbell, Ross A. Caputo
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Patent number: 5115166Abstract: A method for plasma sterilization includes exposing an article to be sterilized to a plasma generated from a gas mixture. The gas mixture is either (a) argon, helium, nitrogen, or mixtures thereof, and oxygen and hydrogen; (b) argon, helium, nitrogen or mixtures thereof, and hydrogen; or (c) argon, helium, nitrogen or mixtures thereof, and oxygen. The exposure of the article to the plasma is carried out at a pressure of from 0.1 to 10 torr and a chamber temperature of less than 63.degree. C. for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization. Contaminated articles cna be pretreated in a plasma generated from oxygen and optionally argon, helium and/or nitrogen at the same conditions for up to 5 minutes to remove protein. The apparatus for plasma sterilization of articles includes a plasma generator and a sterilizing chamber. The plasma generator includes a plurality of generator tubes positioned in one or more electromagnetic field zones defined by one or more waveguides.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1990Date of Patent: May 19, 1992Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Bryant A. Campbell, Kern A. Moulton
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Patent number: 5084239Abstract: A process for plasma sterilization comprising exposing an article in a sterilizing chamber to at least one cycle comprising a pulsed treatment with gaseous antimicrobial agent and a plasma treatment. The pulsed treatment comprises at least two pulse-vacuum cycles, each pulse-vacuum cycle comprising the steps of exposing the article to the gaseous antimicrobial agent at a pressure of from 4 to 18 torr and reducing the pressure in the sterilizing chamber to from 0.1 to 4 torr. The plasma treatment comprising exposing the article to a plasma generated from gases selected from the group consisting essentially of argon, helium, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen and mixtures thereof, the exposure to the plasma being carried out at a pressure of from 0.1 to 10 torr and a temperature of less than 80.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1990Date of Patent: January 28, 1992Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Kern A. Moulton, Bryant A. Campbell, Ross A. Caputo