Abstract: There are provided methods for sterilizing and/or disinfecting an object. The methods can comprise exposing the object disposed in a packaging material having at least one open end to an afterglow plasma, wherein the packaging material is non-porous and is transparent to UV radiation. There are also provided methods for using a packaging material. The methods can comprise disposing an object to be sterilized into the packaging material, the packaging material being non-porous, transparent to UV radiation, and having at least one open end; and exposing the object and the packaging material having at least one open end, to an afterglow of a plasma, thereby at least substantially protecting the object to be sterilized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plasma generating device that comprises at least one very high frequency source (>100 MHz) connected via an impedance adaptation device to an elongated conductor attached on a dielectric substrate, at least one means for cooling said conductor, and at least one gas supply in the vicinity of the dielectric substrate on a side opposite to that bearing the conductor. The invention also relates to plasma torches using said device.

Abstract: There are provided methods for sterilizing and/or disinfecting an object. The methods can comprise exposing the object disposed in a packaging material having at least one open end to an afterglow plasma, wherein the packaging material is non-porous and is transparent to UV radiation. There are also provided methods for using a packaging material. The methods can comprise disposing an object to be sterilized into the packaging material, the packaging material being non-porous, transparent to UV radiation, and having at least one open end; and exposing the object and the packaging material having at least one open end, to an afterglow of a plasma, thereby at least substantially protecting the object to be sterilized.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of sterilization and/or inactivation of at least one surface of at least one contaminated object. The method being characterized in that one subjects the surface to the discharge plasma generated from an applicator of electromagnetic field of linear type, the plasma having a temperature and an absorbed power per unit of volume predetermined by the operating conditions, so as to sterilize the surface without significantly degrading it. The invention also concerns a device enabling the sterilization and/or inactivation of at least one surface of at least one contaminated object by means of a plasma. This method and this device can be used to sterilize or inactivate several types of objects, such as packages, films, metal plates, dielectric plates, prosthesis used in the medical field, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plasma generating device that comprises at least one very high frequency source (>100 MHz) connected via an impedance adaptation device to an elongated conductor attached on a dielectric substrate, at least one means for cooling said conductor, and at least one gas supply in the vicinity of the dielectric substrate on a side opposite to that bearing the conductor. The invention also relates to plasma torches using said device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cooling a plasma processing system for processing a mixture of particularly gaseous fluids, which comprises a means for coupling a source of microwave power to a mixture of particularly gaseous fluids flowing in a dielectric tube at the level of the coupling means adapted for transferring a portion of the microwave energy to the fluid mixture in order to generate therein a plasma for initiating the breaking of at least some chemical bonds of the fluid molecules, wherein said dielectric tube is at least partially cooled down by a coolant flow in thermal contact with the outer wall of the tube to be cooled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microwave plasma exciter device which includes a waveguide (23) for concentrating the microwaves; and a plasma generator (110, 120) for forming a plasma, which are disposed in a microwave concentration zone.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of sterilization and/or inactivation of at least one surface of at least one contaminated object. The method being characterized in that one subjects the surface to the discharge plasma generated from an applicator of electromagnetic field of linear type, the plasma having a temperature and an absorbed power per unit of volume predetermined by the operating conditions, so as to sterilize the surface without significantly degrading it. The invention also concerns a device enabling the sterilization and/or inactivation of at least one surface of at least one contaminated object by means of a plasma. This method and this device can be used to sterilize or inactivate several types of objects, such as packages, films, metal plates, dielectric plates, prosthesis used in the medical field, etc.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for treating gases such as PFC or HFC with plasma, comprising: (6) pumping means (6) whereof the outlet is at a pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure, plasma generator (8), at the pump output, to produce a plasma at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for sterilizing a contaminated object. The process comprises the insertion of the object in a sterilization chamber having at least one discharge tube in communication therewith. Then, the tube is fed with a liquid or gas stream, and the stream is subjected to an electric field so as to generate a plasma, thereby exposing the contaminated object to the action of sterilizing species that are present in a post-discharge zone or in a zone of excitation of the plasma. A device for carrying such a process is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microwave plasma exciter device comprising: a waveguide containing means (23) for concentrating the microwaves; and means (110, 120) for forming a plasma, which are disposed in a microwave concentration zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the conversion of a gas or gas mixture and, in particular, a fluorinated gaseous effluent. According to the invention, at least one bond between two atoms of at least one molecule of the gas or gas mixture is broken under the influence of an electric and/or magnetic field to which the gas or gas mixture is subjected. The gas or gas mixture stream is injected through the electric and/or magnetic field in a non-rectilinear manner in order to increase the distance travelled by the gas molecules through the field and, in this way, increase the effectiveness of the conversion of the gas or gas mixture molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the treatment of gases comprising impurities, in which the gas, which is essentially at atmospheric pressure, is subjected to a radio-frequency inductive plasma (RF-ICP) discharge.

Abstract: There is provided a process for sterilizing a dielectric contaminated object having at least one hollow part. The process comprises (a) producing a plasma by submitting a gas or a mixture of gases to an electromagnetic field; (b) treating the exterior of the object by means of an after-glow of the plasma; and (c) treating the at least one hollow part of the object by means of a discharge of the plasma, the discharge being produced inside the at least one hollow part. Step (c) is carried out before or after step (b). This process is particularly useful for sterilizing various medical or dental instruments. There is also provided a device for carrying such a process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for sterilizing a contaminated object. The process comprises the insertion of the object in a sterilization chamber having at least one discharge tube in communication therewith. Then, the tube is fed with a liquid or gas stream, and the stream is subjected to an electric field so as to generate a plasma, thereby exposing the contaminated object to the action of sterilizing species that are present in a post-discharge zone or in a zone of excitation of the plasma. A device for carrying such a process is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a device for the microwave-sustained plasma treatment of gases, which comprises a hollow structure forming a waveguide intended to be connected to a microwave generator, and means for making the gas to be treated flow through the said structure in a region in which the amplitude of the electric field associated with the incident wave is high. The means for making the gas flow comprise a plasma torch for producing a plasma in the gas. The torch comprises an injector made of an electrically conducting material mounted on a first large face of the said structure and extending so as to project through an orifice made in a second large face opposite the said first large face. A gap for passage of the incident waves lies around the injector.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for treating gases such as PFC or HFC with plasma, comprising: (6) pumping means (6) thereof the outlet is at a pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure, means (8), at the pump output, to produce a plasmas at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system including a microwave generator and a rectangular guide connected with the generator. The system is adapted to operate in fundamental (H10) or transverse electrical (TE10) mode, and associated with means providing a standing wave pattern. The system also includes many power connectors arranged in the guide at zones of maximum amplitude for one of the components of the electromagnetic field for splitting the generator power. The power connectors are adjusted so that the sum of their reduced admittance levels brought to the splitter input formed by the guide is in a single unit and many sources, respectively connected to a connector of the guide, via insulating means ensuring a power transmission of the connector to the source without reflecting towards the connector and a device adapting impedance of each source, located downstream of the insulating means, between the latter and associated source.

Abstract: A system and a method for sterilizing objects, in particular medical instruments and accessories, using gas plasma, also called ionized gas. The gases used to form the plasma do not require to exhibit an intrinsic sterilizing activity. The sterilizing properties result from the passage through an electric field generating the plasma, an electric field which is provided by microwaves, a gas stream including oxygen in molecular form (O2) or as a gas element, and atomic or molecular species capable of emitting UV radiation once they have been energized. The system and method provide the advantage of making it possible to treat heat-sensitive and thermolabile objects at temperatures less than 50° C. using gases presenting no risks for the operator.

Abstract: A section of pipe, for a device for treating a gas by exciting the latter by way of incident microwave radiation suitable for producing a surface-wave plasma in the gas, including a discharge tube made of dielectric material intended to pass through the device in a region for concentrating the incident radiation. The tube comprises, over at least part of its length, a double wall.