Abstract: A plasma source for generating a disinfecting and/or sterilizing gas mixture, including an ionization chamber having a dielectric tubular portion, an inflow port for feeding a gas or gas mixture into the chamber, an outflow port for exhausting the disinfecting and/or sterilizing gas mixture out of the chamber, a first electrode positioned inside the dielectric tubular portion, and a second electrode positioned outside the dielectric tubular portion. The plasma source has a high voltage source having a high voltage output terminal, wherein an electrical conductor connects the output terminal to the first or second electrode, and a forced gas cooling system for cooling the ionization chamber.

Abstract: A device and method for sterilizing one or more medical instruments. The device includes a sterilizing chamber for holding the medical instruments to be sterilized, a pressure reducer for selectively reducing the pressure in the chamber, an atmospheric or superatmospheric plasma source for providing a sterilizing mixture, and a duct for guiding the sterilizing mixture from the plasma source to the sterilizing chamber. The duct includes a choke arranged for causing a choked flow of the sterilizing mixture from the plasma source to the chamber when the chamber is at the reduced pressure for preventing pressure drop in the plasma source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilizing medical instruments, including a device for controlling specific humidity, SH, of flow of a gas or gas mixture. The device includes a tank for storing a volume of water. The tank has an inflow port for receiving the gas or gas mixture, and an outflow port for allowing humidified gas or gas mixture at the required SH to exit the tank. The temperature of the water and/or the pressure of the supplied gas or gas mixture are controlled for the required SH.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilizing a medical instrument, such as a dental instrument. The method includes placing the medical instrument in a chamber, providing a sterilizing agent including recombined ionized humidified air, controlling the temperature of the medical instrument and/or the chamber such that the temperature of the medical instrument is below the temperature of chamber, and at least partially condensing the sterilizing agent onto the instruments.