Abstract: A method of sterilizing an object with atomic nitrogen from a nitrogen plasma includes the steps of placing the object in a sterilization chamber and a sterilization half-cycle for sterilizing the object present in the chamber. The sterilization half-cycle comprises an alternation between stages of injecting atomic nitrogen into the chamber and of intermediate stages, each intermediate stage including at least one suction stage during which the chamber is evacuated.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an object with atomic nitrogen from a nitrogen plasma comprises the steps of positioning the object in a sterilization chamber, and conditioning the object present in the chamber. The step of conditioning includes a first stage of injecting atomic nitrogen into the chamber, during which a first concentration of atomic nitrogen in the chamber is imposed, a suction stage performed after the first injection stage, during which the chamber is evacuated, and a second stage of injecting atomic nitrogen into the chamber that is performed after the suction stage, during which a second concentration of atomic nitrogen is imposed in the chamber. The method further comprises a sterilization step of sterilizing the object, performed after the conditioning, and includes injecting atomic nitrogen into the chamber, during which step a concentration of atomic nitrogen in the chamber is imposed that is greater than the first and second concentrations.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an object in a sterilization chamber comprises: evacuating the sterilization chamber at a pressure value; injecting a gaseous phase into at least one plasma generator via an ionization duct, the injected gaseous phase comprising dinitrogen with a volume content of dioxygen, a first ratio of the flow rate for injecting the gaseous phase in each plasma generator over the volume of the sterilization chamber being maintained at a value that is greater than or equal to 0.02 min?1, and a second ratio of the flow rate for injecting the gaseous phase into each plasma generator over the inside sectional area of the ionization duct being maintained at a value that is less than or equal to 102 m/min; the at least one plasma generator generating a plasma from the gaseous phase; and injecting a post-discharge stream resulting from the plasma into the previously-evacuated sterilization chamber.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an object with atomic nitrogen from a nitrogen plasma includes the steps of placing the object in a sterilization chamber and a sterilization half-cycle for sterilizing the object present in the chamber. The sterilization half-cycle comprises an alternation between stages of injecting atomic nitrogen into the chamber and of intermediate stages, each intermediate stage including at least one suction stage during which the chamber is evacuated.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an object with atomic nitrogen from a nitrogen plasma comprises the steps of positioning the object in a sterilization chamber, and conditioning the object present in the chamber. The step of conditioning includes a first stage of injecting atomic nitrogen into the chamber, during which a first concentration of atomic nitrogen in the chamber is imposed, a suction stage performed after the first injection stage, during which the chamber is evacuated, and a second stage of injecting atomic nitrogen into the chamber that is performed after the suction stage, during which a second concentration of atomic nitrogen is imposed in the chamber. The method further comprises a sterilization step of sterilizing the object, performed after the conditioning, and includes injecting atomic nitrogen into the chamber, during which step a concentration of atomic nitrogen in the chamber is imposed that is greater than the first and second concentrations.

Abstract: A sterilization device for sterilizing an object comprises a sterilization chamber defining a treatment zone in which the object for sterilizing is to be positioned; a nitrogen source; a plasma generator in communication with the nitrogen source; and a duct putting the plasma generator into communication with the sterilization chamber and through which a post-discharge stream resulting from a plasma produced by the plasma generator is to flow towards the sterilization chamber. The duct defines an injection orifice for injecting the post-discharge stream into the sterilization chamber. The device has a deflector for deflecting the post-discharge stream and positioned in the sterilization chamber facing a central portion of the injection orifice, upstream from the treatment zone. The deflector is configured to deflect the flow of a central portion of the post-discharge stream as introduced through the central portion of the injection orifice.

Abstract: A sterilization indicator having a compound that is of the heating type when put into contact with atoms of oxygen O and/or nitrogen N; and a thermochromic dye, in thermal contact with the compound.

Abstract: The invention provides a sterilization indicator (17), characterized in that it comprises: a compound (21) that is of the heating type when put into contact with atoms of oxygen O and/or nitrogen N; and a thermochromic dye (19), in thermal contact with the compound (21).

Abstract: A device used for the sterilization of objects (19), in particular medical or surgical instruments, is of the type that can create a gaseous plasma from a gas flow which is subjected to an electric field. The resulting post-discharge flow is brought into contact with the surface of the objects to be treated. The device is characterized in that the gas flow includes exclusively nitrogen. Moreover, the device include a device for heating the aforementioned objects, which can heat the objects to a temperature of at least 60° C. during treatment. A method of using the device is also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a sterilization indicator (17), characterized in that it comprises: a compound (21) that is of the heating type when put into contact with atoms of oxygen O and/or nitrogen N; and a thermochromic dye (19), in thermal contact with the compound (21).

Abstract: A method for sterilizing objects (19), in particular medical or surgical instruments, includes subjecting a gas stream circulating in a chamber wherein an industrial vacuum is created to the action of an electric field so as to create a gaseous plasma whereof the post-discharge stream which is derived therefrom is admitted into a sterilizing chamber where it is contacted with the surface of the objects to be treated. The device is characterized in that the gas stream consists of a mixture of nitrogen, and of an amount of hydrogen less than 5%. It includes elements for heating the objects capable of bringing the latter, during treatment, to a temperature not less than 60° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device which is used for the sterilisation of objects (19), in particular medical or surgical instruments. The inventive device is of the type that can create a gaseous plasma from a gas flow which is subjected to an electric field. According to the invention, the resulting post-discharge flow is brought into contact with the surface of the objects to be treated. The device is characterized in that the gas flow comprises exclusively nitrogen. Moreover, the device comprise means for heating the aforementioned objects, which can heat said objects to a temperature of at least 60° C. during treatment. The invention also relates to a method of using the device.