JP3909110B2 - Portable sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

【００６２】
評価方法（残存胞子数検査）
殺菌試験に供した被処理物を、滅菌した界面活性剤０．２％トゥイーン８０（Ｔｗｅｅｎ８０：商品名、東京化成工業（株）製）を含む生理食塩水１０ｍｌに１時間浸漬後攪拌して、残存胞子を抽出した。得られた残存胞子抽出液を、標準寒天培地を用いて、３５℃で７２時間培養した。培養後、出現したコロニー数から１ピース当たりの残存胞子を算出した。結果を表１に示す。なお、表１中、未処理品とは、滅菌処理を行わず、同じ時間常温にて放置したものであり、残存胞子数は１．０×１０⁶ （胞子数／ピース）であった。
【００６３】
表１から明らかな如く、各テストピースからはいずれも常法による測定操作において生菌は検出されず、本発明の可搬式滅菌装置を用いることにより、所望の滅菌雰囲気が形成され、チャンバー内に配置された被処理物の滅菌処理が完全に達成された。
【００６４】
同程度の滅菌処理に通常のエチレンオキサイドガスを用いた場合、数時間を要し、且つ、殺菌用の薬剤残留の危険性が常に伴うことから、本実施例の可搬式滅菌装置が効率よく、信頼性の高い滅菌処理を達成しうることがわかる。
【００６５】
【発明の効果】
本発明の可搬式滅菌装置によれば、医療設備、包装装置や食品貯蔵庫などの任意の閉鎖空間を滅菌ブースとなしうる、安全で、被処理物を変質させることが少なく、信頼性の高い滅菌を短時間で効率よく行い得るという効果を奏する。さらに、本発明の可搬式滅菌装置は、自立、移動可能で構成が簡易である。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】実施例１で用いた可搬式滅菌装置の一態様を示す概略断面図である。
【図２】本発明の可搬式滅菌装置に好適に用いられる大気圧プラズマ発生器を示す概略断面図である。
【図３】実施例１で用いた可搬式滅菌装置を接続した滅菌チャンバー内に包装充填装置を配置した状態を示す概略図である。
【符号の説明】
１０ 可搬式滅菌装置
１２ 大気圧プラズマ発生器
１８ キャリアガス用ボンベ
２２ 滅菌因子供給装置（滅菌因子供給口）
２４ 排気回収口
２８ 排気ガス分解装置（排気処理装置）
３６ 石英被覆電極
３７ 金属電極
３８ 接地電極
４０ 高圧電極
４６ 滅菌フィルター
４８ 充填包装装置
５０ チャンバー[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sterilization apparatus, and more particularly, to a portable sterilization apparatus that can sterilize a desired closed space in a sterilized state, safely and efficiently.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When making medical equipment such as operating rooms and packaging equipment used for packaging foodstuffs or food storage rooms for rice, wheat, soybeans, etc. sterile, these closed spaces are efficiently and safely sterilized. It is necessary to use a device that can. As a sterilization method used in such a case, it is important that the sterilization method is a dry sterilization method. For example, a method using a disinfectant such as ethylene oxide gas, a method of irradiating radiation such as gamma rays or electron beams, and the like are known. It has been.
[0003]
In the sterilization method using a sterilizing agent such as ethylene oxide gas, the sterilizing agent itself is often toxic. Therefore, continuous processing is difficult, and there is a possibility that a disinfectant may remain on the object to be processed.
[0004]
In the method of irradiating radiation such as gamma rays and electron beams, there is no possibility that a bactericidal factor remains as in the case of using the bactericidal agent. However, there is a problem that the mechanical strength of the object to be processed is reduced by radiation irradiation, or when the article is a resin, the resin decomposes to generate a bad odor or discolor (Japanese Patent Publication No. 3). -73309). Furthermore, since a large-scale apparatus and a dedicated person for handling radiation are required, there is a problem in versatility.
[0005]
A method using plasma is known as a sterilizing method capable of solving the problems of these conventional techniques (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-229530). In this method, for example, an energy converter made of a complex oxide is irradiated with an electromagnetic wave to form a plasma state in which the excited energy converter and a rare gas are brought into contact with each other. It is to be contacted. This method using plasma can be said to be an excellent method because it is safe and easy to sterilize an object to be processed such as a packaging material, and the sterilized article is hardly altered. The present inventors have studied a method using plasma, and previously found a highly safe sterilization method that can be carried out with a smaller apparatus and filed an application (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-168516). The present invention is an application of the sterilization method, and relates to a suitable apparatus for applying the method to an arbitrary space to form a desired closed space as a sterilization booth.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
That is, the object of the present invention is to provide a sterilization booth for any enclosed space such as a medical facility, a packaging device, and a food storage, which is safe, has little alteration of the object to be processed, and performs reliable sterilization in a short time. It is another object of the present invention to provide a sterilization apparatus that can be efficiently performed in a portable manner, and a portable sterilization apparatus that is self-supporting and movable and has a simple configuration.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is a portable sterilization apparatus to which atmospheric pressure plasma is applied. The portable sterilization apparatus of the present invention is a portable sterilization apparatus for supplying a sterilization factor generated by a plasma generator to a desired sterilization booth. there are a plasma generator for generating plasma at atmospheric pressure, and the sterilizing agent supply device comprising a feed opening for conveying by connecting sterilizing agent produced by the plasma from the plasma generator to a desired sterilization booth, the Pressure regulator for positive pressure inside the sterilization booth, exhaust recovery port connected to the sterilization booth to recover exhaust gas containing sterilization factor, and reused part of the recovered exhaust gas as carrier gas a conveying pipe for introducing into the plasma generator to the sterilizing agent from the portion of the recovered exhaust have a, and exhaust treatment device for processing separated, the supply port of the sterilizing agent supply device and discharge Exhaust recovery port for recovering, characterized in that the may be linked to the sterile booth and optional.
[0008]
This portable sterilization apparatus preferably has a cylinder for supplying a carrier gas such as an inert gas to the plasma generator in terms of sterilization efficiency. Moreover, the sterilization factor supply apparatus which conveys a sterilization factor to a sterilization booth can also be selected and used from simple apparatuses, such as a pump and a compressor.
[0009]
Furthermore, in this portable sterilization apparatus, it is easy to carry that all components such as a plasma generator, a sterilization factor supply apparatus, a pressure regulator, and an exhaust treatment apparatus are arranged in a movable frame. From the viewpoint of
[0010]
In the portable sterilization apparatus of the present invention, by connecting to an arbitrary sterilization booth, the sterilization factor generated by the plasma generator is supplied to the sterilization booth, and the booth is filled with the sterilization factor in a short time. In addition, sterilization conditions comparable to clean rooms can be achieved. Furthermore, since the exhaust from the sterilization booth is taken into the apparatus and processed safely, it can be exhausted to the atmosphere, so that it can be used in any place and there is no restriction on the installation place. .
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.
[0012]
The plasma generator for generating plasma under atmospheric pressure used in the sterilization apparatus of the present invention has a function of ionizing at least a part of a mixture of gas and liquid using a pulse voltage to generate an electric field. . The sterilization apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that a sterilizing factor obtained by ionizing a mixture of gas and liquid is brought into contact with an object to be sterilized.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of the portable sterilization apparatus of the present invention. The portable sterilizer 10 includes a plasma generator 12, to which a pipe for supplying a raw material for a sterilizing factor such as a carrier gas and hydrogen peroxide water is connected. As the carrier gas, compressed air supplied from a compressor (not shown) may be introduced by opening the valve 16 from the inlet 14, and the switching valve 20 is switched from the carrier gas cylinder 18 filled with an inert gas or the like disposed in the apparatus. You may supply by adjusting. The sterilization factor generated by the plasma generator 12 is supplied to a desired sterilization booth (not shown) via the sterilization factor supply device 22. In order to perform supply smoothly, the sterilization factor supply device 22 is provided with a pump.
[0014]
The exhaust after being used in the sterilization booth is recovered into the portable sterilizer 10 through the exhaust recovery port 24 equipped with a suction pump, and a part thereof is introduced into the exhaust gas treatment device 28 by the valve 25. Therefore, after removing harmful components by activated carbon treatment or the like, the exhaust gas is exhausted from the exhaust port 30 to the atmosphere. Further, since a part of the carrier gas is reused, excess moisture is removed from the transport pipe 32 via the moisture absorbing device 34 and then introduced into the plasma generator 12 again.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an atmospheric pressure plasma generator 12 preferably used in the portable sterilization apparatus 10 of the present invention. The quartz-coated electrode 36 and the metal electrode 37 constitute a cylindrical ground electrode 38, and a rod-shaped metal electrode 40 is disposed at a substantially central portion of the cylindrical ground electrode 38 to constitute a high-voltage electrode. By applying a voltage, an electric field is formed between the ground electrode 38 and the high voltage electrode 40. Here, an introduction pipe (pipe 42) for a gas or a mixture of gas and liquid and an introduction pipe (pipe 44) for a mixture of gas and liquid are arranged.
[0016]
Although not shown, the pipe 42 is in direct communication with a gas supply source through a nebulizer filled with a liquid such as hydrogen peroxide solution. Although not shown, the pipe 44 communicates with a gas supply source via a nebulizer filled with a liquid such as hydrogen peroxide.
[0017]
When the mixture of gas and liquid is directly ionized, a mist-like mixture obtained by passing the gas through a nebulizer filled with a liquid such as hydrogen peroxide is supplied from the pipe 42 into the electric field. At least a part of the gas that has passed between the ground electrode 38 and the high-voltage electrode 40 is ionized to form a sterilizing factor. In this case, the pipe 44 is not used. When the gas is ionized and then the ionized gas and the mixture of the gas and the liquid are mixed, the gas for ionization is introduced from the pipe 42, and the gas is supplied from the pipe 44 such as hydrogen peroxide water. A nebulized mixture obtained by passing through a nebulizer filled with liquid is introduced. At least a part of the gas passing between the ground electrode 38 and the high-voltage electrode 40 is ionized, and this ionized gas is mixed with the mist-like mixture supplied from the pipe 44 to form a sterilizing factor.
[0018]
Such an electric field generator can use, for example, a high-voltage electrode and a ground electrode used for corona discharge as they are, and at least one surface of the high-voltage electrode and the ground electrode is coated with a solid dielectric. Things can be used. The solid dielectric is not particularly limited, and for example, a ceramic laminate such as quartz, a laminate of polyester such as hyperon rubber, polyethylene terephthalate, or the like can be used. In addition, both the high-voltage electrode 40 and the ground electrode 38 can be metal electrodes.
[0019]
The number and shape of the high-voltage electrodes 40 and the ground electrodes 38 of the atmospheric pressure plasma generator 12 are not particularly limited, and how much gas or gas-liquid mixture passing through the generated electric field needs to be ionized. It can be determined appropriately depending on whether or not there is. For example, when the flow rate of a gas or a mixture of gas and liquid is high, the method of ionization is obtained by passing a mixture of gas and liquid in an electric field, ionizing at least a part of the mixture, and passing the gas in an electric field. There is a method of obtaining a mixture of gas and liquid at least partially ionized by mixing a gas ionized at least partially and a mixture of gas and liquid outside the electric field.
[0020]
For the purpose of ionizing the gas and liquid used as a raw material of the sterilizing factor at a certain ratio or more, the residence time in the electric field can be adjusted to be long. A plurality of them can be provided, or at least one of the high-voltage electrode and the ground electrode can be formed into a strip shape. In addition, in order to increase the surface area of the high-voltage electrode for the purpose of preventing local discharge, the electrode can be provided with protrusions and irregularities.
[0021]
In the atmospheric pressure plasma generator used in the sterilizer of the present invention, it is appropriate that the rising speed of the pulse voltage for generating the sterilizing factor is in the range of 0.01 kV / ns to 10 kV / ns. . When the rising speed of the pulse voltage is less than 0.01 kV / ns, the sterilization effect tends to be reduced. Even if the rising speed of the pulse voltage exceeds 10 kV / ns, the sterilization effect is not adversely affected, but voltage generation becomes difficult.
[0022]
A preferable range of the rising speed of the pulse voltage is in the range of 0.1 kV / ns to 1 kV / ns.
[0023]
The pulse width of the pulse voltage is suitably in the range of 10 ^-9 seconds to 10 ^-1 seconds. Although the pulse width does not significantly affect the sterilization effect, the oscillating pulse width is in the above range. A preferable range of the pulse width is 10 ⁻⁸ seconds to 10 ⁻⁶ seconds.
[0024]
The peak voltage of the pulse voltage is suitably in the range of 1 kVp to 100 kVp. When the peak voltage is less than 1 kVp, the electric field strength is small, and when the peak voltage exceeds 100 kVp, there is a problem that the apparatus needs to be enlarged. A preferable range of the peak voltage is 8 to 50 kVp.
[0025]
The frequency of the pulse voltage is suitably in the range of 1 Hz to 100 kHz. If the frequency is less than 1 Hz, the sterilization efficiency decreases, and if it exceeds 100 kHz, the temperature of the gas in the electric field increases significantly. A preferable range of the frequency of the pulse voltage is in a range of 50 Hz to 500 Hz.
[0026]
In order to generate an ionization mixture that is a sterilization factor, a gas that is a raw material through which an electric field passes in an atmospheric pressure plasma generator is a gas that can be ionized in the electric field. Examples of such a gas include oxygen, nitrogen, rare gases (argon, helium and neon), hydrogen, air and the like. When air is used, compressed air taken directly from the atmosphere through a compressor can be used. Further, a rare gas may be used. Among them, argon is preferable because it is easily ionized and is excellent in cost. Helium is preferable from the viewpoint that ionization tends to be continuous. In particular, since argon has a specific gravity closer to that of air than helium and can be easily handled under atmospheric pressure, it can be used more suitably. Also, two or more of the above gases can be mixed and used together.
[0027]
The liquid can be, for example, water, aqueous hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, peracetic acid aqueous solution, ethanol, a mixture of ethanol and water, or the like.
[0028]
In the case of using hydrogen peroxide solution, the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide solution is, for example, suitable for a hydrogen peroxide concentration of 50% or less from the viewpoint that it is commercially available and easily available. At a concentration lower than that, a commercially available hydrogen peroxide solution can be diluted with water in consideration of sterilization conditions and the like, and the concentration can be adjusted as appropriate. However, considering the sterilization effect, it is preferable to use 1% or more of hydrogen peroxide.
[0029]
The liquid is preferably mist-like, and the mist-like liquid can be generated by passing the gas as a carrier gas through a nebulizer connected to a liquid supply source. Moreover, the mist-like gas can be generated also by bubbling a carrier gas to them. Moreover, it can prepare also by making a part of gas into carrier gas and mixing the mist obtained with gas and carrier gas with the remaining gas.
[0030]
The ratio of the gas (all gases including the carrier gas) and the liquid is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of the discharge duration and the pressure to the object to be processed, the range of 1 mg to 100 mg per liter of gas Is appropriate.
[0031]
Furthermore, the particle diameter of the mist is preferably in the range of, for example, about 5 to 3000 μm from the viewpoint of preventing local discharge.
[0032]
As described above, it is necessary that at least a part of a gas or a mixture of a gas and a liquid passing through an electric field is ionized to form a bactericidal factor. Therefore, the flow rate of gas or a mixture of gas and liquid, the amount of voltage and current (power) input to generate an electric field, the number and shape of electrodes, etc. can be at least partially ionized. As appropriate. The gas pressure is preferably near atmospheric pressure because it is easy to operate.
[0033]
Below, the process of the sterilization process by the portable sterilization apparatus 10 of this invention is demonstrated.
[0034]
The portable sterilization apparatus 10 of the present invention is used by being connected to a desired sterilization booth, and can be applied as a sterilization booth in a closed space. Specifically, medical equipment such as an operating room, food packaging apparatus (closed), a clean room in which they are disposed, a food storage such as rice, wheat, and beans, and known chambers are included.
[0035]
Two predetermined openings are provided in this sterilization booth, and each is connected to a sterilization factor supply device (supply port) 22 and an exhaust recovery port 24 of the portable sterilizer 10.
[0036]
Thereafter, the plasma generator 12 of the portable sterilization apparatus 10 is operated, and a sterilizing factor obtained by ionizing gas or a mixture of gas and liquid is supplied into the sterilization booth through the supply port 22. In order to supply an effective amount of the sterilizing factor, it is preferable to operate the plasma generator 12 for a predetermined time set in advance from the ionization mixture generation capability of the plasma generator 12 and then start the sterilization process.
[0037]
Further, before starting the sterilization process in the system, it is possible to sterilize by flowing steam into the sterilization apparatus and / or the sterilization booth. When supplying steam from outside the sterilizer, it is preferable to provide a sterilization filter 46 as shown in FIG. 1 in the steam introduction path so as not to disturb the sterilization state in the system.
[0038]
When the sterilization booth is filled with the sterilization factor, the atmosphere in the sterilization booth and the object to be processed disposed therein come into contact with the sterilization factor filled in the sterilization booth, so that the sterilization process is performed.
[0039]
Here, the supply time of the sterilization factor and the pressure in the sterilization booth are controlled to adjust the time and conditions for the inside of the sterilization booth to contact the sterilization factor. When a sufficient sterilizing factor is stored in the sterilization booth, a sufficient sterilization treatment can be performed in the sterilization booth with a residence time of 15 seconds or longer, preferably about 30 seconds.
[0040]
At this time, it is preferable from the viewpoint that the sterilization effect can be enhanced by operating the inside of the sterilization booth to be slightly pressurized from atmospheric pressure (positive pressure from atmospheric pressure up to 1 atm). Therefore, the pump disposed in the supply port 22 connected to the sterilization booth is operated to adjust the atmospheric pressure in the sterilization booth to be maintained within a predetermined range.
[0041]
As described above, the inside of the sterilization booth is slightly pressurized from the atmospheric pressure as described above (in the present invention, the state slightly pressurized from the atmospheric pressure is referred to as a positive pressure state), for example, _{2 to} 10 mmH ₂ O, The treatment is preferably performed in a slightly pressurized state (positive pressure) of about 2.5 to ₅ mmH ₂ O from the viewpoint of improving the sterilization effect. Moreover, it becomes easy to maintain the sterility in the sterilization booth by making the inside of the sterilization booth a positive pressure.
[0042]
The material constituting the sterilization booth is not particularly limited as long as it satisfies the requirements of physical properties such as airtightness and ozone resistance, but from the viewpoint of strength, durability and availability, a metal material such as SUS304, a hard resin material, A ceramic etc. can be mentioned suitably.
[0043]
After the sterilization process is completed by supplying sterilization gas for a predetermined time, the valves 23 and 25 of the supply port 22 and the exhaust recovery port 24 are closed until the concentration of the sterilization factor in the sterilization booth is attenuated and the sterilization is lost. That state can be maintained.
[0044]
After the processing is completed, aseptic air filtered by the sterilization filter 46 is introduced into the sterile sterilization booth, and the exhaust gas from the sterilization booth remaining in the sterilization booth is collected from the exhaust collection port 24 while The residual gas is replaced and the sterilization process is terminated.
[0045]
After the sterilization process is completed, the exhaust of the gas recovered from the sterilization booth is reduced by ozone or the like by an exhaust gas decomposition device (exhaust treatment device) 28 in order to reduce the environmental impact of the sterilization factor remaining in the exhaust gas. After harmful substances are decomposed, they are discharged to the outside air.
[0046]
A part of the exhaust gas in which the sterilizing factor remains is processed by an exhaust gas decomposition device (exhaust treatment device) 28 and then discharged to the outside air. It is also possible to transfer a part or the whole from the sterilization booth to the plasma generator 12 by providing the transfer pipe 32 and reuse it. Thus, it is preferable from the viewpoint of environment and processing efficiency to circulate and reuse the exhaust gas in which the sterilizing factor remains.
[0047]
The components of the portable sterilization apparatus 10 of the present invention are compactly moved by being arranged in one frame, for example, a metal or resin box provided with movable wheels as shown in FIG. It can be set as the small portable sterilizer which can perform smoothly.
[0048]
According to the portable sterilization apparatus of the present invention, by connecting to a desired sterilization booth, not only can a clean room be easily formed, but also a sealed container or the like that can form a suitable closed space is used to sterilize the container. By arranging the processed material, there is an advantage that a place where sterilization can be performed can be arbitrarily selected. Here, there is no particular limitation on the object to be disposed in the sterilization booth. For example, for medical materials such as catheters and injection needles and packaging materials thereof, foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceuticals and packaging materials thereof Can be preferably used.
[0049]
There are no particular limitations on the bacteria that can be sterilized. Using the portable sterilization apparatus of the present invention, for example, E. coli, Salmonella typhi, B. subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger ( Asp. Niger) and the like can be sterilized.
[0050]
Since the portable sterilization apparatus of the present invention is small and can be moved and does not heat the atmosphere inside the desired sterilization booth, it can be sterilized at room temperature and under slightly pressurized conditions, An expensive apparatus such as a pressure-resistant chamber and a heating apparatus and a large amount of energy are not required, and a space having sterilization conditions with high reliability can be achieved at a desired place.
[0051]
In addition, the portable sterilization apparatus of the present invention is used in connection with a desired closed space (sterilization booth). However, a large excess of objects to be processed with respect to the sterilization factor to be generated, such as soil and sandboxes. When used for sterilization of sand, etc., since it does not require post-treatment of the bactericidal factor released into the atmosphere as it is without contact with the object to be treated, it can also be applied to open areas. . In this case, the exhaust recovery port 24 is closed, and after inserting the pipe tip of the supply port 22 into soil or sand to be sterilized to a predetermined depth, the apparatus is operated to perform sterilization.
[0052]
【Example】
The invention is further illustrated by the following examples.
Example 1
Using the portable sterilization apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, sterilization in the chamber of the aseptic filling and packaging apparatus was performed. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the state in which the portable sterilization apparatus 10 is connected to the chamber 50 in which the aseptic filling and packaging apparatus 48 is disposed, with the inside of the chamber 50 being visible.
[0053]
As the sterilization chamber 50, a box body made of stainless steel (sus304) having a thickness of 2 mm, a rectangular parallelepiped having a length of 2.0 m, a width of 2.0 m, and a height of 1.0 m and being airtight is used. It was.
[0054]
In addition, an opening 52 for introducing a sterilization factor is provided below one wall surface of the chamber 50 and is connected to the supply port 22 of the portable sterilizer 10, and the portable sterilizer 10 is disposed above the same wall surface. An exhaust opening 54 connected to the exhaust recovery port 24 is provided.
[0055]
As the plasma generator 12, a high voltage square wave pulse generator (peak voltage 18 to 20 kV, waveform: square wave, frequency: 240 Hz to 328.5 Hz) is used, and a nepriser is used to mix gas and liquid, and the pipe 42 A mixture of gas (O ₂ , supply amount 400 liter / min) and liquid (35% H ₂ O ₂ ) was supplied into the electric field. The liquid consumption was 300 g / hr.
[0056]
First, after the plasma generator 12 was operated for 15 minutes to store the sterilizing factor in the chamber 50, the pump provided in the supply port 22 was operated, and the pressure in the chamber 50 became 2.5 mmH ₂ O. In this case, the supply is stopped, and when the pressure becomes 3.5 mmH ₂ O, the valve 25 of the exhaust recovery port 24 is opened to exhaust, and the pressure in the chamber 50 is set to a slight positive pressure (2.5-3). Sterilization treatment was started while adjusting to 5 mm / H ₂ O).
[0057]
By supplying the sterilizing factor for 30 minutes, the filling and packaging apparatus 48 disposed in and inside the chamber 50 is sterilized by contacting the sterilizing factor inside. After the sterilization factor is supplied for 30 minutes, the sterilization process is completed to attenuate the sterilization factor, and then sterilized air obtained through the sterilization filter 46 is supplied to the chamber 50 and remains in the chamber 50. The gas is recovered by operating the pump of the exhaust recovery port 24.
[0058]
A part of the collected exhaust gas is sent to the plasma generator 12 again by the circulation pipe 32 during the sterilization and reused, but the other part and finally the process is completed, and the sterilization process is completed. In some cases, the exhaust gas collected from the chamber is exhausted to the atmosphere after the sterilizing factors remaining in the exhaust gas and harmful ozone are removed by the exhaust gas decomposition device (exhaust treatment device) 28. .
[0059]
In this example, in order to confirm the sterilization effect, a polyester film as a test piece was cut into strips, and B. subtilis spores (endspore) were per piece. 1 × 10 ⁶ pieces are adhered and forcibly contaminated, and this test piece is subjected to each part (a) to (h) shown in FIG. Part suction cup (right side), (b) gripper, (c) disk upper surface (center), (d) disk lower surface (side surface), (e) bag opening mouthpiece, (f) filling nozzle lower side, (g) hopper side surface and (H) Affixed to the side surface of the cooling seal bar, and after sterilization, the part was recovered in an aseptic state and the number of bacteria was measured.
[0060]
The number of bacteria remaining on each test piece affixed to the object to be treated after sterilization was calculated by the following method, and the measurement results are shown in Table 1 below.
[0061]
[Table 1]

[0062]
Evaluation method (residual spore count test)
The object to be treated for sterilization test was immersed in 10 ml of physiological saline containing a sterilized surfactant 0.2% Tween 80 (Tween 80: trade name, manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) for 1 hour and stirred. Residual spores were extracted. The obtained residual spore extract was cultured at 35 ° C. for 72 hours using a standard agar medium. After culturing, the remaining spores per piece were calculated from the number of colonies that appeared. The results are shown in Table 1. In Table 1, an untreated product was a product that was left at room temperature for the same time without sterilization, and the number of remaining spores was 1.0 × 10 ⁶ (the number of spores / piece).
[0063]
As is clear from Table 1, no viable bacteria were detected from each test piece in the conventional measurement operation, and a desired sterilization atmosphere was formed by using the portable sterilization apparatus of the present invention. The sterilization of the placed workpiece was completely achieved.
[0064]
When ordinary ethylene oxide gas is used for the same degree of sterilization, it takes several hours, and since there is always the risk of residual chemicals for sterilization, the portable sterilization apparatus of this example is efficient, It can be seen that a reliable sterilization process can be achieved.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
According to the portable sterilization apparatus of the present invention, any closed space such as a medical facility, a packaging apparatus, and a food storage can be used as a sterilization booth. The effect that can be performed efficiently in a short time is exhibited. Furthermore, the portable sterilization apparatus of the present invention is self-supporting and movable and has a simple configuration.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a portable sterilization apparatus used in Example 1. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an atmospheric pressure plasma generator preferably used in the portable sterilization apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a state in which a packaging and filling apparatus is arranged in a sterilization chamber to which a portable sterilization apparatus used in Example 1 is connected.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Portable sterilizer 12 Atmospheric pressure plasma generator 18 Carrier gas cylinder 22 Sterilization factor supply device (sterilization factor supply port)
24 Exhaust recovery port 28 Exhaust gas decomposition device (exhaust treatment device)
36 Quartz-coated electrode 37 Metal electrode 38 Ground electrode 40 High-voltage electrode 46 Sterilization filter 48 Filling and packaging device 50 Chamber

Claims (4)

A portable sterilization apparatus for supplying a sterilization factor generated by a plasma generator to a desired sterilization booth,
A plasma generator that generates plasma at atmospheric pressure;
A sterilization factor supply device comprising a supply port for conveying the sterilization factor generated by the plasma from the plasma generator connected to a desired sterilization booth;
A pressure regulator for positively adjusting the pressure in the sterilization booth;
An exhaust recovery port connected to the sterilization booth for recovering exhaust gas containing sterilization factors remaining;
A transport pipe for introducing a part of the collected exhaust gas into the plasma generator for reuse as a carrier gas;
An exhaust treatment device for separating and treating the sterilizing factor from a part of the collected exhaust,
A portable sterilization apparatus. The portable sterilizer according to claim 1, further comprising a cylinder for supplying a carrier gas to the plasma generator. The portable sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the sterilizing factor supply device is selected from a pump and a compressor. The portable sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the plasma generator, the sterilizing factor supply device, the pressure regulator, and the exhaust treatment device are arranged in a movable frame.

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