RU2599498C2 - Method and device for cleaning and sterilization with help of microspheres - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medical equipment.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions refers to medical equipment and can be used for objects cleaning and sterilization using microspheres. For this purpose, iron oxide glass (Almandine, nickel slag glass) microspheres are heated in UHF field, obtained using plasma technology, and objects to be cleaned and sterilized are placed in them. Also disclosed is objects cleaning and sterilization device with help of microspheres.

EFFECT: group of inventions provide effective cleaning and sterilization of medical, hairstyling and cosmetic tools.

9 cl, 1 tbl, 2 dwg, 2 ex

Description

The invention relates to the field of medical equipment and can be used to sterilize medical devices, as well as other items requiring sterility.

There are various methods of sterilization of objects of medical and other purposes.

For example, in RF patent 2161505 a device and method for sterilization using electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range are described. The sterilization method consists in using a low-power microwave radiation source. An increase in the microwave field strength with the help of a volume resonator ensures the destruction of microorganisms. The material to be sterilized can move inside the cavity. A device for implementing the sterilization method consists of a magnetron and a cavity resonator. EFFECT: invention makes it possible to sterilize dielectric or partially dielectric materials without using powerful microwave generators using widely used magnetrons (components of household microwave ovens). The disadvantage of this method is the need for alteration of standard microwave generators and application restrictions, since this method can only be used for products made of dielectric materials.

A known method of sterilization of medical facilities in accordance with the patent of the Russian Federation No. 20098923. The method includes pre-treatment of the object in an active medium containing acids of lower oxidation degrees with an acidity of pH 1-3 for 5-40 minutes, the resulting treatment of aqueous solutions of salts, for example sodium chloride with a concentration of 0.01-0.5 wt. %, in the anode zone of the diaphragm hydrolyzer (anolyte), and subsequent processing of the object in a gas-discharge glow discharge plasma for 1-30 minutes at a specific volumetric discharge power of 0.01-0.8 W / cm ³ . The disadvantages of this method are, firstly, too long a sterilization time and, secondly, the need for preliminary removal of contaminants from the sterilized instruments.

A known method of cleaning and sterilizing medical instruments in accordance with the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2126691. Sterilization and cleaning of the instrument is achieved by placing it in a sterilization chamber filled with a liquid conductive medium and treating it with electric current. The instrument is used as one of the electrodes, and a microplasma discharge is generated on the counter electrode. This method can only be used to sterilize metal objects. This is a significant limitation, because Currently, a significant part of medical instruments are made of ceramic or have a ceramic coating. In addition, the method does not provide for the possibility of mechanical cleaning of the sterilized objects.

A known method of sterilization of medical instruments in accordance with the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2082435. The essence of the method lies in the fact that the medical instrument is placed in a sterilization chamber filled with a liquid conductive medium and exposed to microarc discharges created by discharge electrodes connected to a pulsed power source, and a processed medical instrument is used as one of the cathode electrodes. The limitations described above for RF patent No. 21266691 are also applicable to such a method.

A known method for the rapid sterilization of medical instruments in microwave fields using liquid in accordance with the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2130319. The method consists in the fact that ordinary water is used as the liquid, and the instrument is loaded into a closed heat-resistant transparent container for microwave fields so that the water only partially covers the instruments, and the sterilization time is 5-10 minutes. The use of this method is associated with the dangers of using steam (risk of burns, explosion of the chamber in case of excess pressure, etc.). In addition, in this case, the object to be sterilized is not subjected to additional mechanical cleaning, which takes place in glasperlenny sterilizers due to contact with the filler.

Closest to the present invention is a method of sterilizing medical instruments using glasperlen sterilizers (for example, the thermoest sterilizer manufactured by Geosoft Dent, CJSC /). Sterilization in these devices occurs by treating the medical instrument with high temperature. For this, a metal cup with a filler (glass balls with a diameter of 2 mm) is used. An electric thermocouple heats the flask in which the instruments are located. Heat transfer occurs through the filler. The disadvantage of such sterilizers is the long time for reaching the operating mode. For example, for a sterilizer with a small working weight (170 g), it takes 25 minutes to reach the operating mode. In addition, sterilization of a medical and cosmetic instrument in glasperlen sterilizers is fast only for small masses of the instrument. If it is necessary to sterilize large volumes, then the time increases dramatically. An additional disadvantage of glasperlenic sterilizers is the fact that glass beads used as filler are potentially fragile with a developed alkaline surface on which contaminants may remain.

The present invention is the creation of an effective method of sterilization of medical and other (for example, hairdressing and cosmetology) instruments and metal and non-metallic objects. Another aim of the invention is to provide a sterilization device that implements the specified method and is characterized by high efficiency, simplicity of design and low cost.

The technical result of the invention is to increase the efficiency of the sterilization method while reducing cost and simplifying the design of the sterilization device.

To achieve the specified technical result in the method of cleaning and sterilization using microspheres, including heating the microspheres in the microwave field and placing cleaned and sterilized objects in them, it is proposed to use microspheres made of iron oxide glasses obtained by plasma technology as microspheres.

Additional differences of the proposed method are:

- as microspheres made of iron oxide glasses, microspheres made of garnet mineral (almadine) or nickel-slag microspheres obtained by plasma technology can be used,

- as cleaned and sterilized objects can be medical instruments, hairdressing instruments, dentures, dental appliances,

- flavoring agents and / or disinfectants and / or cleaning agents in the form of liquids or powders may be added to the sterilizing medium.

To achieve this result, a device for cleaning and sterilizing with microspheres can also be used, including a container for accommodating cleanable and sterilized objects, placed in a case with a lid, which also includes a microwave radiation source located in the case and connected to a mode monitoring and control device work. At the same time, the container for placing objects is filled with microspheres made of iron oxide glasses obtained by plasma technology.

Additional features of the proposed device are:

- as microspheres from iron oxide glasses, microspheres made from garnet mineral (almandine) or nickel-slag microspheres obtained by plasma technology can be used,

- as cleaned and sterilized objects may be, for example, medical instruments, hairdressing instruments, dentures, dental appliances,

- the device for monitoring and controlling the operating mode of the microwave oven may include a unit for supplying water or a solution of flavoring, disinfecting or cleaning substances,

- the device may include a heating indicator.

Below is a table comparing the properties of glass, nickel slag, and garnet microspheres manufactured by SPETSKHIMMONTAZh CJSC using plasma technology:

As can be seen from the table, the microspheres made by the plasma technology have high hardness, iron oxide pH-neutrals, have a perfectly spherical shape, high strength, which are many times superior to analogues and prototype (where microspheres made using gas technology are used). The absence of caking, the possibility of washing the beads, even in acids (high chemical resistance), and an ideally smooth surface are favorably distinguished from glasperin sterilizers in which glass balls are used. The presence of titanium dioxide in the composition of pomegranate beads has additional sterilizing factors.

The proposed sterilization method is as follows:

- microspheres made of iron oxide glasses placed in a container are heated with a microwave source to the temperature necessary for sterilization;

- the objects to be sterilized are placed in a container filled with microspheres made of iron oxide glasses, heated to the temperature necessary for sterilization. The temperature to which the beads from iron oxide glasses are heated is determined by the material of the objects being sterilized.

Traditionally, a temperature of about 260 ° C has been chosen in glasperin sterilizers, generally a temperature higher than 150 ° C is needed in steam sterilizers (to combat hepatitis), the higher the temperature - the slower the microballs cool, but the sterilized instrument may not withstand overheating, so the temperature is slightly higher 250 ° C or, for special purposes, necessary for quick sterilization without destroying the surface of the instrument. The temperature in the sterilizer is controlled by a thermocouple, either a sensor or an indicator deposited on the surface of the glass. Each instrument has its own sterilization temperature; it is indicated in the technical specifications for the instrument. But most tools are made of tool steels and can withstand short-term heating from a surface of 260 ° C. Ceramic tools are more resistant.

For the successful implementation of the proposed method, the capacity for microspheres made of iron oxide glasses should be made of heat-resistant radiolucent material (for example, quartz glass, some types of tempered glass, etc.).

As microspheres from iron oxide glasses, microspheres from garnet mineral (almadine) obtained by plasma technology (SPETSKHIMMONTAZh CJSC), as well as microspheres from other minerals containing iron oxides and / or other oxides with the ability to absorb microwave radiation, can be used comparable to water.

As a source of microwave radiation can be used, for example, widespread magnetrons (nodes of domestic microwave ovens)

As sterilized objects can be medical instruments, hairdressing instruments, dentures, dental appliances and other metal and non-metal objects.

In the container with microspheres, material can be additionally introduced, which, during the movement of the microspheres in the container or when heated, changes its mechanical properties (grinding or evaporation) for faster and more uniform heating, for example, water or oils, aromatic resins, aqueous solutions for odorization (for treatment -preventive odors of lavender, etc.). During the evaporation of a liquid (for example, water) located at the bottom of a glass with beads, there is a rapid heat transfer with steam over the entire volume of the glass. Moreover, the vapor deposits on the beads, not having time to heat up evenly. Excess steam may then evaporate from the surface of the beaker (upper surface of the beads). The amount of liquid should not be enough for the manifestation of side (harmful) phenomena - for example, boiling the volume of beads in a glass.

A device for implementing the proposed method of sterilization of objects consists of a container for placing objects placed in a housing with a lid, the sterilization container is filled with microspheres made of iron oxide glasses. Then sterilized objects are placed in it. The sterilization container for microspheres made of iron oxide glasses must be made of heat-resistant radiolucent material (for example, quartz glass, some types of tempered glass, etc.). The cover has gaps or small openings for air or steam to pass through, or a container for collecting steam. A microwave source can be placed in the device. Also, the device can be equipped with an operating mode control unit.

An example 1 of the design of the device is shown in FIG. 1 where

1 - sterilization container filled with beads of iron oxide glasses,

2 - source of microwave radiation,

3 - the case of the sterilization device,

4 - housing cover,

5 - sterilized instrument,

6 - heating indicator.

The device can be made in the form of a glass (container) 1, placed in the housing 3 with a cover 4. Moreover, both the container and the housing with a cover must be made of heat-resistant radiolucent material, for example, heat-resistant glass, quartz glass, etc. The cover has gaps or small openings for air or steam to pass through, or a container for collecting steam. The sterilization tank is filled with beads of iron oxide glasses. The number of beads should be constantly and monitored either visually (at risk) or by technical means, as the beads in the sterilizer are a heating element - the load of the microwave generator (furnace).

This device works as follows. Fill the sterilization container with beads, close the lid and put in a domestic microwave oven. The instructions for the device indicate at what time and at what power the microwave oven is turned on for certain sterilized objects.

For example, turn on a 750 W microwave oven by setting the time to 2.5 minutes (with a mass of microspheres of 200 g) after heating, remove a glass (sterilizer) from the oven and lower a sterilized instrument (for example, scissors) into it. After the time specified in the instructions, remove the tool and cool in air - the tool is ready to work. A glass (sterilizer) for temperature control can be equipped with a visual indicator of heating or some means of monitoring the temperature of the beads. In case the temperature drops below 200 ° C, it is necessary to place the device again in the microwave oven and repeat the heating. The lid of the glass protects against heat loss from beads and from spraying (if there is any amount of water in the glass), there are two main (generally applicable) types of sterilization: dry heat and steam, both types can be implemented in this device. The sterilization temperature of medical and non-medical instruments, dental prostheses and other products is determined by their factory specifications (TU) and can, if necessary, be changed in the microwave sterilizer in the range from 100 to 800 ° C without changing the operating characteristics of the sterilizer itself.

An example 2 of the device is shown in FIG. 2 where

1 - sterilization container filled with beads of iron oxide glasses,

2 - a microwave radiation source built into the housing,

3 - the case of the sterilization device,

4 - housing cover,

5 - sterilized instrument,

7 - control unit operating modes of microwave radiation.

The device operates as follows: on the control unit operating modes of microwave radiation 7 sets the desired mode of operation of the sterilization device. After setting the operating mode, the microwave radiation operating mode control unit 7 activates a microwave radiation source 2 located inside the housing of the sterilization device 3. During operation of the microwave radiation source, the beads from iron oxide glasses are heated, which fill the sterilization tank 1. The power of the microwave source is radiation 2 and, accordingly, the temperature of the microspheres made of iron oxide glasses, which filled the sterilization tank 1, are determined by the operating mode of the sterilization device, which was a preliminary It is finally installed on the control unit for microwave radiation operating modes 7. Heating of the filler in the sterilization tank 1 occurs due to the absorption of microwave radiation by beads from iron oxide glasses. The indicator of permission to load the tool lights up and the cover 4 is released, the tool 5 for sterilization is loaded. After the time specified in the instructions for the device (depending on the mass of the loaded products), the tool 5 is removed from the thermos cup, cooled and used in work. If necessary, the thermos flask with microspheres is reinserted into the housing, the sterilizer lid is closed, which serves as a signal for re-switching on the microwave generator, and the microspheres are again heated, as described above.

The technical and economic effect of the application of the invention consists in obtaining effective and cheap in the application and manufacture of a method and device for sterilization and cleaning of medical and other (for example, hairdressing and cosmetology) instruments and metal and non-metallic objects. In addition, it should be noted that the proposed sterilization device is extremely simple to manufacture and can be based on magnetrons used in domestic microwave ovens. At the same time, the device is characterized by higher reliability and faster exit to the operating mode in comparison with glasperlenny sterilizers.

Claims (9)

1. The method of cleaning and sterilization using microspheres, including heating the microspheres in the microwave field and placing cleaned and sterilized objects in them, characterized in that microspheres made of iron oxide glasses obtained by plasma technology are used as microspheres. 2. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that as the beads from iron oxide glasses can be used beads from the mineral garnet (almandine) or nickel-slag beads obtained by plasma technology. 3. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the cleaned and sterilized objects can be, for example, medical instruments, hairdressing tools, dentures, dental devices. 4. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, characterized in that flavoring substances and / or disinfectants and / or cleaning agents in the form of liquids or powders can be added to the sterilizing medium. 5. A device for cleaning and sterilization using microspheres, including a container for accommodating cleanable and sterilizable objects, placed in a housing with a lid, characterized in that it includes a microwave source located in the housing and connected to the device for monitoring and control of the operating mode, This container for placing objects is filled with microspheres made of iron oxide glasses obtained by plasma technology. 6. The device according to p. 5, characterized in that as the beads from iron oxide glasses can be used beads from the mineral garnet (almandine) or nickel-slag beads obtained by plasma technology. 7. The device according to p. 5, characterized in that the cleaned and sterilized objects can be, for example, medical devices, hairdressing tools, dentures, dental devices. 8. The device according to p. 5, characterized in that the device for monitoring and controlling the operating mode of the microwave oven includes a unit for supplying water or a solution of flavoring, disinfecting or cleaning substances. 9. The device according to p. 5, characterized in that it contains a heating indicator.

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