Sterilizer, Plasma

Plasma sterilization is used for the sterilization of equipment and materials that cannot be sterilized at high temperatures. This method uses hydrogen peroxide as a plasma precursor. The combined use of hydrogen peroxide vapour and plasma safely and rapidly sterilizes medical instruments and materials without leaving toxic residues. Penetration of hydrogen peroxide vapour into long or narrow lumens has been addressed by the use of a diffusion enhancer. This is a small, breakable glass ampoule of concentrated hydrogen peroxide with an elastic connector that is inserted into the device lumen and crushed immediately before sterilization. The diffusion enhancer can be used to sterilize bronchoscopes. Single use cassettes have been developed for supplying the exact dose of hydrogen peroxide required for the cycle, so that there are less injection errors and less waste if the cycle is aborted. The process is usually at room temperature and hence poses no dangers associated with high temperatures unlike autoclaves.