Development of Design Parameters and Conceptual Drawing for a Plasma Etcher to Clean and Sterilize Surgical Instruments. Phase 2.
Abstract
This work was proposed in response to the Army's stated need for an instrument for use in field hospitals to clean blood and organic debris from surgical instruments and sterilize the instruments. The device needs to be lightweight, small in volume, and water and manpower efficient. The need for such a device makes sense. Conventional autoclaving requires use of a large, heavy instrument that sterilizes by producing steam at high pressure. Sterilization takes 30 to 60 minutes, and the autoclave consumes considerable electric power to produce steam. A simpler method would be an asset, particularly in a field situation where access to water, power, space and personnel is expected to be limited. Work done in SBIR Phase I demonstrated that plasma etchers sterilized metal samples and effectively removed blood and organic matter from stainless steel surgical instruments, and the device required would clearly be small, lightweight, and able to be operated simply in the absence of water.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 30, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADB168062
Entities
People
- Robert W. Barr