Abstract:
This apparatus and method improves the way metal and other objects will be sterilized, disinfected and preserved by utilizing both electromagnetic radiation (UV light in particular) to kill anaerobic pathogens and oxygen depletion to kill aerobic pathogens. The removal of the presence of oxygen further increases the useful lifespan of the treated object by preventing corrosion in general and oxidation in particular.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/632,896, filed Oct. 1, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application No. 12/062,221 filed Apr. 3, 2008 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,278,628 on Oct. 2, 2012; which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/909,811, filed Apr. 3, 2007 (all hereby incorporated by reference). 
     
    
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An improved apparatus and process for sterilization and preservation of objects is disclosed that can be used to disinfect, sterilize and preserve metal objects through the use of ultraviolet light. Although machines that sterilize metal objects through the use of ultraviolet light already exist, one preferred embodiment of the apparatus and process sterilizes metal using a new and novel apparatus and method, in which a vacuum is created that will remove all of the air and oxygen from the container containing the metal object that is to be sterilized with ultraviolet radiation. Optionally, the removed air can be replaced by an inert gas such as nitrogen. This process of removing air from the container and optionally replacing the air with inert gas has two advantages: 1) decreases the pathogenicity of aerobic flora and therefore aerobic pathogens will die in the absence of O 2  and the object will remain sterilized and 2) the metal object will not oxidize or rust. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a drawing of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3   a  is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum indicator shown in  FIG. 2 , prior to a vacuum being achieved in the canister and  FIG. 3   b  is the vacuum indicator of  FIG. 3   a  after a vacuum has been achieved. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Referring now to the drawings where  FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of a general embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 2  is a further specific preferred embodiment, reference numbers in  FIG. 2  which correspond to elements in  FIG. 1  have been raised by  100 . Only unique elements to  FIG. 2  will be discussed separate from the elements in the general embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0007]    The apparatus includes a canister  1  having a work chamber  2  into which the object  3  to be sterilized, disinfected and preserved is inserted and secured. The canister  1  will be a (preferably) clear material (including but not limited to glass, composite plastic, or metal). The canister  1  will be constructed in order to achieve and maintain an ideal vacuum. It will open sufficiently to allow emplacement of the target object. The canister  1  could be lined with a reflective material. Two airtight valves  4   a  and  4   b  will be incorporated into the apparatus  1  to allow the removal of air and the introduction of an inert gas (such as nitrogen) into the chamber  2 . The source at the inert gas would be a separate tank or a gas generator  5 . The exchange of gas for the vacuum will allow for reduction of pressure on the valve seals  4   a  and  4   b  (which will maintain structural integrity of the chamber  2  and the seals  6 ) and will allow for continued aerobic pathogenesis. The source of the nitrogen gas can be a tank or a nitrogen generator  5  that separates nitrogen gas from the air. The exchange of the gases will reduce the pressure on the airtight seals  6 . Furthermore, it will ensure the cessation of oxidation and death of aerobic pathogens which need oxygen to survive. 
         [0008]    The chamber  2  will include a compartment  7  which will be exposed to the vacuum. The chamber  2  will contain a dessilant  8  such as silica gel to remove H 2 O. The chamber  2  also will contain an oxygen scavenger  9  to remove O 2 . 
         [0009]    The intensity of the electromagnetic radiation source  10  varies inversely with the square of the distance from the source. The electromagnetic radiation source  10  should in close proximity to the object  3  being exposed. The source of the electromagnetic radiation either inside of the canister  1  or outside of the canister  1 . A cable  12  could be used to transmit the wavelengths of interest to the inside of the canister. 
         [0010]    UV light will degrade plastic, therefore, the canister  1  should be made of a UV-resistant material that will not degrade as quickly. 
         [0011]    Depending upon the scale of the target objects, the vacuum needed for atmospheric replacement may be done by a large electronic or smaller hand pump  5 . There are several options for the production of a vacuum. For larger scale industrial use or hospital use, a large vacuum pump can be used. For residential use, a hand pump could be utilized. 
         [0012]    A timer  14  will be incorporated with an on/off switch  15  to indicate the completion of the process and to control the electromagnetic radiation source. The user will have the option of keeping the sterilized and disinfected object in the canister, in the non-corrosive atmosphere until ready for use. 
         [0013]    Advantageously, the present apparatus includes at least one indicator that indicates that a suitable vacuum has been achieved and is maintained within the compartment  107 . An advantageous vacuum pressure is at least −14.7 psi although other vacuum pressures above and below this pressure may be desirable depending on the sterilization which include but is not limited to −5 to −20 psi. Vacuum indicator  120  comprises a flexible membrane  122 . Prior to a sufficient vacuum being achieved in compartment  107 , the membrane  122  lies substantially flat along an interior surface  130  of the chamber  107  (see e.g.  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3   a  depicting the flexible membrane  122  in the canister  107  before a vacuum is achieved. After a sufficient vacuum is achieved, the flexible membrane  122  will be drawn into the compartment  107  as shown in  FIG. 3   b . The flexible membrane  122  is composed of an appropriate material and thickness so that it indicates when a desired vacuum is achieved. An additional vacuum indicator can be provided by illumination of vacuum indicator light  140 . Once a desired pressure is achieved within compartment  107 , the vacuum light indicator  140  is illuminated and stays illuminated as long as a desired sufficient pressure is maintained within compartment  107 . For example, the apparatus can include a pressure sensitive switch that activates the vacuum indicator light  140  to indicate that a vacuum pressure has been achieved within compartment  107 . The apparatus may include a feedback control loop logic circuit in order to maintain a constant vacuum pressure within the compartment  107 . The feedback system would have a maximum and minimum boundaries in order to achieve a desired set point vacuum for maintaining a desired pressure within compartment  107 .