Sterilization of medical productsin low-pressure glow discharges

Results are presented from experimental and theoretical studies of the sterilization of medical products by the plasmas of dc glow discharges in different gas media. The sterilization efficiency is obtained as a function of discharge parameters. The plasma composition in discharges in N₂ and O₂ is investigated under the operating conditions of a plasma sterilizer. It is shown that free surfaces of medical products are sterilized primarily by UV radiation from the discharge plasma, while an important role in sterilization of products with complicated shapes is played by such chemically active particles as oxygen atoms and electronically excited O₂ molecules.     

胰蛋白酶的高压灭菌

胰蛋白酶在酸性条件下经过高压灭菌,仍有活力.在细胞培养中,以这种方法对胰蛋白酶消毒比常规的过滤除菌更加简便,经济,安全可靠.     

Sterilization of peat by gamma radiation

Summary The effect of gamma-radiation on the survival of microorganisms has been quantified for the natural population of two types of peat. Data for several microbial types have been separately determined by regular plating and by indirect statistical probability estimates including, a wholly enclosed invertedbottle technique for higher dose levels to exclude any possibility of post-treatment contamination. The most persistent microorganisms at intermediate dosage (2.5–3.5 Mrad) were commonly a micrococcus (which closely resembledMicrococcus radiodurans) arthrobacter-like rods, myxobacteria and amoeboid forms. The persistent organisms all survived because of high resistance to -irradiation, not because of high initial numbers. The most numerous true bacteria (including sporeformers), actinomycetes, filamentous fungi and yeasts were all readily destroyed. Although the safety margin with the commercially recommended dose of 5 Mrad is low for some of the more resistant organisms, no change is justified at this stage since the organisms most likely to survive such a dose do not seem to seriously affect the subsequent growth and survival of rhizobia. Moreover there would be some risk of radiation-induced peat toxicity if higher doses were applied and some post-irradiation contamination will be difficult to avoid in commercial production.     

Sterilization by Means of Hydrochloric Acid Vapour

As heat sterilization of glass bottles often results in breakage and of most plastic containers in deformation, we investigated a rapid low-temperature sterilization method as an alternative. Vapour evolving from hydrochloric acid was chosen because it does not leave toxic residues which might contaminate food packed in treated containers. Vapour evolving from 0.25 ml of 31% (w/w) hydrochloric acid reduced the number of viable spores of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in bottles (300 ml) by a factor of at least 2500 and that from 0.01 ml of 37% (w/w) hydrochloric acid reduced the number of mould spores by a factor of over 40 000 within 5 min at 20°C.     

Postpartum Sterilization

Postpartum sterilization in California is characterized by an absence of legal definition, by variations in the practices within communities and by differences of opinion as to the merits of alternative procedures. In one institution there seems to be good reason to stress postpartum tubal sterilization as being a safe and effective method of dealing with a group of patients for whom subsequent pregnancies carry a high risk. In other hospitals sterilization policies will vary according to local circumstances and needs.