Gas plasma is the fourth state of matter, alongside solid, liquid, and gas. There are many naturally-occurring events and man-made products related to gas plasma, including aurora, thunderstorms, high-intensity discharge headlamp bulbs, oxonizers, semiconductors, and solar battery panels. A gas plasma is generated by removing electrons from a gas, e.g. nitrogen gas, to produce a highly-excited mixture of charged nuclei and free electrons. It has enormous potential as a broad spectrum antimicrobial sterilization procedure with applications in medical, industrial, and agricultural settings (e.g. decontamination of medical instruments). A major advantage is the shallow penetration of gas plasmas: approximately 10-20 nanometers from the surface, thereby minimizing damage to the material being sterilized. An important obstacle to overcome is the 'understanding-gap' between the engineering researchers who are developing the gas plasma sterilization technology and the microbiologists who aim to fine tune it for their needs. This timely book bridges that gap, permitting engineers and microbiologists to develop more coherent multidisciplinary strategies. The book opens with introductory chapters that explain the background and principles of gas plasma sterilization and outline the possible mechanisms of action. The requirements for achieving the 'gold-standard' sterilization level, i.e. a sterility assurance level (SAL) of 10-6, are also covered. The book also covers the applications of this technology, ranging from the inactivation of spores and endotoxins to inactivation of viruses and seed-borne plant pathogens. The final section of the book tackles sterilization validation (from several ISO documents), common data-interpretation errors, and speculation about future trends. [Subject: Microbiology, Engineering]

The effective sterilisation of any material or device to be implanted in or used in close contact with the human body is essential for the elimination of harmful agents such as bacteria. Sterilisation of biomaterials and medical devices reviews established and commonly used technologies alongside new and emerging processes.Following an introduction to the key concepts and challenges involved in sterilisation, the sterilisation of biomaterials and medical devices using steam and dry heat, ionising radiation and ethylene oxide is reviewed. A range of non-traditional sterilisation techniques, such as hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, ozone and steam formaldehyde, is then discussed together with research in sterilisation and decontamination of surfaces by plasma discharges. Sterilisation techniques for polymers, drug-device products and tissue allografts are then reviewed, together with antimicrobial coatings for 'self-sterilisation' and the challenge presented by prions and endotoxins in the sterilisation of reusable medical devices. The book concludes with a discussion of future trends in the sterilisation of biomaterials and medical devices.With its distinguished editors and expert team of international contributors, Sterilisation of biomaterials and medical devices is an essential reference for all materials scientists, engineers and researchers within the medical devices industry. It also provides a thorough overview for academics and clinicians working in this area. - Reviews established and commonly used technologies alongside new and emerging processes - Introduces and reviews the key concepts and challenges involved in sterilisation - Discusses future trends in the sterilisation of biomaterials and medical devices

Highly respected, established text – a definitive reference in its field – covering in detail many methods of the elimination or prevention of microbial growth "highly recommended to hospital and research personnel, especially to clinical microbiologists, infectioncontrol and environmental-safety specialists, pharmacists, and dieticians." New England Journal of Medicine WHY BUY THIS BOOK? Completely revised and updated to reflect the rapid pace of change in this area Updated material on new and emerging technologies, focusing on special problems in hospitals, dentistry and pharmaceutical practice Gives practical advise on problems of disinfection and antiseptics in hospitals Discusses increasing problems of natural and acquired resistance to antibiotics New contributors give a fresh approach to the subject and ensure international coverage Systematic review of sterilization methods, with uses and advantages outlined for each Evaluation of disinfectants and their mechanisms of action

This updated sterilisation manual informs health workers about the simple protocols and procedures that have been developed to prevent hospital-acquired infections both inside and outside the sterilisation plant. The guidelines included in this manual show the steps to follow in cleaning, preparing, sterilizing, storing and transporting hospital equipment so as to obtain sterile material. It is very important to be aware of this information in order to provide patients with safe health care.

A clear, hands-on outline of best practices for infection prevention that directly improve patient outcomes across the healthcare continuum.

Failure to adequately control any microbial challenge associated within process or product by robust sterilisation will result in a contaminated marketed product, with potential harm to the patient. Sterilisation is therefore of great importance to healthcare and the manufacturers of medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Sterility, sterilisation and sterility assurance for pharmaceuticals examines different means of rendering a product sterile by providing an overview of sterilisation methods including heat, radiation and filtration. The book outlines and discusses sterilisation technology and the biopharmaceutical manufacturing process, including aseptic filling, as well as aspects of the design of containers and packaging, as well as addressing the cleanroom environments in which products are prepared. Consisting of 18 chapters, the book comprehensively covers sterility, sterilisation and microorganisms; pyrogenicity and bacterial endotoxins; regulatory requirements and good manufacturing practices; and gamma radiation. Later chapters discuss e-beam; dry heat sterilisation; steam sterilisation; sterilisation by gas; vapour sterilisation; and sterile filtration, before final chapters analyse depyrogenation; cleanrooms; aseptic processing; media simulation; biological indicators; sterility testing; auditing; and new sterilisation techniques. - Covers the main sterilisation methods of physical removal, physical alteration and inactivation - Includes discussion of medical devices, aseptically filled products and terminally sterilised products - Describes bacterial, pyrogenic, and endotoxin risks to devices and products

Cold Plasma in Food and Agriculture: Fundamentals and Applications is an essential reference offering a broad perspective on a new, exciting, and growing field for the food industry. Written for researchers, industry personnel, and students interested in nonthermal food technology, this reference will lay the groundwork of plasma physics, chemistry, and technology, and their biological applications. Food scientists and food engineers interested in understanding the theory and application of nonthermal plasma for food will find this book valuable because it provides a roadmap for future developments in this emerging field. This reference is also useful for biologists, chemists, and physicists who wish to understand the fundamentals of plasma physics, chemistry, and technology and their biological interactions through applying novel plasma sources to food and other sensitive biomaterials. - Examines the topic of cold plasma technology for food applications - Demonstrates state-of-the-art developments in plasma technology and potential solutions to improve food safety and quality - Presents a solid introduction for readers on the topics of plasma physics and chemistry that are required to understand biological applications for foods - Serves as a roadmap for future developments for food scientists, food engineers, and biologists, chemists, and physicists working in this emerging field

This unified introduction provides the tools and techniques needed to analyze plasmas and connects plasma phenomena to other fields of study. Combining mathematical rigor with qualitative explanations, and linking theory to practice with example problems, this is a perfect textbook for senior undergraduate and graduate students taking one-semester introductory plasma physics courses. For the first time, material is presented in the context of unifying principles, illustrated using organizational charts, and structured in a successive progression from single particle motion, to kinetic theory and average values, through to collective phenomena of waves in plasma. This provides students with a stronger understanding of the topics covered, their interconnections, and when different types of plasma models are applicable. Furthermore, mathematical derivations are rigorous, yet concise, so physical understanding is not lost in lengthy mathematical treatments. Worked examples illustrate practical applications of theory and students can test their new knowledge with 90 end-of-chapter problems.

Plasma can be defined as the extracellular matrix of blood cells. Plasma components, their role in human health risk evaluation, and their functional and clinical analyses are covered in this book. Furthermore, physical plasma-ionized gas is one of the four fundamental states of matter. This homonym has begun to emerge because it can interact with living systems. The physical plasma biomedical applications are reviewed in drug delivery and wound healing medical applications. This approach revolutionizes the therapeutic approaches in medicine and may open up new concepts and clinical applications. The book is an essential source for researchers in the field and provides a platform for different professions.

The new edition of this established and highly respected text is THE definitive reference in its field. It details methods for the elimination or prevention/control of microbial growth, and features: New chapters on bioterrorism and community healthcare New chapters on microbicide regulations in the EU, USA and Canada Latest material on microbial resistance to microbicides Updated material on new and emerging technologies, focusing on special problems in hospitals, dentistry and pharmaceutical practice Practical advice on problems of disinfection and antiseptics in healthcare A systematic review of sterilization methods, with uses and advantages outlined for each Evaluation of disinfectants and their mechanisms of action with respect to current regulations The differences between European and North American regulations are highlighted throughout, making this a truly global work, ideal for worldwide healthcare professionals working in infectious diseases and infection control.