Portable ozone sterilization device with mechanical and ultrasonic cleaning units for dentistry.

Abstract

A portable device for cleaning and ozone sterilization of small-sized delicate dental instruments that cannot withstand the high heat and humidity of standard autoclaving has been developed. The device contains a remote unit for magnetic mechanical washing, an ultrasonic bath for pre-cleaning treatment, and a container for ozone sterilization with a reactor based on dielectric barrier discharge. The maximum ozone concentration in water reached 8.5 mg/l for 10 min of operation at a water temperature of 19 °C. The results of inactivation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus are presented. Distilled water with such seeded micro-organisms was bubbled with an ozone-air mixture at an ozone concentration of 5.8 mg/l at 17 °C for 5 min, 10 min, 20 min, and 30 min. The maximum bactericidal effect was manifested for Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells with their total elimination within 10 min. Inactivation of Escherichia coli bacteria was monitored after 20 min of treatment, and Staphylococcus aureus-after 30 min of treatment.