Abstract: A method of sealingly coupling a hollow fiber bundle having first and seconds ends to a porous collar having first and second peripheral edges, at least one of which is coupled to the inner ledge of a casing for encasing said bundle of hollow fibers is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of sealingly coupling a hollow fiber bundle having first and seconds ends to a porous collar having first and second peripheral edges, at least one of which is coupled to the inner ledge of a casing for encasing said bundle of hollow fibers is disclosed.

Abstract: Stable microbicides comprising hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, acetic acid and purified water substantially free of contaminants, sequestrants or stabilizers and having anticorrosive properties for metals used in surgical and dental instruments is disclosed.

Abstract: A low prime, high heat exchange efficiency oxygenator is provided which includes an oxygenation portion and a heat exchanger portion. Disposed within the heat exchanger portion is a hollow tube heat exchanger wound bundle which includes a plurality of hollow tubes knitted into a mat, the mat wound under tension into a bundle which includes from 16 to 24 layers of the mat. The oxygenator provided permits prime volumes of 180 to 240 mLs.

Abstract: Concentrations of stock hydrogen peroxide-peracetic acid solutions can be monitored resistively. The resistivity cell electrodes have titanium surfaces which resist corrosion better than other electrode materials including platinum electrodes. Such resistivity monitoring is particularly useful to verify the concentrations of sterilant stock solutions used in machinery for cleaning and sterilizing medical and dental equipment such as dialyzer reuse machines. Over the temperature range of interest the resistivity measurement is substantially not affected by changes of temperature in the room temperature range.

Abstract: A stable, shippable microbicide solution, having improved anticorrosive properties comprising a two part system, the first part consists of a mixture of acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and water. This is referred to for brevity as a peroxide/peracid solution. The second consists of water having dissolved therein a wetting agent which is preferably Victawet.RTM. 35B which is the sodium hydroxide reaction product of an aliphatic alcohol and phosphorous pentoxide. Three other Victawet.RTM. agents have proven operative. Alternatively, Fluorad.TM. FC95, which is a agent of potassium perfluoroalkyl sulfonates may be used. The microbicide may also be a premixed one component system containing the anticorrosive agents of the invention.

Abstract: A system for reprocessing and sterilizing a previously used catheter having at least one lumen is disclosed. The catheter is provided with a housing and enclosed within the housing. Heated sterilant is provided to the housing and the catheter. The lumen is tested during the reprocessing and sterilizing cycle for blockages and integrity. If the catheter is of a type having a balloon tip, the balloon is also tested for integrity by inflating and deflating it a plurality of times. The housing is pressurized to a level above the ambient pressure and maintained at such pressure whereby the sterility of the catheter is maintained for up to one week. Further disclosed is an apparatus for selectively coupling used catheters to a source of sterilant. The apparatus includes a housing having a tray for holding the catheter in place during reprocessing, a door for enclosing and locking the catheter within the housing, and a plurality of valves for coupling the housing to a source of sterilant.

Abstract: An oxidizing sterilant solution comprising percarboxylic acid is disclosed which contains a colorant that is color stable for a useful period in the oxidizing, sanitizing environment.