Abstract: A method of enclosing a surgical item identification tag in a fluorinated shrink wrap, including cutting one or more elongated pieces from a shrink wrap tube to form cut shrink wrap pieces, placing cut shrink wrap pieces into cavities in a tray, inserting an identification tag into each of the cut shrink wrap pieces, heating the cut shrink wrap pieces to cause the cut shrink wrap pieces to shrink and wrap around the identification tag, sealing an upper end and lower end of the cut shrink wrap pieces.

Abstract: An amperometric gas sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte includes: a solid configured as an insulator without being contacted by the analyte and configured for diffusion of the analyte therethrough, the solid including a non-conductive polymer, the solid further configured to increase in electrical conductivity when in contact with the analyte; a working electrode positioned on and in contact with the solid; and a reference electrode positioned on and in contact with the solid, the reference electrode spaced apart and insulated from the working electrode without the solid being contacted by the analyte, the working electrode and the reference electrode configured to measure electrical conductivity of the solid when the solid is in contact with the analyte.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an amperometric gas sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte, comprising: a solid support; and a working electrode in contact with the solid support; wherein the analyte comprises a dopant which when in contact with the solid support increases the electrical conductivity of the solid support. A sterilization process employing the amperometric gas sensor is disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an amperometric gas sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte, comprising: a solid support; and a working electrode in contact with the solid support; wherein the analyte comprises a dopant which when in contact with the solid support increases the electrical conductivity of the solid support. A sterilization process employing the amperometric gas sensor is disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an amperometric gas sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte, comprising: a solid support; and a working electrode in contact with the solid support; wherein the analyte comprises a dopant which when in contact with the solid support increases the electrical conductivity of the solid support. A sterilization process employing the amperometric gas sensor is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling a light output of a surgical lamp used for illuminating a surgical site. The surgical lamp includes a housing that defines an internal cavity. A light source is disposed within the internal cavity of the housing. The light source produces a light path and a light field at a surgical site that is remote from the housing. The method comprises providing a voltage sensitive device along the light path, the voltage sensitive device having light transmissive properties that change in response to a biasing voltage applied thereto, and applying a biasing voltage to the voltage sensitive device to achieve a desired light intensity at the surgical site.

Abstract: A self contained unit and system for determining whether medical equipment or devices such as endoscopes, minimally invasive surgical instruments (MIS), etc., are blocked, or substantially free flowing, or are disconnected or leaking before they are subjected to cleaning and/or a disinfecting process that is either sequential or simultaneous. The apparatus has a manifold that generally receives predetermined amounts of a gas and/or liquid for dispensing to one and preferably a plurality of channels. Advantageously, the test apparatus of the present invention can be utilized as a stand-alone unit that is able to monitor the noted medical equipment or devices with regard to the flow of a gas and/or liquid therethrough such as large or small lumens and such flow can also be automatically verified by a system independent of human intervention. Alternatively, the test apparatus can be utilized as part of a comprehensive system in conjunction with other devices for testing, cleaning, and/or disinfecting.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an amperometric gas sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte, comprising: a solid support; and a working electrode in contact with the solid support; wherein the analyte comprises a dopant which when in contact with the solid support increases the electrical conductivity of the solid support. A sterilization process employing the amperometric gas sensor is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing chemical sterilant molecules from a medium, such as a carrier gas. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing that defines an internal cavity. The housing has an inlet and an outlet fluidly communicating with the internal cavity. An electrode is dimensioned to be received in the internal cavity of the housing. The electrode is made of a material that is chemically active with respect to molecules of a chemical sterilant and conductive to electricity. The electrode is connected to a source of an electrical charge such that an electrical field gradient is formed in a region of space surrounding the electrode. The electrical field gradient is operable to force the chemical sterilant molecule toward the electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical lamp for illuminating a surgical site. The surgical lamp includes a housing that defines an internal cavity. A light source is disposed within the internal cavity of the housing for producing a light field at a surgical site that is remote from the housing. A voltage sensitive device is disposed between the light source and the surgical site. The voltage sensitive device has light transmissive properties that change in response to a biasing voltage applied thereto. Control means control the biasing voltage to the voltage sensitive device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing chemical sterilant molecules from a medium, such as a carrier gas. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing that defines an internal cavity. The housing has an inlet and an outlet fluidly communicating with the internal cavity. An electrode is dimensioned to be received in the internal cavity of the housing. The electrode is made of a material that is chemically active with respect to molecules of a chemical sterilant and conductive to electricity. The electrode is connected to a source of an electrical charge such that an electrical field gradient is formed in a region of space surrounding the electrode. The electrical field gradient is operable to force the chemical sterilant molecule toward the electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing chemical sterilant molecules from a medium, such as a carrier gas. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing that defines an internal cavity. The housing has an inlet and an outlet fluidly communicating with the internal cavity. An electrode is dimensioned to be received in the internal cavity of the housing. The electrode is made of a material that is chemically active with respect to molecules of a chemical sterilant and conductive to electricity. The electrode is connected to a source of an electrical charge such that an electrical field gradient is formed in a region of space surrounding the electrode. The electrical field gradient is operable to force the chemical sterilant molecule toward the electrode.

Abstract: A self contained unit and system for determining whether medical equipment or devices such as endoscopes, minimally invasive surgical instruments (MIS), etc., are blocked, or substantially free flowing, or are disconnected or leaking before they are subjected to cleaning and/or a disinfecting process that is either sequential or simultaneous. The apparatus has a manifold that generally receives predetermined amounts of a gas and/or liquid for dispensing to one and preferably a plurality of channels. Advantageously, the test apparatus of the present invention can be utilized as a stand-alone unit that is able to monitor the noted medical equipment or devices with regard to the flow of a gas and/or liquid therethrough such as large or small lumens and such flow can also be automatically verified by a system independent of human intervention. Alternatively, the test apparatus can be utilized as part of a comprehensive system in conjunction with other devices for testing, cleaning, and/or disinfecting.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor system for determining a concentration of a chemical component in a fluid having a first sensor that senses a first physico-chemical property of the chemical component and, a second sensor that senses a second, different physico-chemical property of the chemical component and a processing system.

Abstract: A sterilization system that includes a sensor for determining the concentration of a liquid sterilant in a sterilant fluid. The sterilant fluid is comprised of a blend of sterilant fluids from a plurality of sterilant supplies. The concentration of the liquid sterilant differs in each of the sterilant supplies. The sensor allows a controllable concentration of liquid sterilant to be supplied to a vaporizer.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the efficiency of a vaporizer in a decontamination system, having a first sensor for generating a first signal indicative of the concentration of a decontaminating chemical in a liquid decontaminate before vaporization by a vaporizer, and a second sensor for generating a second signal indicative of the concentration of vaporized decontaminate after vaporization by said vaporizer, and means for determining efficiency in accordance with said first and second signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the efficiency of a vaporizer in a decontamination system, having a first sensor for generating a first signal indicative of the concentration of a decontaminating chemical in a liquid decontaminate before vaporization by a vaporizer, and a second sensor for generating a second signal indicative of the concentration of vaporized decontaminate after vaporization by said vaporizer, and means for determining efficiency in accordance with said first and second signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor system for determining a concentration of a chemical component in a fluid having a first sensor that senses a first physico-chemical property of the chemical component and, a second sensor that senses a second, different physico-chemical property of the chemical component. A method to detect, control, monitor, maintain and confirm concentration levels of a decontaminant throughout a decontamination cycle is also provided.

Abstract: A radiolucent surgical table (40) is provided with a low shadow accessory interface profile (70). The interface profile includes a plurality of interconnected curved surfaces formed along the entire outer edge of the patient support member for selective attachment to a range of medical accessory devices. The support interface includes a non-planar first connection area (72) having a recess (82) and a curved lip area (90) adapted to engage correspondingly formed surfaces (122, 126) on a medical accessory connector (110, 140). A second connection area (76) of the support interface (70) includes a planar locating surface (100) formed at an angle oblique with the top surface (74) of the patient support member. Engagement with the locating surface by corresponding surfaces formed on the medical accessory connectors (110, 140) generate a downward force that causes an increase in the engagement forces between the recess and lip areas of the interface and corresponding surfaces on the accessory connectors.

Abstract: A single-use cartridge C contains a dose of a concentrated decontaminant for providing a decontaminant solution upon mixing with water. The cartridge is inserted into the well (16) of a decontamination system (A). Fresh water and then the decontaminant solution are recirculated through the well during a decontamination cycle. The cartridge includes a porous region (42), through which the decontaminant solution flows. Impregnated in the porous region is a chemical indicator (44), such as crystal violet, which gradually changes color on exposure to the decontaminant. The indicator provides a semi-quantitative indication of the integrated level of the decontaminant in the solution over time for determining whether an acceptable level of the decontaminant was present for decontamination. A preferred embodiment of the cartridge C includes nested inner and outer water-penetrable cups (50,150,70,170) for holding first and second reagents. The two cups are sealed together adjacent upper open ends (56,92,156,192).