Abstract: A device and method for cleaning and deodorizing a unit having an enclosed space not otherwise easily accessible for cleaning and deodorizing.

Abstract: An enclosure assembly (10, 10, 10) includes a framework (12) formed from structural members and a flexible transparent enclosure (14) which provides an enclosed space for isolation and or treatment of patients, equipment, and the like. A treatment material, such as hydrogen peroxide or other gaseous or vapor sterilant, may be fed to the enclosure to microbially decontaminate or otherwise treat the equipment. The enclosure is quickly assembled and disassembled after use, making it suitable for treatment of large pieces of equipment which are not readily moved or which are too large to be accommodated conventional sterilization equipment.

Abstract: An improved brine maker includes a hopper having open upper and lower ends, a solids screen, and a receiving tank having an open upper end and closed lower end. The solids screen and receiving tank are pivotally secured to the hopper adjacent its lower end. The receiving tank and solids screen pivot freely and independently of the hopper to provide quick and easy access for cleaning and maintenance. Rotatable spray bars are positioned within the hopper to direct the dissolving fluid at the soluble material within the hopper. Spray holes having varying diameters and spaced relation to one another customize the fluid spray pattern for greater efficiency. A hydraulic assembly assists the operator throughout the cleaning and maintenance operations of the brine maker to reduce the time and manpower required.

Abstract: Concentration of a chemical vapor sterilant, especially, hydrogen perioxide, can be calculated at a point within a lumen based upon physical characteristics of the lumen and process parameters of a sterilization process employing the sterilant.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing medical devices and similar instruments in diffusion-restricted containers is provided. The sterilization method includes placing a liquid solution containing vaporizable germicide such as hydrogen peroxide into the diffusion-restricted container and vaporizing the germicide. The containers can be attachable and detachable to a sterilization system, and used as a vacuum chamber. An attachable/detachable container containing an article to be sterilized can be nested with a second container, and the article and inside and outside of the inner container are sterilized. The sterile article inside the nested containers can be transported and the sterile inner container with the sterilized article can removed from the outer container and placed in a sterile environment without contaminating the sterile environment. The sterile article can then be removed from the sterile container and utilized.

Abstract: A C-Band Disinfector disinfects objects placed within the device by subjecting the objects to closed-loop emissions of UV-C radiation. UV-C sensors measure reflected UV-C radiation and control the period of operation of the device. In an additional embodiment, UV-C radiation is transmitted by fiber-optic cable to a particular area of an object to be disinfected. After the prescribed dose is applied, the fiber-optic cable is moved to a new area of the object, and the UV-C disinfection process continues until all areas of the object have been disinfected by exposure to the prescribed dose of the UV-C radiation.

Abstract: A personal care product is provided comprising a handle, and, mounted on the handle, an elastomeric portion comprising an elastomeric material and an antimicrobial agent. Methods are provided for inhibiting mold growth on personal care products that include elastomeric portions.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing a medical device component, such as a catheter balloon, in which an electron beam (i.e., e-beam) is applied to the component in an evacuated or inert gas-filled container. The method of the invention allows for electron beam sterilization without significant degradation of the component polymeric material. In one embodiment, the device component is configured to be pressurized or expanded during use. The method of the invention provides a component with a rupture pressure that is not significantly decreased due to electron beam sterilization. Another aspect of the invention is a medical device component, e-beam sterilized according to a method of the invention. A variety of medical device components can be sterilized by the method of the invention, and particularly intracorporeal devices for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, such as balloon catheters, catheter shafts and balloons, stent covers, and vascular grafts.

Abstract: A mobile self-contained apparatus and process for grinding, grating, macerating, chemically disinfecting, and drying infectious waste material. A trailer (10) contains a hopper (27), a grinder/grater (28), an enclosed conveyor system, drying and filter apparatus, and sources of power, chemical disinfectant, and fresh water. Bagged infectious waste material in a cart is lifted and dumped into the hopper, sprayed with a sodium hypochlorite disinfectant solution, fed to the grinder/grater, ground, grated, and macerated into small particles of confetti-like material, sprayed again, immersed in the disinfectant solution, conveyed by an upwardly inclined screw conveyor (34) and thoroughly mixed therein, dried, passed into a vertical screw conveyor (47), and passed to a discharge screw conveyor (50) which discharges the dry confetti-like material.

Abstract: A reprocessor having a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid through a chamber that forms a part of the circulation system. The reprocessor includes a water filtration system for filtering water used in the reprocessor. The water filtration system includes a fluid feed line connectable to a source of pressurized water. A first filter and second filter elements are disposed in the fluid feed line for filtering fluids flowing therethrough. The second filter element is downstream from the first filter element and has the capacity to filter particles smaller than the first filter element. The fluid feed line forms a fluid path for water entering the reprocessor, and defines a portion of a path for microbial deactivation fluid circulated through the circulation system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a serialization set, in particular for surgical instruments or appliances, consisting of a container and an electronic apparatus (17) for recording at least one serialization parameter. The container includes a valve (11) arranged opposite a wall (7) of said container capable of allowing a sterilizing agent to penetrate, said valve being stressed towards a closed position by elastic means (29) and comprising catching members (15) capable of extending through the wall (7) when a force is exerted on said valve (11) countering the action of the elastic means (29). The electronic apparatus (17), designed to be attached to the container wall (7), comprises means for locking (19, 21) the catching members (15) of the valve (11) and automatic disengaging means (25) for producing the release of these catching members, once the serialization parameters are fulfilled.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing and drying a dialyzer or other device, wherein a vacuum drying phase is interrupted by interspersed pulses of air or other gas. The pulses lessen the evaporative cooling effect, to thereby reduce differential shrinkage that can structurally damage the dialyzer.

Abstract: Aerobic and anaerobic contamination is removed from a slurry by a sterilizing process and apparatus (10). A slurry piping circuit (26, 28, 30, 32, 34) interconnects a supply tank (12), three serial heat exchangers (16, 18, 20) and a storage tank (14). The circuit and storage tank are sanitized by flushing with mist of hydrogen peroxide (44) and nitrogen (50). One heat exchanger (16) transfers heat from the sterilized slurry to the unsterilized slurry. A closed hot water piping circuit (60, 62, 64) interconnects a hot water boiler (22) and the other two heat exchangers (18, 20). The slurry is sterilized in an insulated manifold (24) interconnecting the other two heat exchangers (18, 20). Slurry is pumped through the piping and heated by hot water in the manifold to kill the bacteria, and is covered by a layer of nitrogen (54) in the storage tank (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for dissolving and delivering a solution of a solid chemical material, such as calcium hypochlorite, is described. The apparatus includes in combination: a container, a lid removably mounted on the upper end of the container, and a housing. In operation, the lid is mounted on the container, which contains solid chemical material, and both are inverted and placed on top of the housing. A nozzle within the housing extends through a hole in the lid into the internal space of the container such that dissolving fluid is charged into the container through the nozzle where it contacts the solid chemical material. A solution of chemical material is formed within the container and the solution drains through additional holes formed in the lid and is removed from the housing to a point of use.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting fluids, which comprises a fluid conduit, an ultraviolet light source, which is at least partially within the fluid conduit, and an air drive unit coupled to the fluid conduit. The ultraviolet light source generates an ultraviolet light, which kills microorganisms in the fluid, thus sterilizing or disinfecting the fluid. The air dive unit creates air bubbles in the fluid, such as for fish tanks, fish hatchery ponds, or the like. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the ultraviolet light source comprises an ultraviolet light bulb being surrounded by a protective sleeve. The protective sleeve preferably comprises a UV transmissive material, which may comprise a fluoropolymer material, such as PTFE, FEP, PFA, AF and Tefzel ETFE.

Abstract: A storage device for sterilizing and storing dental appliances, oral hygiene devices or dental brushes is shown. A vase type container has an opening for receiving dental appliances or oral hygiene devices therein. A sterilization bath container is suspended in the opening. Holes around the opening allow oral hygiene devices or dental brushes to be suspended therearound. Dental appliances, oral hygiene devices or dental brushes are dipped in the sterilization bath and placed inside the vase-type container. Oral hygiene devices or dental brushes are dipped in the sterilization bath prior to being suspended in the holes or placed in the vase-type container. A top is placed over the opening for sealing the sterilization bath and covering dental appliances, oral hygiene devices or dental brushes while allowing fresh air access thereto.

Abstract: Sanitizing sponge disinfectant container bowls are disclosed, which are deep enough to hold cleaning sponges completely submerged in a disinfectant fluid. These containers are equipped with lids having downward projecting shafts or rotatable screw bolts which fit into the container bowl and press down on a sponge being sanitized. The lids are of sufficient weight to hold the sponges submerged in the disinfectant fluid. The container bowls are also provided with open ribbed rates against which or between which the sponges are held to facilitate the greater exposure of the surfaces of the sponges to the disinfectant fluid for improved cleansing.

Abstract: A cost effective apparatus for preparing solutions is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber which is divided by a movable partition into two compartments, a dissolving solution supply line for supplying dissolving solution to a first compartment of the chamber, a solution tank, a solution preparing line connecting the solution tank and the first compartment of the chamber, a solution preparing line connecting the solution tank and a second compartment of the chamber, and a transporting pump provided between the solution tank and the second compartment, and a solution transporting line for transporting the solution prepared in the solution tank and that has been transported to the second compartment to the point of use. The transporting pump may alternatively be provided between the first compartment and the solution tank.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sterilizing a lumen device. A lumen and a container having an interface on a wall of the container are enclosed in a chamber. The lumen is placed across the interface so that one end of the lumen is in the container and the other end is in the chamber. Germicide is introduced into the chamber, and a pressure difference is created between the two ends of the lumen, so that the germicide flows through the lumen. The lumen may alternatively be placed across an interface which separates the chamber into two areas. Germicide is introduced into the chamber, and a pressure difference is created between the two areas of the chamber, causing the germicide to flow through the lumen.

Abstract: A vapor decontamination system for decontaminating a defined region. The system is comprised of a chamber defining a region, and a generator for generating vaporized hydrogen peroxide from a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. A closed loop circulating system is provided for supplying the vaporized hydrogen peroxide to the region. A destroyer breaks down the vaporized hydrogen peroxide, and a sensor downstream from the destroyer is operable to sense moisture in the system and provide electrical signals indicative thereof. A controller determines the presence of vaporized hydrogen peroxide in the region based upon the electrical signals from the sensor.