Abstract: A surface light-emitting device having a surface emitter for emitting visible light or ultraviolet light by electroluminescence also has multiple through-holes that define fluid channels for fluid flow in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the surface emitter. The present invention also provides an optically assisted ceramic filter composed of a ceramic filter having multiple channels, and a photocatalytic layer and surface emitter disposed on a side surface of the ceramic filter.

Abstract: An UV-C air sterilizer with an optional visible light provides effective air sterilization through the use of a relatively low intensity UV-C radiation field external of the fixture and the continuous circulation of a mixture of treated and untreated air. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air decontamination device comprising an air stream generator (20), a non-thermal plasma filter (22), an ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting device (24), an ozone catalysing device (26), and a hydrocarbon emitter (28). The air stream generator (20) generates and directs an air stream through or across the non-thermal plasma filter (22), the UV radiation emitting device (24), the ozone catalysing device (26), and the hydrocarbon emitter (28). The plasma filter (22) produces free radicals by which contaminants in the air stream are nuetralised. The UV radiation emitting device (24) breaks down ozone in the air stream, catalysed by the ozone catalysing device (26). The hydrocarbon emitter (28) discharges an aromatic hydrocarbon into the air stream to preferentially react with residual ozone so that the air stream becomes suitable for human exposure. A method is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for surveying and sterilizing one or more areas or one or more portions of one or more areas are described.

Abstract: A retainer assembly for retaining a medical device in a container having a perforated wall includes a retainer with a rigid support portion having at least one leg and a flexible, resilient instrument holding portion intimately bonded to the support portion so that the retainer is devoid of cracks and crevices between said portions. Each leg has a free end and an axial passage extending into the leg from that end so that the retainer may be positioned on the container wall with each opening in register with a perforation therein. A fastener extends into the passage of each leg and the underlying perforation from below the wall to anchor each leg to the wall under pressure thereby providing a seal between each leg and the wall. Various retainer embodiments and a method for making same are also disclosed.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a microparticle diffusing apparatus capable of largely elongating the spray travel distance of microparticles emitted from the microparticle diffusing apparatus and, also, capable of emitting the microparticles in a wide range, enhancing the effect of the microparticles and reducing the noise. The microparticle diffusing apparatus includes a microparticle generating apparatus which generates microparticles from a microparticle generating part, a wind-blowing path which transfers the microparticles generated from the microparticle generating apparatus, and a blowout opening which is formed in an end of the wind-blowing path and which discharges the microparticles, and an aspect ratio of a cross section of the wind-blowing path is gradually increased from a start point to an end point.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel broad spectrum antiseptic compounds that further have properties that allow them to be coated/impregnated into polymer surfaces. Methods for coating these antiseptic compounds onto medical devices especially in-dwelling medical devices to prevent the growth of pathogens in such devices and hence, to prevent infection to patients via such devices are provided. The invention also provides antiseptics that are useful as general surface disinfectants and sterilizers, fluid disinfectants and biocide preservatives.

Abstract: A system for providing a chemical to a stream of a fluid. The system includes an elongate member with the chemical therein and moveable through the fluid to provide the chemical to the fluid. Optionally, the elongate member may be unwound from a first reel to a second reel through the stream of fluid to provide the chemical to the fluid.

Abstract: A removable replaceable cartridge for use with a liquid diffusing device. The cartridge includes a venturi, a conduit extending to the venturi, a mixing area and an outlet path for atomizing and dispersing a liquid within the cartridge. A diffusion device including a removable replaceable cartridge received within a housing. The housing includes a source of compressed gas which is directed into the cartridge. A venturi head with a unitary body for use with a diffusion device.

Abstract: A dry heat sterilization system having a housing and a number of plenums to guide the flow of hot air. Hot air is forced to flow through the plenums, the intake slide duct and into the bottom of the containers. The hot air will rise and exit from the top of the container through the exhaust slide duct. Furthermore, the external surfaces of the container are also sterilized through the use of semi-pierced duct walls with adjustable diffuser panels. Hot air will re-circulate until it reaches a pre-determined temperature. The container and its contents can be safely handled once the exhaust air blower removes hot air from the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the sterilization and/or germ reduction of impression material by means of radiation.

Abstract: A method and device related to a liquid product pressure and (optionally) temperature treatment method reduces the level of microorganisms in the liquid product to a preselected level. Utilizing the method, liquid product is diffused in a chamber with the speed of pressure variation of liquid product in one embodiment of about 109 Pa/sec. The preferred speed of the diffused drops is about 10 m/sec. The liquid product can optionally be heated before or during diffusion, and is preferably heated as a diffused liquid product by mixing it with superheated steam. The device includes a chamber and a diffuser in communication with the chamber.

Abstract: A method provides for sterilizing with radiation objects which have a low bioburden and which are sensitive to radiation. A dosage of radiation sufficient to ensure sterilization without damaging the object is determined by determining the bioburden upon one or more samples of the objects, determining an estimate of the dose that results in a probability of 0.01 of a surviving microorganism by testing a quantity of samples of the objects at varying dosage levels of radiation, confirming the estimate by testing a quantity of samples of the objects at the dose that was estimated; and calculating a dosage for the sterility assurance level of 10-6 by adding a factor to the dose that was confirmed to result in a probability of 0.01 of a surviving microorganism and wherein the factor is proportional to the dose that yields a probability of 0.01 of a surviving microorganism and inversely proportional to a log of the bioburden.

Abstract: A sterilization process that preserves the mechanical properties of dilatation balloons and balloon catheters manufactured from polymers susceptible to the degradation reactions induced by ionizing radiation. The advantages of the sterilization process contemplated by this invention results from a reduced oxygen environment during sterilization, thereby preventing the degeneration process initiated in polymers during irradiation. Additionally, a balloon or balloon dilatation catheter sterilized by the process of the invention is provided.

Abstract: Devices and systems and methods for dispensing volatile materials are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a device for emitting volatile materials from an article of manufacture that contains volatile compositions. In such an embodiment, a portion of the device and a portion of the article together define an air flow path for emitting the volatile materials. The device may have various features, including: a heater that is movable with a spring; safety features; and a closed-loop heater temperature feedback system. The device can have placement instructions associated therewith for proper operation of the device.

Abstract: A sterilizing method and apparatus in which neutral atoms and anions are coupled to produce a sterilizing substance which is, in turn, used to remove an object to be removed by sterilization. The sterilizing apparatus includes a cation generator and an anion generator, which are separate from each other. Also disclosed as an air cleaning method and apparatus using the sterilizing method and apparatus.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an ion diffusing apparatus having higher ability by suppressing the disturbance or turbulent flow generated in the vicinity of an ion generating apparatus and by enhancing the ion generating efficiency and the ion transfer efficiency. To achieve this object, the ion diffusing apparatus includes an ion generating apparatus which generates ions from an electrical discharging surface, a wind-blowing path which transmits the ions generated from the ion generating apparatus, and a blowout opening which is formed in an end of the wind-blowing path and which discharges the ions, and the wind-blowing path upstream from the ion generating apparatus is provided with a rectifier which rectifies flow of ions.

Abstract: An air freshener device includes a scent material interspersed within a polymer body or a polymer gel, and capable of dispersing out of the polymer gel. The polymer body and a polymer gel can be flexible and compressible, and also resilient and returnable to its original configuration. In addition, the polymer body and the polymer gel can have a freestanding, self-supported, three-dimensional shape. The air freshener can be light transmissive in at least a translucent manner, and can have indicia visible therethrough. In addition, the air freshener can have a light source capable of emitting light visible through the body. A vehicle accessory power plug can be coupled to the light source, and sized and shaped to be inserted into a vehicle accessory power socket.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods of disinfecting and/or decontaminating articles, and more specifically to a system and method of efficiently disinfecting and/or decontaminating articles such as pieces of mail that may have been exposed to diverse biological and/or chemical contaminants.

Abstract: An air freshener device includes a scent material interspersed within a polymer body or a polymer gel, and capable of dispersing out of the polymer gel. The polymer body and a polymer gel can be flexible and compressible, and also resilient and returnable to its original configuration. The air freshener can have at least one vent rod configured to engage an air vent, a head pivotally coupled to the at least one vent rod and a polymer body associated with the head and at least one vent rod and containing scent material. The air freshener also may be combined with a packaging system to present the air freshener for purchase, and have a pivotal head pivoted to display the head in the packaging.