Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for irradiating products. The apparatuses and methods can be used to sterilize or reduce the microbiological contamination in materials introduced into the apparatus. The apparatus includes a biological shield made from modules. It also includes a batch operated material handling system capable of moving product into a cell area without requiring an operator to enter the cell area. The apparatus is of a size that can be constructed in existing buildings. It can be decommissioned and moved to different locations. The methods disclosed include moving products into a cell area without an operator entering the cell area and subjecting the products to radiation.

Abstract: An autoclave is disclosed which includes direct heating and improved access. The autoclave includes a heating system which is placed directly into the pressurized chamber such that materials which are placed directly into the autoclave are directly heated. The autoclave includes doors which are disposed inside of the pressure vessel which seal against the inside surface of the pressure vessel upon pressurization. In one embodiment a pivot system is used to hold the door in place when the autoclave is not sufficiently pressurized so as to hold the door against the inside wall of the autoclave. In an alternate embodiment a robotic system is used to hold the door in place when the autoclave is not sufficiently pressurized so as to hold the door against the inside wall of the autoclave. The robotic system is also used to move the door out of the way after depressurization.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for the sterile transfer of sterile materials between a transportable container and a sterile enclosure includes a closeable dock of the enclosure which seals with a closeable mouth of the container to define between them a sealed connecting chamber. A UV light source mounted within the chamber is activated to generate UV light to sterilize the interior of the chamber. Closures of the container mouth and dock are then displaced to provide a communication path between the interiors of the container and enclosure.

Abstract: The invention effectively prevents occurrence of corrosion in water tubes or the like of boilers. The invention provides a method for operating a boiler, including regulating a concentration of sulfate ions SO.sub.4.sup.2- in boiler water to under 500 ppm, and a method for injecting a sulfite base oxygen scavenger, including setting a concentration of residual dissolved oxygen in boiler feed water to 2-4 ppm. The invention further provides a sulfite base oxygen scavenger composition comprising: 3-30 weight % of at least one selected from a group consisting of Na.sub.2 SO.sub.3, K.sub.2 SO.sub.3, NaHSO.sub.3 and KHSO.sub.3 ; 1-20 weight % of NaOH or KOH; 0.2-2 weight % of potassium sorbate; and 5-500 ppm of CoSO.sub.4.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, serial and parallel dispensing tools that can deliver defined and controlled volumes of fluid to generate multi-element arrays of sample material on a substrate surface. The substrates surfaces can be flat or geometrically altered to include wells of receiving material. In one embodiment, the invention provides a tool that allows the parallel development of a sample array. To this end, the tool can be understood as an assembly of vesicle elements, or pins, wherein each of the pins can include a narrow interior chamber suitable for holding manual liter volumes of fluid. Each of the pins can fit inside a housing that forms an interior chamber. The interior chamber can be connected to a pressure source that will control the pressure within the interior chamber to regulate the flow of fluid within the interior chamber of the pins.

Abstract: An improved method for processing an industrial sterilization agent utilized to sterilize medical instruments includes the use of a regenerative thermal oxidizer. The sterilization agent is removed from the sterilization chamber and directed into the combustion chamber with little chance for the sterilization agent to mix with air or any other source of oxygen. In this way, the present invention reduces the possibility of explosion of the sterilization agent prior to its being directed into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method for cleaning/sterilizing a medical device with a lumen comprises the steps of: a) providing a container having one enclosure and one openable and closeable interface separating the container and the enclosure, b) placing the device on a tray, c) placing the tray into the container and enclosure so that one end of the device and a portion of the tray are located in the container and the other end of the device and another portion of the tray are located in the enclosure, d) creating a pressure difference between the two ends, e) cleaning the device with a cleaning solution, f) rinsing the device with rinse solution, g) treating the device with a chemical germicide. An apparatus for cleaning/sterilizing a device with a lumen comprises a container having at least two separated close compartments. An openable and closeable interface separates the container into the compartments.

Abstract: A method for cleaning/sterilizing a device having a lumen with at least two open ends comprises the steps of: a) providing a container having at least one enclosure and at least one interface separating the enclosure from the container, the interface having at least one opening thereon, b) placing the device across the opening with one open end in the container and another open end in the enclosure, c) generating a flow of a cleaning solution through the lumen to clean the inner surface of the lumen, d) generating a flow of rinse solution through the lumen to rinse the inner surface of the lumen, e) treating the device with a chemical germicide, and f) adjusting the opening in any of steps c) to e) to reduce the areas on surface of the device occluded by contacting with the opening. An apparatus for cleaning/sterilizing a lumen device comprises a container having a fluid port for flowing and draining a fluid in and out the container.

Abstract: A method for increasing the effectiveness of a permeable treatment wall is described. The method includes the introduction of ultrasonic radiation in or near the wall. A permeable treatment wall is also described which has an ultrasonic radiation generating transducer in or near the wall. Permeable treatment walls are described as having either a well vertically extending into the wall, or a rod vertically extending into the treatment wall. Additionally, a method for adapting a permeable treatment wall to allow for the introduction of ultrasonic radiation in or near the wall is described.

Abstract: A sterilization assembly for sterilizing an instrument case which is loaded with medical and/or dental instruments includes three primary components which are similarly arranged with flange surfaces and part-circular bosses which define bolt clearance holes. These three components include a base configured with receiving pockets for retaining a liquid sterilant, a collar and a lid which includes a pressure-relief valve. Positioned between the base and the collar is a first elastomeric gasket. Positioned between the lid and the collar is a second elastomeric gasket. By the use of bolts and threaded inserts, the lid and base are securely clamped together, sandwiching therebetween the collar and the two gaskets. This securely joined combination defines a hollow interior which receives therein at least one instrument case. By heating the liquid sterilant to a sufficiently high temperature, a sterilant vapor is created. As the vapor pressure builds, the instruments in the instrument case are sterilized.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating, administering, extracting and recovering sterilant gas for sterilizing and/or decontaminating enclosed spaces such as, for example, interior spaces of microbial isolators, and also to components associated with such apparatus and methods. Specifically contemplated herein, inter alia, is an arrangement and a method for automatically, and in a selected one of a predetermined and a predeterminable sequence, carrying out at least two of the steps of: providing decontaminant gas; initiating the administration of decontaminant gas into a target volume; and extracting gas from the target volume. This arrangement and method may conceivably be utilized in contexts other than contexts of apparatus and methods for generating, administering, extracting and recovering sterilant gas for sterilizing and/or decontaminating enclosed spaces.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods, apparatus and systems for use in performing in situ dilution or concentration of a particular subject material in a microfluidic device or system. These methods and apparatus may generally be integrated with other microfluidic operations and/or systems, to perform a number of different manipulations, wherein dilution or concentration, carried out within the context of the microfluidic device or system, is just one part.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating odor upon electronic signal demand using a disk having an aroma-impregnated adsorbent and a substrate. The disk is inserted into a disk drive that receives signals from a user and/or a server computer. A controller within the disk drive supplies an electric, mechanical or thermal signal to the disk, resulting in the heating of the adsorbent. The controller may also activate a blower to distribute the scent produced by the heated adsorbent and to cool the adsorbent at the end of the scent distribution cycle.

Abstract: A disinfection system and method for contact lenses that ensures that a disinfection liquid maintains its strength until the moment it is used. The system includes a lens case specially adapted to receive a prepackaged disposable container of disinfection liquid, the opening of which is provided with a tear-off seal to be removed immediately before use. The disposable container contains an amount of disinfection liquid suitable for one disinfection procedure for a set of contact lenses. The use of the disposable container system obviates bacterial growth in the container of the lens case.

Abstract: An extraction device utilizing hot air or gas for volatizing at least one substituent of a material is provided. The device has a container for holding material. The device also has a cap that is provided with holes leading from the exterior thereof to a chamber in the cap. The cap is adapted to be seated on the container so that the chamber of the cap communicates with an open end and a chamber of the container. A non-flame type heating unit is disposed in the chamber of the cap for heating gas. Gas is caused to pass through the holes of the cap, into the chamber thereof, through the chamber of the container and out of a discharge opening thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low-cost and practical method for cleaning objects such as wheelchairs on a continuous basis. In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention is a mobile, self-contained system in which objects are cleaned and sanitized as they travel in a U-shaped path within a wash chamber. As the objects enter the first side of the wash chamber, suitably located water jets spray the objects with a mixture of detergent and water to remove associated foreign materials until shortly after the objects make a U-turn. At this point, the objects are first sprayed with a mixture containing a rinse agent and water, then with a spray containing disinfectant and water. The objects are thereafter dried by suitable drying means such as a high velocity air curtain system. The continuous washing system of the present invention preferably has a self-contained water heater to pre-heat the water prior to its being sprayed onto the objects.

Abstract: The invention provides for the treatment of raw water having a pH of 2.5 to 9, an alkalinity of at most 50 mg/l expressed as calcium carbonate, a calcium content of at most 100 mg/l expressed as calcium carbonate, and a positive calcium carbonate dissolution potential. The process comprises separating part of the water from the remainder thereof and acidifying the part to increase its calcium carbonate dissolution potential. The acidified water is then fed through a bed of particles comprising calcium carbonate where the water consumes part of the calcium carbonate thereby increasing the calcium content and the alkalinity of the water which issues from the bed. The water issuing from the bed is then mixed with the remainder of the raw water to obtain an at least partially treated product water having a positive calcium carbonate dissolution potential which is at least 2 mg/l calcium carbonate less than that of the raw water.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for deodorizing malodorous solids, liquids, and/or gases by contacting them with a mist of an aqueous deodorizing solution consisting of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal chlorite, buffering agent(s), water, and optionally an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal chlorate and/or an alkali metal alkaline earth metal chloride. The preferred alkali metal is sodium. The deodorizing solution contains available chlorine dioxide and has a pH of about 8.5-9.5. In the process a concentrated solution of the deodorizing solution is diluted and mixed with water and misted into or onto the substance(s) to be deodorized, for example, the sewer gases from a sewage lift station. The apparatus consists of a rotameter which measures the amount of the concentrated deodorizing solution introduced into an eductor for dilution in a passing water stream which is then transported to spray nozzles for misting the malodorous substance(s).

Abstract: A waste plastic disposal apparatus (K1-K4) including a storage portion (2) for storing waste plastic; a heating portion (7) for heating the waste plastic, which includes a heater (7b) and a fan (7a); a hot-air circulating path (20) for circulating hot air therethrough, which is defined by the storage portion (2) and the heating portion (7); an exhaust path (10) which branches off from the hot-air circulating path (20); and a deodorizing portion (9) which is provided in the exhaust path in response to intake of a predetermined quantity of external air into the hot-air circulating path (20) per unit time, the hot air in the hot-air circulating path (20) is exhausted in a quantity equal to the predetermined quantity from the exhaust path (10) through the deodorizing portion (9).

Abstract: A microwave applicator chamber to effectively sterilize animal waste having a series of rotating chamber sectors carrying the waste under a source of intense radio frequency energy. The animal waste emerges free of pathogens and odor causing bacteria, ready for incorporation into plant fertilizers.