Abstract: Biological fluids, e.g. bodily fluids such as plasma/serum, semen, milk or blood, can be treated efficiently with ozone to inactivate certain viruses, bacteria, fungi etc. To effect and enhance the contact of such fluids with ozone, or another disinfecting or deactivating gas, the fluids are thoroughly nebulized, or atomized, i.e. dispersed into minute droplets. Nebulization has been found to afford a faster O.sub.3 -fluid reaction rate than other known methods. It is proposed to create a fine "rain" of droplets to fall through a controlled atmosphere of O.sub.3 /O.sub.2 and/or O.sub.3 /inert gas mixture. Electric and magnetic fields are superimposed over the space through which the droplets are passed.Three types of nebulizers/atomizers are described: compressed gas (O.sub.3 /O.sub.2 mixture) atomizer, ultrasonic nebulizer, and rotary nebulizer.The invention was tested on coliphage MS2 which is safe, easy to handle, and more resistant to chemical disinfections than viruses such as HIV. More than 7 log.sub.

Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting containers comprises a disinfection chamber 12 surrounding a required section of a container transport path, partition means for dividing the interior of the disinfection chamber 12 into a preheating zone 35, an exposure zone 36 and a drying zone 37 as arranged downstream from an upstream side of the transport path, antiseptic supply means for supplying hydrogen peroxide gas or mist to the exposure zone 36, and means for supplying hot air to the preheating zone 35 and the drying zone 37.

Abstract: A container is provided that is disposable, for first collecting blood delivered from a patient, preferably by means of a vacuum draw of blood into a container, and then the blood in the container is treated. The treatment is provided by an at least partial a back-and-forth or reciprocating motion of blood along membranes, such that filtrate components of the blood pass through the membrane walls and are collected, whereby retentate components of the blood are retained, with the back-and-forth motion being provided by means of a substantially constant vacuum draw, that provides a pumping action by means of a diaphragm pump. A replenishment liquid is automatically added, substantially proportional to the amount of filtrate components of the blood that are withdrawn. The membranes are protected by a means for removing body fats or other potentially harmful materials.

Abstract: An air freshener which has a rigid plastic frame, a hollow shell of translucent, open cell foam which is placed over the frame and which is impregnated with a scent agent, a base which is removably connected to the frame and which has a light bulb extending therefrom into the interior of the frame for illuminating the shell and for heating the scent agent to increase its dispersion. The frame and shell are manufactured in the shape of a basketball, baseball, or other piece of sports equipment and the shell is imprinted with a name or team logo.

Abstract: An insect repellant method and apparatus that can protect a defined area from insects for a determinable time period. The invention may be practiced in conjunction with or independent of normal building systems. The invention creates an invisible veil of protection against insects.

Abstract: A solvent recovery system for an oil and grease test collects and condenses solvent vapors to recover solvent. A vessel having an inlet for sealingly receiving an outlet of a separatory funnel receives solvent from the separatory funnel. The solvent is filtered through a filter paper placed in a funnel integral with the vessel. The funnel has a lower tubular section protruding from the vessel. A vapor return tube, integral with the vessel, surrounds the tubular section providing an annular space between an inside wall of the vapor return tube and an outside wall of the tubular section. Filtrate flows downward through the funnel tubular section into an evaporation flask, where the solvent is heated and evaporated leaving an oil and grease residue. Solvent vapors flow upward through the annular space within the vapor return tube into the vessel. A condenser, integral with the vessel, receives and condenses the vapors forming a condensate that is collected in a solvent recovery flask.

Abstract: A method for cleaning, decontaminating, and sterilizing catheters (10) using a combination of liquid and gaseous/plasma sterilization techniques to ensure the complete and efficient sterilization of a catheter (10). Angiographic dye and saline are removed from the interior (36) of the balloon (14) and its lumen (16). The outer surfaces of the catheter (10) and a guide wire lumen (18) of the catheter (10) are cleaned, decontaminated, and sterilized (42) with a liquid sterilant. The liquid sterilant fills a balloon (14) and a balloon lumen (16) of the catheter (10). The liquid sterilant is retained in the balloon (14) and the lumen (16) for a select amount of time. Thereafter, the liquid sterilant is drained from the balloon (14) and the balloon lumen (16). The filling, retaining, and draining steps are repeated until an interior (36) of the balloon (14) and the balloon lumen (16) are sterilized. Residual liquid sterilant is rinsed from the interior (36) of the balloon (14) and the balloon lumen (16).

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 perfom 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: A device for the sterilization and encapsulation of bio-hazardous materials, especially including needles and syringes, which provides a sealable container to receive the materials and a rotating carousel to successively position the container for processing, a heat device to raise the temperature within the container to sterilize the contents and melt any plastic material, a compactor to crush the container into a smaller volume, and an ejector to remove the compacted container from the carousel.

Abstract: A web sterilizing device comprising a sterilizing solution tank 51, web guide means for guiding a web W so as to bring the web w into the tank 51, dip the web w in a sterilizing solution within the tank 51 and thereafter move the web W out of the tank 51, a pair of endless chains 105 extending in parallel to each other both inside and outside the tank 51, chain guide means for guiding the chains 105 so as to move the chains 105 along respective opposite sides of a path for the web W to move along by being guided through the tank 51 by the web guide means, and a web engaging member 133 extending between and connected to the chains 105.

Abstract: A syringe encapsulation device having a melt chamber heated by forced hot air to sufficient temperature to melt the plastic bodies of the syringes, where the melt chamber is coaxially mounted onto a rotating shaft and rotated when the plastic is in the molten state such that the molten plastic is centrifugally driven to the outer periphery of the melt chamber to safely encapsulate the needles once the molten plastic has hardened.

Abstract: A self-venting package (A) contains peracetic acid or other strong oxidants in a unit dose that assures sterilization of instruments and equipment in an automated sterilizing apparatus (FIG. 3) or of biological wastes in a biological waste comminuting apparatus (FIG. 4). The self-venting package is constructed of a cylindrical body having first and second vent apertures (12, 14) 180.degree. offset adjacent a first edge (20) and third and fourth vent apertures (16, 18) 180.degree. offset adjacent a second edge (26). The first and second vent apertures are 90.degree. offset relative to the third and fourth vent apertures. The first edge is flattened and sealed forming a pair of corners (40, 42) such that the first and second vent apertures are disposed closely adjacent the first and second corners. The container is filled with peracetic acid or other liquids which liberate gas or vapors. A second end (26) of the container is flattened and sealed in a direction transverse to the first edge.

Abstract: A portable air purifying apparatus including a high frequency voltage booster and an anion generator. The high frequency voltage booster is comprised of a control box accommodating therein a circuit board and two batteries. The circuit board has electronic components assembled thereon to form a high frequency high voltage circuit for generating high frequency high voltage pulse currents when the batteries supply electric currents. The anion generator is comprised of a generator body accommodating therein a discharge electrode, a necklace attached to the generator body, and a terminal connector. The generator body has two air vents. The high frequency voltage booster and the anion generator may be carried around by the user.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously sterilizing a first object and a second object that includes providing a first container with a first exterior surface, the first exterior surface comprises a first microwave interactive layer and defines a first interior space having a first initial temperature. The first object is placed within the first interior space of the first container. The method includes the step of providing a second container with a second exterior surface, the second exterior surface comprises a second microwave interactive layer and defines a second interior space having a second initial temperature. A second object is placed within the second interior space of the second container. The first and second microwave interactive layers are exposed to a first amount of microwaves so that the first microwave layer produces heat which raises the temperature within the first interior space to a predetermined sterilization temperature.

Abstract: A capping and sealing assembly for a sample-holding centrifuge container which features a self-sealing lid that forms a fluid-tight seal in an opening of the canister with a predetermined amount of force, with the force being dependent upon the centrifugal load to which the capping assembly is subjected. The lid includes a cover portion and a peripheral member surrounding the cover portion and extending transverse thereto. The lid is disposed within an open end of the container, with the peripheral member having a frusto-conical surface that faces the container's wall. A gasket is disposed about the frusto-conical surface, forming a fluid-tight and air-tight seal with the cylindrical wall. A plurality of arcuate ribs extend across the cover portion, between opposed areas of the peripheral member. Each of the ribs are adapted to flex, under centrifugal force, expanding the opposed areas outwardly. In this manner, the sealing force between the peripheral member and the wall is increased.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for sterilization and/or heat treatment of products in particle form, e.g. bone meal, and comprising an upright-standing pressure vessel (2) with elevator arrangement (6) which lifts the meal from the bottom area (5) to the top area (4), and lets it fall back to the bottom area for re-lifting.The processing is effected by direct steam supply (16), whereby the meal is heated to sterilization temperature.After the treatment or the sterilization, the vessel is emptied by the opening of a bottom valve (10). During the whole of the process, i.e. during filling, sterilization and emptying, the elevator arrangement (6) is in operation.The elevator arrangement is, for example, a helical vibration elevator firmly built into the vessel and with external vibration motors (8), so that the whole of the vessel is made to vibrate.

Abstract: A pool or spa sterilizing device is provided including a housing having an interior space. An ultra-violet tube is positioned in the interior space of the housing and is adapted to emit ultra-violet radiation upon the receipt of power. A power cord is included having a first end with a standard grounded power plug for being releasably connected with an alternating current receptacle and a second end electrically connected to the ultra-violet tube. As such, power is supplied to the ultra-violet tube upon the plug of the power cord being plugged into the current receptacle.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing a device, includes the following steps: contacting the device with liquid sterilant outside or inside a sterilization chamber at a first pressure, placing the device in the chamber before or after the contacting step, and decreasing the pressure of the chamber to a second pressure below the vapor pressure of the liquid sterilant. At least the decrease in pressure below about the vapor pressure of the liquid sterilant occurs at a pumpdown rate of less than 0.8 liters per second, calculated based on the time required to evacuate the chamber from atmospheric pressure to 20 torr when the chamber is empty and dry.

Abstract: A lightweight portable germicidal air filter for home and personal use is disclosed. The air filter includes a cabinet which houses an electrostatic air filter, an ultraviolet lamp and a parabolic reflector or a convex lens for focusing the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the lamp on an upstream side of the air filter. The reflector or the lens are constantly oscillated to systematically sweep the upstream side of the filter with germicidal levels of radiation. A fan located adjacent the downstream side of the filter draws air through the filter and impels it out through areas for air outlet in the sidewalls of the cabinet. The advantage is a simple, lightweight germicidal air filter with few moving parts which is inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A medical instrument fixation system for a sterilization tray having a bottom wall and an array of ventilation holes in the bottom wall, the holes being arranged in columns and rows with a selected spacing between the columns and rows includes a plurality of elongated rails. Each rail has a bottom surface, a top surface and a plurality of projections extending from the bottom surface and spaced apart along each rail a distance equal to, or an intregal multiple of, the selected spacing, the projections being sized to plug into the holes so that the rail extends along a column or row of holes. The system also includes a plurality of posts, each post having opposite ends and means for keying one end of each post to a different one of the rails so that so that each post can slide along the corresponding rail to a selected position thereon. A method of fixating the instruments in the tray using special retention devices is also disclosed.