Abstract: A sealed system for handling, manipulating and formulating materials in an isolated environment which includes an isolation system for performing operations on the materials, an accessory for receiving, performing a procedure, and providing items, and a sealing device interconnecting the isolation system and the accessory. The isolation system has an interior at least partially defined by a plurality of walls and a transfer port positioned on one of the walls for transferring items into and out of the isolation system. The accessory is selectively coupled to the transfer port and has an interior accessed by an opening. The sealing device includes a trough of predetermined configuration and a blade of corresponding configuration. The trough has a sealing substance disposed therein, and the blade and the trough each surround one of the transfer port and the opening. The blade is sealingly mounted to a mounting member which is sealingly mounted to the accessory to seal the interior of the accessory.

Abstract: A method for cleaning and sterilizing a medical device comprises the steps of: a) placing the device into a container, b) cleaning the device with a cleaning solution, c) rinsing the device with rinse solution, d) treating the device with a liquid sterilant, e) vaporizing the liquid sterilant in the container thereby simultaneously sterilizing and drying the device, and providing a sterile, dry product without further rinsing. The method further comprises retaining a predetermined amount of the liquid sterilant in the container prior to step e). Step e) can be conducted under a diffusion restricted environment, or by reducing pressure to a first predetermined pressure followed by further reducing the first pressure to a predetermined second pressure, or at controlled pump down rate.

Abstract: The invention involves a method for sterilizing biological tissues. The invention also includes sterilized biological tissues.

Abstract: A solid phase extraction plate includes a unitary tray having a plurality of spaced-apart discrete upstanding chambers molded therein with each chamber having a top opening and a bottom nozzle with downwardly tapering sidewalls extending between the top opening and the bottom nozzle. A plurality of solid phase extraction disks are provided and one secured in each of the plurality of chambers without the use of frits or retainer rings utilizing instead tapered sidewalls of the chamber for enabling a press fit of the disks therein.

Abstract: Effective corrosion inhibitors having minimal organic content, particularly suitable for use in municipal drinking water systems, are described. The preferred corrosion inhibiting additive is an aqueous solution of a stannous halide, preferably stannous chloride.

Abstract: A device (1) for the depuration and sanitization of air comprising a tank (10) divided into at least two compartments (17-18) containing suitable liquids into which penetrate the lower parts of relative groups of perforated discs (21) arranged, suitably spaced one from the next, on a shaft (20), placed horizontally and set at its ends onto supports (131-141) obtained centrally on the transverse walls (13-14) which are at the extremities of the tank (10) and connected at one end to a geared electric motor (40). The upper parts of the perforated discs (21) are housed in a semicylindrical casing (30) in which they are traversed by the air drawn in by means of a fan (7). The liquids inserted into the compartments (17-18—etc.) of the tank (10) consist of a basic aqueous solution, with the addition of a surfactant and eventually antifoaming agents, to which can be added quaternary ammonium salts and/or organic salts whose adsorbing action allows also the sanitization of the treated air.

Abstract: A room air freshener adapted to be used in connection with a register vent. The structure of the freshener is especially formed to be attached to the vent register and includes a formed handle adapted to keep the freshener material adjacent to the grid of the register vent. A certain range in the amount of mass of the freshener is required for a certain volume of air for best operation of the freshener.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating a biological fluid with light and for inactivating contaminants in biological fluid. The biological fluid is contacted with a light source providing a high intensity light to the biological fluid. The biological fluid may include a quantity of a photochemical agent that when activated by light is operable to cause inactivation of at least some of the contaminants.

Abstract: A garbage processor has a vessel for receiving garbage, a rotary pulverizer/stirrer for crushing and stirring the garbage in the vessel and a first heater for drying the garbage in the vessel. A steam is generated upon heating and drying of the garbage. An air blower feeds a high pressure an ambient air into the vessel to force the steam out of the vessel. A steam separator is provided for separating the steam into a water and a gas. A second heater is provided downstream of the steam separator for oxidizing the gas emanating from the steam separator to reduce a smell of the gas. The gas is deodorized before it is discharged to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for cleaning and sterilizing a medical device having a lumen with at least two open ends comprises the steps of: a) providing a container having at least one enclosure separated from the container by an interface, b) placing the device into the container and enclosure across the interface in such a way that one end of the lumen of the device is located in the container and the other 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 liquid sterilant, f) vaporizing the liquid sterilant in the container or enclosure thereby simultaneously sterilizing and drying the device, and providing a sterile, dry product without further rinsing.

Abstract: Electrostatic precipitator is disclosed, including a discharge unit having ground electrodes and discharge electrodes, and a collecting unit having collecting electrodes and positive electrodes, wherein the discharge unit is applied of a voltage enough to emit a photo-energy which can activate a photo-catalyst, and a component in the electrostatic precipitator contains the photo-catalyst, or a separate photo-catalyst filter containing the photo-catalyst is provided within a reach of the photo-energy emitted from the discharge unit , thereby the photo-energy from the discharge unit activating the photo-catalyst, whereby providing a simple structured electrostatic precipitator making sterilization and deodorization at a low cost.

Abstract: An system for treatment of infectious waste including a impactor coupled to a mixing drum that can be pressurized, infectious waste and a treatment fluid comprising a substance effective in killing pathogenic organisms being introduced directly into the impactor where the waste is pulverized forming unrecognizable particulate matter mixed with fluid, and the waste from there being introduced into the drum for mixing and subsequently pressure treatment by providing a superatmospheric pressure in the drum to drive chemicals effective in killing pathogenic organisms into voids in the solids and also into spore walls and cell membranes to provide a more speedy and effective kill.

Abstract: A method for disinfecting interior surfaces within the ductwork of an automotive air conditioning system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an tubular extension having an array of outlet ports, connecting the tubular extension to a source of pressurized disinfectant, inserting the tubular extension into the ductwork of an automotive air conditioning system, and discharging disinfectant through the ports of the tubular extension onto interior surfaces within the ductwork. The disinfectant is delivered through the outlet ports of the tubular extension in the form of an aerosol mist or cloud that issues in a direction away from the tubular extension. The disinfectant coats interior surfaces within the ductwork, thereby disinfecting against mold, mildew, bacteria, and other odor causing contaminants that tend to grow and collect on these surfaces.

Abstract: A toothbrush sterilization unit for sterilizing the bristle-head of at least one toothbrush with a disinfectant. The toothbrush sterilization unit includes a housing having an interior compartment. The interior compartment includes a plurality of docking stations for holding in place a plurality of toothbrushes. The housing includes a pumping system assembly for dispensing a disinfectant on the bristle-heads of the toothbrushes during a dispensing cycle. The housing also includes a rotary fan and a heating member for drying the disinfectant on the bristle-heads of the plurality of toothbrushes during a drying cycle.

Abstract: An electrolysis unit (10) has an ion selective barrier (20) for separating an anodic chamber (12) from a cathodic chamber (14). An electrolyte within the unit includes a precursor, such as potassium acetate, or acetic acid. A positive potential is applied to an anode (16) within the anodic chamber, resulting in the generation of a variety of shorter and longer lived oxidizing species, such as peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and ozone. In one preferred embodiment, a solution containing the oxidizing species is transported to a site where articles, such as medical instruments, are to be decontaminated. The oxidizing species are generated as needed, avoiding the need to store hazardous decontaminants.

Abstract: A disinfestation treatment chamber for treating fruit, flower and vegetable commodities subject to infestation by quarantine pests. The commodities are disinfested so as to meet quarantine restrictions without adversely affecting the quality of the commodity. The commodity is heated inside of the chamber in hot air having a relative humidity of 30-85% until the temperature of the commodity exceeds the thermal death point temperature of the target pest but is not so high as to adversely affect the quality of the commodity. The temperature of the commodity is held at this temperature until the pest is killed. The commodity is loaded into the treatment chamber in bins onto a low friction conveyor track system which transports the bins from one end of the chamber to the other. The commodities are treated while they are inside of the treatment chamber. After treatment of the commodities, the bins are unloaded using the low friction conveyor track system out of the opposite end of the treatment chamber.

Abstract: A scented air register system is provided including a vent assembly with a plurality of louvers mounted thereon. Also included is a scenting container coupled to the vent assembly and depending therefrom. Next provided is a lid assembly mounted over the scenting container and being accessible from above the vent assembly.

Abstract: A system for disinfecting a contact lens includes a first container section holding a first liquid medium containing hydrogen peroxide. A second container section is provided and holds a second liquid medium containing a hydrogen peroxide destroying component. The first and second container sections are configured to substantially simultaneously provide the first liquid medium and the second liquid medium to form a combined liquid medium containing an amount of hydrogen peroxide from the first liquid medium effective to disinfect a contact lens contacted with the combined liquid medium and an amount of hydrogen peroxide destroying component from the second liquid medium effective to destroy at least a major amount of the hydrogen peroxide in the combined liquid medium.

Abstract: A method of and system for sterilizing the internal surfaces of one or more elongate relatively narrow passages of interest contained in a device of interest, said passages having end openings and being susceptible of sustaining flow therealong by inducing a positive flow of sterilizing gas through each passage of interest in a selected direction. Gas flow through a device of interest is caused by a passive two-chamber device which generates a transient pressure gradient between the ends of the lumens of the device in response to externally imposed variations of pressure. Sterilant gas is provided from outside the two chamber systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage device and method for the long-term storage of blood and, more particularly, to a blood storage device and method capable of removing oxygen from the stored blood and thereby prolonging the storage life of the deoxygenated blood.