Abstract: A cart transports items between a controlled environment (e.g., a clean room or an airlock to a clean room) and an uncontrolled environment. The cart has a main body that carries the items, and a removable and interchangeable wheel base assembly. A first wheel base assembly is located in the uncontrolled environment and a second wheel base assembly is located in the controlled environment. The user can push the cart (with the first wheel base assembly) up to the second wheel base assembly at the boundary between the controlled environment and the uncontrolled environment. The user then unlocks the main body from the first wheel base assembly, slides the main body onto the second wheel base assembly, and locks the main body to the second wheel base assembly. An autoclavable storage and transport cart can hold several wheel base assemblies.

Abstract: A cleaning system, including a vessel with an inside for storing fluid under pressure (the vessel including a first connection point for dispensing fluid from the vessel that is configured to be in a closed position when not connected and a second connection point for pressurizing the vessel that is configured to be in a closed position when not connected), an outlet autoclave stem for installing in the cleaning system so that steam may pass through the first connection point during autoclaving, and an inlet autoclave stem for installing in the cleaning system so that steam may pass through the first connection point during autoclaving.

Abstract: A system and method for sampling air in a controlled environment that includes two or more air sampling devices at different locations within the controlled environment. A controller is provided at a location outside of the controlled environment and in separate air flow communication with each of the two or more air sampling devices via separate first vacuum tubes, the controller having a manifold configured to separately control a rate of air flow from the two or more air sampling devices to the controller via each of the separate first vacuum tubes and to selectively direct the air flow from each of the separate first vacuum tubes to one or more second vacuum tubes. A vacuum source is provided at a location outside the controlled environment and in air flow communication with the controller via the one or more second vacuum tubes, the vacuum source providing suction and being controlled by the controller to generate the air flow through each of the first vacuum tubes.

Abstract: A system and method for sampling air in a controlled environment that includes two or more air sampling devices at different locations within the controlled environment. A controller is provided at a location outside of the controlled environment and in separate air flow communication with each of the two or more air sampling devices via separate first vacuum tubes, the controller having a manifold configured to separately control a rate of air flow from the two or more air sampling devices to the controller via each of the separate first vacuum tubes and to selectively direct the air flow from each of the separate first vacuum tubes to one or more second vacuum tubes. A vacuum source is provided at a location outside the controlled environment and in air flow communication with the controller via the one or more second vacuum tubes, the vacuum source providing suction and being controlled by the controller to generate the air flow through each of the first vacuum tubes.

Abstract: An air sampling device and method of sampling air. The device has a housing body and a retaining assembly for a sampling device. A plenum has a top end coupled to the housing body about an opening such that the plenum is in flow communication with the opening and receives air flow generally from the top end to the bottom end generally along the longitudinal length thereof. A flow connection is coupled to the bottom end of the plenum. A mass flow meter has an input coupled to the flow connection and is in flow communication with the plenum via the flow connection. A blower is configured to draw air past the sampling device, through the opening, and through the plenum, such that a measuring portion of the air flows through the flow connection and through the mass flow meter, which measured the flow rate of the measuring portion.

Abstract: A transport device has a wheel with a braking mechanism. The transport device includes a rotatable actuation mechanism positioned adjacent the braking mechanism, and a handle extending upward from the actuation mechanism and configured to move the actuation mechanism between an open position at which no stopping force is applied, and a braking position at which the actuation mechanism causes the braking mechanism to apply.

Abstract: An air sampling device samples air in a controlled environment. The device includes a housing body having a top and a side. An opening is located at the top of the housing body. A retaining assembly retains a sampling device and atrium. The retaining assembly is located at the top of the housing body about the opening. A plenum has a top end and a bottom end, with the top end coupled to the top of the housing body about the opening so that the plenum is in flow communication with the opening. A mass flow meter has an input and an output, with the input coupled to the bottom end of the plenum and in flow communication with the bottom end of the plenum. A blower is located inside the plenum and is configured to draw air past the sampling device, through the opening, through the plenum, and through the mass flow meter. The mass flow meter detects a flow rate of air through the mass flow meter.

Abstract: A stationary platform for supporting a supply transport device is provided. The stationary platform includes a frame having at least two longitudinal sides, a first end and a second opposing end, and a top surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of legs extending from the bottom surface of the frame to support the supply transport device on the frame. The supply transport device is slidably received on the top surface of the frame. A wheel base assembly having a cleaning device for contacting a bottom surface of the supply transport device, to remove dirt and debris from or to disinfect the supply transport device, is also provided.

Abstract: A transport device has a wheel with a braking mechanism. The transport device includes a rotatable actuation mechanism positioned adjacent the braking mechanism, and a handle extending upward from the actuation mechanism and configured to move the actuation mechanism between an open position at which no stopping force is applied, and a braking position at which the actuation mechanism causes the braking mechanism to apply.

Abstract: A cleaning system, including a vessel with an inside for storing fluid under pressure (the vessel including a first connection point for dispensing fluid from the vessel that is configured to be in a closed position when not connected and a second connection point for pressurizing the vessel that is configured to be in a closed position when not connected), an outlet autoclave stem for installing in the cleaning system so that steam may pass through the first connection point during autoclaving, and an inlet autoclave stem for installing in the cleaning system so that steam may pass through the first connection point during autoclaving.

Abstract: A cart transports items between a controlled environment (e.g., a clean room or an airlock to a clean room) and an uncontrolled environment. The cart has a main body that carries the items, and a removable and interchangeable wheel base assembly. A first wheel base assembly is located in the uncontrolled environment and a second wheel base assembly is located in the controlled environment. The user can push the cart (with the first wheel base assembly) up to the second wheel base assembly at the boundary between the controlled environment and the uncontrolled environment. The user then unlocks the main body from the first wheel base assembly, slides the main body onto the second wheel base assembly, and locks the main body to the second wheel base assembly. An autoclavable storage and transport cart can hold several wheel base assemblies.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for sampling air at multiple locations in a controlled environment. The system includes one or more air sampling devices configured to monitor and test a volume of air within a controlled environment. A control center including a programmable logic controller (PLC) is configured to monitor and control the one or more air sampling devices. One or more touch panel displays are connected to the control center and provide a human-computer interface between the control center and users.

Abstract: An autoclavable bucketless cleaning system, including a vessel for storing fluid under pressure, a removably-connectable outlet regulator assembly for dispensing fluid from the vessel, a removably-connectable inlet regulator assembly for pressurizing the vessel, a removably-connectable outlet autoclave stem for installing in the outlet regulator assembly so that steam may pass through the outlet regulator assembly, and a removably-connectable inlet autoclave stem for installing in the inlet regulator assembly so that steam may pass through the inlet regulator assembly.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for sampling air at multiple locations in a controlled environment. The system includes one or more air sampling devices configured to monitor and test a volume of air within a controlled environment. A control center including a programmable logic controller (PLC) is configured to monitor and control the one or more air sampling devices. One or more touch panel displays are connected to the control center and provide a human-computer interface between the control center and users.

Abstract: A system and method for sampling air in a controlled environment that includes two or more air sampling devices at different locations within the controlled environment. A controller is provided at a location outside of the controlled environment and in separate air flow communication with each of the two or more air sampling devices via separate first vacuum tubes, the controller having a manifold configured to separately control a rate of air flow from the two or more air sampling devices to the controller via each of the separate first vacuum tubes and to selectively direct the air flow from each of the separate first vacuum tubes to one or more second vacuum tubes. A vacuum source is provided at a location outside the controlled environment and in air flow communication with the controller via the one or more second vacuum tubes, the vacuum source providing suction and being controlled by the controller to generate the air flow through each of the first vacuum tubes.

Abstract: A system and method for sampling air in a controlled environment having air sampling devices therewithin. A controller, outside the controlled environment, in separate flow communication with each sampling device via first vacuum tubes, and having a manifold for directing air from the first vacuum tubes to one or more second vacuum tubes. A vacuum source outside the controlled environment, in flow communication with the controller via the second vacuum tube(s), providing suction, and being controlled by the controller to generate flow through the first vacuum tubes. A flow switch between each sampling device and the vacuum source, for measuring and controlling the flow rate through a corresponding first vacuum tube. An alarm inside the controlled environment, is activated by a flow switch when the corresponding flow rate deviates from a desired value by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An autoclavable bucketless cleaning system, including a vessel for storing fluid under pressure, a removably-connectable outlet regulator assembly for dispensing fluid from the vessel, a removably-connectable inlet regulator assembly for pressurizing the vessel, a removably-connectable outlet autoclave stem for installing in the outlet regulator assembly so that steam may pass through the outlet regulator assembly, and a removably-connectable inlet autoclave stem for installing in the inlet regulator assembly so that steam may pass through the inlet regulator assembly.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for sampling air at multiple locations in a controlled environment. The system includes one or more air sampling devices configured to monitor and test a volume of air within a controlled environment. A control center including a programmable logic controller (PLC) is configured to monitor and control the one or more air sampling devices. One or more touch panel displays are connected to the control center and provide a human-computer interface between the control center and users.