Abstract: A sterilizer for medical instruments is compact and designed to be placed on a table top. The sterilizer provides includes a cavity for receiving a cassette holding the instruments to be sterilized. A stream circuit provides steam to the cassette for sterilization, and the time required for sterilization is reduced by withdrawing air from the cassette by application of a vacuum. The cavity is evacuated at the same time as the cassette to prevent application of high stresses to the cassette during the vacuum-assisted withdrawal of air. The time for sterilization is further reduced by use of dual heat exchangers to reduce the volume removed from the cassette.

Abstract: A method comprising treating an article with steam, wherein the article comprises a composition comprising an amount of a polysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer effective to provide thermal and hydrolytic stability to the article for at least 15 cycles, wherein each cycle comprises 20 minutes of contact with steam at 100° C., at atmospheric pressure. The articles are of utility in a wide variety of applications such as food service and medical applications.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for pasteurizing products, in particular filled receptacles, such as bottles. The apparatus is provided with a control unit having a first control circuit that is controlled according to a first criterion. At least one second control circuit, controlled according to a second criterion, is also provided. The second control circuit is superimposed on the first control circuit.

Abstract: An oral feeding bottle includes a feed container with an open end and surfaces adapted to come into contact with a liquid feed in the container, a teat releasably connected to the open end and adapted to contact both the liquid feed and a person or animal feeding from the bottle, and a cap with two modes of operation, where in the first mode, the teat is connected to the container and the cap is adapted to fit over, enclose the teat, and be releaseably connected to the feed container, and where in the second mode, the cap includes a means for stowing the teat in a non-dispensing position spaced from the container, where the teat and the surfaces that contact the liquid feed are in fluid communication so that the teat and the feed container are sterilized with a fluid sterilizing medium disposed in the container.

Abstract: A sterilizer, which is not large, but includes a hermetic container capable of defining a sealed space therein without being closed by a locking device from the outside, is disclosed. The sterilizer includes a hermetic container, which defines therein a steam chamber for conducting the heat sterilization of objects. The hermetic container includes a steam supply unit for supplying hot steam to the steam chamber, and an opening/closing unit for closing the steam chamber. The opening/closing unit includes an opening for passing the objects and a door for closing the opening from the inside of the chamber. The door is moved to come into contact with the opening from the inside, and the steam pressure inside the steam chamber is increased by the pressurized steam from the steam supply unit, so that the door can come into close contact with the opening, thus hermetically sealing the steam chamber.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for sterilising caps/stoppers for pharmaceutical purposes comprises a vessel, pump, heater, circulation line. The sterilising liquid (hot water, steam) is heated and pumped to the vessel where a fluidised bed of caps etc. is generated. After leaving the vessel the liquid is circulated/heated. Optionally an additive (siliconisation in case rubber parts) or cooling liquid is added. Further, the vessel is disconnectably attached to the supply lines for transportation to a production facility.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steam injection module (1), suitable for a unit for the pasteurization or sterilization of liquid to highly viscous food products. A steam tube (2) passes through a product line section (3), transverse to the longitudinal axis, made homogeneously from a single material by cutting with no welded seams. This steam tube (2) exhibits steam outlet openings (7) within the product line section (3). The hot steam at about 150 degrees centigrade is injected into the flowing product through the steam outlet openings. The product line section (3) and this steam cube (2) are each fixed by fixing flanges (8, 8?, 9,9?) in the total line set of the unit.

Abstract: A chemical vapor sterilization process is enhanced by flowing a portion of the sterilant vapor through an instrument container using a normal portion of the exhaust process. Preferably, an exhaust conduit which draws a vacuum on a sterilization chamber is oriented so that the container is adjacent an inlet to the conduit.

Abstract: A method for increasing a relative humidity in an enclosed space (10) comprising a plurality of graduated steps. The relative humidity is increased from a first relative humidity to a target relative humidity. The method is issued to humidify a chamber (10) wherein a sterilization process using a humidified ozone takes place. The method is carried out by an apparatus for effecting the humidified ozone sterilization comprising a processor programmed to effect humidification in a plurality of gradual steps.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems serve to collapse steam in effluent released from steam sterilizers and sterilizer systems. These systems include tanks or containers configured for receiving and holding fluids, for example, water, and include a fluid outlet and a port that receives the released effluent. A conduit extending into the tank from the effluent receiving port provides a path for the steam to the fluid in the tank, to collapse the steam.

Abstract: An autoclavable bucketless cleaning system. The system includes an autoclavable vessel with an inside for storing fluid under pressure and with a first connection point and a second connection point disposed at an outside of the vessel, an autoclavable outlet regulator assembly for dispensing fluid from the vessel and removably connected to the vessel at the first connection point so as to be in fluid communication with the inside of the vessel, and an autoclavable inlet regulator assembly for pressurizing the vessel and removably connected to the vessel at the second connection point to be in fluid communication with the inside of the vessel.

Abstract: Lithium ion batteries which contain phosphates can serve as sterilizable power sources for use in surgical tools. Battery packs containing lithium ion batteries that contain phosphates are able to survive lengthy autoclaving cycles, where lithium ion batteries without phosphates cannot survive such cycles. Thus, a surgical tool can be provided sterilizable power source when phosphate containing lithium ion batteries are used.

Abstract: There is provided an improved sterilization wrap and a method for using the improved sterilization wrap to sterilize an article. The wrap is made of at least a first panel of sterilization material and includes an additional panel of material. The first panel is multi-layered and includes at least one pathogen filtration layer. The first panel is rectangular and has an outer periphery and a central portion. The outer periphery includes first, second, third and fourth edges. The additional panel of material is bonded to the first panel, approximately at a forty-five degree angle to the first panel, with a substantial portion of the additional panel being adjacent to the central portion of the first panel. The perimeter of the additional panel is smaller than the perimeter of the first panel. Portions of the additional panel are bonded to the first panel along the first, second, third and fourth edges of the first panel.

Abstract: A control system of a surgery autoclave is described, which is capable of establishing a sterilization cycle which includes at least a first evacuation step of a sterilization chamber and of heating of a load and a final drying step. The autoclave includes a device capable of detecting a parameter proportional to the energy used up in a step of the cycle preceding the drying step and the control system establishes at least a reduction of the drying step upon determining that, the parameter of used up energy lies below a preset threshold.

Abstract: A stem fog generator (1) for vehicle aromatic components into a cabin and suitable for use in a vehicle, comprising a plug part (11) and a steam fog generator body (12) foldably connected to each other, wherein the plug part (11) is cylindrically formed so as to be attachable to and detachable from an accessory socket (14), a power supply from the plug part (11) is fed to a heater (71) through an operating switch (45), a loading/unloading.

Abstract: A sterilizable pouch having both internal and external sterilization record indicators to indicate whether attempted steam sterilization of the pouch and contents was successful or unsuccessful. The pouch preferably has one indicium in each indicator responsive to multi-parameter sterilization by steam, and another indicium in each indicator responsive to gas sterilization, such as using ethylene oxide.

Abstract: A method using vibration for conditioning, air-conditioning, cooling and decontaminating, disinfecting and sterilizing physical media. The method includes a first vibratory action (13) performed on a regulated incoming current of the physical medium (2) so that the flow of the physical medium (2) is formed and the necessary and adequate conditions for cooling are created; a refrigerating medium (3) and a cold-absorbing medium (6) interact in a heat exchanging system (1); and another vibratory action (10) is performed on a cold-absorbing medium in order that the physical medium is continuously and/or periodically decontaminated and the necessary and adequate conditions for the functioning of the decontamination system in its steady state are created.

Abstract: The invention concerns a peel-off package for sterilization.

Abstract: Use of an open-celled foam based on an aminoplastic as sterilizable working material, and also methods of sterilizing the open-celled foam by impregnation with a microbicidal liquid such as alcohol or formalin, methods of sterilizing working vessels for medical or microbiological work and for decontaminating material contaminated with micro-organisms at temperatures above 100° C.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for condensing and removing exhaust steam from sterilization equipment. The apparatus comprises a primary exhaust vessel and condensing means which accepts and condenses exhaust steam from sterilization equipment. A secondary exhaust vessel, connected to the primary exhaust vessel, provides for further condensing and elimination of exhaust steam. The apparatus may include a drain system for disposing of condensate from the secondary exhaust vessel.

Abstract: A porous metal filter for use in conjunction with a sterilization container where the porous metal filter is fabricated from metal powder or metal pellets having an average particle size of at least greater than 0.2 microns and a thickness of at least about 15 mils (0.015?, about 381 microns) is disclosed. The filter is compatible with all current sterilization environments and all current sterilization procedures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of heating a package, comprising the steps of: placing a number of packages in a retort, pressurising the retort to a first pressure by the supply of a gaseous pressurisation medium of low moisture content, supplying a heating medium for heating the package and the product packed in the package, raising, in connection with the supply of the heating medium, the pressure in the retort to a second pressure, and, during the final phase of the heat-treatment, reducing the pressure in the retort in such a manner that the pressure of the product packed in the package is higher than or equal to the pressure prevailing in the retort outside the package.

Abstract: A system for microbially deactivating items. The system includes a circulation system for circulating a microbial decontamination fluid through a deactivation chamber that forms a part of the circulation system. A container for holding items to be deactivated is provided. The container has a sealable cavity in which the items to be deactivated may be placed, and at least one valve element that is movable between an open and a closed position to regulate fluid flow into the cavity. An actuator in the deactivation chamber is operable to move the valve element to an open position when the container is disposed within the deactivation chamber, wherein the cavity within the container is in fluid communication with the circulation system when the valve element is in the open position.

Abstract: A steam on demand generator uses a stainless steel cup and cap arrangement and hollow cone spray nozzle. The nozzle directs a cone of water onto a wall of the cup. A heating device and a thermocouple are brazed to the cup, with the thermocouple positioned on a part of the wall to enhance control of the operation and steam generation.

Abstract: The method of aseptically treating containers in accordance with the invention comprises the step of subjecting the containers while held upside-down in a heat treatment station to steam at 140° C. for 2 s to 20 s and then in subjecting the containers in a station to a disinfectant mixture comprising peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid, and water raised to a maximum temperature of 60° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous solution for sterilizing and storing ophthalmic devices, preferably a contact lens, made of a hydrogel material, preferably a poly(oxyalkylene)-containing hydrogel material. The solution comprises one or more organic buffer agents, such as a Good buffer or a bis-aminopolyols; an organic tonicity-adjusting agent with multiple hydroxyl groups in an amount sufficient to provide an osmolarity of from about 200 to about 450 mosm/l, wherein the aqueous solution has a pH of from about 5.5 to about 8.5, provided that the aqueous solution include phosphate buffer at a concentration of about 15 mM or less and about 5000 ppm sodium chloride. The present invention also provides a method for sterilizing and storing an ophthalmic device using an aqueous solution of the invention.

Abstract: A portable steam sterilizer for surgical instruments includes a tray configured to hold the instruments and a pressure chamber. The pressure chamber includes a cavity portion and a handle portion. The cavity portion includes a set of walls and is configured to releasably receive the tray, while the handle portion is coupled to the tray for selectively inserting and removing the tray respectively into and from within the cavity portion. The handle portion is sealingly engageable with the cavity portion to thereby define the pressure chamber. A steam inlet fluidly communicates the pressure chamber with a source of steam to selectively permit steam to flow from the source of steam and into the pressure chamber. A steam outlet fluidly communicates the pressure chamber with a steam management assembly to selectively permit steam to flow from the pressure chamber and into the steam management assembly.

Abstract: A method for operating a cleaning device or a cleaning system is proposed. In this case, the cleaning device is set up for carrying out a process for cleaning an article with a germicidal action. The method includes the following steps: information on a target germ with which the article could be contaminated is received; at least one process parameter of the cleaning process is selected according to the target germ in such a way that the target germ is killed with a high degree of probability during the cleaning process; and the cleaning process is carried out with the process parameter.

Abstract: A portable steam sterilizer for surgical and dental instruments includes an outer casing and a pressure chamber configured to receive steam therein. A tray is configured to hold the instruments and is releasably received within the pressure chamber while a boiler is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber for providing steam thereto. The sterilizer further includes a container for receiving condensed steam evacuated from the pressure chamber. The container is spaced from the outer casing and includes a main body and a lid that is substantially non-rotationally coupled to the main body. A conduit is coupled to the lid and fluid communicates the container with the pressure chamber. The main body of the container may include a base while the lid may include a wall oriented generally orthogonal to the base.

Abstract: A sterilizing apparatus is inserted into a cold or warm water passage of a water dispenser, a purified water passage of a water purifier, a discharge pipe of a beverage bending machine, an air suction unit of an air conditioner and so on to inject a high pressure steam for sterilization. The sterilizing apparatus using a high pressure steam includes an injection member for controlling a high pressure steam to be selectively injected; a rotating unit having a hollow perforated in a length direction of the rotating unit so that the steam injected from the injection member passes through the hollow, a rotating means being installed in the hollow to be rotated by the passing steam; and a nozzle unit coupled to the rotating means to rotate together with the rotating means, and having a rod-shaped nozzle for injecting the steam.

Abstract: A steam generator assembly for a sterilization chamber of a surgery autoclave is described, of the type comprising a steam generation compartment and a heating element, wherein the steam generation compartment has at least one portion made of polymeric material, the compartment preferably including a metal tray adjacent to a heating element.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for preparing a product for fermentation comprising the steps: i. sterilizing and expanding a substrate to obtain a sterile expanded substrate, ii. cooling and inoculating the sterile expanded substrate by contacting the sterile expanded substrate with a cooling medium and an inoculum to obtain a cooled inoculated substrate. The expansion step can be performed using techniques from the state of the art known as popping or puffing. The method can be performed in standard equipment and is very flexible in its use. Furthermore, the method allows reducing the time and energy necessary to obtain a product for fermentation, such as solid state fermentation.

Abstract: An autoclave reactor for treating municipal solid waste (MSW) including agricultural waste and medical waste wherein the MSW may be encapsulated in plastic bags. The reactor is equipped with a loading internal guiding means for treating the waste in such a manner as to decompose the organic fraction into a pulp which acts as a fluid whereby rigid, material such as metal and glass may be removed by known means. The reactor may also be equipped with: (a) piercing and cutting devices for rupturing the encapsulating material thereby expelling air and releasing the contents, (b) means for collecting vapours and emissions for treatment before they are released into the environment, (c) a vacuum means for removing vapours and drying the resulting products, (d) a sensing means which determines the viscosity of the reactor contents and this information is fed into a computer which determines when the desirable decomposition has been reached.

Abstract: Improved treatment apparatus (120, 152) is provided for the treatment (e.g., molding, heating and/or curing) of objects such as parts or part precursors (148, 170) including wireless detection of a temperature parameter related to the objects during treatment thereof. The objects include associated microwire-type sensors (150, 174) which have characteristic re-magnetization responses under the influence of applied, alternating magnetic fields. The apparatus (120, 152) have treatment chambers (122, 153) sized to hold the objects to be treated, with one or more antennas (132, 124, 166) proximal to such objects and operable to generate interrogating alternating magnetic fields and to detect the responses of the sensors (150, 174). The detected temperature parameter information is used by an apparatus controller (146) to maintain desired ambient conditions within the treatment chamber (122, 153).

Abstract: A method for providing services to a customer of a nail salon is disclosed. The method includes placing at least one instrument for use in performing a manicure and/or pedicure into a sterilization pouch. The sterilization pouch is sealed and processed in an autoclave in order to sterilize the instrument(s) within the pouch. The pouch is then unsealed in the presence of the customer, prior to using the instrument(s) to perform the manicure and/or pedicure. Optionally, the customer may be explicitly informed that the instrument(s) is sterile, verbally and/or by a writing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of microbial reduction and/or sterilization of impression materials, specifically elastomeric impression materials, by means of steam sterilization.

Abstract: A sterilizing unit for food, pharmaceutical and like products, packaged in rigid or soft containers, includes at least an autoclave adapted to receive, through at least an access door and through a loading/unloading unit, at least a container wherein are arranged packages. Advantageously, the autoclave is vertically arranged and includes internally vertical conveying device designed to be subjected, by a motoring mechanism for loading and unloading them in a step-by-step forward movement through the access door(s) for containers in the form of shelves.

Abstract: A process to transform solid waste into fuel by adding water and heat to provide no more than 350 BTUs/lb of the weight of the solid waste for no more thatn 85 minutes. Such a process transforms the solid waste into fuel in a process time of not greater than 85 minutes. The system uses a pressure vessel; a condenser tank to permit selective addition of water to and evacuation of steam from the vessel; a heater to increase the temperature of the vessel; a vacuum pump to selectively reduce pressure within the vessel and to help evacuate steam from the vessel to the condenser tank; and a water pump to selectively add water from the condenser tank to the interior volume of the vessel. A method for converting solid waste into fuel includes loading the solid waste into a rotating pressure vessel and transforming the solid waste into fuel by adding water; reducing pressure; adding heat; and then evacuating steam. The contents are evacuated from the pressure vessel. At least some of the contents are fuel.

Abstract: A package for transporting objects which are sterile or which are to be sterilized. The package has a box for accommodating objects, and a covering sheet made of a leak tight material which is fastened to the box so as to seal the box in a leak tight manner. The package has a layer of a material forming a screen which is at least partial with respect to a decontamination gas and/or able to absorb a decontamination gas. The layer is sized to be placed in the box along the covering sheet such that the layer lies above the objects. A plate or grill is provided with projections and is shaped, depending on the position of the package, to allow unrestricted diffusion of the sterilization gas over the objects, and to restrict or prevent diffusion of the decontamination gas over these same objects.

Abstract: A packaging having a box, and a cover sheet made of a material that is not permeable to decontamination gas. The cover sheet has a window closed by a piece of selectively impervious material. A flexible piece of a material that is not permeable to a decontamination gas is fixed to the cover sheet by at least one of its edges and has a free part which is able to move between a diffusion position and a non-diffusion position.

Abstract: A method to mount handling equipment on an interface of a confinement chamber that is to contain a sterile environment. In the method a unit including the handling equipment is prepared and sterilized, and the chamber and a hidden part of the interface are sterilized after coupling impervious tooling to a chamber flange and partially opening the chamber door. The unit is then coupled to the interface. Finally, the double door formed by the equipment door and the chamber door connected to one another is opened, using a handle provided for this purpose on the equipment door.

Abstract: A robot vacuum cleaner having a microbe sensing function is provided. The robot vacuum cleaner includes: a cleaner body which automatically travels in an area to be cleaned; a suction unit which sucks dust in the area to be cleaned into a specific space included in the cleaner body; a microbe contamination sensor which detects a microbe contamination in the area to be cleaned; and a sterilizing unit which sterilizes a corresponding portion according to a microbe contamination measuring signal generated from the microbe contamination sensor. Accordingly, a robot vacuum cleaner directly measures a level of microbe contamination to perform a sterilizing operation according to the result obtained from measurement. As a result, the sterilizing operation is performed sufficiently in a severely contaminated area, the sterilizing operation is performed in a general manner in other areas, and thus a cleaning operation can be rapidly carried out.

Abstract: A sterilization container has a valve arrangement that remains open in a venting phase and is then closed before a pressure difference is compensated for at a predetermined differential pressure. The valve remains closed until the container is opened for the purpose of withdrawing and using the sterilized instruments contained therein. The valve is actuated through a snap disk arrangement, the snap disks of which vault gradually into opposite directions at predetermined temperatures, thereby effecting a defined valve control. The snap disk arrangement is provided in a thermally isolated housing, which prevents a premature back-switching of certain snap disks that could be caused by a cooling-off as a result of the evaporation of condensate.

Abstract: An autoclave system for sterilizing surgical instruments includes a sterilization case, at least one surgical instrument within the case, and at least one RFID tag associated with the case. Each RFID tag provides a wireless output signal representing a sterilization parameter associated with one or more surgical instruments. An autoclave receives the sterilization case, and includes a controller for controlling an autoclave cycle of the autoclave, dependent upon the wireless output signal from the RFID tag.

Abstract: Described is a sterilization chamber for sterilizing objects for application in a process in which a vapour composite, composed of water vapour and hydrogen peroxide vapour, is guided without a carrier gas flow into the sterilization chamber in which a vacuum prevails, whereby the vapour composite settles on the surfaces of the objects to be sterilized and on the surfaces of the sterilization chamber in the form of a condensation layer, which is suctioned off by means of further evacuation of the sterilization chamber after a certain reaction time. In accordance with the present invention, the surfaces of the sterilization chamber consist of poor heat-conducting, water-repellent material.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments may include a sanitizing system and method including a chamber, a wet and dry heating system adjacent to the chamber, and a filtered air system to reduce the contaminants entering the system and to provide positive pressure to the chamber to reduce the likelihood of contaminants entering the system.

Abstract: A method of creating a sanitation level model with respect to a predefined microorganism in food processing equipment is provided. The method includes generally three steps. First, a temperature history during a use cycle of the food processing equipment is created. The temperature history includes a collection of a plurality of temperatures that the food processing equipment undergoes during the use cycle. The use cycle includes a normal use stage, a sanitizing stage, and perhaps an idle stage. Second, a growth model of the microorganism is continuously applied to each applicable temperature in the temperature history. Third, a death model of the microorganism is continuously applied to each applicable temperature in the temperature history. The created sanitation level model is used to ascertain the microorganism growth/death rate in the food processing equipment during the use cycle.

Abstract: A system for reprocessing flexible endoscopes having lumen therein. The reprocessing system deploys steam to disinfect and/or sterilize the endoscopes, and designs, components and methods for reducing or balancing the reprocessing cycle time and the effects of thermal expansion and contraction on the endoscopes.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing and drying a dialyzer or other device, wherein a vacuum drying phase is interrupted by interspersed pulses of air or other gas. The pulses lessen the evaporative cooling effect, to thereby reduce differential shrinkage that can structurally damage the dialyzer.

Abstract: A fluid processor, suitable for the production of sterile water for injection, having a processor assembly and a process control system comprising a pump, a flow splitter, flow restrictors and a pressure relief valve. In a preferred embodiment, the processor assembly comprises a heat exchanger, a reactor and a heater arranged in a nested configuration. The preferred embodiment of the present invention also include a treatment assembly having a combination of filter, reverse osmosis and ion exchange devices and further incorporates an assembly and method allowing for the in situ sanitization of the fluid processor during cold start and shutdown to prevent bacteria growth during storage of the fluid processor. The fluid processor may include an electronic control system comprising a touch screen operator interface, a programmable logic controller and sensors for measuring temperature, pressure, flow rate, conductivity and endotoxin level.