Abstract: A receptacle for handling contaminated waste for sterilization and subsequent disposal which is a pore forming sterilization bag made from a thermoplastic resin which has been embedded with either soluble materials or melt materials which respond to the temperature and moisture of steam sterilization to form pores in the bag, thus permitting the entrance of sterilant and the exit of air for sterilization of the waste. The melt materials are low molecular weight polymers such as carbowaxes. The soluble materials can be either organic or inorganic materials such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and various inorganic salts, such as sodium chloride.

Abstract: A device for indicating the failure of one of the cables in a redundant cable system for assisting the movement of a closure which includes means for so connecting each of the cables to a counterweight suspended therefrom that the counterweight is maintained at a first distance from the closure when both cables are intact and the counterweight so moves to a second distance from the closure when one of the two cables fails that the counterweight can move into a position for inhibiting the raising of the closure, thereby indicating the failure of one of the cables. The second distance is greater than the first distance. The connecting means is a pivoting member having two arms, each being adapted for sliding attachment to one of the cables.

Abstract: A method is provided of hydrogen peroxide sterilization of medical articles whereby there are obtained the advantages of both vapor penetration, especially for such articles as surgical packs, and direct liquid-sterilant article contact, in which a vapor mixture comprising hydrogen peroxide is brought into contact with the article to be sterilized, the article being at a temperature below the dew point or condensation temperature of the vapor mixture, is caused thus to condense as a liquid film on the article, and is revaporized and hence removed from the so-sterilized article.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for changing the direction of rotation of a rotating shaft without changing the direction of rotation of the motor driving the shaft. The present invention includes a drive gear which causes two driven bevel gears to rotate in opposite directions. A control shaft having cam surfaces selectively forces one of two sets of balls into engagement with one of the driven gears to couple that gear with the driven shaft to rotate the shaft in one direction. Rotation of the driven shaft is reversed by changing the position of the control shaft which uncouples one set of balls from the driven shaft and couples the remaining set of balls to the driven shaft.

Abstract: An attachment for a screwgun includes a hollow barrel and a hollow sleeve which is adapted for sliding movement with respect to the barrel. The sleeve and barrel are biased apart by a spring. A drive rod which extends through the hollow portions of the sleeve and barrel coacts with a screwgun to transfer the driving force of the screwgun to a fastener. A feed tube is attached to the barrel by a hinge which extends through a slot in the sleeve. An outlet end of the feed tube is in communication with a portal in the barrel through which a fastener may be inserted into the barrel when the feed tube is in a first position. In a second feed tube position, the outlet end of the feed tube and the portal of the barrel are spaced from each other.

Abstract: An insulation device for surrounding the uninsulated, adjoining end portions of a preinsulated pipe comprising a plurality of axially extending cylinder segments adapted to be circumferentially joined to form a cylindrical insulating jacket around the uninsulated end portions. The cylinder segments in their undeformed states have a length slightly greater than the combined length of the uninsulated adjoining end portions. The cylindrical insulating jacket has an inside diameter generally conforming to the outside diameter of the uninsulated end portions and an outside diameter generally conforming to the outside diameter of the preinsulated pipe. Each cylinder segment has at least a first pair of rigid arcuate sections and a first resilient arcuate section sandwiched therebetween. The first resilient arcuate sections of all of the cylinder segments are longitudinally positioned in the cylindrical jacket to fall substantially in the same transverse plane.

Abstract: An electrical control system controls an electrical load device, particularly an inductive load such as the ballast of a gas discharge lamp which generates a back EMF when power is removed therefrom. The control system includes a first electronic switch for controlling the application of power to and withdrawal of power from the load and a second electronic switch which controls the first electronic switch. The second switch is responsive to a command signal preferably occurring between 90.degree. and 180.degree. of the AC power half wave to turn on and thus switch off the first switch which in turn withdraws power from the load. The circuit remains in this state until a predetermined circuit condition occurs at which point the potentials on the load and the AC power supply are at predetermined levels. The equal potential turns the second switch off, whereupon power is reapplied to the load by the first electronic switch.

Abstract: A valve permits articles disposed within a sterilizer container to be exposed to an entire sterilization cycle, yet seals the sterilizer container upon completion of the cycle. The valve includes a housing which defines a passage through which fluid can flow between the interior and exterior of the sterilizer container. A sealing member seals the passage after a predetermined number of high and low pressure stages of a sterilization cycle has been completed. A cam member is reciprocated as the high and low pressure stages of the sterilization cycle are performed, each reciprocation causing the sealing member to move one step closer toward sealing the sterilizer container. Apparatus is provided to permit the valve to be reset for further use of the container.

Abstract: A high response motor controller is disclosed which operates directly from a multi-phase AC power line without a DC link. The controller directly converts power from a fixed frequency multi-phase input to a D.C. or variable frequency output current. The output frequency is not limited by the AC power line frequency and the switching frequency is independent of the AC power line frequency. Controlled switching devices are connected between the multi-phase power input line and the power output line. Analog input signals are compared with signals representative of actual motor currents to produce current error signals. These current error signals control the conduction state of the controlled switching output transistors by a two state modulation process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clamp which can be used to secure an accessory member to an abductor bar of an orthopedic-surgical table. The clamp includes a clamp block pivotally mounted on the clamp and oriented with respect to the clamp to clamp an object therebetween. A lever having a cam surface is mounted on the clamp so that the cam surface coacts with the internal mechanism of the clamp to orient the clamp block in an unclamped, intermediate and clamped position. When the clamp is in the intermediate position, the clamp loosely engages the clamped object so that relative motion of the clamp and clamped object can occur. Because the clamp can be stabilized on the clamped object by orienting it in the intermediate position the operator does not need to use a second hand to prevent the clamp from falling off the clamped object while the first hand positions and tightens the clamp. Thus, the clamp can be secured to the clamped object in a one handed operation.

Abstract: A shelf supports a load in such a steam environment as a steam sterilizer. The shelf includes at least one load supporting member which has a thermally efficient configuration. Accordingly, the shelf members may be tubular, may have channels with U-shaped cross sections, may be beams having an inverted T-shaped cross section or may be a tray having a plurality of U-shaped channels. Thus, the surfaces of each load supporting member are so adapted that formation of condensation on the surfaces is inhibited. In addition, the members are designed to retain at least a portion of the condensation formed on the surfaces of the members and direct to a desired location any condensation that cannot be held by the load supporting member.

Abstract: A surgical table having simplified joint mechanisms made possible by the use of two offset columns for support and positioning of the table surface. Each column is attached to the surface at two points and is adapted for individual extension and retraction. The columns extend vertically from a base to the surface. The columns and base are positioned such that there is adequate clearance during surgery for use of auxiliary apparatus such as image amplification equipment.

Abstract: A machine for stamping characters in multiple rows on a workpiece is disclosed. The machine includes an impact head assembly mounted on a transversely slidable carriage, the impact head assembly being adapted for reciprocating movement perpendicular to the path of that sliding movement. A rotating stamping wheel is mounted in the impact head assembly and has a plurality of character stamps mounted on its periphery. Means are disposed in the impact head assembly for moving the stamping wheel to a plurality of selected positions along its axis of rotation.

Abstract: A light and charged particle image intensifier receives incident image conveying light or charged particles ("incident beam") and provides to data processing and video equipment signals from which the image conveyed by the incident beam can be constructed and displayed. The beam that is being processed includes visible light reflected from objects and X-ray radiation that has been passed through an object such as a human body. The image intensifier includes a scintillator and photocathode unit for converting the incident beam to photoelectrons and a charge-coupled device ("CCD") for detecting the photoelectrons and transmitting to the data processing and video equipment information relating to the quantity or energy level as well as the location of the electrons impinging on the sensing areas of the CCD. From this information, the data processing and video equipment can reconstruct the image conveyed by the incident beam.

Abstract: Sealing apparatus seals the opening of a chamber by seating a double lip seal--or a functionally equivalent seal--between the chamber and the door of the chamber when there is an insufficient pressure differential across the seal to seat it properly. The apparatus includes a vacuum pump which evacuates air from the enclosed space defined by the chamber, the chamber door, and the two flexible members of the sealing device to force the sealing device against the chamber and the chamber door. A storage tank can be provided which can be evacuated of fluid to reduce the capacity of the vacuum pump, or to eliminate it altogether when the sealing apparatus is used with a chamber equipped with a vacuum pump.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus which operates the door of a chamber that is capable of maintaining pressure within the chamber. The invention includes an improved closure for cooperating to move the door among positions in which it confronts the opening of the chamber, seals the chamber and allows access to the interior of the chamber. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a driving member and an operating member which have surfaces which cooperate to move the operating member in two separate directions. Movement of the operating member in the first direction secures the door in its position in which it confronts the chamber opening but in which it cannot seal the chamber. Movement of the operating member in the second direction causes the door to be secured against the perimeter of the chamber opening, thus sealing the chamber against fluid flow from between the perimeter opening and the door.

Abstract: A conduit accepts liquid discharged from apparatus into which liquid is supplied and directs the discharged liquid to the discharge side of a plumbing system. The conduit includes a pair of backup outlets that prevent discharged liquid from reentering the apparatus when liquid flow through the discharge side of the plumbing system becomes blocked by diverting the backed up liquid from the discharge of the apparatus when the backed up liquid reaches a predetermined level. The conduit prevents splashing discharged liquid from leaving the conduit through the backup outlets.

Abstract: A biological system for use in sterilization processes. The system contains a container having test spores and a growth medium therein and means for bringing the medium into effective contact with the spores. The container includes a closure providing a tortuous path from the exterior to the interior of the container.

Abstract: An inflatable structure, includes a base and a barrier attached to the base which is capable of being inflated to a predetermined shape in order to define a chamber. A door in the barrier allows access to the chamber. The base includes a source of gas for inflating the barrier and for circulating within the chamber. The barrier is constructed as a twin-walled structure having inner and outer walls defining an air flow space therebetween. Holes are provided through at least portions of the inner wall to provide a means for circulation of air from the space into the chamber. When not in use, the aerator may be deflated and folded for compact storage and shipment.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating whether the contents of a container have been sterilized during a sterilization process including a first member having a portion for coacting with the sterilization agent to indicate the sterility of the contents of the container. A second member is adapted to extend into the interior of the container to be sterilized and receive and releasably engage the first member so that said first member can be positioned within the interior of the container to be sterilized during the sterilization process and so that the first member can be placed in and withdrawn from the second member without exposing the contents of the container to the surrounding environment or the operator to the contents of the container.