Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phenol containing disinfectants that have superior broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy versus traditional chemistry such as quaternary ammonium-containing disinfectants or aliphatic alcohols. Hydrotropic surfactants are utilized in combination with generally environmentally friendly phenol containing compounds such as ortho-benzyl parachlorophenol (OBPCP), ortho phenylphenol (OPP), or parachloro-meta-cresol (PCMC) in the presence of suitable solvents such as an aliphatic alcohol and also in the presence of an inorganic acid, such as phosphoric acid. The solutions are free of para tertiary amylphenol (PTAP), have a low pH and are very stable with respect to gamma irradiation. They can be used with respect to hard surface disinfection, and also as a tuberculocide, a fungicide, a bactericide, and a virucide.

Abstract: A brake assembly for braking relative rotational movement of a spindle that is moveable about a central axis relative to a hub. The brake assembly is comprised of a collar comprised of a pair of arcuate leg sections, having a first end pivotally linked together to allow pivoting movement of the leg sections. A frictional surface is provided along the inner surface of each of leg section. An adjustable fastening assembly connects second ends of the leg sections together and clamps the leg sections to the spindle with the frictional surface on the leg sections engaging the outer surface of the spindle. A stop member is connected to the hub and is disposed to engage a surface of the leg sections, wherein rotation of the spindle in a first direction about the axis causes a surface of one of the leg sections to engage the stop and to reduce frictional engagement of one of said leg sections by releasing engagement with the spindle as the spindle moves in said first direction.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus is defined that includes a patient support having one or more pads for supporting a patient's torso and hip in a generally horizontal orientation. At least one, elongated leg support extends from the patient support. The leg support is movable through a generally horizontal plane. A portion of the leg support is declinable and inclinable from the horizontal plane. A traction device is connected to the leg support. The traction device is attachable to a patient's leg and operable to exert a traction force on the patient's leg along an axis of the traction device. The traction device is connected to the leg support by a slide assembly and the traction device can be secured stationary relative to the leg support or the traction device can slide relative to the leg support.

Abstract: An adaptive shadow control system that compensates for blockage of one lighthead of a surgical lighting system by increasing the light output from one or more other lightheads of the lighting system. The system also includes control logic for automatic enablement/disablement of adaptive shadow control by detecting whether there is blockage of a lighthead and whether the respective light beams of a plurality of lightheads are being aggregated to form a single aggregated co-illumination light pattern at a work area.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, comprising a patient support having one or more pads for supporting a patient's torso and hip in a generally horizontal orientation. At least one, elongated leg support extends from the patient support. The leg support is movable through a generally horizontal plane. A portion of the leg support is declinable and inclinable from the horizontal plane. A traction device is connected to the leg support. The traction device is attachable to a patient's leg and operable to exert a traction force on the patient's leg along an axis generally parallel to the leg support. The traction device is connected to the leg support by a slide assembly and the traction device can be secured stationary relative to the leg support or the traction device can slide relative to the leg support.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a two-part liquid composition for cleaning and disinfecting a substrate, comprising: (A) a disinfectant medium comprising peracetic acid; and (B) a supplemental medium comprising a non-enzymatic cleaner, a corrosion inhibitor, and a chelator. The supplemental medium (B) may further comprise an enzymatic cleaner, a surfactant, a buffer, a pH modifier, or a mixture of two or more thereof. The substrate may be a medical device, for example, an endoscope.

Abstract: A brake screw for use with a surgical lighting system. The brake screw includes a screw member retained within a threaded aperture of a mounting hub of a spindle of an arm used with the lighting system. The screw member is rotationally adjusted to enable displacement in an axial direction. A brake member is in axial alignment with the screw member and disposed for movement in the axial direction against a mounting tube retained within the mounting hub upon rotational adjustment of the screw member. A rivet section is integrally formed with the brake member and has a distal end retained within an axial recess formed within the screw member, allowing movement of the brake member in the axial direction within the screw member. A bias member is disposed between the screw member and the brake member to create a biasing force that urges apart the screw member and the brake member along the axial direction.

Abstract: A steam sterilizer having a door movable relative to an opening between a first open position and a second closed position. A plurality of spaced-apart roller assemblies are aligned along edges of the door to align the door relative to the opening as the door moves between the open and closed position. Each of the roller assemblies are comprised of a cylindrical roller having an outer annual recess extending along the periphery thereof. The recess is dimensioned to receive a lateral edge of the door. The roller is mounted on a shaft and is movable against a biasing force axially along the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assigning addresses to components sharing a common bus. In one embodiment, an iterative elimination process is used to assign the addresses to each component. In another embodiment, each component includes a distance sensor that detects a distance to a front face of a calibration plank. Addresses are assigned to the components based upon the distance readings of the sensors.

Abstract: A compact sterilization indicator includes a wicking element having at least two different wicking rates across the length of the wicking element.

Abstract: An ergonomic body positioning system for supporting and positioning a user such that the user can maintain a neutral body position while providing improved access and visibility to a worksite. The body positioning system includes a base, a support arm, a stem mounted to the support arm, and at least one body support device.

Abstract: A leak detection system for use in a vacuum sterilization chamber having a plurality of piping sections that are connected to the sterilization chamber through openings along an inner surface of the sterilization chamber

Abstract: A cap assembly for attachment to an equalization port on an endoscope, comprising a tubular housing defining an internal chamber, a mounting section releasably attached to the housing in fluid-tight fashion and attachable to the equalization port of an endoscope, wherein the internal chamber communicates with the equalization port; a barrier layer formed of a reactive material disposed within the internal chamber, a first cavity defined between the barrier layer and a first end of the housing; a second cavity defined between the barrier layer and the mounting section, the second cavity dimensioned to receive an indicator test strip that is capable of detecting a gaseous germicide; and a filter layer disposed between the barrier layer and the first end of the housing.

Abstract: A support arm for supporting a surgical device in an operating room. The support arm is comprised of an elongated, tubular extrusion having an inverted, generally tear-drop shaped outer surface that has an airfoil shape. The airfoil shape is symmetrical about an axis extending from a leading end of the airfoil to a trailing end of the airfoil shape.

Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.