Abstract: An apparatus, and related methods for sterilizing microorganisms in a container, the apparatus consists of the container including a blister formed therein and a backing material that together with the blister form a cavity in which is contained a contact lens and a preservative fluid. A flashlamp generates high-intensity, short-duration pulses of light for deactivating microorganisms within the container by illuminating the container with the pulses of light having been generated.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for use in triggering a flash lamp and treating fluids. In some embodiments, a flash lamp assembly is provided that includes a chamber that surrounds a flash lamp with first and second electrodes that extend through the chamber, and a trigger element positioned adjacent an exterior of the chamber. First and second ends of the trigger element can, in some implementations be proximate the first and second electrodes. Some embodiments provide a fluid treatment system that includes a flash lamp enclosed within a chamber, and a trigger element positioned adjacent an exterior of the chamber. The chamber include an inlet and outlet where fluid to be treated is pushed into the chamber to pass about the flash lamp without contacting the trigger element.

Abstract: A vacuum-sealable hatch that is vacuum sealed to a surface of a passthrough light sterilization device, and related methods of use, consists of a hatch body having at least a portion adapted to fit within an opening of the treatment chamber and a flexible piece attached to the hatch body. The flexible piece extends peripherally from the hatch body and includes a seating portion which is adapted to be vacuum sealed to a seating region of an interior surface of the treatment chamber. The hatch body and the flexible piece seal the treatment chamber from the outside environment, thereby preventing the free flow of microorganisms to and from the treatment chamber and the outside environment. In some variations, at least the seating portion of the flexible piece is transmissive to the light treatment such that surfaces underneath the seating region are treated by the light treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying a target object having a plurality of surfaces, within a pulsed light sterilization chamber including a treatment zone within which pulsed sterilizing light is emitted, comprises: a transmissive carrier within the treatment zone detachably coupled to the target object, the transmissive carrier having a transmissivity of at least about 10% to light within the 250 to 350 nm wavelength range; and moving means coupled to the transmissive carrier for moving the target object on the transmissive carrier through the treatment zone, the plurality of surfaces of the target object being sterilized by the pulsed sterilizing light in the treatment zone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for precisely monitoring and collecting data relating to the light treatment of a product in a treatment system. In one implementation, a method for use with a treatment system using light comprises the steps of: illuminating a product with a light treatment comprising light having a spectrum of wavelengths within a range of 170 to 2600 nm, the light treatment for treating the product; and measuring a fluence of a portion of the light treatment for each of a plurality of wavelengths of the spectrum of wavelengths simultaneously. In preferred implementations, the light treatment is a pulsed light treatment and the product is a biological fluid product flowed through a treatment chamber. Furthermore, in preferred implementations, the light treatment is for the deactivation of microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, fungus, and other pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms.

Abstract: An approach for sterilizing microorganisms at a target object employs a flashlamp system including means for generating pulses of light, and for deactivating microorganisms within the target object by illuminating the target object with the pulses of light having been generated; a photo-sensitive detector positioned so as to receive a portion of each of the pulses of light as a measure of an amount of light illuminating the target object, for generating an output signal in response thereto; and a control system, coupled to the flashlamp system and the photo-sensitive detector, for determining, in response to the output signal, whether the pulses of light are sufficient to effect a prescribed level of deactivation of microorganisms at the target object.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for precisely controlling a light treatment of a treatment system for treating a product. In one implementation, a method for use with a fluid treatment system using light comprises the steps of: estimating a particular velocity of moving particles within a fluid flowing through a treatment chamber of the fluid treatment system using pulses of light as a light treatment, the fluid flowing at a mass flow velocity, the treatment chamber and the fluid being transmissive to at least 1% of light having at least one wavelength within a range of 170 to 2600 nm; and setting a flash rate of the pulses of light based on the particular velocity in order to optimize the light treatment. Furthermore, in preferred implementations, the light treatment is for the deactivation of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungus and other pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and treatment systems for inactivation of microbes and/or nucleic acids in biological fluids, especially platelet compositions without completely damaging antigens, enzymes and membrane functions. In accordance with the method of the invention, a biological fluid is illuminated with a light source having at least one wavelength within a range of 170 to 2600 nm to inactivate microbes in the composition and inactivate nucleic acids inside cells without destroying proteins (enzymes) and membrane functions.

Abstract: A vacuum-sealable hatch that is vacuum sealed to a surface of a passthrough light sterilization device, and related methods of use, consists of a hatch body having at least a portion adapted to fit within an opening of the treatment chamber and a flexible piece attached to the hatch body. The flexible piece extends peripherally from the hatch body and includes a seating portion which is adapted to be vacuum sealed to a seating region of an interior surface of the treatment chamber. The hatch body and the flexible piece seal the treatment chamber from the outside environment, thereby preventing the free flow of microorganisms to and from the treatment chamber and the outside environment. In some variations, at least the seating portion of the flexible piece is transmissive to the light treatment such that surfaces underneath the seating region are treated by the light treatment.

Abstract: An approach for sterilizing microorganisms at a drinking water container employs a flashlamp system including means for generating pulses of light, and for deactivating microorganisms within the drinking water container by illuminating the drinking water container with the pulses of light having been generated; a photo-sensitive detector positioned so as to receive a portion of each of the pulses of light as a measure of an amount of light illuminating the drinking water container, for generating an output signal in response thereto; and a control system, coupled to the flashlamp system and the photo-sensitive detector, for determining, in response to the output signal, whether the pulses of light are sufficient to effect a prescribed level of deactivation of microorganisms in the drinking water container.

Abstract: A method of protecting a biomolecule from substantial degradation while reducing the content of a pathogen or chemical toxin contained by a biologically derived composition is described. The method involves first providing a biologically derived composition containing a pathogen or chemical toxin and at least one biologically active molecule. Then, adding albumin to the composition to create a supplemented composition. Next, subjecting the supplemented composition to polychromatic pulsed light to degrade the pathogen or toxin. The polychromatic light includes at least one high-intensity, short duration pulse of incoherent polychromatic light in a broad spectrum. The light intensity is at least about 0.01 J/cm2, the pulse duration is 10 ns to 100 ms and the light wavelengths are between about 170 nm and about 2600 nm.

Abstract: A system of deactivating microorganisms in water involves illuminating the microorganisms using at least one short-duration, high-intensity pulse of broad-spectrum polychromatic light. The system includes a watertight housing having an inlet port and an outlet port for the flow water. A tubular light source for deactivating microorganisms and a tubular baffle for directing the water flow are positioned within the watertight housing. Waters enters the inlet port and flows between the watertight housing and the tubular baffle in one direction, around the end of the tubular baffle and back through the center of the tubular baffle in a second direction exiting the outlet port. In one embodiment, the inlet and outlet ports are positioned at the same end of the watertight housing. In a another embodiment, the inlet port is at the end of the watertight housing and the outlet port extends radially from the tubular baffle through the side of the watertight housing.

Abstract: A system for deactivating organisms in a food product employs a first electrode; an insulator section coupled to the first electrode, wherein the insulator section includes an insulator pinch, an opening, and a transition region interposed thereinbetween, and wherein the opening has a larger cross-sectional area than the insulator pinch, the insulator section including a cavity, passing through the insulator pinch, the transition region, and the opening, wherein the food product is contained during deactivating of organisms; and a second electrode coupled to the insulator section, wherein the first electrode is positioned on a first side of the insulator pinch, and the second electrode is positioned on a second side of the insulator pinch, whereby an electric field formed between the first electrode and the second electrode, when a voltage is applied across the first electrode and the second electrode, passes through the insulator pinch.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a dual electrode flashlamp. The method employs steps of applying an electrical potential between a pair of electrodes of the dual electrode flashlamp; and irradiating a region behind one of said electrodes with microwave energy. The system has a flashlamp bulb; a first electrode positioned at one end of the flashlamp bulb; a second electrode positioned at another end of the flashlamp bulb; and a microwave energy source positioned to direct microwave energy at the flashlamp bulb.

Abstract: A method of extended shelf life packing of a food, wherein the food comprises meat, consists of the step of packaging the food by sealing the food in a non-barrier, oxygen permeable, flexible package. The package comprises plastic film and the atmosphere sealed within the package is pure oxygen (100% O.sub.2). The plastic film may comprise polyethylene film or low density polyethylene film.

Abstract: A deactivation approach for deactivating microorganisms in a high-strength-electric field treatment system, can be characterized as an apparatus for reducing microorganism levels in products. The apparatus has an inlet tube of substantially uniform cross-sectional area extending from a distance before a treatment zone to at least into the treatment zone; a substantially ogival electrode nose positioned in the treatment zone; and an outer electrode forming an interior of the inlet tube in the treatment zone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for food product preservation by deactivation of microorganisms and enzymes by applying high-intensity, short-duration pulses of polychromatic light in a broad spectrum to packaging material surfaces. A photodiode is employed for detecting the intensity of the light, and a control circuit is used to adjust power delivered to a flashlamp if the intensity of the light needs adjustment. An outer safety glass is employed to protect the flashlamps. The outer safety glass may include coating materials at ends thereof. In addition, several variations of lamp assembly geometries accommodate small diameter packaging material tubes by using an fill pipe having offset first and second portions with a transitional region thereinbetween, or be eliminating the water jackets and using an outer safety glass to contain water as it is passed over flashlamps.

Abstract: An approach for sterilizing microorganisms at a target object employs a flashlamp system including means for generating pulses of light, and for deactivating microorganisms within the target object by illuminating the target object with the pulses of light having been generated; a photo-sensitive detector positioned so as to receive a portion of each of the pulses of light as a measure of an amount of light illuminating the target object, for generating an output signal in response thereto; and a control system, coupled to the flashlamp system and the photo-sensitive detector, for determining, in response to the output signal, whether the pulses of light are sufficient to effect a prescribed level of deactivation of microorganisms in the target object.

Abstract: A method of deactivating microorganisms in food products, packaging material, water, air, and other products involves illuminating the microorganisms using at least one short-duration, high-intensity pulse of broad-spectrum polychromatic light. In variations of this embodiment, the light has an intensity of at least 0.1 J/cm.sup.2, the pulse duration is from between about 10 nanoseconds and 10 milliseconds, and/or at least 50% of the at least one pulse's energy is transmitted in light having wavelength from between about 170 and 2600 nanometers. Advantageously, the microorganisms may be Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, Bacillus pumilus spores or poliovirus.

Abstract: An approach for sterilizing product containers and deactivating microorganisms in such containers employs the container, which, in one embodiment, includes a polyolefin, and which transmits light in a spectrum of from between 180 nm and 300 nm. The container may be coupled to a port through which a product within the container can be withdrawn, or, alternatively, may include a blister that together with a backing material forms a cavity in which a contact lens is contained. A flashlamp system generates high-intensity, short-duration pulses of polychromatic light in a broad spectrum. The pulses of light generated by the flashlamp illuminate the container and thereby deactivate microorganisms within the container. In some embodiments, the container contains a transmissive product that transmits more than about one percent of light at a wavelength of 260 nm.