Abstract: The present invention provides a clamp (10) for clamp for retaining a medical device in a medical apparatus. The clamp (10) includes a pair of opposed gripping elements (16). At least one of the gripping elements is substantially rotatably moveable to grip and apply a compressive force on a portion of the medical device when the portion it is placed between the gripping elements. The compressive force increases when the at least one of the gripping elements rotates in one direction and reduces when it rotates in an opposite direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for reducing biocontaminant (for example flesh, blood, mucous, faeces or biofilm) on a surface, such as an endoscope surface. The compositions are viscoelastic and of low lubricity, having the following properties at 21° C.: a rotational yield point between 140% strain and 300% strain; a peak viscosity between 550 Pa·s and 2000 Pa·s; an oscillatory flow point between 250 and 700% strain; and a coefficient of friction ? which has a maximum value (preferably 0.06 or greater) in the viscoelastic liquid's elastohydrodynamic region.

Abstract: Described herein is a disinfectant system in the form of an autonomous device for performing a disinfectant operation within an enclosed space defined by the walls, ceiling and floor of a room when a predefined condition, in the form of the absence of a human being within the room, is met. The purpose of the system is environmental decontamination and specifically to inactivate pathogenic organisms. The device includes a disinfectant module for carrying out the disinfectant operation when there is an absence of a human being within the room, and a sensing module for sensing the presence of a substantially stationary human being within the room.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a device (10) for retaining an object in a disinfection apparatus. The device includes at least one support member (12) for contact engagement with one or more contact surfaces of the object. The at least one support member is formed from a material that allows a disinfection media to reach the one or more contact surfaces of the object such that the one or more contact surfaces are disinfected during a disinfection process.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a contaminated surface, such as cleaning the elongate interior lumen of an endoscope contaminated with flesh, bone, blood, mucous, faeces or biofilm, said method comprising the steps of: providing a suspension of solid particles in a liquid to said contaminated surface, and flowing said suspension along said surface thereby to remove contaminant from the surface. The suspension is preferably a paste, where the solid material may be e.g. crystals of a salt, silicon oxide or organic material. The paste preferably has a solid fraction between 5 and 55%. A rheology modifier may be present.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a contaminated surface, such as cleaning the elongate interior lumen of an endoscope contaminated with flesh, bone, blood, mucous, faeces or biofilm, said method comprising the steps of: providing a suspension of solid particles in a liquid to said contaminated surface, and flowing said suspension along said surface thereby to remove contaminant from the surface. The suspension is preferably a paste, where the solid material may be e.g. crystals of a salt, silicon oxide or organic material. The paste preferably has a solid fraction between 5 and 55%. A rheology modifier may be present.

Abstract: A cover for a probe 12, such as an ultrasonic probe, the cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch 1 and a mouth portion 2 for inserting the probe 12 into the pouch, the mouth portion 2 comprising sealing means to enable the mouth portion to be formed into sealing engagement with a proximal end 11 of the probe. Also, a method of preventing a decontaminated ultrasonic probe from contamination comprising the step of, immediately after disinfection, inserting the ultrasonic probe 12 into a cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch 1 and a mouth portion 2 for inserting the probe 12 into to pouch, the mouth portion 2 comprising a deformably rigid portion 3, and deforming the mouth portion 2 into a sealing engagement with a proximal end 11 of the probe, wherein no undisinfected portion of the probe 12 enters the pouch 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for reducing biocontaminant (for example flesh, blood, mucous, faeces or biofilm) on a surface, such as an endoscope surface. The compositions are viscoelastic and of low lubricity, having the following properties at 21° C.: a rotational yield point between 140% strain and 300% strain; a peak viscosity between 550 Pa·s and 2000 Pa·s; an oscillatory flow point between 250 and 700% strain; and a coefficient of friction ? which has a maximum value (preferably 0.06 or greater) in the viscoelastic liquid's elastohydrodynamic region.

Abstract: Described herein is a cleaning apparatus (10) for a medical device (12) having one or more internal channels. Further described is a method for cleaning the medical device using the cleaning apparatus. The cleaning apparatus includes at least two cleaning pumps (20) adapted to pump a viscoelastic liquid (22), each cleaning pump having individual flow control. Each cleaning pump is also fluidly connectable to one or more of the internal channels to allow the viscoelastic liquid to be pumped therethrough thereby removing contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clamp (10) for clamp for retaining a medical device in a medical apparatus. The clamp (10) includes a pair of opposed gripping elements (16). At least one of the gripping elements is substantially rotatably moveable to grip and apply a compressive force on a portion of the medical device when the portion it is placed between the gripping elements. The compressive force increases when the at least one of the gripping elements rotates in one direction and reduces when it rotates in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A droplet bandpass filter and method of modifying droplet size distribution of a population of droplets suspended in a gas. Droplets suspended in a gas are flowed through a bandpass filter having a tortuous pathway which comprises at least one impactor region located at a position adjacent to a flow direction change. Larger droplets impact at the impactor region while smaller droplets remain suspended in the gas and flow in the first output direction. Other flow restrictors may advantageously be included in the tortuous pathway. The filter is particularly useful in delivering sterilant aerosols (e.g. peroxides) with reduced populations of large droplets.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a contaminated surface, such as cleaning the elongate interior lumen of an endo scope contaminated with flesh, bone, blood, mucous, faeces or biofilm, said method comprising the steps of: providing a suspension of solid particles in a liquid to said contaminated surface, and flowing said suspension along said surface thereby to remove contaminant from the surface. The suspension is preferably a paste, where the solid material may be e.g. crystals of a salt, silicon oxide or organic material. The paste preferably has a solid fraction between 5 and 55%. A rheology modifier may be present.

Abstract: A cover for a probe 12, such as an ultrasonic probe, the cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch 1 and a mouth portion 2 for inserting the probe 12 into the pouch, the mouth portion 2 comprising sealing means to enable the mouth portion to be formed into sealing engagement with a proximal end 11 of the probe. Also, a method of preventing a decontaminated ultrasonic probe from contamination comprising the step of, immediately after disinfection, inserting the ultrasonic probe 12 into a cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch 1 and a mouth portion 2 for inserting the probe 12 into to pouch, the mouth portion 2 comprising a deformably rigid portion 3, and deforming the mouth portion 2 into a sealing engagement with a proximal end 11 of the probe, wherein no undisinfected portion of the probe 12 enters the pouch 1.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a contaminated surface, such as cleaning the elongate interior lumen of an endoscope contaminated with flesh, bone, blood, mucous, faeces or biofilm, said method comprising the steps of: providing a suspension of solid particles in a liquid to said contaminated surface, and flowing said suspension along said surface thereby to remove contaminant from the surface. The suspension is preferably an ice slurry, where the solid material is ice crystals. The slurry preferably has a solid fraction between 50-85% by volume. A freezing point depressant may be present.

Abstract: A nebuliser cup for maintaining a safe level of liquid during nebulization, the cup comprising a liquid level sensor comprising: a first element sensing liquid at or below a position corresponding to a filled liquid level in the nebuliser cup; a second element electrically isolated from the first element and located at a position corresponding to a filled liquid level in the nebuliser cup; and wherein when the cup is not filled with a liquid to the filled liquid level, the first element, the liquid and the second element do not form an electrically coupled circuit; and when the cup is filled with a liquid to the filled to liquid level, the first element, the liquid and the second element together form an electrically coupled circuit.

Abstract: An aqueous disinfectant solution comprising peroxyacetic acid; hydrogen peroxide; and a carbonate buffer is provided.

Abstract: A cover for a probe 12, such as an ultrasonic probe, the cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch 1 and a mouth portion 2 for inserting the probe 12 into the pouch, the mouth portion 2 comprising sealing means to enable the mouth portion to be formed into sealing engagement with a proximal end 11 of the probe. Also, a method of preventing a decontaminated ultrasonic probe from contamination comprising the step of, immediately after disinfection, inserting the ultrasonic probe 12 into a cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch 1 and a mouth portion 2 for inserting the probe 12 into to pouch, the mouth portion 2 comprising a deformably rigid portion 3, and deforming the mouth portion 2 into a sealing engagement with a proximal end 11 of the probe, wherein no undisinfected portion of the probe 12 enters the pouch 1.

Abstract: A nebuliser cup for maintaining a safe level of liquid during nebulization, the cup comprising a liquid level sensor comprising: a first element sensing liquid at or below a position corresponding to a filled liquid level in the nebuliser cup; a second element electrically isolated from the first element and located at a position corresponding to a filled liquid level in the nebuliser cup; and wherein when the cup is not filled with a liquid to the filled liquid level, the first element, the liquid and the second element do not form an electrically coupled circuit; and when the cup is filled with a liquid to the filled to liquid level, the first element, the liquid and the second element together form an electrically coupled circuit.