Abstract: A proteinaceous material has been found to show similar activity and treatment response to that of disease causing prions, such as CJD. A prion model which incorporates the proteinaceous material has a variety of applications. The model has an ability to be cultured either in vivo or in vitro, allowing rapid screening of potential drugs for treating animals or humans, or methods of treating food products or items which may come into contact with prions, such as medical or dental devices. Several treatment methods and materials have been developed using the model.

Abstract: A medical lighting system is provided using electrodeless metal halide lamps and fiber optic light pipes to provide illumination to a plurality of medical appliances from a remote light source. In a first embodiment, multiple surgical lightheads and light utility outlets are illuminated from a remote lighting source. The single light source is further used in conjunction with multiple surgical lightheads, light utility outlets, and surgical task lights in operating or examination rooms. In a further embodiment, a remote metal halide lamp provides task lighting to an examination room in combination with standard incandescent ambient lighting. In further embodiments, multiple operating and/or examination rooms are supported by a single remote light source. By locating the light source remote from the end light consumers and providing optical fibers therebetween reduced size, heating, and other benefits are enabled in medical examination or operating rooms.

Abstract: A radiolucent surgical table is provided with a patient support member and includes a low shadow accessory interface profile formed by a plurality of interconnected curved surfaces disposed along the outer edge of the patient support member for selective attachment of a range of medical accessory devices. A clamping apparatus secures associated accessories to the outer edge, which has a top recess and an essentially planar and non-vertical side surface slanting inwardly from top to bottom and terminating in a flared lower edge extending beyond the bottom of the patient support member. The clamping apparatus includes an upper jaw member which has a downwardly projecting lip formed to conformably engage a section of the top recess. A lower jaw member is also included and has a hook region formed to surroundingly engage a section of the flared lower edge. A means is provided for joining the upper and lower jaw members.

Abstract: A system for handling mail is in the form of a modular facility (10), which is capable of being isolated from the surrounding environment. The modular facility includes an enclosure or sorting area (40) for receiving and sorting incoming mail. A decontamination system (22) receives sorted mail and decontaminates the mail with a antimicrobial gas, such as ethylene oxide. A clean room (32), isolated from the enclosure and spaced from the enclosure by the decontamination system, is used for receiving processed mail from the decontamination system and sorting the mail for distribution. A source (92) of a decontaminant gas, such as vapor hydrogen peroxide, is fluidly connected with the enclosure for supplying the decontaminant gas to the enclosure in the event that the sorting room is contaminated or suspected of being contaminated with a pathogenic biological or chemical agent.

Abstract: An enclosure assembly (10, 10, 10) includes a framework (12) formed from structural members and a flexible transparent enclosure (14) which provides an enclosed space for isolation and or treatment of patients, equipment, and the like. A treatment material, such as hydrogen peroxide or other gaseous or vapor sterilant, may be fed to the enclosure to microbially decontaminate or otherwise treat the equipment. The enclosure is quickly assembled and disassembled after use, making it suitable for treatment of large pieces of equipment which are not readily moved or which are too large to be accommodated conventional sterilization equipment.

Abstract: An electrochemical analysis system includes a chamber (34) that defines a fluid receiving reservoir therein. A working electrode (40), a reference electrode (42), and a counter electrode (44) is mounted to the chamber. An electrochemical analysis circuit (38) applies appropriate voltages to the electrodes and reads appropriate currents from the electrodes to provide an indication of the peroxyacetic acid concentration in a sample. The working electrode includes a glassy carbon rod (60) which is surrounded by a compressible polymeric sleeve (64) and a metal sleeve (66). One end of the metal sleeve is swaged (68) to form a fluid tight compression seal with the insulating sleeve and the glassy carbon rod. An electrically conductive thermal extension joint between the glassy carbon rod and an electrically conductive rod (70) includes a bore (72) in the conductive rod in which the glassy carbon rod is slidably received and a compressed spring (74) in the bore.

Abstract: A decontamination device (10) includes a washing chamber (12) defined by a series of sidewalls. Upper and lower shelves (30, 32) are horizontally disposed within the washing chamber. The lower shelf is a rigid non-removable structure divided into three washing sections (42, 44, 46). The upper shelf is disposed vertically above the lower shelf and is slidably mounted within the washing chamber. The upper shelf comprises first, second, and third washing sections (82a, 82b, 82c) and a channel (78) operatively connected to the three shelf sections. The channel provides cleaning solutions to the shelf sections. Each of the washing sections and the shelf sections receive a spindle header (50) having a series of spindles (58) over which glassware is placed. A sealing connector, disposed on each washing section and shelf section, registers with and seals around a manifold of the spindle header and provides cleaning solutions from the channel to the spindle header.

Abstract: A voice controlled surgical suite is provided for controlling a plurality of surgical apparatus by a single human. The system includes a voice recognition device adapted to recognize a plurality of predetermined speech commands from a single human and to generate a corresponding set of command output signals. A surgical table is operatively connected with the voice recognition device and is responsive to a first set of the command output signals to initiate selected surgical table movements. A surgical lighthead is similarly connected with the voice recognition system and is responsive to a second set of the command output signals to initiate selected surgical lighthead operations. In addition, surgical camera and task light devices are included in the system and are responsive to fourth and third sets of command output signals, respectively, generated by the voice recognition device to initiate selected surgical camera and surgical task light operations.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system (26) for an automated processor (A) delivers washing, microbial decontaminant, and rinse fluids to spray nozzles (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) in a chamber (12) for sequentially spraying the fluids over a lumened device (B), such as an endoscope. The fluid delivery system also delivers the fluids to connection ports (150, 152, 154) which connect with internal passages (187) of the device for delivering the fluids thereto. Leaking connectors (184) connect the automated processor connection ports with inlet ports (196) of the device and allow a portion of the washing, decontaminant, and rinsing solutions to leak from each inlet port. A computer control system (80) controls cleaning, decontamination, rinsing, and drying stages of a cycle, which are all carried out within the chamber, obviating the need for human contact with the device during processing.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system (20) for an automated processor (A) includes spray nozzles (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) for sequentially spraying washing, microbial decontaminant and rinsing solutions over a lumened device (B), such as an endoscope. The fluid delivery system also includes connection ports (150, 152, 154) for connecting with internal passages (187) of the device to deliver the washing and microbial decontaminant solutions thereto. A removable rack (21), specially configured for the particular device, positions the device within a chamber (12). The spray nozzles are located on rear and side walls (114, 116, 118) and on a door (18) of the chamber, such that the device is impinged with spray from all directions. Sets (102, 104) of the spray nozzles are pulsed in sequence so that the spray jets (122) do not cancel each other out.

Abstract: A decontamination device (10) includes a washing chamber (12) defined by a series of sidewalls. Upper and lower shelves (30, 32) are horizontally disposed within the washing chamber. The lower shelf is a rigid non-removable structure divided into three washing sections (42, 44, 46). The upper shelf is disposed vertically above the lower shelf and is slidably mounted within the washing chamber. The upper shelf comprises first, second, and third washing sections (82a, 82b, 82c) and a channel (78) operatively connected to the three shelf sections. The channel provides cleaning solutions to the shelf sections. Each of the washing sections and the shelf sections receive a spindle header (50) having a series of spindles (58) over which glassware is placed. A sealing connector, disposed on each washing section and shelf section, registers with and seals around a manifold of the spindle header and provides cleaning solutions from the channel to the spindle header.

Abstract: A cleaning unit (A) includes a movable cart (20) which carries a cleaning system for cleaning baked-on residues from walls (10) of a sterilizer chamber (12). Alkaline and acid cleaning solutions (180, 182), for removing organic and inorganic residues, respectively, from the chamber, are stored in a multi-compartment container carried by the cart and having two storage compartments (52, 54). The alkaline and acid solutions are sequentially sprayed over the chamber walls and returned to their respective compartments. After cleaning is complete, a wall (200) which separates the two compartments is punctured. The two cleaning fluids are thereby mixed together to form a neutral or near neutral solution which is disposable in a sanitary sewer system without further treatment.

Abstract: A surface which carries a material which is infected with prions is cleaned with an alkaline cleaning solution to remove as much proteinaceous material as possible from the surface. The solution contains an alkaline cleaning agent which attacks prions remaining on the surface and which attacks prions removed from the surface during the cleaning step. After the cleaning step, the surface is exposed to a strong gaseous oxidant, preferably hydrogen peroxide vapor. The hydrogen peroxide or other strong oxidant attacks the prions, particularly the unclumped prion strands, deactivating the prions.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor (A, A′) is specific for the detection of peroxyacetic acid in a solution which also contains hydrogen peroxide. A potential is applied between a reference electrode (120, 120′) and a working electrode (118, 118′). A read voltage (FIG. 7) is selectively pulsed across a counter electrode (122, 122′) and the working electrode. The current flowing between the working electrode and the counter electrode is dependent on the peroxyacetic acid concentration in the solution (FIG. 6). By careful selection of the read voltage, the contribution of hydrogen peroxide to the current flow is virtually negligible. The sensor effectively measures peroxyacetic acid concentrations in the range generally employed in sterilization and disinfection baths (100-3000 ppm.).

Abstract: A method of washing, microbially decontaminating, and rinsing of a lumened device (B), such as an endoscope includes positioning the device in a chamber (12) of an automated processor (A). Spray nozzles (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) within the chamber sequentially spray washing, microbial decontaminant, and rinse fluids over the device. Fluid connection ports (150, 152, 154) connect with internal passages (187) of the device for delivering the fluids thereto. Leaking connectors (184) connect the automated processor connection ports with inlet ports (196) of the device and allow a portion of the washing, decontaminant, and rinse solutions to leak from each inlet port. A computer control system (80) controls leak testing, cleaning, decontamination, rinsing, and drying stages of a cycle, which are all carried out within the chamber, obviating the need for human contact with the device during processing.

Abstract: A flow-through rack assembly (14) includes porous hangers (44) which support items to be decontaminated within a decontamination chamber (12). A plurality of nozzles (16) spray a decontaminant fluid, such as peracetic acid, over the items. The rack assembly includes tubes (42) which convey a portion of the decontaminant fluid under pressure to internal channels (52) of the porous hangers. The fluid permeates the hanger surface, flowing over regions of the items which are in contact with the hangers. The rack assembly ensures decontamination of those regions which may be otherwise inaccessible to fluid sprayed from the nozzles.

Abstract: A cleaning unit (A) includes a movable cart (20) which carries a cleaning system for cleaning baked-on residues from walls (10) of a sterilizer chamber (12). The cleaning system includes a lid (80) which is mounted over an opening (82) to the chamber. In one embodiment, the door (232) of the chamber provides the lid. An articulating nozzle (124) extends from the lid into the interior of the chamber. Alkaline and acid cleaning solutions (180, 182), for removing organic and inorganic residues, respectively, from the chamber, are stored in two storage containers (52, 54) carried by the cart. A first pump (60), mounted on the cart, pumps first the alkaline, then the acid cleaning solution to the nozzle. A second pump (62), mounted on the cart, connects with a scavenge fitting (166) in the chamber to return the cleaning fluid to the respective storage container.

Abstract: A surface which carries a material which is infected with prions is cleaned with an alkaline cleaning solution to remove as much proteinaceous material as possible from the surface. The cleaning agent is an alkaline cleaning agent which attacks prions remaining on the surface and which attacks prions removed from the surface during the cleaning step. After the cleaning solution is drained, a solution of surfactants, buffers, and heavy metal free corrosion inhibitors is circulated over the surface at 50°-60° C. The surfactants disperse and unclump the prion-contaminated material. A strong oxidant, preferably peracetic acid, is added to the solution to bring the peracetic acid concentration to 1,000-2,500 ppm. The peracetic acid or other strong oxidant attacks the prions, particularly the unclumped prion strands, deactivating the prions. After rinsing and drying, the surface may be wrapped in a microbe impermeable barrier and subjected to terminal sterilization, such as steam autoclaving.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly decontaminant solution, which may be disposed of after use without posing significant environmental hazards, is formulated without molybdenum-based corrosion inhibitors and preferably is free of all heavy metals. A zeolite-based buffering system optionally replaces phosphate buffers for maintaining the pH of the decontaminant solution at an appropriate pH for effective antimicrobial decontamination. Molybdenum-free decontaminant solutions containing peracetic acid retain their peracetic acid levels, and thus their antimicrobial effectiveness, for longer periods than comparable solutions formulated with a molybdate corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: A video/data/power quick connect system is provided for use with medical appliance suspension arms. A universal cable bundle (40) extends along a monitor suspension arm (12). A first hub harness (50) adapts the cable bundle (40) for connection to a first associated source (68) of video/data/power signals. A first monitor harness (60) connects a lower end of the cable bundle (40) for connection to a first associated monitor device (34). A second hub harness (50′) and second monitor harness (60′) are provided for adapting the cable bundle (40) for connection to a second source (68) of associated video/data/power signals and a second associated monitor device (34′), respectively.