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 conveying system (22) transports loose particulate material past a radiation source (200). A feed system (20) discharges particulate material onto the conveying system (22). A pneumatic system with an inlet manifold (14) and tubes (16) provides air through which the particulate material is fluidly transported to the feed system (20). A receiving hopper (24) receives the particulate matter from the conveying system (22). A dump hopper (10) dumps the particulate material into the pneumatic system. A discharge manifold (18) separates the particulate material from air. A metering gate (70) is located at a base of a hopper (69), which controls the layer of particulate material deposited onto said conveyor. A second inlet manifold (26) and tubes (28) adjacent the receiving hopper entrains the particulate material in air. A receiving station (32) receives the particulate material from a second discharge manifold (30).

Abstract: A washing device (10) includes a chamber (12) with a front door (24). The door is pivotable between a vertical closed position and a horizontal open position. An article carrying assembly (34) is moveable from inside the washing device to an upper surface (26) of the open door. A lifting system (72) moves the front door between lower and upper positions (74, 76). The lifting system includes a follower (154) to which the front door is pivotally mounted. A motor (80) transmits power to a pair of chains (110, 116), which drive the follower along a guide (156) to move the door up and down. Alternatively, the lifting system includes a cable (182) coupled to a fluid cylinder (180). When the door is in the upper position, an operator can move the rack to a transfer cart or load and unload the article carrying assembly, all while in a substantially erect position.

Abstract: A medical accessory clamping system includes a table and an accessory clamp. The table has an upper surface and a lower surface, a first ridge positioned on the upper surface and a second ridge positioned on the lower surface of the table. The accessory clamp has a first clamping member and a second clamping member coupled to but separate from the first clamping member wherein the clamping members define a cavity for receiving a portion of the table. The first and second clamping members have recesses for receiving said first and second ridges of the table, respectively. A uniquely styled clamp and a table are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid disinfection or sterilization system includes spray nozzles (26) for spraying an anti-microbial fluid on the exterior of an endoscope (14) supported in a microbial decontamination chamber (10a, 10b). The endoscope includes interior lumens which are microbially decontaminated by flowing anti-microbial fluid from outlets (28) through the lumens. A port (36) is connected with a leak detector. In order to ensure that the proper leak detector and anti-microbial fluid ports of the disinfection or sterilization system are interconnected with the proper lumen ports of the endoscope, a tethered connection assembly (50) is provided. The tethered interconnection assembly includes fittings (60, 62, 64) which are uniquely configured for interconnection with an appropriate one of a high pressure port, a low pressure port, and the leak detector port. Fittings at the other end of the tube assemblies (56) are configured for interconnection with appropriate corresponding ports of the endoscope.

Abstract: A sequential delivery assembly (30) sequentially releases three different treatment materials into a fluid flow path (24) to form a treatment fluid with a composition which varies throughout a cleaning and microbial decontamination cycle. A chamber (12) receives items to be cleaned and decontaminated. A pump (22) pumps the treatment fluid from the sequential delivery assembly along a fluid flow line (24) to nozzles (16, 18) disposed within the chamber. The nozzles spray the treatment fluid over the items to be cleaned and decontaminated. The delivery assembly includes a well (34) for receiving a three compartment cup (44). The cup contains a first compartment (70) which includes a cleaning material (76), such as a detergent. A second compartment (72) contains pre-treatment materials (78), such as buffers and corrosion inhibitors, which prepare the system for receiving a microbial decontaminant (80), such as a concentrated solution of peracetic acid, contained in the third compartment (74).

Abstract: A flash vapor generator (10) provides a constant flow of vaporized hydrogen peroxide for rapidly sterilizing a large decontamination tunnel (11) with a high container throughput. The vaporizer includes a heated block which defines an interior bore or bores. The conditions within the decontamination tunnel are carefully monitored to avoid condensation of the vapor while maintaining the vapor as close as possible to the saturation limit.

Abstract: A surgical task light is provided including a light source adapted to generate light. An elongate optical fiber carries the light generated by the light source to a remote target site. The optical fiber includes a proximal end for receiving the light generated by the light source and a distal end for emitting the light. A support member supports the optical fiber relative to the ceiling of an associated operating room and holds the optical fiber in a plurality of selected positions. A lens device is carried on the distal end of the optical fiber for focusing the light emitted from the distal end of the optical fiber into a desired selected pattern. A sterile sheath member in combination with the surgical task light provides a sterile barrier between the surgical area and the mechanical and optical portions of the task light. A re-lamping module includes a replaceable light bulb module carrying a light bulb to help facilitate replacement of the light bulb by maintenance personnel.

Abstract: A source of electrons (10) generates a beam of free electrons which are accelerated through a vacuum chamber and collide with a target (34). The target has multiple layers of a high Z material such as tungsten or tantalum or for producing x-ray radiation when bombarded with high energy electrons. The target layers are located in sequence such that electrons that are not terminated in the first layer will pass to the second layer, and so on. This provides more efficient use of the generated electrons. The target layers are sandwiched between layers of a thermally conductive, low Z metal substrate (40), such as aluminum or copper or other material with a high thermal conductivity. Hollow passages (42) are bored in the substrate (40) to allow water or some other coolant to flow within them. As electrons strike the target (34), unwanted heat is generated along with the x-rays. The water carries the heat away from the target.

Abstract: A particle accelerator (10) is disposed between a first shielded processing chamber (12)and a second shielded processing chamber (14). The accelerator selectively feeds a higher energy (e.g., 10 MeV) electron beam to the first processing chamber and selectively feeds a lower energy (e.g., 5 MeV) electron beam to the second processing chamber. A conveying system (16) transports article carriers to and through the first processing chamber. At a processing table (18), the articles are conveyed at a closely controlled speed through the electron beam for uniform dosing of an article to be irradiated. A loading station (20) and an unloading station (22) supply and remove articles from the first processing chamber. Beam bending magnets (44) change the direction of an electron beam between the first processing chamber and the second processing chamber.

Abstract: An optical coupler includes essentially tubular second connecting piece (40). Second fiber end (14) inserts completely through second connecting piece (40) and is held rigidly such second fiber end (14) is set back from second connecting piece end (78) by a preselected distance. First essentially tubular connecting piece (16) is divided axially into first portion (30) into which first fiber end (12) is inserted and held rigidly, and second portion (32) into which second connecting piece (40) is detachably attached. First and second portions (30, 32) are arranged such that first fiber end (12) is coaxial with and in close proximity to second fiber end (14). Preferably, attachment of second and first connecting pieces (40, 16) includes an axially symmetric groove (46) on an outer surface of second connecting piece (40), and an axially symmetric protrusion (24) on an inner surface of second portion (32) which essentially mates with axially symmetric groove (40).

Abstract: An accelerator (10) generates an electron beam that is swept (16) up and down to form an electron beam (22). A conveyor (32) moves items (30) through the electron beam for irradiation treatment. A first array of inductive electron beam strength detectors' (40a) is disposed between the origin of the electron beam and a first item to be irradiated to measure the strength of the electron beam entering the item at a plurality of altitudes. A second array (42) of inductive electron beam strength detectors is disposed on the opposite side of the item to detect the strength of the electron beam exiting the item at the plurality of altitudes. In the illustrated embodiment, another item is positioned to be irradiated by the radiation that is passed through the first item. The second array thus detects the electron beam strength entering the second item and an analogous array (40c) measures the electron beam strength exiting the second item.

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 guidance assembly (28) guides a door (22) to a cabinet (10) while it is moved between an open position, in which access to an interior chamber is provided through an opening (16) in the cabinet, and a closed position, in which the door covers the opening. The guidance assembly includes two pivotable support members (90, 92) which are pivotally connected to the door. The pivotable support members each include a roller (110, 112) which rolls along a horizontal rail (80) mounted to an exterior wall (18) of the cabinet, adjacent an upper end of the opening. A door positioning system (130), comprising upper and lower door positioners (132, 134, 136), maintains a space between the door the cabinet during opening and closing the door. This prevents damage to the door and the exterior wall of the cabinet and to a sealing member (70) disposed between the door and the cabinet.

Abstract: In automated reprocessing system (B), a leak detection system (10) evaluates the integrity of a device, such as an endoscope (A), having an internal passage (66). The leak detection system includes an interior chamber (42) which is connected to the internal passage by quick connects (18, 20). A source of compressed air (22) supplies the chamber and internal passage with air to a suitable test pressure. A pressure sensor (50) and a temperature sensor (54), in communication with the chamber, detect the pressure and temperature within the chamber and hence in the endoscope passage. Pressure and temperature measurements made over time are used to determine changes in the gas volume, indicative of whether leaks are present in the endoscope. If the endoscope is determined to be free of leaks, the endoscope is washed and microbially decontaminated in the reprocessing system.

Abstract: In automated reprocessing system (B), a leak detection system (10) evaluates the integrity of an endoscope (A), having an internal passage (66). The leak detection system includes an interior chamber (42) which is connected to the internal passage by quick connects (18, 20). A source of compressed air (22) pressurizes the chamber and internal passage to a suitable test pressure. A pressure sensor (50) and a temperature sensor (54) detect the pressure and temperature within the chamber and hence in the endoscope passage. Pressure and temperature measurements made over time are used to determine changes in the gas volume, indicative of whether leaks are present in the endoscope. If the endoscope is determined to be free of leaks, the endoscope is washed and microbially decontaminated in the reprocessing system.

Abstract: A system (18) for handling animal cages (10) includes a low noise tipping funnel (16) into which waste bedding from the cage is emptied for transporting to a dumpster (20). The tipping funnel includes a receiving funnel (110) which receives the waste bedding. An air duct is positioned adjacent three sides of an upper opening (114) to the receiving funnel. A suction fan (76) draws airborne particles of the waste bedding into the air duct through a housing (134) over the top of the air duct. The housing creates an air path which minimizes transfer of noise generated in the suction process. The waste bedding is transferred from the receiving funnel into a vacuum line by a rotating valve (202) having a plurality of vanes (211). As the valve rotates, two or more of the vanes separate the receiving funnel from the vacuum line, minimizing transfer of noise from the vacuum line out through the upper opening of the receiving funnel.

Abstract: A source of radiation (10,12), particularly a pulsed accelerated electron beam, directs a beam of radiation through an irradiation chamber (14, 50). The irradiation chamber is depleted of oxygen and oxygen containing gases, such as being drawn to a vacuum of 10−1 or greater Torr by a vacuum pump (20, 52). Particulate fluoropolymer material is entrained (36) in substantially oxygen free gas and conveyed through the irradiation chamber. The accelerated electrons break chemical bonds in the fluoropolymer particles and electrostatically charge the particles. Magnetic fields (42, 60) of different polarity rotate the charged particles such that they are irradiated from different sides. The irradiated fluoropolymer particles are cooled (24) and separated (26) from the entraining gas. The entraining gas is recirculated through pneumatic line (34) for a continuous cycle. In an alternate batch processing embodiment, the fluoropolymer material is placed in the shallow container (50) which is sealed and evacuated.

Abstract: An electrolysis unit (10, 210, 310) has an anode (16, 216,316) and a gas diffusion cathode (18, 218, 318). Air is fed to the cathode (18, 218) to generate peroxide species, such as hydrogen peroxide, peroxide ions, or peroxide radicals by electrolysis of oxygenated water. A peracetic acid precursor, such as acetyl salicylic acid, reacts with the peroxide to form peracetic acid. An ion selective barrier (20, 220) optionally separates the unit into two chambers, an anodic chamber (12, 212) and a cathodic chamber (14, 214). By selecting either a proton permeable membrane or an anion exchange membrane for the barrier, the peracetic acid may be formed in either an alkaline electrolyte in the cathodic chamber or in an acid electrolyte in the anode chamber, respectively.

Abstract: A method for treating medical instruments after a surgical procedure, which leaves blood or other body fluid on the instrument, includes applying a gel composition that inhibits the fluid from drying on the instruments. The gel composition is preferably a low viscosity gel exhibiting both sufficient flow and coating characteristics. The viscosity is preferably from about 700 to about 4,000 centipoise (cps), preferably around 3,000 cps. Applying a gel to post-surgical medical instruments contains and keeps protein containing fluids moist for extended periods of time and facilitates subsequent transportation, cleaning, and sterilization of such instruments.