Abstract: A method of irradiating a fibrous organic material comprising the steps of: conveying an organic material formed into a cord-like configuration between two spaced-apart support members; and supplying a charged particle beam to the organic material at a location between the support members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the concentration of a detergent in a detergent solution. A capacitive sensor is exposed to the detergent solution, and electrical properties of the capacitive sensor are responsive to changes in the concentration of detergent in the detergent solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the state of a chemical solution for neutralization of chemical and biological warfare agents are disclosed. A capacitor is exposed to the chemical solution, wherein the steam acts as a dielectric between the plates of the capacitor. Permittivity of the dielectric is affected by the oxidant levels in the chemical solution, and thus a measurement of electrical properties of the capacitor is used to monitor the state of the chemical solution.

Abstract: A self-contained biological indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of a sterilizer utilizing an anti-microbial gas or liquid fluid. The indicator is comprised of a tubular casing having open ends and defining an interior chamber. A source of viable microorganisms is disposed within the chamber. A frangible ampoule containing a culture medium capable of promoting growth of the microorganism and a detector means capable of reaction with the metabolites of the microorganism to produce a visual indication is disposed within the chamber. The ampule is operable by pressure applied to an external surface thereof to permit the microorganism and the medium to come into contact with each other. A cap assembly is mounted to each end of the tubular casing. Each cap assembly includes a telescoping element movable from a first position defining an opening communicating with the chamber and a second position crushing the ampoule and forming a gas/fluid impermeable seal around the chamber.

Abstract: An automated endoscope reprocessor (10) includes a removable rack (12) for receiving a container (16, 16?). The container has a clamshell housing (20) having two mating portions (24, 26). The portions together define an internal pressurizable chamber (56) for receiving an endoscope head (22). The endoscope's connector cord (82) is carried through an outlet (80) to the chamber. The outlet is defined by channels (88, 90), one in each of the two housing portions (24, 26). A gasket assembly in the outlet provides a restricted fluid passage which allows a small portion of fluid to flow through the outlet when the connector cord is positioned therein. The gasket assembly (120) includes a number of resiliently flexible fins (126, 128, 130) positioned in each channel, each fin having a U-shaped slot (144, 146, 148). Pairs of fins overlap such that the slots together define openings (150) of diminishing size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for formulating and controlling concentrations of deactivating chemicals in a gas mixture inside a chamber. The gas mixture may include chemical components that are deactivating chemicals, as well as chemical components that are base chemicals, acting as a dilutant for the deactivating chemical, or as a vehicle or carrier for the deactivating chemical. A capacitor is exposed to the gas mixture, wherein the gas mixture comprises a dielectric material between the plates of the capacitor. Permittivity of the dielectric is affected by the relative concentrations of the chemical components, and thus a measurement of the capacitance is used to determine the concentration levels of multiple chemical components in the gas mixture.

Abstract: A system for irradiating mail, comprising a device for conveying mail along a predetermined path and a device for irradiating the mail moving along the path with a beam of electrons. An apparatus for chilling the mail is provided along the path. The apparatus exposes the mail to a low-temperature, gaseous fluid created using a cryogenic fluid.

Abstract: A pressure regulating device for regulating the pressure exerted on a medical instrument in a reprocessor for microbially deactivating the medical instruments.

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. The upper and lower jaw members are joined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring doses of electron beams that are absorbed by an object subjected to e-beam irradiation. The absorbed dose can be continuously measured during an irradiation process, and adjustment can be made to system parameters in accordance with the measured absorbed dose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for formulating and controlling concentrations of deactivating chemicals in a solution inside a chamber. The solution may include chemical components that are deactivating chemicals, as well as chemical components that are base chemicals, acting as a diluent for a deactivating chemical, or as a vehicle or carrier for a deactivating chemical. A capacitor is exposed to the solution, wherein the solution comprises a dielectric material between the plates of the capacitor. Permittivity of the dielectric is affected by the relative concentrations of the chemical components, and thus a measurement of the electrical properties of the capacitor can be used to determine the concentration levels of multiple chemical components in the solution.

Abstract: A vaporizer heating apparatus is comprised of electromagnetically responsive material and electrically non-conductive material. A antimicrobial fluid to be vaporized, such as water or hydrogen peroxide solution, is supplied to the heating apparatus where it is converted to a vapor. In one embodiment of the present invention, electromagnetically responsive material particulate is embedded into the electrically non-conductive material. In another embodiment of the present invention, a microwave generator is used to produce heat.

Abstract: A contaminant detecting system for determining the presence of a miscible or immiscible contaminant in a fluid. The fluid acts as a dielectric between the plates of a capacitive sensing element. The measured capacitance value varies in accordance with the composition of the fluid, to indicate the presence or absence of the contaminant in the fluid.

Abstract: A pad assembly adapted to receive an envelope enclosing an x-ray cassette, thus allowing x-rays to be taken while a patient is lying or sitting on the pad assembly. The pad assembly allows a conventional hospital stretcher to be converted for use as a specialized x-ray stretcher.

Abstract: A sterilization system (14) includes a sensor (10) for detection of a component, such as hydrogen peroxide vapor, in a multi-component vapor, such as a mixture of vapor hydrogen peroxide and water supplied to a chamber (12) of the system. The sensor preferably uses a wavelength range in which hydrogen peroxide strongly absorbs but other components of the vapor, such as water, do not. A suitable wavelength for detection of hydrogen peroxide is from about 7500 to about 8400 nm, since there is little absorption by water in this range. This avoids the need to use complex subtraction procedures normally used to remove the contribution of water from detected absorbance measurements. A control system (16, 30) controls operating conditions of the sterilization system, such as a heater (82), pressure release valves (74), vaporization rate of hydrogen peroxide by a vaporizer (22), and the like to maintain optimum sterilization conditions within the chamber.

Abstract: A fixture for holding a valve assembly in an automated washing system, wherein the valve assembly is movable between an opened position and a normally closed position. The fixture is comprised of first and second housing sections that are releaseably attachable to each other. The housing sections define an internal cavity that is dimensioned to hold the valve assembly in an opened position. A fluid inlet is in communication with the chamber, and is attachable to a source of an anti-microbial fluid in the washing system. A fluid outlet communicates with the chamber to allow the anti-microbial fluid to exit the fixture.

Abstract: A lighting system (10) suited to use in an operating theater includes one or more lightheads (14, 16), and an ambient lighting system (28) having one or more light emitting components (60). The light emitting components are mounted within a canopy assembly (49) of the lighthead and arranged around a central support hub (33) to provide even illumination throughout the room. The canopy assembly includes a canopy and a canopy extension (70, 70?), which is removably mounted to the canopy, allowing the ambient lighting system to be retrofitted to an existing lighting system.

Abstract: A lighting system (10) suited to use in an operating theater includes one or more lightheads, each having a housing (28) and a bezel (50) extending therefrom. A light source (38) is disposed within the housing. A handle (36) extends below the bezel and is rotatable relative thereto. A lighting control input means (60), associated with the bezel allows adjustment of the intensity of light emitted by the light source. A sterile cover (54) can be placed over both the handle and the bevel, allowing the input means to be manipulated by pressure on the cover with the thumb of the operator's hand, while simultaneously grasping the handle in the palm and fingers.

Abstract: A chemical concentration detecting system for determining the relative concentrations of a multiple component chemical solution. The multi-component solution is preferably comprised of an antimicrobial chemical and a base fluid that acts as a diluent for the antimicrobial chemical, or as a vehicle or carrier for the antimicrobial chemical. A capacitor is exposed to the decontamination solution, wherein the decontamination solution acts as the dielectric between the plates of the capacitor. Permittivity of the dielectric is affected by the relative concentrations of the components, and thus a measurement of the capacitance is used to determine the relative concentration levels of the components in the solution.

Abstract: A medical suspension system (10) includes a ceiling plate (30) configured for mounting to a support structure (16). The ceiling plate supports a device (12), such as a lighthead or video monitor, which is mounted to the ceiling plate via an articulated arm (50) and a spindle (40), which is centrally mounted to the ceiling plate. A second device (14) is mounted to the ceiling plate, not through the spindle (40), in the conventional manner, but via an adapter plate (62), which is mounted directly to the ceiling plate. This increases the number of devices which are readily carried by the support structure without extending the spindle length which conventionally occurs when additional hubs are added to the main spindle.