Abstract: An electroactive material (e.g., a doped electroactive polymer, or an intercalcated carbon/graphite fiber) responsive to the concentration of a chemical component is used to sense the concentration of the chemical component inside a chamber. The conductivity, or other electrical property of the electroactive material, varies in response to the exposure to the chemical component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the concentration of metal cations in a chemical solution. In a preferred embodiment, the chemical solution is a solution for derouging or passivating stainless steel. A capacitive sensor provides data indicative of the concentration of chemical components (e.g., iron or chromium) in the chemical solution.

Abstract: A system for equalizing pressure in a washing chamber in response to changes in pressure inside washing chamber. Gate elements are operable between open and closed positions to regulate pressure conditions inside the washing chamber.

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 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 portable, radiation-producing apparatus is provided that can produce highly energetic electron beam radiation and X-rays from a low voltage power source., e.g., a battery. The radiation-producing apparatus is comprised of a radiation generating device, a pulsed high voltage generator and a control system. The pulsed high voltage generator is comprised of a power source and a Tesla resonant transformer. The Tesla resonant transformer has at least one first capacitor, a primary coil, a secondary coil and at least one second capacitor. The at least one second capacitor is disposed axially within the secondary coil. The pulsed high voltage generator is connected to the radiation generating device for providing electrical energy to the radiation generating device. The control system is connected to the pulsed high voltage generator for selectively controlling the transfer of energy from the pulsed high voltage generator to the radiation generating device.

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 system capable of cleaning and disinfecting a filter. A filter element is flushed with a disinfectant solution in a direction opposite to fluid filtration. A filter integrity test checks the integrity of the filter by pressurizing the filter.

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.

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. Sets of nozzles are operated in sequence to avoid the spray jets canceling each other out. The endoscope is supported on a rack (21) which is agitated by an activation system (330). This ensures ever changing points of contact between the device and the rack so that all external surfaces are contacted by the spray. A computer control system (80) controls cleaning, decontamination, rinsing, and drying stages of a cycle, and agitation of the rack at appropriate times, which are all carried out within the chamber, obviating the need for human contact with the device during processing.

Abstract: A treatment system for treating objects (e.g., medical instruments) with ozone gas. The ozone treatment system includes a treatment tank wherein the objects are exposed to ozone. In a preferred embodiment, the ozone is generated within the treatment tank by exposing an oxygen-containing gas to ultraviolet radiation produced by a laser.

Abstract: A portable cart for use in a washing chamber for organizing and supporting articles to be washed. The cart is comprised of a generally rectangular, open frame structure comprised of a plurality of elongated structural members. A plurality of the structural members have apertures formed therein. Two planar panels are attached to the frame. The panels are spaced apart and have a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. A plurality of elongated rods are attached to and extend between the panels and are attached to the apertures. The rods define article support areas within the frame structure. One or more support elements are mounted through the apertures in the structural members or the panels. The support elements are dimensioned to support articles. Coasters at one end of the frame member allow rolling movement of the frame member.

Abstract: A system for injecting liquid hydrogen peroxide using a closed-loop flow control for controlling the injection rate of the liquid hydrogen peroxide. An injection rate is determined from measuring the rotational speed of a pump motor. If the determined injection rate varies from the desired injection rate, the speed of the pump motor is modified. Pulse width modulation (PWM) is used to control the pump motor speed.

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 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: When microbial contamination is introduced into a room (20*) of an enclosure, such as a building, an HVAC system including supply ductwork (16) and a return ductwork (34) is decontaminated with hydrogen peroxide vapor. A decontamination controller (46) operates controllable baffles (22) at outlet registers (20), temporary controllable baffles (44) at inlet registers (30), and a blower system (10) to circulate hydrogen peroxide vapor from hydrogen peroxide vapor generators (42) through the ductwork in both forward and reverse directions. Further, at least portions of the baffles are closed to create dwell times in which the hydrogen peroxide vapor resides in the ductwork with minimal or turbulent flow.

Abstract: A joint (52) for connecting arm portions (40, 42) of a ceiling or wall mounted support system includes housing members (60,62) with an annular bearing (64) interposed between opposed surfaces (82,84) thereof. The housing members are clamped together on an axle (98) such that a braking force generated between the bearing and the housing member surfaces opposes rotation of one arm portion relative to the other. A variable braking force is generated between the bearing and surfaces (206) of the housing members which are generally perpendicular to the opposed surfaces (82,84). The variable braking force is generated by a spring (182) and is greatest when the arm supporting a piece of equipment (24, 26, 28, 56) is at its lowest point, relative to the horizontal. This overcomes the increased forces in the spring which otherwise tend to cause the arm portion (42) to drift upward.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in a liquid or gaseous fluid. A capacitor is exposed to the fluid, wherein the fluid acts as the dielectric between the conductors of the capacitor. The permittivity and dielectric constant associated with the fluid is affected by the relative concentrations of the chemical components comprising the fluid. A measurement of the capacitance is used to determine the relative concentration levels of the chemical components in the fluid. In an alternative embodiment, a resistor, and associated resistance values, are used to determine the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in a liquid or gaseous fluid.

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 chemical concentration detecting system for determining the relative concentration of a chemical component in a gas mixture. The gas mixture may include chemical components that are antimicrobial chemicals, as well as chemical components that are base chemicals, acting as a diluent for the antimicrobial chemical, or as a vehicle or carrier for the antimicrobial chemical. A capacitor is exposed to the gas mixture, wherein the gas mixture acts as a dielectric 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 relative concentration levels of the chemical components in the gas mixture.