Abstract: A particularly useful method is disclosed for sterilizing micro-isolators in which a sipper bottle is contained. In the present invention, sterilization is effected by using a microprocessor control to regulate the pressure within a sterilization chamber in response to temperature conditions. Pressure within the chamber is regulated so that as temperature is raised and lowered, the boiling point of water in the sipper bottle is never exceeded. Prior to sterilization, the chamber is evacuated of air to permit effective distribution of steam. Subsequent to sterilization, the chamber is again evacuated in order to evaporate condensed steam that covers the micro-isolator and its contents. During each of these evacuations, the microprocessor control regulates the rate of vacuum draw down so that the boiling point of water in the sipper bottle is again not exceeded. This method permits micro-isolators to be sterilized with sipper bottles full of water, without losing a significant volume of water.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing bone grafts, such as human spongiosa grafts, includes a container for receiving the bone graft together with a quantity of sterile liquid sufficient to cover the bone graft. A penetrable self-sealing closure member is provided for closing the container, whereupon the container is initially heated at a given sterilizing temperature for a constant first period of time, and is subsequently heated for a variable second period of time, the duration of which is a function of the size of the bone graft. The container is then cooled to room temperature, and a transfer tube arrangement inserted at one end through the closure member to transfer the liquid within the first container to a second container. The sterilized bone graft remaining in the first container is frozen, and the liquid in the second container is analyzed for infectious diseases.

Abstract: A modular sterilization tray system for medical instruments comprises a rigid, substantially rectangular case having a pair of opposite side walls, a pair of opposite end walls and a bottom wall. A plurality of vertical columns of vertically spaced apart uniform size holes are formed in the case side walls and end walls. Also, one or more substantially rectilinear instrument trays are provided for placement in the case, the length and width dimensions of each of the trays being directly related to the spacing of the columns of holes in the case side and end walls such that one or more trays may be positioned within the case so as to be bracketed by selected columns of holes. The system also includes fixtures for positioning in selected holes of the bracketing columns of holes for fixing the position of one or more trays at a selected elevation in the case.

Abstract: A gas-holding sludge digester is disclosed having a sideskirt which telescopes in a liquid chamber which is separate from a main digester tank and wherein the ballast is structured to increase gas pressure of the gas contained within the cover as the sideskirt telescopes upward.

Abstract: A cassette for holding instruments, such as medical and dental instruments, through cleaning, sterilization, storage and use cycles, comprises a tray member having a bottom wall and a pair of opposite side walls, at least two clamping members fixed to the bottom wall extending transversely between the side walls, and at least one clip member releasably securable to the tray side walls for overlying and clamping the instruments against the clamping members so as to remain exposed. A method for using the instrument cassette comprises placing the cassette containing the instruments in an ultrasonic cleaning device, preferably after hand-scrubbing the instruments which have been arranged and secured within the cassette, and then sterilizing the instruments in the cassette.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a perfumed stable gel comprised of a unique combination of a chemical components. The stable gel can be maintained at temperatures of from about 125.degree. F. to about 150.degree. F. and has a perfume content of from about 70.0% to about 85.0% by weight of the composition. The perfumed stable gel also comprises a surfactant, a soap, an odorless glycol, water, a preservative and optional components, such as dyes, inert filler materials, and ethanol or odorless mineral spirits. The perfumed stable gel may be retained in a disposable deodorant container which is adapted for use with various deodorant dispensers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser (10) for use with an automatic floor scrubbing machine (75), and a method for cleaning a floor. The dispenser (10) has a solid chemical (13) which is dissolved by water spray from a spray nozzle (21). The detergent solution is then directed by a conduit (25) to a scrub brush (85). A water reservoir (83) provides water for the detergent solution, and a valve (38) directs water to a rinse conduit (37) for rinsing of the floor. After cleaning, the dirty water or detergent solution is carried through conduit (36) to a recovery tank (84).

Abstract: In a device for selectively cleaning, disinfecting and maintaining medical or dental instruments, particularly tool holders, with a washing container to accommodate at least one instrument and with an ultrasonic cleaning device with an ultrasonic exciter which is arranged on the washing container, the washing container has a cross-sectional shape, preferably a horizontal cross-sectional shape, which deviates from a rectangular or square cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: An alkali metal iodide and phosphoric acid are homogeneously supported on an activated carbon honeycomb, in respective amounts of 0.015 to 1.5 mg atoms as iodine and 1.4 to 7.0 mg equivalents per gram of activated carbon. The alkali metal iodide is potassium iodide. When both the chemicals are supported on activated carbon in amounts respectively within the above ranges, homogeneous supporting of phosphoric acid with the alkali metal iodide becomes possible without causing any decrease in adsorption and elimination capacities. A number of malodorous and harmful components such as nitrogen-containing compounds and sulfur-containing compounds can be efficiently removed with one kind of activated carbon over a long period of time. The activated carbon adsorbent thus obtained can be used for various deodorization purposes and in exhaust gas treatment, and is particularly suited for use in toilet deodorization and in gas treatment in closed spaces, for example in refrigerators.

Abstract: A portable, convertible apparatus for creating either a negative pressure or a positive pressure in and filtering the air in a room, the apparatus comprising a housing having upper and lower ends. The housing defines an air flow path between the upper and lower ends and contains, within the air flow path, a HEPA filter and a fan. A dome-shaped inlet grille is mounted on the upper end of the housing, and a cylindrical outlet grille is mounted on the lower end of the housing. The apparatus also includes an annular cover for the outlet grille, which cover is adapted to communicate with the exterior of the room, and a dome-shaped cover for the inlet grille, which cover is adapted to communicate with the exterior of the room. The apparatus creates a negative pressure in the room when the annular cover is placed over the outlet grille and the dome-shaped cover is removed, and creates a positive pressure in the room when the annular cover is removed and the dome-shaped cover is placed over the inlet grille.

Abstract: In a correlated two-dimensional gas chromatography system, it is necessary to "pair" peaks from one chromatogram with respective peaks of another chromatogram. Both peaks of a pair should correspond to the same sample component. The present invention provides for confirmation/disconfirmation of pairs that may be speculative or arbitrary. A hybrid chromatographic column is designed so that the retention time of a sample component is the average of the retention times of that component in the two independent columns. Thus, a peak location in the hybrid chromatogram can be calculated for each pair of peaks. The absence of a peak at that location or the inconsistency of the area of a peak at that location disconfirms the pairing. The invention also provides for higher dimensional systems and for other separation technologies.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for sequestering carbon dioxide by combining sub-cooled carbon dioxide gas phase and liquid water (fresh or salt) in a reactor to form carbon dioxide clathrates in a continuous process at pressures from 3 to 20 atmospheres. The seawater feed for the clathrate reactor is pumped to the surface from a depth of approximately 1000 meters. A slip stream of the reactor feed water is used to pre-cool the carbon dioxide gases. The pre-cooled gaseous, or liquid carbon dioxide and the reactor surfaces are then sub-cooled by refrigeration to temperatures of -40.degree. C. to 0.degree. C., which is typically only 5.degree. to 45.degree. C. below ambient sea water temperatures at depths of 1000 meters. Forming clathrates in this manner is considerably less energy-intensive than CO.sub.2 compression and liquefaction at high pressures.

Abstract: Various kinds of used and potentially infectious medical articles such as injection needles are first crushed into pieces to such an extent that the shape of the articles can not be visually identified. Subsequently, the crushed medical articles and particulate absorbent are introduced into a mixer and mixed and heated therein to a temperature above 180.degree. C. by use of a heater in combination with frictional heat generated as the mixer blade is rotated, whereby the crushed infectious medical waste articles are completely sterilized. The particulate absorbent serves to absorb any unpleasant odor or toxic gas which is generated from the crushed infectious medical articles during heating. In such manner, sterilization of the crushed infectious medical appliances and absorption of the toxic gas can simultaneously be achieved, and moreover, the resultant sterile admixture can be used as an aggregate for construction material such as concrete.

Abstract: Certain amidoamines, the use of same for disinfecting and cleaning contact lenses and preserving ophthalmic products, and associated ophthalmic compositions are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser 10 for a solid chemical 13 and a method of dispensing the chemical 13. Water enters via an inlet line 22 and is sprayed from a spray nozzle 21, so that the solid chemical 13 is dispensed in the form of an aqueous chemical solution via outlet line 17. The solution's concentration is adjustable by varying the distance between the spray nozzle 21 and the exposed dissolving surface of the chemical 13. A pair of cam members 50, 51 adjust the vertical position of the solid chemical 13 with respect to the spray nozzle 21. In a preferred embodiment, a visual indication of the concentration settings is provided, with the concentration settings corresponding to the nozzle-to-eroding surface distance.

Abstract: A work locating method for an automatic exposing apparatus is provided.

Abstract: Ophthalmic compositions, such as those used to care for contact lenses, methods of preserving such compositions, and methods for disinfecting contact lenses using such compositions are disclosed. The compositions may comprise an ophthalmically acceptable, liquid aqueous medium and, included therein, an effective preserving or disinfecting amount of grapefruit seed extract.

Abstract: A reactor provided with a gas-safety device/module therefor comprises (i) a reaction vessel having an open upper end, (ii) demisting means engaging and at least partially closing off the open upper end of such reaction vessel, and situated to traverse the path of direction of a gas stream, e.g., hydrogen, evolving from a reaction conducted within such reaction vessel, and (iii) inlet means intermediate such open upper end of the reaction vessel and the demisting means (ii) for charging a stream of air into the reaction vessel, such inlet means (iii) being adopted to charge an amount of air into the reaction vessel such as to maintain the composition of any air/evolved gas mixture below the ignition/explosive limits thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for transporting a sample of body fluid such as blood from a first location to a remote test site location. The apparatus operates in conjunction with a fluid manifold module which has a first sample input port, a second washing fluid input port and a third input port for receiving air. There are tubes coupled to said first, second and third input ports which are coupled together and coupled to a sample output line which extends from the first location to the remote location. The manifold contains check valves with one valve for blood and one valve for washing fluid and a diaphragm pump for air. There are logic controls which selectively operate the valves and pump to allow the sample line to receive a sample separated by air barriers from washing fluid solution. In this manner, a predetermined volume of sample is transported from the first location to the remote test site location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the oxidation of organic compounds in a non-uniform fluidized solid catalyst reaction system characterized in that a temperature profile is maintained in the reaction system such that a predominance of the oxidation occurs in a higher temperature zone, unreacted organic compound is adsorbed on the catalyst surface in a lower temperature zone, direct back-circulation of catalyst is restricted between zones and catalyst containing adsorbed organic compound is circulated from the lower temperature zone to the higher temperature zone.