Abstract: Three traveling blocks confined to rectilinear paths are propelled to and fro in those paths in coordinated programs of motion by program-controlled motors. A leg member for each of said blocks is flexibly connected at one of its ends to its respective traveling block. The three legs are flexibly interconnected at locations on the legs away from the blocks. The three legs combine the programmed rectilinear movements of the blocks to produce a corresponding programmed three-dimensional movement of a tool carried by one of said legs.

Abstract: A one-step process for sterilizing a contact lens using an aqueous solution of a sterilant which may be a peroxygen disinfectant, an inorganic hypochlorite compound or a hypochlorite precursor compound. The process involves the step of contacting the lens with a solution containing a sterilant (e.g. hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, etc.) and activated carbon for a period of time to effect sterilization of the lens and to decompose substantially all of any sterilant remaining after sterilization of the lens to ophthalmologically innocuous by-products. The activated carbon has a surface area in excess of about 500 m.sup.2 /g and a pore volume of at least about 0.75 ml/g.

Abstract: A sterilization system attachable to an autoclave or in the form of a free-standing auxiliary unit adapted to receive cassette sterilization containers for causing a high volume of air heated to an effective drying temperature to flow into said chamber at a high air flow rate. A control effective to open a valve when the unit for supplying heated air is operating and to close the valve when the unit is not operating. A device for supporting medical or dental instruments during sterilization is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing products to remove biological contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, yeasts, molds, mycoplasmas and parasites is disclosed. The method involves providing the product in a form that contains less than 20% solids and subsequently irradiating the product with gamma irradiation over an extended period of time. Generally the product is irradiated for a period of not less than 10 hours. The extended irradiation time in conjunction with the low level of solids in the product substantially reduces the damage to the product. The method is useful in sterilizing sensitive materials such as blood and blood components.

Abstract: Medical equipment for use in for example measurement of hematocrit and oxygen saturation in blood in which a connector portion includes protuberances to draw the portion relatively toward a probe, a window to cooperate with the probe, and a ramp and slot to cooperate with the probe to selectively limit its rotation.

Abstract: Medical waste products including plastic and non-plastic elements are placed in a metal container which includes a raised insert element for supporting the waste above the bottom of the container. The container and used medical waste products are subjected to dry heat treatment at temperatures below the waste material flash points but of sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to melt the plastic elements as well as to sterilize the contents. During the heating process the metal, rubber and other non-plastic elements remain on the raised insert; whereas, the molten plastic flows through or over the side of the insert to the bottom of the container. Upon cooling the plastic and non-plastic components of the medical waste products are separated as well as being sterile such that the container can be opened and the contents separately handled for appropriate recycling.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring particulate concentrations. The system includes a substantially planar, peripherally supported filter for capturing the particulates, an oscillator for oscillating the filter substantially perpendicular to its planar surface, and a sensor for measuring the frequency of oscillation.

Abstract: An absolute gravity inline measuring apparatus includes an interferometer arrangement, a test mass tracking system, and a superspring mechanism. The interferometer arrangement includes first and second beam splitters for respective splitting and recombining a laser light beam and upper and lower cornercube retroreflectors facing toward one another and spaced above and below the first beam splitter so as to reflect one split portion of the laser beam in vertically-aligned upper gravity measuring and lower motion compensating portions of a variable leg of the interferometer light beam path. The test mass tracking system includes a cart vertically movably in an evacuated elongated housing and releasably supporting a test mass in a drag-free enclosure. The test mass incorporates the upper retroreflector of the variable leg of the interferometer light beam path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for disposing of infectious waste. A decontamination chamber decontaminates the waste by dry heat sterilization, and a compactor reduces the volume of the waste subsequent to decontamination in the decontamination chamber. A robot assembly is mounted between the decontamination chamber and the compactor for automatically retrieving the waste from the decontamination chamber upon being decontaminated, and for transporting the waste to the compactor for volume reduction prior to disposal.

Abstract: Non-ozone depleting sterilant compositions made of ethylene oxide and 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane. These compositions provide good sterilization characteristics, and are compatible with contemporary environmental concerns. One preferred aspect of the invention is a sterilant mixture comprising from about 20 mole percent to about 35 mole percent ethylene oxide and from about 65 mole percent to about 80 mole percent HFC-227 ea. Compositions comprising from about 25 mole percent to about 30 mole percent ethylene oxide and from about 70 mole percent to about 75 mole percent HFC-227 ea are preferred, with a composition comprising about 27 mole percent ethylene oxide and about 73 mole percent HFC-227 ea being most preferred.

Abstract: An air freshener device (200) has a cartridge (100). The cartridge (100) has a housing (101) having a tray (102). A first fragrance (105) is in a first cavity (103) and a second fragrance (106) is in a second cavity (104). A fragrance diffuser (130) is operatively connected to the tray (102) and positioned over the compartments of the tray. A removable cover is operatively connected to the tray to seal the open tops of the cavities. A battery cover (116) has a first side operatively connected to the housing and a second side connected to the housing after a battery is enclosed in the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing biohazardous wastes is disclosed. Biohazardous wastes are mechanically destroyed and neutralized with radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation and high-temperature steam inside an apparatus having a pressurized neutralization chamber.

Abstract: The process for cleaning polluted solids by crushing the solids and removing the pollutants consists of mechanically fluidizing the crushed solids, through-blowing them with air and irradiating them with UV light, the air flow subsequently being subject to dust removal and irradiated with UV light again.

Abstract: A double-sided exposure apparatus with an optical registration system accurately aligns and prints a circuit pattern on both sides of a workpiece, such as a circuit board. The apparatus has a computer system in which setup parameters are entered to set the desired size of the board and accuracy of alignment. A control program of the computer directs a machine vision system to inspect the workpiece and pattern, and computes precision movements of the workpiece which compensate for any sag or other variations in the glass or board that change between off-contact and soft contact. The computer system uses fiducials on the two artworks and target holes on each board to align an artwork and the board prior to exposure. At least one inspection of the fiducials, and realignment of the workpiece, is performed after the pattern is in contact with the workpiece, to thereby compensate for workpiece warpage, variations, and sag or variations of the artwork holders.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing sparingly water-soluble salt crystal grains, including a mixing vessel in which a cationic component solution and an anionic component solution are mixed to form a precipitation process solution in which sparingly water-soluble salt grains are produced, wherein the mixing vessel is connected to a reaction chamber through a one-way valve, and the precipitation process solution is injected into the crystal growth process solution through the one-way valve immediately after mixing while stirring the crystal growth process solution.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are found in an electric discharge device comprising an envelope containing an electrode, a vaporizable material, and means for regulating the internal thermal condition so as to increase radiation output while improving the lifetime of the device. Further according to the invention, an electric discharge device is adapted to provide air sterilization in a vehicle's air conditioning system.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for measuring the concentration of gases in a medium are provided in which the radiation absorption of the gas in the medium is determined with the aid of a sample measurement and reference measurement. The medium with the gas is continuously passed through a measuring cell, and a reference medium not containing the measured gas is continuously passed through a reference cell. Both cells are alternately brought into the optical path between a lamp and a photoreceiver. The results of the absorption measurement in the measuring cell and the reference cell are divided. The concentration of a gas in a liquid, or ozone in water, can be measured by passing the liquid through an exchange material in a packed tower, through which a reference gas stream is passed in counterflow manner. An exchange of the measured gas occurs from the liquid stream to the reference gas stream.

Abstract: A plurality of workpieces are supported on a workpiece holder disposed over an opening defined in a horizontal base plate and connected to an evacuating device. A reaction chamber, which is supported on an arm of a lifting and lowering device, is vertically movable with respect to the base plate between a lowered position in which the reaction chamber defines a closed space which accommodates the workpieces therein and a lifted position in which the workpieces are exposed out of the reaction chamber. A heating device, which is supported on an arm of another lifting and lowering device, is vertically movable with respect to the base plate between a lowered position in which the heating device surrounds the reaction chamber and a lifted position in which the reaction chamber is exposed out of the heating device.

Abstract: An in-line detector system for real-time detection of impurity concentration in a flowing gas stream. In a specific aspect, the system may comprise a purifier unit for selective purification of gas from the gas stream, and an impurity addition unit for imparting a predetermined concentration of impurity to the gas stream, whereby the resulting concentration sensings of the purified gas, and the impurity-enhanced gas are usefully employed to calibrate an impurity concentration sensor, for continuous accurate sensing of impurity concentration in the flowing gas stream. The system may utilize hygrometric sensors in the case of water as a critical impurity, or surface acoustical wave (SAW) devices coated with suitable impurity-affinity coatings. The system has particular utility in monitoring low impurity concentration levels (e.g., from about 0.1 ppm to about 100 ppm) in gas streams employed in vapor-phase processes such as chemical vapor deposition in the manufacture of semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Method for disinfecting hard surfaces by treating the hard surfaces with an aqueous composition containing from 2 to 40% by weight of a sodium chlorite and from 1 to 60% by weight of at least one nitrogen-free acidic scale inhibiting agent. The composition generates chlorine dioxide in situ and also acts as a water hardness stabilizer and corrosion inhibitor.