Abstract: A heat exchange unit for axial and radial pseudo-isothermal reactors which comprise a substantially cylindrical shell (2) closed at the opposite ends by base plates (3, 4), a reaction zone (6) containing a catalytic bed and at least one heat exchanger (11) of the type with a plate having a variable section along the direction of the flow of operating heat exchange fluid.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for monitoring chemotaxis or chemoinvasion. The present invention further provides a flexible assay system and numerous assays that can be used to test biological interactions and systems. Laminar flow gradients are employed that mimic gradient situations present in vivo.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor for cultivating microorganisms, as well as a method for its production. The invention is characterized in that the bioreactor (1) comprises two identically constructed base elements (2,3) that are constructed in trough shape and consist of a bottom part (4) and four side parts (5) arranged on a bottom part (4) and having an inside depth T1. The base element (2,3) consists of a light permeable material. The identically constructed base elements (2,3) are arranged on each other so as to exactly cover each other. A flow guide device is arranged inside the identically constructed base elements (2,3).

Abstract: An oxygen generator comprising an oxygen generating unit including: (a) a chlorate oxygen generating candle for generating oxygen when ignited; and (b) an ignition device for igniting the candle to initiate oxygen generation from the candle. The candle is arranged during operation to sustain propagation of a plurality of burn fronts therethrough, the fronts propagating in different directions.

Abstract: A system for disinfecting a fluid containing microorganisms or chemical contaminants includes a plurality of photocatalyst surfaces secured to a solid surface upon which a fluid to be disinfected contacts. A structure for removing a portion of the photogenerated electrons is in electrical contact with the photocatalyst layer, wherein an electron-hole recombination rate involving the photogenerated electrons and holes is reduced, thus increasing the removal rate of microorganisms or chemical contaminants from the fluid. The system can include a source of photons having a wavelength corresponding to a band gap energy of the photocatalyst to illuminate the photocatalyst layer. The invention can be used in air supply registers of a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system, or in air ducts, or used to disinfect wall coverings, floor coverings, envelopes, packages, and clothing articles.

Abstract: A composting apparatus including an electric motor driven drum. The drum is provided with spaced fins on the inner surface and a supporting shaft that can include air holes to provide air within the confines of the drum. In this instance, tubes with holes are secured inside the drum and communicate with a source of air so that air passes into the tubes, and thus into the pile of composting material. The drum is provided with a sliding door that closes an opening in the drum. The door is secured at its ends for movement within a grooved mount attached onto a surface of the drum. The door is moved along a surface of the drum to open the door. The door can be held in position with a small opening or to a full open position, thus opening the entire opening in the surface of the drum.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing assays on materials, particularly biological materials, are provided. The devices and methods make use of self-sealing members, which can be applied to a flat surface to form wells to facilitate immobilization of materials on the flat surface, then removed to yield a flat surface that facilitates the performance of processes on and/or detection of the immobilized material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for carrying out biochemical processes directly on a substrate are provided. A substrate assembly includes a cartridge that removably supports a substrate in a fixed position, and a reaction containment member that is removably located on top of the substrate. The reaction containment member includes one or more cavities that form chambers directly above one or more target locations on the surface of the substrate. The chambers can be used to conduct biochemical processes directly over the substrate, as well as to perform thermal cycling of material contained inside the chamber using a heating element disposed directly on the substrate. The substrate assembly is preferably used in combination with a processing machine that dispenses materials into the chambers and that conducts biochemical reactions of materials contained within the chambers, without requiring the substrate assembly to be moved from one location to another location during the processes.

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 Biological Indicator Evaluator Resistometer (BIER vessel) provides enhancements in controlling the start and end points of exposure to a sterilant gas. The end point control employs a large volume relative to the test chamber volume upon which is drawn a deep vacuum and then exposed to the test chamber to quickly exhaust the sterilant gas from the test chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disinfection or sterilisation method. The material to be disinfected is introduced in a receptacle and the receptacle is sealed. Subsequently, the sealed receptacle is heated under a water vapour and/or radical pressure. The water vapour pressure and/or radical pressure is obtained during the heating by evaporating the water and the radicals absorbed and/or formed in a natural way at the surface of the material.

Abstract: A cartridge holder (30) for an automated endoscope reprocessor (10) is mounted on a movable rack (14). As the rack is wheeled into the chamber, a connector (164) on the cartridge holder (164) automatically makes a fluid connection with a connection port (158) within the chamber. The cartridge holder includes a base (42) and a lid (44), which is pivotally connected to the base by a hinge (110). A cartridge (40) holding a dose of a disinfectant concentrate or reagents is positioned in a well (50) defined by the base and the lid closed. Water flows through the cartridge holder via a fluid passageway (A) defined in part by the lid and in part by the hinge. The water mixes with the concentrate or reagents and the resulting disinfectant solution passes out of a lower end (205) of the cartridge into the well. The solution flows upwardly, around the cartridge, through an annular space (232) between the cartridge and the well, disinfecting the well in the process.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled and instrumented bioreactor for conditioning intravascular tissue engineered medical products. One bioreactor design including an integrated pump to provide a relatively small volume of fluid nutrient. The microprocessor control providing measurement and control of the fluid flow and tissue displacement and subsequent determination of material properties. One design includes a flexible joint providing motion of the treated tissue in the axial, bending and torsional direction.

Abstract: An evaporator, for use with a bottle containing a substance to be evaporated and a wick that has its lower portion disposed within the bottle and its upper portion protruding from the bottle, includes a housing in which the bottle is retained, a fan, disposed within the housing, for creating an airstream, and a louver structure, disposed downstream of the fan, for directing the airstream created by the fan upwardly and away from the upper portion of the wick. Preferably, the louver structure includes a plurality of louvers inclined at an angle between about 20 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to horizontal.

Abstract: A molecule introducing apparatus is provided with a power supply circuit 20 for supplying power, a step-up transformer 30 which is supplied with power from the power supply circuit 20 and which outputs a high voltage, a switching transistor 22 that blocks off and allows the supply of power from the power supply circuit 20 to the step-up transformer 30 and which generates an instantaneous high voltage, and a pair of electrode probes 50 for applying the instantaneous high voltage generated at the step-up transformer 30 to a predetermined region in a body. The molecule introducing apparatus oscillates DNA arranged outside a cell by the instantaneous high voltage so as to introduce the DNA into the cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a biocide having improved durability of its biocidal activity as well as disinfection efficiency at an initial stage, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing stabilized alkali or alkaline earth metal hypochlorite having a pH at least 11 by mixing a chlorine oxidant including alkali or alkaline earth metal hypochlorite with a stabilizer in an alkali solution; (b) preparing a bromide ion source; and (c) adding the bromide ion source prepared in step (b) into the stabilized alkali or alkaline earth metal hypochlorite prepared in step (a). Also, a method of controlling the growth of microorganisms using a biocide prepared by the method of the present invention is disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for disinfecting an item, for example, a handle for a door or a tap in a toilet facility. The apparatus includes a movable member, e.g., a door handle having a contact surface for being manually engaged to move the movable member; germicide applying means for applying germicide to the surface; and an operating mechanism coupled between the movable member and the germicide applying means and operable in response to movement of the movable member for applying germicide to the contact surface after movement of said movable member. The germicide applying means may be a pump. The operating mechanism may act to prime the pump when the door handle is turned to open the door. The germicide is sprayed over the handle after the handle is released and returns to its initial position. The return movement may be retarded.

Abstract: A method is provided for minimizing the emissions of odorous gases and neutralizing volatile fatty acids generated by anaerobic decomposition of digestible and odiferous animal waste that includes the step of adding an alkaline solution to the digestible and odiferous animal waste to at least partially neutralize volatile fatty acids present in the digestible and odiferous animal waste and applying a layer of oil and activated carbon to the surface of the waste. A system for applying the above method includes means for applying the layer of oil and activated carbon to a surface of the waste; means for injecting the alkaline solution into the waste below the layer of oil and activated carbon; means for monitoring the pH level of the waste; and means for triggering the injection of additional alkaline solution when the pH level of the waste reaches a set point.

Abstract: An improved method of altering a fluid-borne contaminant includes the steps of: providing a positive-displacement pump (21) having an inlet (22) and an outlet (23); connecting the pump inlet to a source (24) of contaminated fluid; operating the pump at a pressure ratio sufficient to elevate the pressure and temperature of the fluid and contaminants passing through the pump to alter or convert substantially all of the contaminants passing through the pump.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the detection and/or quantification of a microbial contaminant, for example, a bacterial endotoxin or a glucan, in a sample. In particular, the invention provides a test cartridge useful in the practice of hemocyte lysate-based assays for the detection and/or quantification of a microbial contaminant in a sample. In addition, the invention provides methods of making and using such cartridges. In addition, the invention provides a rapid, sensitive, multi-step kinetic hemocyte lysate-based assay for the detection and/or quantification of a microbial contaminant in a sample. In addition, the invention provides a glucan-specific lysate that can be used in a variety of assay formats, including, for example, a test cartridge, optionally configured to perform a kinetic assay.