Abstract: The present invention relates to a bioreactor for sewage and wastewater treatment, which is capable of agitating and supplying oxygen simultaneously. A bioreactor of the present invention, comprises a culture drum in which microorganisms are cultured; a supplier for supplying a culture solution, and organic and inorganic media to the culture drum, the supplier including a supply tube connected to an upper side of the culture drum, and a pump connected to the supply tube for supplying the culture solution to the culture drum; an agitator for agitating the culture solution by spraying air into the culture solution in the culture drum, the air being supplied from an air blower; and a thermostatic controller for controlling a temperature of the culture solution and disinfecting the interior of the culture drum.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing a site or contained volume includes providing an aqueous biocide solution containing a biocide agent such as hydrogen peroxide. A mist of reactive biocide droplets is generated by atomization at ambient pressure from the biocide solution and a flow of carrier medium or air is provided in communication with the mist. The flow of carrier medium is controlled to generate a biocide mist comprising a concentration of stable mist droplets within the carrier medium. By controlling aersolization, extraction and delivery of the stable mist droplets, a sufficient portion of the stable mist droplets for a sterilizing treatment of a designated site do not coalesce prior to treatment interaction with the treatment site. The process of formation, stabilization and extraction are done in-situ so that droplets do not coalesce during transport.

Abstract: The invention provides an incubator 1 wherein a microplate transport device 5 is disposed inside a chamber 11 centrally thereof. The transport device 5 comprises a transport table 50 for placing a microplate thereon and is capable of driving the table 50 along the directions of three axes, i.e., X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis. A plurality of stackers 3 are arranged in the direction of Y-axis at each of opposite sides of the transport device 5 along the direction of X-axis. Each of the stackers 3 has a plurality of microplate accommodating portions arranged in the direction of Z-axis. The microplate is movable into or out of the desired accommodating portion by the transport device 5.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lanthanide-halide based humidity indicator and method of producing such indicator. The color of the present invention indicates the humidity of an atmosphere to which it is exposed. For example, impregnating an adsorbent support such as silica gel with an aqueous solution of the europium-containing reagent solution described herein, and dehydrating the support to dryness forms a substance with a yellow color. When this substance is exposed to a humid atmosphere the water vapor from the air is adsorbed into the coating on the pore surface of the silica gel. As the water content of the coating increases, the visual color of the coated silica gel changes from yellow to white. The color change is due to the water combining with the lanthanide-halide complex on the pores of the gel.

Abstract: Method for the detection and enumeration of viable microorganisms. A liquid that comprises one or more markers incorporated in a liquid sol-gel precursor, is provided. A transparent slide is coated with a thin uniform layer of the liquid sol-gel precursor composition. The microorganisms are separated from liquid sample to be analyzed by passing the sample through a filter, and then bringing the filter into close contact with the sol-gel coated slide. The filter is co-incubated with the sol-gel coated slide for a period of time and at a temperature suitable to promote uptake of the markers by the microorganisms. The gel-coated slide irradiated with an external energy source, so as to generate detectable signals emitted from the markers uptaken by the microorganisms. Image of the detectable signals emitted from the microorganisms are acquired, and analyzed using a computer system, in order to provide the identification and enumeration of the microorganisms.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting anthrax or other pathogens are disclosed. Individual self-contained monitoring devices of a monitoring system can be portable or stationary (e.g. installed in air ducts or plumbing of buildings) and can be part of a network of devices. Monitoring devices may be used for the detection of a variety of airborne or surface pathogens, including but not limited to anthrax, smallpox, and Salmonella. Bioamplification-coupled proteomics assays provide rapid and reliable detection of pathogens, with self-checking capabilities reducing or eliminating false positives and false negatives. Sample preservation capability allows pathogen samples to be preserved after detection for further testing. The device of the invention can be remotely operated by minimally trained technicians or security personnel.

Abstract: A small, portable tabletop type burning apparatus for burning an aroma producing combustible material in a manner to produce soothing plumes of smoke for inhalation by the user.

Abstract: A sterilization container holds instruments during a sterilization process. It has an enclosure with an opening into the enclosure and an adapter at the opening. Various inserts such as semi-permeable filters and blocking plates may be placed into the adapter.

Abstract: A system provides for high level disinfection or sterilization of an endoscope having a first portion adapted for immersion and a second portion not adapted for immersion. The system includes a container having a first basin sized and adapted to receive the first portion of the endoscope for immersion, a separate and adjacent second basin sized and adapted to receive the second portion of the endoscope, a wall between the first basing and the second basin, and a trough in an upper portion of the wall between the first basin and second basin through which a tube connecting the first portion of the endoscope and the second portion of the endoscope may extend.

Abstract: A fertilization and culture container, e.g. for intravaginal use, comprises a container body having an orifice for introducing a culture medium, one or more oocytes and sperm, resealable closure means for selectively opening and closing the container body orifice, the container body having a main chamber for receiving the culture medium, oocytes and sperm and a microchamber for collecting for retrieval of one or more embryos. The container body has elements for restricting access of retrieval catheter or pipette relative to the microchamber. At least a portion of a sidewall of the container body defining said microchamber is transparent and of optical quality for microscopic inspection of embryos prior to and/or during retrieval with a catheter or a pipette.

Abstract: A biological fluid disposal system having a water flow line, a biological fluid line in fluid communication with the water flow line, a disinfectant line in fluid communication with the water flow line and the biological fluid line, and a venturi connected to one of the lines for creating a suction force so as to draw a biological fluid and a disinfectant in mixed relationship through the water flow line. The venturi includes a source of water pressure connected to the water flow line such that the water flow across an opening of either the biological fluid line and disinfectant line creates the suction force. The disinfectant line is connected to the biological fluid line between the water flow line and source of biological fluid.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring and/or controlling a sterilization system. Briefly described, in architecture, the system can be implemented as follows. A current transformer is operatively associated with a source of power for a radiation source. A power meter is operatively associated with the source of power. The power meter is also operatively associated with the current transformer. The power meter is designed to monitor the source of power to confirm the radiation source provides a desired dosage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an electric toothbrush having a replaceable tuft assembly. The electric toothbrush comprises a main body, an electric motor mounted in the main body, a support member coupled to the main body, a tuft assembly which is releasably attachable to the support member and a transmission that is operatively connected to the electric motor to provide rotational motion to the tuft assembly. The support member has a first connection member and the tuft assembly has a second connection member. The first and second connection members are adapted to allow rotational motion of the tuft assembly with respect to the main body. In another aspect, the toothbrush may further comprise an adaptor that is releasably attachable to the tuft assembly and converts the rotational motion from the transmission to reciprocal rotational motion for urging the tuft assembly to reciprocally rotate.

Abstract: A sterilization container has a valve arrangement that remains open in a venting phase and is then closed before a pressure difference is compensated for at a predetermined differential pressure. The valve remains closed until the container is opened for the purpose of withdrawing and using the sterilized instruments contained therein. The valve is actuated through a snap disk arrangement, the snap disks of which vault gradually into opposite directions at predetermined temperatures, thereby effecting a defined valve control. The snap disk arrangement is provided in a thermally isolated housing, which prevents a premature back-switching of certain snap disks that could be caused by a cooling-off as a result of the evaporation of condensate.

Abstract: A device for cleaning the tip portion and the side surfaces of a probe has two or more different kinds of intermediate sheets affixed to a substrate in a side-by-side relationship with respect to each other. One of these intermediate sheets is an elastic sheet having an elastic property. Another intermediate sheet of a different kind is a plastic sheet which is less elastic. The tip portion of a probe is cleaned by a polishing layer affixed to the elastic sheet. The side surfaces of the probe are cleaned by a polishing layer affixed to the plastic sheet. A porous foamed sheet having openings on its surface and having air bubbles inside may be used as the elastic sheet. A polishing layer is formed on the surface of the foamed sheet, having a porous surface with openings corresponding to the openings on the foamed sheet. A spacer may be provided between the substrate and the plastic sheet for adjusting the heights of the polishing layers formed over the intermediate sheets.

Abstract: A method of controlling Legionella bacteria in cooling water systems is described. The method involves the heating of recirculating cooling water to temperatures of 70° C. for sufficient time to kill the bacteria. The method functions best in combination with chemical bactericides.

Abstract: A hand tool adapted to mechanically remove materials such as ice, frost, and/or snow from surfaces such as automobile window glass comprises a longitudinally-extending handle having a front end and a rear end, a scraper disposed adjacent the front end of the handle, a rear grip disposed adjacent the rear end of the handle, and a front grip disposed adjacent the front end of the handle. The rear grip is adapted to facilitate a user applying force to the scraper in a direction generally parallel to the length of the handle to move the scraper along a surface to be scraped, and the front grip is adapted to facilitate a user applying force to the scraper in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of the handle to urge the scraper against the surface to be scraped.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing various articles includes a chamber defining an airtight space and an entrance and exit. A vacuum pump is coupled to the chamber for withdrawing air therefrom which reduces the chamber air pressure. An ozone generator is coupled to the chamber for introducing ozone at atmospheric pressure therein following air withdrawal. This causes efficient diffusing of the ozone into the article for sterilizing it against anthrax. The ozone is then withdrawn into an ozone filter having a non-consumable catalyst for converting the ozone back into oxygen. The apparatus may be implemented using single or multiple chambers. In multiple chamber embodiments, a conveyor extending through water chambers may be utilized for conveying textile articles while more traditional conveyors may be utilized for mail articles.

Abstract: A vapor-dispensing device that, through a delivery system, facilitates evaporation of multiple volatizable materials into an environment. In one embodiment, a common evaporative region is utilized; in another, a controller suitably controls an aspect or characteristic of the evaporation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a height adjusting apparatus for a suction brush of an upright vacuum cleaner, by which a user can facilely adjust a gap between the suction brush and a cleaning surface. The apparatus comprises a suction brush body; a height adjusting knob rotatably disposed at a seating portion formed in the suction brush body, and having a cam curve portion formed at a part of an end of the height adjusting knob inserted into the suction brush body, the cam curve portion having a height difference between a starting point and an end point thereof and a plurality of recessed grooves formed between the starting point and the end point; a height adjusting shaft integrally formed with a rod member which is contacted with the cam curve portion and lifted up and down according to a rotational direction of the height adjusting knob; and a brush front wheel rotatably coupled to the height adjusting shaft.