Abstract: A mechanical bioreactor for transferring vibrations to cell cultures for the purpose of stimulating various biological processes across a relatively large (relative to the amplitude of the vibrations) sample receiving surface. This bioreactor allows multiple samples to receive identical stimulation, which may enable the process to be significantly scaled up. The invention may be particularly applicable to nanoscale vibration amplitudes, where it is non-trivial to design a device that performs this function, because many materials exhibit natural deformation on a scale that would mask or inhibit transfer of nanoscale vibration energy.

Abstract: Methods and lighting systems to deactivating deactivate MRSA bacteria in a volumetric space over a period of time. At least one lighting element of each of one or more lighting fixtures provide light. The light includes a first disinfecting light having a wavelength of about 405 nm and a minimum integrated irradiance of 0.01 mW/cm2, and a second component having a wavelength of greater than 420 nm. The one or more lighting elements of the one or more lighting fixtures apply a determined total radiometric power to produce a desired power density measured at any exposed surface within the volumetric space during the period of time. The minimum power density includes a minimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light equal to 0.01 mW/cm2.

Abstract: An air treatment unit has: a) a frame; b) a source of UV light that is configured to disinfect air, the frame configured to be mounted in an operative position within a space in which air is to be disinfected, the frame configured to allow air from a duct through which air is forced into the space to be directed in a manner that expelled air from the duct is caused to be disinfected by UV light from the source of UV light with the frame and source of UV light each operatively positioned; and c) an air moving assembly that causes air within the space to be directed into a volume that has UV light rays from the source of UV light therein capable of disinfecting air.

Abstract: A cartridge reader is configured to carry out a diagnostic test on a fluid sample contained within a fluidic cartridge. The cartridge comprises first, second and third collapsible blisters containing at least one reagent for use in the diagnostic test. The cartridge reader comprises an upper clamp, occupying a fixed position relative to the reader and a lower clamp, movable relative to the upper clamp, and wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp are configured to receive and hold a fluidic cartridge therebetween. First, second and third blister actuators are mounted on the upper clamp, for aligning with first, second and third collapsible blisters of a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader.

Abstract: A nitric oxide delivery system can include a cassette which is a single use disposable component used to store liquid N2O4, activate upon operator demand, convert N2O4 to NO2 via a heating element(s) controlled by a console to deliver NO2 at a controlled flow rate, direct concentrated NO2 to a contained pair of conversion cartridges and exhaust NO gas to the console for delivery to the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses, systems, and methods for performing electroporation.

Abstract: A low-power system for cleaning an underwater object, comprising an autonomous vehicle configured to move along a surface of an underwater object to be cleaned, the autonomous vehicle including a cleaning device. The cleaning device is configured to remove biofouling from the surface of the underwater object. The autonomous vehicle further includes a variable buoyancy mechanism configured to control a buoyancy of the autonomous vehicle, such that the autonomous vehicle moves up and/or down an underwater object.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for generating non-thermal plasma which can form reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as those used to neutralize bacteria and other pathogens in the air and surrounding area. Also disclosed are apparatuses and methods for neutralizing bacteria and other pathogens using ROS generated through the use of non-thermal plasma. Also disclosed are apparatuses and methods for generating ROS. Also disclosed are apparatuses and methods for treating air and nearby surfaces.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing a concentrated composition and a diluent. The diluent is contained in a large container, and the concentrated composition is contained in a small container that is positioned within the large container. The combined containers are placed in at least one sealing layer that is hermetically sealed, and is also preferably placed in a second sealing layer that is also hermetically sealed. The bagged container is then placed in a carton, which preferably has a liner, and the carton is closed. The carton is then irradiation sterilized. The carton is delivered to the clean room. At a first staging area, the carton is opened and the bagged container is removed and brought to a second staging area. At the second staging area, the second sealing layer is removed and the container can be stored in the first sealing layer. The container is brought into the clean environment, where the first sealing layer is removed.

Abstract: A multifunctional air purifying device for removing indoor pollution by a thermal decomposition method comprises an air treatment unit and an air collection heater. The air collection heater is provided with an infrared lamp tube and an ultraviolet lamp tube. An annular water tank is arranged on an inner side of the upper part of the air treatment unit. A filter screen runs through the annular water tank and is connected with an air cap, and a fan is provided at a joint between the filter screen and the air cap. The filter screen includes an early effect filter screen, a HEPA filter screen, an activated carbon filter screen and a cold catalyst filter arranged in that order from a bottom to a top. A humidifier connects the annular sink and a nozzle located at an exhaust port.

Abstract: A hot-water immersion sanitizing system has a primary basin for receiving an unsanitary tool or machine component; a thermostatically-controlled valve with a first temperature setpoint, configured to conduct water from a hot water water source to the primary basin until a thermocouple senses a temperature within the primary basin has reached at least the first temperature setpoint, to interrupt flow to the primary basin upon the thermocouple sensing at least the first temperature setpoint; and an overflow drain to exhaust water while the thermostatically-controlled valve is open; thereby automatically maintaining temperature of water held in the primary basin for immersion sanitizing tools and parts at a water temperature of the first temperature setpoint or greater while automatically selectively interrupting flow of water from the water source under thermostatic control.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing a load in a sterilization chamber according to specific characteristics of the load without direct measurement of the load conditions. The apparatus preferably admits sterilant gas into the sterilization chamber under vacuum; during admission of the sterilant gas, the apparatus monitors a sterilant condensation related parameter or data in the sterilization chamber. The apparatus detects the occurrence of condensation and determining a value of the condensation related parameter while detecting condensation and, selects a sterilization cycle among a plurality of predetermined sterilization cycles according to the condensation related data. The apparatus then performs the selected sterilization cycle for sterilizing the load. The condensation related data may be the sterilant dew point, a degree of condensation, or an amount of condensation which may be determined in monitoring the chamber pressure during sterilant gas admission.

Abstract: A wall mountable essential oil diffuser. The wall mountable essential oil diffuser includes a housing and a wall dock. The wall dock is configured to attach to a surface and releasably receive at least a portion of the housing. The wall mountable essential oil diffuser also includes an aperture, where the aperture is configured to receive an essential oil container and a fan, where the fan is configured to move air through the aperture and into the essential oil container. The wall mountable essential oil diffuser further includes an outlet, where the outlet is configured to receive a mixture of air and vaporized essential oil and allow the mixture to exit the housing and a switch, where the switch is configured to allow a user to turn on and off the fan.

Abstract: The apparatus herein relates to the large-scale production of photosynthetic microorganisms, especially algae. More particularly it relates to control of large size aqueous photosynthetic bioreactor systems to obtain such products from many microbial strains, which have heretofore only been cultured in laboratory environments in small containers.

Abstract: A system includes a radiation containment chamber, an isolator connected to the radiation containment chamber, a rotating transfer door positioned between the radiation containment chamber and the isolator, and an antimicrobial vapor generator connected to the isolator. The rotating transfer door includes a cavity for receiving a radionuclide generator column assembly, and is rotatable between a first position, in which the cavity is open to the radiation containment chamber, and a second position, in which the cavity is open to the isolator. The transfer door is adapted to rotate while antimicrobial vapor is introduced into the isolator by the antimicrobial vapor generator.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for the cleaning of an endotracheal tube while a patient is being supported by a ventilator connected to the endotracheal tube for the purpose of increasing the available space for airflow or to prevent the build up of materials that may constrict airflow or be a potential nidus for infection. In one embodiment, a mechanically-actuated endotracheal tube cleaning device is configured to removably receive a visualization member to provide cleaning of the endotracheal tube under direct visualization.

Abstract: A method for determining the bacterial charge in a liquid or semi-liquid product, including: preparing a quantity of liquid or semi-liquid product to be analyzed; keeping that quantity of liquid or semi-liquid product at a preset measuring temperature (Tm) and deriving values (?) representing an angle of electrical impedance of the liquid or semi-liquid product at predetermined time instants; deriving an indication of the presence of a bacterial charge in the liquid or semi-liquid product as a function of the time trend of the values (?) representing the angle of the electrical impedance.

Abstract: A testing method is disclosed. The testing method includes: providing a mixture solution of a gelling agent and a microbe to a gelling device; solidifying the mixture solution to form a solid thin film in which the microbe is immobilized; supplying a bioactive agent to the solid thin film and allowing the bioactive agent to diffuse into the solid thin film; and imaging the individual responses of the single microbial cells to the bioactive agent, and determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the bioactive agent based on the analysis of the images to obtain AST results.

Abstract: According to one implementation an assembly is provided that includes an end emitting optical that is configured to end emit bacterial disinfecting light. A portion of the length of the end emitting optical fiber resides in a lumen of a body. The body has an internal disinfecting target area. The end emitted bacterial disinfecting light is configured to impinge on one or more surfaces disposed on or in the body, the one or more surfaces being configured to alter the trajectory of the bacterial disinfecting light so that the bacterial disinfecting light is directed toward the disinfecting target area via a designated disinfecting light pathway.

Abstract: A culture system comprises: a preparatory culture vessel and a main culture vessel that accommodate cells and a solution; a main stage that holds the preparatory culture vessel and the main culture vessel; a connecting tube that connects the culture vessels; a valve that opens and closes the connecting tube; and a rotating mechanism that rotates the main stage and imparts a height difference between the culture vessels to transfer the cells and solution by dropping between the culture vessels.