Abstract: The invention provides a device for disinfecting and cleaning parts of persons, animals and objects which includes a plurality of sheets and a plurality of substrate layers. Each substrate layer is disposed between two sheets. Each sheet includes an adhesive layer and an antibacterial layer. A tab is arranged on each sheet. The invention can remove the dirt from a foot or paw as well as gently disinfect the foot or paw. Dirt, lint, hair, dust, and germs can be removed from the foot or paw using a gentle, antibacterial, sticky sheet on which the individual steps on.

Abstract: The present invention provides a breathing assistance apparatus that has a convenient and effective method of cleaning internal conduits inside the apparatus. The breathing assistance apparatus is preferably a gases supply and humidification device. The cleaning method is a method of disinfection that is automated so minimal training is required to disinfect in particular an internal elbow conduit within the device. It is therefore not necessary to dismantle the gases supply and humidification device, therefore, inadvertent damage to the internal parts of the device is avoided. The present invention also provides a method of disinfecting a heated breathing conduit and a patient interface.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a composting device including a housing defining an interior with an access opening providing access to the interior, a composter bin located within the interior and in communication with the access opening, and a user operated door slidably mounted to the housing and electrically powered to automatically slide along a sliding path between opened and closed position.

Abstract: Provided are mobile decontamination units and methods of using such units for decontaminating various areas, such as aircraft cabins. A mobile decontamination unit comprises at least one aerosol dispersing nozzle and at least one aerosol directing fan. The nozzle disperses disinfectant in the aerosol form, while the fan directed this aerosol to surfaces being decontaminated. Aerosol dispersing parameters, such the nozzle and fan orientations, dispersing rate, fan speed, and the like, are determined based on area characteristics. Specifically, orientations of different surfaces, temperature, humidity and/or other like characteristics may be considered. Some characteristics may be obtained by the mobile decontamination unit after its deployment in the area, such as using its sensors. Other characteristics, such as area layout, may be preloaded to the mobile decontamination unit prior to its deployment. The dispersing parameters are determined to ensure through decontamination of the surfaces in the area.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems of disinfecting medical instruments, more particularly blood glucose meters. A disinfection cradle including a flat base for positioning the cradle on a surface, the cradle having a receptacle configured to receive the diagnostic apparatus, and a UV source positioned in the receptacle that is configured to administer a disinfection cycle to the diagnostic apparatus by directing UV light outward at the diagnostic apparatus received in the receptacle, the UV light being able to act as a disinfecting agent to the disinfection cradle and diagnostic apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is an observation apparatus including: a housing that has, in a top face thereof, a transmission window on which a container accommodating cells can be placed and through which light can pass; a camera portion that is accommodated in the housing and that captures observation light coming from the cells irradiated with illumination light emitted from an illumination portion and entering the housing by passing through a bottom face of the container and the transmission window of the housing; and a housing-interior heating portion that is accommodated in the housing and that heats the cells.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for dispersing sterile water from a circulating high-purity water system to a processing field containing allograft tissue. One embodiment includes a fluid inlet that is fluidly coupled with and configured to receive sterile water from the water system. The dispersion system also includes at least first and second fluid outlets that are selectively operable to deliver respective first and second fluid streams into different areas of the processing field. At least one of the first and second fluid outlets may be associated with a regulator valve configured to provide an adjustable flowrate to conserve water pulled from the circulating water system to meet the needs of the application taking place within the processing field. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for dispersing sterile water from a circulating high-purity water system to a processing field containing allograft tissue. One embodiment includes a fluid inlet that is fluidly coupled with and configured to receive sterile water from the water system. The dispersion system also includes at least first and second fluid outlets that are selectively operable to deliver respective first and second fluid streams into different areas of the processing field. At least one of the first and second fluid outlets may be associated with a regulator valve configured to provide an adjustable flowrate to conserve water pulled from the circulating water system to meet the needs of the application taking place within the processing field. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Generally, an extraction system useful in separating an extract from a matrix using one or more extractants. Specifically, an extractor including one or more of: an extraction vessel having an extractor vessel internal surface which defines an extraction chamber which communicates between open extraction vessel first and second ends, a first piston configured to sealably engage the extractor vessel internal surface of the extraction vessel first end or a second piston adapted to sealably engage the extractor vessel internal surface of the extraction vessel second end.

Abstract: The invention discloses an automatic off-line gas-water combined-washing membrane bioreactor, comprising a PLC automation control cabinet, a MBR reactor, a MBR membrane assembly, a rotating hood, an annular guide rail, a lifting device, a washing pipe network, an external interface, a gas washing pipe, a water washing pipe, a gas pump and a water pump, wherein the gas pump, the water pump and the three-way change valve are all connected with the PLC automation control cabinet, the washing pipe network is provided with several nozzles. The present invention adopts a full PLC automation control system, the PLC automation control cabinet controls a pressure washing pump (gas pump and water pump), and gas or water is injected into the washing pipe network by flexibly adjusting the three-way change valve, so that the operation is simple, the cleaning is complete, and the manual operation load is reduced.

Abstract: A microorganism evaluation system comprising a viewing section for image acquisition, the viewing section comprising a viewing port configured to accommodate a fluid flow, at least one independently controlled imaging light source operably installed in the viewing section and configured to selectively illuminate the viewing port, and at least one independently controlled light stimulation device operably installed in the viewing section and configured to selectively emit light for invoking a motile response in a microorganism within the fluid flow in the viewing port, whereby the system synchronizes illumination of the at least one imaging light source and the at least one light stimulation device of the viewing section.

Abstract: Placement of a vascular access device (intravenous, intra-arterial and/or intra-osseous vascular access) in a non-sterile environment greatly increases the risk of infection via the vascular access device. This invention provides an approach for accomplishing sterilization of the site where vascular access will be attempted under non-sterile field conditions. In addition, this invention provides a sterile vascular connector pre-loaded with an antimicrobial, e.g., Taurolidine. Use of the vascular connector provides the antimicrobial concurrently with achieving vascular access, which limits the risk of infection despite access placement under non-sterile field conditions.

Abstract: An environmental control system includes a carbon dioxide source; a compressor downstream of the carbon dioxide source; a Sabatier reactor downstream of the compressor, wherein the Sabatier reactor reacts carbon dioxide with hydrogen to produce methane and water; a water separator downstream of the Sabatier reactor, wherein the water separator separates hydrocarbons from water, wherein the hydrocarbons include methane; a pyrolysis assembly downstream of the water separator and upstream of the compressor, wherein the pyrolysis assembly pyrolyzes methane to produce carbon and hydrogen, wherein the pyrolysis assembly includes a pre-form that adheres carbon; and an oxygen generating assembly (OGA) downstream of the water separator and upstream of the compressor, wherein the OGA converts water to hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A cap for cell culture container enclosing a culture volume and having an opening, comprising a valve arrangement, suitable for filling of the cell culture container with a fluid and/or for pumping fluid out from the cell culture container, and a compensation opening suitable for aerating the cell culture container and/or for pressure compensation during filling and pumping out, said valve arrangement being designed to be switchable between an outlet position and a blocking position, to be connectable to a fluid supply interface, and to be switchable without contact.

Abstract: Improved methods for anaerobic digestion of organic matter to produce biogas. Among the improvements given are including ferric iron in a hydrolysis reactor to increase the rate and efficiency of anaerobic hydrolysis to provide substrates for methanogenesis. A solids separation step is added after hydrolysis and before methanogenesis to improve the efficiency of the methanogenesis step. Other improvements involve using separate tanks for the hydrolysis and methanogenesis stages and using two (or more) methanogenesis tanks in sequence, and switching the order of the two (or more) methanogenesis tanks periodically.

Abstract: A flow sensing ozone converter includes an inlet housing, an outlet housing, and a central housing. The inlet housing defines a first pressure port. The outlet housing defines a second pressure port. The central housing extends between a second end of the inlet housing and a first end of the outlet housing.

Abstract: A lighting device configured to deactivate dangerous pathogens (e.g., MRSA bacteria) in an environment. The lighting device includes at least one lighting element with a single light source configured to provide light. At least a first component of the light comprising light having a wavelength of about 405 nm, and at least a second component of the light comprising light having a wavelength of greater than 420 nm. The first component of light has a minimum integrated irradiance of 0.01 mW/cm2 measured from any unshielded point in the environment that is 1.5 m from any point on any external-most luminous surface of the lighting device.

Abstract: A high efficiency ultra-violet air purification system is disclosed. The system includes an apparatus for purifying air. The apparatus includes a chamber having a hollow interior and having an inlet and an outlet, the chamber having an inner reflective surface. The apparatus further includes an ultraviolet (UV) light source mounted within the hollow interior of the chamber between the inlet and the outlet. The apparatus further includes a honeycomb structure mounted to each of the inlet and the outlet of the UV chamber, the honeycomb structure having an array of hexagonal passages that are orthogonal to the inner reflective surface of the chamber, each hexagonal passage being at least partly coated with a UV catalyst and a UV light absorption coating.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for dispersing sterile water from a circulating high-purity water system to a processing field containing allograft tissue. One embodiment includes a fluid inlet that is fluidly coupled with and configured to receive sterile water from the water system. The dispersion system also includes at least first and second fluid outlets that are selectively operable to deliver respective first and second fluid streams into different areas of the processing field. At least one of the first and second fluid outlets may be associated with a regulator valve configured to provide an adjustable flowrate to conserve water pulled from the circulating water system to meet the needs of the application taking place within the processing field. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for providing in vivo environments to in vitro cells by periodically applying mechanical stimuli to in vitro cells are provided for effective studies on cell culture.