Abstract: There is provided a system and method of cleaning surfaces of an enclosable environment of a contamination comprising a microbial and viral load. The method includes the steps of sealing the enclosable environment and placing water, and a solid or gel pack, into a container and generating a vortex the container by rotating an impeller. The agitation causes the solid or gel pack to release a gaseous cleaning agent. An air-borne spray exiting from the container spreads throughout the enclosable environment to contact the surfaces to be cleaned within the enclosable environment. The enclosable environment is maintained closed for an effective time period while the air-borne spray dwells on the surfaces to eliminate or substantially reduce the load of the contamination.

Abstract: A portable sterilizer according to an embodiment of the present application is capable of spraying ultra-fine chemicals, and includes a housing in which a space is formed and an injection nozzle is provided at a front end thereof, a chemical tank provided on one side of the space of the housing, a chemical feed pipe formed between the chemical tank and the injection nozzle, and a water pump which is installed on one side of the chemical supply pipe to supply the chemical to the injection nozzle through the chemical supply pipe.

Abstract: Systems and methods including modular electromagnetic heating systems enable heating of articles using electromagnetic energy. The systems include a primary processing vessel equipped with electromagnetic energy launchers and fluid delivery systems to enable capable of preheating, heating, and cooling of the articles within the primary processing vessel. The primary processing vessel is further configured to be coupled to one or more upstream or downstream vessels such that portions of the preheating and/or heating functionality may instead be performed by the additional vessels. This flexibility enables scaling of the electromagnetic heating system between a relatively small (e.g., lab) scale system and a relatively large (e.g., production) scale system while minimizing capital expenditures and space requirements.

Abstract: A device and method for cleaning a target may include supporting a target on a support in a chamber in a housing, the chamber optionally defined by at least one UV reflective plate; operating at least one UV emitter attached to the housing and positioned to emit UV radiation into the chamber so that the UV radiation illuminates the target; and operating an actuator to modify the UV radiation illumination of the target while the UV emitter is operated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing high humidity ozone gas. Systems and methods for applying high humidity ozone gas to foodstuffs and/or other products as an antimicrobial treatment. Compressed air and dry ozone gas are combined, thereby providing a dry mix. A portion of the dry mix can be humidified in a humidifying chamber, thereby providing a wet mix. The wet mix can be combined with a portion of the dry mix, thereby providing humid ozonated air. The humid ozonated air can be applied to foodstuffs such as produce, as an antimicrobial treatment, as the foodstuffs are conveyed.

Abstract: Diatom microbubblers comprising diatom biosilica or other silica linked to a catalyst for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, such as manganese oxide (MnO2), platinum (Pt), CuO (copper II oxide), or zinc peroxide (ZnO2) particles or nanosheets, or catalase are provided. Further provided are methods of reducing or eliminating biofilm or biofouling conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce biological carryover using induction heating are disclosed herein. An example method includes washing an aspiration and dispense device. The example method includes generating an alternating electromagnetic field and introducing the aspiration and dispense device into the alternating electromagnetic field. The example method includes inductively heating the aspiration and dispense device with the alternating electromagnetic field. In the example method, the washing is to occur in concert with the heating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for isolating and cleaning contaminated components comprising a chamber, an entrance door through which components to be isolated and cleaned are introducible into the chamber, means configured to deliver washing solution into the chamber and onto the components to be cleaned, a drying system configured to dry the chamber as well as its content, wherein the device further comprises an exhaust filter system attached to the air exhaust of the chamber, the exhaust filter system comprising a pipe, at least one filter and a blower, the exhaust filter system being configured to be able to bring the chamber under a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure by means of the blower all the time the chamber is closed. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method for isolating and cleaning contaminated components with the aforementioned device.

Abstract: A test instrument and a method for producing a test instrument used to evaluate a cleaning, disinfection and/or drying processes of internal flexible channels includes obtaining a medical instrument having a flexible probe section configured for insertion into a body, the flexible probe section including at least one internal flexible channel and at least one external device port, and attaching an access device between the at least one external device port and the at least one internal flexible channel to enable selective access into the internal flexible channel.

Abstract: An endoscopic shaft assembly includes: an elongate outer shaft; and an outer housing coupled to a proximal portion of the elongate outer shaft. The outer housing includes: a tubular wall defining a cavity; and a shaft plunger disposed within the cavity and configured to move axially within at least a portion of the cavity along a travel path. The shaft plunger includes a collar. The collar is configured to be separated from the tubular wall along a first travel portion of the travel path and to contact the tubular wall along a second travel portion of the travel path.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method of cleaning surfaces of an interior cabin space of a contamination comprising a microbial and viral load. The method includes the steps of sealing the interior cabin space and placing water, and a solid or gel pack, into a container and generating a vortex the container by rotating an impeller. The agitation causes the solid or gel pack to release a gaseous cleaning agent. An air-borne spray exiting from the container spreads throughout the interior cabin space to coat the surfaces to be cleaned within the interior cabin space. The cabin is maintained closed for an effective time period while the coating from the air-borne spray dwells on the surfaces to eliminate or substantially reduce the load of the contamination.

Abstract: A system for disinfecting a mass transit vehicle includes a storage tank for storing a disinfection solution. A plurality of nozzles are installed in the interior of the mass transit vehicle. The plurality of nozzles projecting droplets of the disinfection solution into the interior of the mass transit vehicle when the system is activated. A pump pumps the disinfection solution from the storage tank to the plurality of nozzles on the interior of the mass transit vehicle. A control switch initiates operation of the system. A system indicator indicates an operational status of the system. A controller controls the operation of the pump responsive to an input from the control switch.

Abstract: A top load device for disinfecting a container, such as a security bin for use in an airport, the device configured to store a stack of contaminated containers, wherein the device separates and releases a single container into an interior of a housing for disinfection. The housing comprises a conveyor that moves the container through the interior of the housing from an initial location to an exit of the housing, wherein the container is disinfected or sanitized with electromagnetic wavelength as it moves through the interior of the housing.

Abstract: An endoscope reprocessor having a tube and nozzles may be used to increase the effectiveness of an endoscope reprocessor. Fluid may be delivered into the tube through the nozzle, which may be oriented in various orientations. Energy of the flow within the tube may be increased by introduction of fluid through the nozzles, which may additionally move the endoscope within the tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an automatic disinfection machine for the controlled disinfection of the skin of a patient comprising a treatment chamber for accommodating the body part with the skin to be disinfected; an electrically controllable disinfecting device for disinfecting the skin, a recording device for recording the disinfection of the skin in the form of disinfection data, a data processing control device for controlling the disinfecting device and the recording device. The control device is thereby designed to effect the disinfection of the skin by controlling the disinfecting device, record the disinfection of a skin section of the skin in the form of disinfection data by controlling the recording device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating large quantities of potatoes, other tubers, vegetables, produce, and/or other crops are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a crop storage facility configured in accordance with the present technology includes a treatment system configured to distribute a treatment agent configured to inhibit spoilage of the crops. The treatment system can include a combination of two or more chemical compositions configured to release different concentrations of the treatment agent to produce a desired level of the treatment agent in the storage facility.

Abstract: A system, method, and air purification device. Air is taken in from an environment into the air purification system. The air is prefiltered. The air is filtered with a primary filter. The filtered air is treated with vacuum ultraviolet radiation in a primary reaction chamber to generate irradiated air. The irradiated air is treated with ultraviolet-C radiation in a secondary reaction chamber to remove ozone. Ozone and other contaminants are removed from the irradiated air utilizing a carbon filter to generate purified air. The purified air is emitted back into the environment from the air purification system.

Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing at least one surgical instrument. The container includes at least one sensor for measuring an environmental characteristic of the container during the sterilization of the instrument. The measure of the environmental characteristic is supplied to a processor. The processor compares the measurement of the container environment to a validated measurement for the sterilization process. If the measured environmental characteristic is at least equal to the validated sterilization process measurement, the processor presents an indication that the surgical instruments was properly sterilized.

Abstract: A compact lightweight air filtration system is disclosed. The air filtration system includes a hydrophobic particulate/coalescing filter and a cleanable ozone converter housed in a housing with an inlet and an outlet. Air flowing from the inlet to the outlet passes through the particulate/coalescing filter element and then the cleanable ozone converter to remove particulates, aerosols, liquids, and ozone.

Abstract: A hyphae inhibition apparatus irradiates an organism having hyphae with light to inhibit growth of the hyphae. The hyphae inhibition apparatus includes a first light source generator, including at least one of a violet light source that emits light having a peak wavelength in a range of from 380 nm to 410 nm, inclusive, or a UVB light source that emits light having a peak wavelength in a range of from at least 280 nm to below 350 nm. The hyphae inhibition apparatus also includes a second light source generator, including at least one of a blue light source that emits light having a peak wavelength in a range of from at least 350 nm to below 380 nm or a UVA light source that emits light having a peak wavelength in a range of from 415 nm to 480 nm, inclusive.