Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for pasteurizing architectural coating compositions using heat, radiation or other energy sources without additionally polymerizing the compositions and storing same.

Abstract: A cartridge mounting an air treatment material has a housing. The air treatment material is received within the housing, and spaced from inner walls of the housing by a plurality of resilient sheets. The air treatment material is hydroxide sheets. There is an inlet direction into the housing for air flowing across the air treatment material and an outlet opening on an opposed end of the housing. There are top and bottom surfaces and side surfaces forming a perimeter about the air treatment material. The resilient sheets extend substantially continuously across the side surfaces and the top and bottom surfaces at least at the inlet end to increase airflow across the air treatment material. An enclosed inhabited space is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for photoeradication of microorganisms from a target. A light source is configured to irradiate the target with purple or blue light in a pulsed mode of irradiation at an average irradiance that preferably ranges from 0.1 mW/cm2 to 20 mW/cm2. An electronic circuit is configured to control the light source in accordance with an irradiation schedule that includes a plurality of irradiation sessions. The light source is controlled to provide the purple or blue light at a radiant exposure that preferably ranges from 0.5 J/cm2 to 60 J/cm2 during each of the irradiation sessions. The irradiation sessions are provided at a plurality of time intervals so as to cause photoeradication of all or a portion of the microorganisms.

Abstract: A sterilization apparatus for sterilization of objects. The apparatus includes a chamber for receiving the objects including a sterilization medium inlet and outlet; an inlet flow control device for controlling a supply of a sterilization medium to the chamber; a drain system for controllable discharge of fluid from the chamber; and a control unit configured to control the inlet flow control device and drain system. The drain system includes: a drain inlet connected to the sterilization medium outlet; a drain outlet connected to a vacuum system for evacuating the chamber; a first conduit connecting the drain inlet and outlet; and a proportional valve, arranged along the first conduit, controllable by the control unit to partly restrict fluid flow through the first conduit according. Drain valves may be controlled in response to the temperature of a flow of coolant, the coolant being used for cooling fluid via a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method for processing an initial liquid medium including cells in an initial concentration to obtain a product liquid medium including cells in a product concentration includes supplying the initial medium to a separator via a first supply system, separating the initial medium into various constituents including the product medium, extracting the product medium from the separator via a first outlet system, measuring a physical parameter related to the concentration of the cells in the initial medium using a sensor, and controlling at least one process parameter as a function of the physical parameter. During the step of separating the initial medium, a solution is supplied to the separator at a flow rate via a second supply system. The flow rate of the solution is determined based on the at least one process parameter, and is reduced when the concentration of the cells measured in the initial medium increases.

Abstract: A device for rapidly sanitizing a surface is described. The device has an enclosure having an opening adapted to insert a surface, and an interior; a liquid nitric oxide solution applicator; and an absorbent material. The liquid nitric oxide solution applicator is in fluid communication with the interior of the enclosure and is adapted to apply liquid nitric oxide solution onto the surface when the surface is positioned within the enclosure. A method of rapidly sanitizing a surface is described. The devices and methods provided herein may be implemented to sanitize the surface of any body part or item that may be placed within the device. An infectious agent on the surface may be killed; i.e., the surface is disinfected. Non-limiting applications of the devices and methods include preventing nosocomial infections or food contamination, sanitizing household items, and implementing sanitizing procedures to comply with FDA Good Manufacturing Practices.

Abstract: A platelet collection method includes a step of accommodating whole blood in a first chamber (44) and performing centrifugal separation, a step of transferring a buffy coat resulting from the centrifugal separation to a second chamber (50), and a step of performing centrifugal separation on the buffy coat. Subsequently, a step of transferring a platelet-containing component resulting from the centrifugal separation to a third chamber (52) and a step of performing centrifugal separation on the platelet-containing component are executed. Also performed in the collection method are a step of introducing a platelet additive solution into the third chamber (52) and replacing plasma resulting from the centrifugal separation and a step of collecting platelets remaining in the third chamber (52) along with the platelet additive solution.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a device for catalytically diffusing a fragrance or active substances, wherein the device includes a bottle with a base, and containing a liquid including a fragrance; a catalytic combustion burner mounted on the base; a capillary wick attached to the burner and partially submerged in the liquid; and a closing cap removably mounted on the base and covering the burner. The cap includes a sealing means bearing against a periphery of a top of the base.

Abstract: An indexable cartridge and method that is useable in either a stagnant fluid environment or in a moving fluid environment with the indexable cartridge floatable in a stagnant fluid environment and securable in a moving fluid environment with the indexable cartridge having a housing having one or more diffusion ports and a sleeve having one or more diffusion ports indexable to a diffusion port alignment through resilient yielding of the sleeve while a set of ribs inhibit lateral flow therebetween.

Abstract: Plasma is generated in a gas phase in a processing tub to produce a reforming component, the produced reforming component is dissolved in a liquid and is dispersed in the liquid to produce a reforming liquid, the produced reforming liquid is discharged from the processing tub to be stored in the storage tub, and gas is supplied from a gas supplier into the reforming liquid in the storage tub. The supplied gas has a bubble shape, comes into contact with the reforming liquid stored in the storage tub, and is deodorized.

Abstract: A flow sensing ozone converter includes an inlet housing, an outlet housing, and an ozone converter core. The flow sensing ozone converter integrates flow sensing and oxygen removal components. The inlet housing is provided with an inlet housing flange. The outlet housing is provided with an outlet housing flange. The ozone converter core is at least partially received within the inlet housing. The ozone converter is provided with an ozone converter flange that abuts the inlet housing flange and the outlet housing flange.

Abstract: A sanitizing device for sanitizing a chestpiece of a stethoscope connected to at least one earpiece by a tube, the sanitizing device being composed of: a housing composed of two housing halves and a hinge assembly connecting the housing halves together to permit relative pivotal movement between the housing halves between a closed state in which the housing halves enclose a closed space, and an open state; and a source of sanitizing radiation disposed to irradiate the closed space. The housing is provided with an opening for receiving the tube; the opening is composed of two opening portions each formed in a respective housing half; and the hinge assembly is composed of two hinge portions each forming part of a respective housing half, the hinge portions being separable from one another to allow the chestpiece to be placed in the closed space.

Abstract: A blood washing system including a rotor defining an internal chamber and a skimmer assembly configured to move a withdrawal needle within the internal chamber. A multi-component fluid, such as a whole blood sample, can be fed into the internal chamber via a feed tube, where the rotor can be rotated to fractionate the multi-component fluid. A brake can be applied to the rotor to cease rotation or rotated at a slower speed to allow the fractions of the multi-component to settle on a bottom wall of the rotor. The withdrawal needle is moveable within the internal chamber to align an orifice of the withdrawal needle for withdrawing the liquid fractions and isolate the solid fractions. Wash fluids can be added to the internal chamber to repeat the wash cycle without removing the solid fractions. The washed solid fractions can be withdrawn via the feed tube and collected.

Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided for rotation about an axis in a fluid processing system. The fluid separation chamber may be provided with first and second stages, with the first and second stages being positioned at different axial locations. In another embodiment, at least one of the stages may be provided with a non-uniform outer diameter about the rotational axis, which may define a generally spiral-shaped profile or a different profile for fractionating a fluid or fluid component. One or more of the stages may also have a varying outer diameter along the axis. The profile of the chamber may be provided by the chamber itself (in the case of rigid chambers) or by an associated fixture or centrifuge apparatus (in the case of flexible chambers).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device that eliminates germs and bacteria from your hands. The device is especially designed to achieve total asepsis of the hands of people working and/or should have access to certain sectors of industries manufacturing and/or fractionation of food, medicinal products, testing laboratories industry biological, chemical industries in general, operating rooms, etc. where it is required to maintain strict hygiene and asepsis conditions.

Abstract: A funnel element having an open end and a closed pointed end configured to receive a multi-component fluid containing a solid fraction. The solid fraction can comprise cellular material that sediments toward the closed pointed end to form a cell pack. A wash fluid can be pumped through the cell pack to entrain microparticles and soluble contaminants. The wash fluid can be introduced into the funnel element below the cell pack such that the wash fluid percolates through the cell pack. The percolating wash fluid can dislodge microparticles or other contaminants trapped within the cell pack. Additional wash fluids can be added to funnel element where excess wash fluids overflow from the funnel element through the open end of the funnel element.

Abstract: Perishable products, such as food products, can be preserved by cooling to temperatures below their freezing point without ice crystallization. In some embodiments, the perishable product is cooled to temperatures below the freezing point of water while a pulsed electric field and oscillating magnetic field are applied to the product. Apparatus for supercooling perishable products are also provided and include a pulsed electric field generator and an oscillating magnetic field generator.

Abstract: A male-disinfecting cap is configured to couple with and apply an antiseptic agent to medical male luer-lock connector of the type including a post having a lumen. The cap includes a receiving portion which defines a chamber. The post of the male luer-lock connector is received into a single opening of the chamber. The receiving portion is configured to fit within the skirt of the male luer-lock connector when the post is received into the receiving portion. At least one vent is defined on the internal surface of the receiving portion and extends from the opening into the chamber, where an antiseptic is disposed. Protrusions on the external surface of the receiving portion engage helical threads of the internally helically threaded skirt. The male-disinfecting cap also includes a seal that prevents evaporation of the antiseptic agent in the chamber prior to use.

Abstract: An endoscope reprocessing tool includes: a connection portion configured to be connected with a fluid outlet provided on a bottom face of a reprocessing basin of an endoscope reprocessor; a direction changing portion configured to change a flow direction of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet from a direction against a gravity direction to a direction crossing the gravity direction; a discharge portion configured to discharge the fluid direction-changed by the direction changing portion in the direction crossing the gravity direction; and a positioning portion configured to position a distal end portion of an endoscope so that the discharge portion and a recess portion provided on the distal end portion face each other.