Abstract: A system for separating and transferring phases of a fluid through centrifugation including a centrifuge having a rotating axis, a platform that is rotatable around the rotating axis; and a device for separating and transferring the phases of the fluid. The device includes a separating container and a receiving container connected to the separating container through a connecting channel. A passive valve system is provided in the connecting channel. The device is mounted in the centrifuge platform such that in use at a first predefined range of centrifugal force a fluid provided within the separating container is separated into phases and at a second predefined range of centrifugal force the valve system opens, thereby transferring a phase of the fluid from the separating container to the receiving container.

Abstract: A disinfecting capping device for a sharp medical object, such as a medical needle, is provided. The device includes a container comprising a bottom, an open end opposite to the bottom, and a side disposed between the open end and the bottom of the container. The device further includes a first disinfecting member disposed on the internal surface of the side of the container between the open end and the bottom thereof so as to form a cavity for receiving the sharp medical object through the open end of the container.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system box for holding a bag system and methods for separating composite liquids are described. In embodiments, a bag system may be a blood bag system used to collect blood, separate the blood into components, store the components, and utilize the components in patients. The system box may hold the blood bag system. Processes can then be performed to separate components from the blood.

Abstract: A flexible electrode assembly for an air treatment device comprising: a flexible dielectric layer forming an insulating sheet; a plurality of conductive tracks on a first side of the insulating sheet; a conductive layer on a second side of the insulating sheet; wherein supply of voltage to the conducting tracks and the conductive layer generates plasma which is discharged from the conducting tracks. In a further aspect, the present invention also provides an air treatment apparatus for removal of health threatening airborne pollutants, which may include pathogens, from an air flow, the air treatment apparatus comprising an apparatus having a generally cyclonic-shaped geometry comprising a cylindrical section and a conical section. The present invention also relates to an air treatment device comprising the flexible electrode assembly.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed which include processor-executable program instructions for receiving data regarding characteristics of a room and determining, based on the received data, operating parameter/s for one or more disinfection sources to disinfect the room. The data may include data regarding non-physical characteristics and/or physical characteristics of the room. In some embodiments, data regarding a quantity and/or type of at least a subset of the plurality of disinfection sources for disinfecting the room may also be considered for determining the operating parameter/s. In any case, the determined operating parameter/s may include a run time of a disinfection source, a position of a disinfection source within the room, a speed at which a disinfection source moves throughout the room, an orientation of a component comprising a disinfection source, a rate of germicidal discharge from a disinfection source and/or power supplied to a disinfection source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for sterilising used hygiene products, comprising the use of an autoclave apparatus. Said autoclave apparatus comprises one or a plurality of rotating internal members. In some embodiments, the plurality of rotating members each concentrically position around a common axis of rotation. In some embodiments, the plurality of rotating members comprises holes of predetermined size, such that the autoclaved products can pass from a central rotating section towards radially outwardly positioned ones. This allows for short processing time with high process performance whilst minimising damage of compounds such as pulp fibre and superabsorbent polymers (SAP) while enabling pure plastic, pulp and SAP streams being separated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined reactor settler with the reactor. More specifically, the present invention relates to a combined reactor settler and reactor in a caustic free kerosene sweetening reactor which reduces equipment costs, operating costs, and plot space requirements.

Abstract: A device for the processing and separation of biological fluids into components comprises a hollow centrifugal processing chamber (10) fitted with an inlet/outlet head (20) and preferably with an axially movable piston (18). The inlet/outlet head has two separate inlets/outlets, for instance an axial inlet (29) and a lateral outlet (40). The processing chamber (1) is fitted with an internal flow guide (30) enabling operation of the device in a continuous processing mode wherein biological fluid to be processed is continuously intaken by say the axial inlet (29) and at the same time processed components are continuously removed via say the lateral outlet (40). The continuous processing flow can be driven by an external peristaltic pump (59) and/or by axial displacement of a piston (18) in the chamber (10).

Abstract: To dry a hand with fingertips and a carpus, the palmar aspect and the dorsal aspect of the hand are blown dry, starting from the fingertips, by a pair of planar gas jets, wherein the gas jets of the pair run towards each other in the direction from the carpus to the fingertips at an angle of less than 180°. By applying high-voltage AC pulses with respect to ground to dielectrically shielded electrodes arranged next to both planar gas jets, direct discharges are obtained across the hand on the palmar aspect thereof and on the dorsal aspect thereof.

Abstract: A gas-permeable filter system for a sterile container includes a filter element and a seal portion that sealingly surrounds a gas exchange opening provided in a sterile container wall section in such a manner that the seal portion rests against the sterile container wall section so that a sterile flow path is formed through the gas exchange opening and the filter element. A temperature-sensitive adjusting section releases at least the seal portion from the sterile container wall section when a specified temperature is reached or exceeded such that a non-sterile flow path is formed which allows fluid to be supplied or discharged via the gas exchange opening while bypassing the filter element. The sterile container includes a base and walls that define a receiving space. The sterile container also includes a cover for closing the receiving space. At least one filter system is preferably secured to the sterile container base.

Abstract: A controlled environment enclosure comprises a robotic arm manipulation system used to protect and unprotect a fluid path within the controlled environment enclosure. The apparatus allows the fluid path to be protected against dangerous decontamination vapors and chemicals before the controlled environment enclosure is decontaminated, the method not requiring the use of gloves or other means that degrade the integrity of the controlled environment enclosure. The apparatus similarly allows the fluid path to be unprotected for use without the use of gloves, the method not requiring the use of gloves or other means that degrade the integrity of the controlled environment enclosure when decontaminated is completed. The apparatus and method allow for the protecting, unprotecting and decontaminating sequences to be automated.

Abstract: A controlled environment enclosure comprises a robotic arm manipulation system used to protect and unprotect a fluid path and a swab within the controlled environment enclosure. The apparatus allows the fluid path to be protected against dangerous decontamination vapors and chemicals before the controlled environment enclosure is decontaminated. The apparatus allows the fluid path to be unprotected without the use of gloves or other means that degrade the integrity of the controlled environment enclosure when decontamination is completed. The apparatus and method allow for the protecting, unprotecting and decontaminating sequences to be automated. In some embodiments the fluid path comprises a fill needle that can removably and aseptically be sealed with a disposable monolithic injection moulded polymeric fill needle sheath.

Abstract: A method and device for destroying and inhibiting exposure to microbes and infection includes a first element and a second element, and a power source. At least one of the elements includes antimicrobial metal, which, when energized by the power source, produces ions that are lethal to microbes. The device can be incorporated into virtually any useful object. During normal use of the object, electrical communication is established between the two elements, causing current supplied from the power source to flow through the antimicrobial metal. The two elements are configured and arranged to ensure that ions flowing from the antimicrobial metal flow through the region in which it is desired to kill microbes. The antimicrobial metal can be on the surface of the element, incorporated into the material making up the element, or provided in any other way that allows the antimicrobial effect to be achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically disinfecting piping for medical uses includes a main controller including a control center module, an administration controller, and an electric valve controller; a disinfection solution machine connected to a main pipe including first branch pipes each provided with an administration motor control valve and connected to medical devices, second branch pipes each connected to the first branch pipe, and drains each connected to the first branch pipe, first electric valves each is provided between the medical device and the first branch pipe, second electric valves each is provided in the second branch pipe, third electric valves each is provided in the drain; and a reverse osmosis water filter being in fluid communication with a purified water reservoir having an outlet connected to the first branch pipes, and a feedback end connected to the second branch pipes.

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor having a curved shape is offset on a spinning rotor base and creates contiguous areas of low to high centrifugal force depending on the distances from the axis of the rotor base and a method of separating components in a fluid based upon a difference in density of the components, the method comprising the steps of providing to a rotor as described herein the fluid containing the mixed together components to be separated based upon the difference in density of the mixed together components; continuously flowing the components in the fluid to the rotor through an input tube connected to the input port while the rotor is spinning about a centrifugal axis of rotation; separating the components in the fluid into fractions based upon the difference in density of the mixed together components with the use of centrifugal force when the rotor is spinning; collecting components having i) a first density via a first tube connected to the output port at the first end on the rotor, ii) a second density

Abstract: There is described a handle, for example a door handle, lifting handle or touch pad, which is particularly useful as a self-sterilizing door handle for use in public areas. The handle comprises: a contact area formed of a hydrophilic sintered porous material, particularly a plastic material; and a reservoir containing an anti-microbial liquid, wherein said reservoir is fluidically connected to the contact area. The reservoir can include a port to allow the reservoir to be re-filled or alternatively the whole reservoir can be detached and replaced when required. The anti-microbial liquid can be delivered along the hydrophilic sintered porous material by fluid transmission action so that the contact area is continually treated by the anti-microbial liquid, thereby rendering the handle continuously wetted and disinfected and inhibiting the growth of culture forming units.

Abstract: A sterilization tray is disclosed herein. A medical instrument, such as an endoscope, may be placed into the sterilization tray, and the sterilization tray with the medical instrument disposed therein may be placed into a vacuum chamber of a sterilization system. The sterilization tray may also be used to transport the medical instrument to and from a point of care. Sterilization is performed with the instrument in the base component and the lid component disposed atop the base component. Transportation is performed with the instrument in the lid component and the base component disposed atop the lid component.

Abstract: A method for removing fat from salvaged blood includes transferring salvaged blood from a reservoir to a blood component separation device, and separating the blood into a plurality of blood components. The method may then transfer a volume of unwashed blood components from the blood component separation device back toward the reservoir, and re-centrifuge the blood components remaining within the blood component separation device. After re-centrifuging, the method transfers additional salvaged blood from the reservoir to the blood component separation device to refill the blood component separation device. The method may then wash the components within the bowl by introducing wash solution into the blood component separation device. The wash solution displaces a volume of fat from the blood component separation device and into a waste container. The method may then empty the washed blood components within the blood component separation device to a product container.

Abstract: In a system and method for disinfecting a surface of an object with iodine-laden gas, a carrier gas generation means generates a gas stream, which is then directed into a chamber that includes an iodine source. As the gas stream enters and passes through the chamber, iodine is drawn and absorbed into the gas stream, creating an iodine-laden gas that exits the chamber. In some embodiments, the iodine-laden gas then travels from the chamber and is directed into an enclosure when it interacts with microbes contained on a surface of an object housed within the enclosure or otherwise engaged by the enclosure. In other embodiments, as the iodine-laden gas exits the chamber, it is directed to a nozzle, via which the iodine-laden gas is applied to the surface of the object to be disinfected.

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.