Abstract: Sterilant challenge device for use in steam sterilizers are described, including devices suitable for determining the efficacy of the non-condensable gas removal stage of a sterilization cycle and/or the quality of steam sterilant in relation to its content of non-condensable gas(es) are disclosed. Sterilant challenge devices having a metal tube having a defining a free space which is open at one end for the entry of sterilant and closed at the other end and at least one thermal load located around the tube are also described.

Abstract: Sterilant challenge device for use in steam sterilizers are described, including devices suitable for determining the efficacy of the non-condensable gas removal stage of a sterilization cycle andor the quality of steam sterilant in relation to its content of non-condensable gas(es) are disclosed. Sterilant challenge devices having a metal tube having a defining a free space which is open at one end for the entry of sterilant and closed at the other end and at least one thermal load located around the tube are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a material for packaging of electronic components comprising a structured layer, wherein said structured layer comprises a mesh of cells, each cell comprising an electrically conductive rim and an electrically non conductive interior, said cells being interconnected so that any two adjacent cells share at least a portion of their respective rims.

Abstract: The invention provides a material for packaging of electronic components comprising a structured layer, wherein said structured layer comprises a mesh of cells, each cell comprising an electrically conductive rim and an electrically non conductive interior, said cells being interconnected so that any two adjacent cells share at least a portion of their respective rims.

Abstract: A telecommunications jack 1 is described that comprises a housing 2 defining a port for receiving a plug; contacts 7 for making an electrical connection with wires of a cable; interface contacts 4 for making an electrical connection with contacts of the plug; and a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) 5 for electrically connecting the contacts 7 and the interface contacts 4. The multilayer PCB comprises a free-floating ground plane structure formed from two outer layers of the multilayer PCB and a plurality of internal layers 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E having a plurality of electronic devices 16, 17 disposed thereon. The two outer layers 15 of the multilayer PCB include a continuous coating 19 of electrically conductive material covering at least those parts of the PCB that include the electronic devices and wherein the two outer layers of the PCB are electrically connected with each other and are electrically isolated from the internal layers of the PCB.

Abstract: The invention provides a material for packaging of electronic components comprising a structured layer, wherein said structured layer comprises a mesh of cells, each cell comprising an electrically conductive rim and an electrically non conductive interior, said cells being interconnected so that any two adjacent cells share at least a portion of their respective rims.

Abstract: A telecommunications jack 1 is described that comprises a housing 2 defining a port for receiving a plug; contacts 7 for making an electrical connection with wires of a cable; interface contacts 4 for making an electrical connection with contacts of the plug; and a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) 5 for electrically connecting the contacts 7 and the interface contacts 4. The multilayer PCB comprises a free-floating ground plane structure formed from two outer layers of the multilayer PCB and a plurality of internal layers 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E having a plurality of electronic devices 16, 17 disposed thereon. The two outer layers 15 of the multilayer PCB include a continuous coating 19 of electrically conductive material covering at least those parts of the PCB that include the electronic devices and wherein the two outer layers of the PCB are electrically connected with each other and are electrically isolated from the internal layers of the PCB.

Abstract: An electronic device is proposed for accompanying a perishable good during one period to monitor the exposure of the good to an environmental parameter, such as temperature. The device includes a data interface for receiving data representing the exposure of the good to the environmental parameter during an immediately preceding period. It further includes a sensor for measuring the environmental parameter. Also, the device includes a processor for using a relationship specific to the good (such an Arrhenius equation for that good) to compute a characteristic of the good at the end of the one period using the received data and the output of the sensor. The device further includes a memory for recording the output of the sensor. To economise on memory usage, data is stored at a faster rate during periods when the data is of most significant (e.g. it indicates a high temperature).

Abstract: The display device (10) capable of irreversibly switching from a first indicating state to a second indicating state comprises a chamber (14) containing an electrolytic liquid (16) and having at least one exit opening (46), and at least two electrodes (22,24) located in said chamber (14) and in contact with said electrolytic liquid (16) as well as subjectable to electric voltage, wherein, upon application of electric voltage of a predetermined level to said electrodes (22,24), gas is generated in said chamber (14) causing the pressure within said chamber (14) to exceed a threshold value such that liquid (16) irreversibly exits said chamber (14) through said at least one exit opening (46) thereby switching from the first indicating state to the second indicating state.

Abstract: An electrochemical display device capable of irreversibly switching from a first indicating state to a second indicating state comprises a substrate (12) having an electrically insulating surface (16), and a first electrode (30) located on at least a part of said surface (16) of said substrate (12), wherein said substrate (12), at least within said part of its surface (16) is light-transmissive, the transmissivity of the combination of said substrate (12) and said first electrode (30) being less than that of said part of said substrate (12).

Abstract: An electronic device is proposed for accompanying a perishable good during one period to monitor the exposure of the good to an environmental parameter, such as temperature. The device includes a data interface for receiving data representing the exposure of the good to the environmental parameter during an immediately preceding period. It further includes a sensor for measuring the environmental parameter. Also, the device includes a processor for using a relationship specific to the good (such an Arrhenius equation for that good) to compute a characteristic of the good at the end of the one period using the received data and the output of the sensor. The device further includes a memory for recording the output of the sensor. To economise on memory usage, data is stored at a faster rate during periods when the data is of most significant (e.g. it indicates a high temperature).

Abstract: A sterilant challenge device, for use in testing the efficiency of the air removal stage of a sterilization cycle in a sterilizer. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a tube that is closed at one end and open at the other for the entry of sterilant, a plurality of thermally-conductive masses the tube, and at least one temperature sensor. When the challenge device is located in a sterilizer, the penetration of sterilant along the bore of the tube during a sterilization cycle, is inhibited by the accumulation of air and/or non-condensable gas within the bore resulting from the condensation of moisture on the walls of the bore. By measuring the temperature inside the device adjacent the closed end of the tube, the efficiency of the sterilization cycle can be determined.

Abstract: A sterilant challenge device, for use in testing the efficiency of the removal stage of a sterilization cycle in a sterilizer. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a tube that is closed at one end and open at the other for the entry of sterilant, a plurality of thermally-conductive masses the tube, and at least one temperature sensor. When the challenge device is located in a sterilizer, the penetration of sterilant along the bore of the tube during a sterilization cycle, is inhibited by the accumulation of air and/or non-condensable gas within the bore resulting from the condensation of moisture on the walls of the bore. By measuring the temperature inside the device adjacent the closed end of the tube, the efficiency of the sterilization cycle can be determined.

Abstract: An inhalation device for use with a pressurized aerosol canister. The device involves an electromechanical mechanism for applying a priming force to the aerosol canister prior to or at the start of inhalation. The device also involves a blocking mechanism. The electromechanical mechanism electromechanically applies to the aerosol canister a priming force sufficient to actuate the aerosol canister, and the blocking mechanism prevents the priming force from actuating the aerosol canister until inhalation is detected.