Abstract: A method for improving indoor air quality in a room, comprising drawing air from the room and guiding the air into a gas/liquid contactor charged with aqueous alkali hydroxide/H2O2 solution, passing the air through a perforated membrane installed in the gas/liquid contactor below the surface level of the aqueous alkali hydroxide/H2O2 solution, such that bubbles produced travel through said solution, and getting treated air with improved quality from said gas/liquid contactor, said treated air is characterized by having: reduced carbon dioxide levels; and/or reduced VOC levels; and/or reduced microbiological load. An air purifier to carry out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device (10) includes a vial holder (23) configured to hold a vial (22). An actuator (40) is coupled to the vial holder (23) and can rotate the vial (22) between upright and inverted positions. A pump (positive or negative pressure) can pump contents out of the vial (22). Before pumping of the contents the actuator (40) rotates the vial (22) to the inverted position and after pumping of the contents the actuator (40) rotates the vial (22) to the upright position.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device (10) includes a vial holder (23) configured to hold a vial (22). An actuator (40) is coupled to the vial holder (23) and can rotate the vial (22) between upright and inverted positions. A pump (positive or negative pressure) can pump contents out of the vial (22). Before pumping of the contents the actuator (40) rotates the vial (22) to the inverted position and after pumping of the contents the actuator (40) rotates the vial (22) to the upright position.

Abstract: An intraocular lens inserter for use during cataract surgery for delivering an intraocular lens (IOL) loaded into an IOL cartridge into a patient's eye. The inserter comprises an outer shell housing containing a hydraulic housing. A hydraulic piston positioned within the hydraulic housing defines an annular hydraulic chamber. The hydraulic chamber is filled with a fluid via a fill port. A high pressure compression spring constantly urges the piston forwardly to pressurize the fluid in the hydraulic chamber. During use, a valve element operatively connected to a depressible operation button, controls bleeding of fluid from the hydraulic chamber, whereupon the forward tip of the piston is moved forwardly to mechanically deliver the intraocular lens from the IOL cartridge into the patient's eye.

Abstract: An intraocular lens inserter for use during cataract surgery for delivering an intraocular lens (IOL) loaded into an IOL cartridge into a patient's eye. The inserter comprises an outer shell housing containing a hydraulic housing. A hydraulic piston positioned within the hydraulic housing defines an annular hydraulic chamber. The hydraulic chamber is filled with a fluid via a fill port. A high pressure compression spring constantly urges the piston forwardly to pressurize the fluid in the hydraulic chamber. During use, a valve element operatively connected to a depressible operation button, controls bleeding of fluid from the hydraulic chamber, whereupon the forward tip of the piston is moved forwardly to mechanically deliver the intraocular lens from the IOL cartridge into the patient's eye.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a prosthesis that can be implanted within a heart to at least partially block gaps that may be present between the two mitral valve leaflets. In one preferred embodiment, the prosthesis includes an anchoring ring that expands within the left atrium to anchor the prosthesis and a pocket member fixed to the anchoring ring. The pocket member is positioned within the mitral valve, between the leaflets so that an open end of the pocket member is positioned within the left ventricle. When the mitral valve is open, blood flows past the pocket member, maintaining the pocket member in a collapsed state. When the mitral valve closes, the backpressure of the blood pushes into the pocket member, expanding the pocket member to an inflated shape. The mitral valve leaflets contact the expanded pocket member, allowing the prosthesis to block at least a portion of the openings between the leaflets, thereby minimizing regurgitated blood flow into the left atrium.

Abstract: Provided is a two-stage valve including a housing fitted with an inlet port extending to an inlet chamber and configured for coupling to an upstream liquid supply line, and an outlet port extending from an outlet chamber and configured for coupling to a downstream supply line; a high flow-rate path extending between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber fitted with a hydraulic element configured for selectively admitting liquid flow therebetween at a demand position defined by substantially high flow; and a pressure regulating unit configured for controlling a pressure regulating flow path providing direct or indirect flow communication between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber for allowing liquid flow therebetween at a leak position defined by substantially low flow rates.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a prosthesis that can be implanted within a heart to at least partially block gaps that may be present between the two mitral valve leaflets. In one preferred embodiment, the prosthesis includes an anchoring ring that expands within the left atrium to anchor the prosthesis and a pocket member fixed to the anchoring ring. The pocket member is positioned within the mitral valve, between the leaflets so that an open end of the pocket member is positioned within the left ventricle. When the mitral valve is open, blood flows past the pocket member, maintaining the pocket member in a collapsed state. When the mitral valve closes, the backpressure of the blood pushes into the pocket member, expanding the pocket member to an inflated shape. The mitral valve leaflets contact the expanded pocket member, allowing the prosthesis to block at least a portion of the openings between the leaflets, thereby minimizing regurgitated blood flow into the left atrium.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a prosthesis that can be implanted within a heart to at least partially block gaps that may be present between the two mitral valve leaflets. In one preferred embodiment, the prosthesis includes an anchoring ring that expands within the left atrium to anchor the prosthesis and a pocket member fixed to the anchoring ring. The pocket member is positioned within the mitral valve, between the leaflets so that an open end of the pocket member is positioned within the left ventricle. When the mitral valve is open, blood flows past the pocket member, maintaining the pocket member in a collapsed state. When the mitral valve closes, the backpressure of the blood pushes into the pocket member, expanding the pocket member to an inflated shape. The mitral valve leaflets contact the expanded pocket member, allowing the prosthesis to block at least a portion of the openings between the leaflets, thereby minimizing regurgitated blood flow into the left atrium.

Abstract: A valve comprising a housing and a pressure responsive sealing assembly. The housing comprises an inlet port, an outlet port and a control chamber extending therebetween. The control chamber having a first cross-sectional area at the inlet port, and a second cross-sectional area greater in magnitude than the first cross-sectional area and being disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port. The pressure responsive sealing assembly is normally biased into a first position in which the sealing assembly seals the inlet port. When a pressure differential about the inlet and outlet ports exceeds a predetermined threshold, the pressure responsive sealing assembly is configured to shift from the first position to a second position, in which the sealing assembly no longer seals the inlet port and a fluid flow path from the inlet port into the control chamber is opened.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a prosthesis that can be implanted within a heart to at least partially block gaps that may be present between the two mitral valve leaflets. In one preferred embodiment, the prosthesis includes an anchoring ring that expands within the left atrium to anchor the prosthesis and a pocket member fixed to the anchoring ring. The pocket member is positioned within the mitral valve, between the leaflets so that an open end of the pocket member is positioned within the left ventricle. When the mitral valve is open, blood flows past the pocket member, maintaining the pocket member in a collapsed state. When the mitral valve closes, the backpressure of the blood pushes into the pocket member, expanding the pocket member to an inflated shape. The mitral valve leaflets contact the expanded pocket member, allowing the prosthesis to block at least a portion of the openings between the leaflets, thereby minimizing regurgitated blood flow into the left atrium.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a drip irrigation emitter, including the steps of molding onto an injection-mold core having at least n different active diameters, n different, axially spaced apart members of the emitter, at least n-1 of the members being substantially annular, the inside diameter of at least one of the annular members being a tight fit on the outside diameter of the next smaller of the members, stripping the members off the core, starting from the member having the largest inside diameter, thereby causing the members to be tightly nested one inside the other, in a predetermined axial and angular relationship, and ejecting the thus fully assembled emitter from the mold. There is also provided an injection mold for producing fully assembled multi-part drip-irrigation emitters.

Abstract: An emitter for a drip irrigation line is substantially rigid and has a generally L-like shape having a shorter and a longer limb which is insertable into a length of tubing constituting the irrigation line from the outside thereof. The longer, elongated limb of the emitter consists of a body portion having a flow-attenuator through which irrigation liquid enters the emitter. The shorter limb of the emitter has a neck portion through which irrigation exits the emitter. A method for producing a drip irrigation line is also provided.