Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an anvil and an elongate channel. The elongate channel includes a plurality of first electrical contacts and a plurality of electrical connectors comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts, wherein the electrical connectors are spring-biased such that a gap is maintained between the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts. The surgical instrument further includes a staple cartridge releasably attachable to the elongate channel, wherein the staple cartridge has a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, a plurality of staples deployable from the staple cavities into the tissue, and a plurality of third electrical contacts, wherein the attachment of the staple cartridge to the elongate channel moves the electrical connectors causing the second electrical contacts to bridge the gap and become electrically coupled to the first electrical contacts.

Abstract: A hemp-based nonwoven material manufactured by an air bonding process comprising a temperature of 150° C. for two minutes; said nonwoven material comprising between 1% and 99% hemp and between 1% and 99% of at least a second fiber; wherein the at least a second fiber is a synthetic fiber having a melt temperature of above 150° C.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the spread of nosocomial infections in institutional health care settings comprises treating outer garments, worn indoors by employed staff of the institution, to impart antimicrobial properties to those garments by immersing the garments in a solution of glyxol, eugenol and water, squeezing the solution out of the garments, curing the wetted garments under heat, and drying the cured garments; and thereafter requiring employed staff to wear the treated garments while working at the institution; laundering the garments after being worn by the staff, for further wear by the staff, and requiring employed staff to wear the treated garments after the garments have been laundered for so long as the garments retain their antimicrobial properties.

Abstract: A method for making an antibacterial fabric having resistance to laundering while maintaining its antibacterial properties.

Abstract: A method for passively reducing nosocomial infections by providing fabrics for patient contact only as media for air filtration in areas with patient populations, which fabrics have been treated with a solution of eugenol of sufficient strength and for sufficient time to reduce the percentage of viable microbes in the fabrics by at least 2 log units.

Abstract: An antimicrobial fabric and method for treating fabric to impart antimicrobial properties thereto by preparing an aqueous solution of eugenol, polyvinyl alcohol, and glyoxal, padding the fabric with the aqueous solution to achieve a preselected desired part by weight wet pickup, drying the fabric; and curing the fabric.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combating sick building syndrome include a plenum that is at least partially bounded by fabric comprising at least one naturally occurring botanically based, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric and preferably a fan for introducing air into the plenum for passage outwardly through the fabric thereby to cleanse the air of microbes contributing to sick building syndrome.

Abstract: A method for removing airborne bacteria and airborne mycetes from indoor air comprises imparting microbiocidal and microbiostatic properties to fabric by treating the fabric with one or more naturally occurring biocides, positioning the treated fabric in a sheet-like orientation, and blowing indoor air through the fabric.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the spread of nosocomial infections in institutional health care settings comprises treating outer garments, worn indoors by employed staff of the institution, to impart antimicrobial properties to those garments by immersing the garments in a solution of glyxol, eugenol and water, squeezing the solution out of the garments, curing the wetted garments under heat, and drying the cured garments; and thereafter requiring employed staff to wear the treated garments while working at the institution; laundering the garments after being worn by the staff, for further wear by the staff, and requiring employed staff to wear the treated garments after the garments have been laundered for so long as the garments retain their antimicrobial properties.

Abstract: A method for making an antibacterial fabric having resistance to laundering while maintaining its antibacterial properties.

Abstract: A method for removing airborne bacteria and airborne mycetes from indoor air comprises imparting microbiocidal and microbiostatic properties to fabric by treating the fabric with one or more naturally occurring biocides, positioning the treated fabric in a sheet-like orientation, and blowing indoor air through the fabric.

Abstract: A method for passively reducing nosocomial infections by providing fabrics for patient contact only as media for air filtration in areas with patient populations, which fabrics have been treated with a solution of eugenol of sufficient strength and for sufficient time to reduce the percentage of viable microbes in the fabrics by at least 2 log units.

Abstract: An antimicrobial fabric and method for treating fabric to impart antimicrobial properties thereto by preparing an aqueous solution of eugenol, polyvinyl alcohol, and glyoxal, padding the fabric with the aqueous solution to achieve a preselected desired part by weight wet pickup, drying the fabric; and curing the fabric.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combating sick building syndrome include a plenum that is at least partially bounded by fabric comprising at least one naturally occurring botanically based, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric and preferably a fan for introducing air into the plenum for passage outwardly through the fabric thereby to cleanse the air of microbes contributing to sick building syndrome.