Abstract: A system for detecting the opening of a door to a pressurized room, such as a hospital operating room. A pressure sensor within the room produces a historical record of barometric pressures at the sensor=s location. The opening of the door produces a characteristic variation in the barometric pressure. The invention searches through the record, looking for the characteristic variation. When it is found, the invention issues a door-open signal.

Abstract: A surgical treatment system for contaminated air streams having particulate contamination, polar contamination and/or nonpolar contamination in the gas or vapor stream. A surgical smoke plume treatment system and method provide or define a multi-stage treatment process that mechanically filters the air stream, followed by nonpolar decontamination and then polar decontamination or treatment. The system may be used stand alone or incorporated and used with other surgical instruments or incorporated into an air handler adapted to decontaminate an air stream. A desiccant may optionally be used to remove water from the air stream.

Abstract: This invention provides a vaccine comprising (i) an anthrose-containing saccharide in an amount effective to enhance immunity against Bacillus anthracis in a subject and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention provides a vaccine comprising (i) a conjugate of an anthrose-containing saccharide in an amount effective to enhance immunity against Bacillus anthracis in a subject, wherein the anthrose-containing saccharide is conjugated to a biomolecule via a linker, and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A device to inflate a balloon and maintain it in an inflated state while providing access to the expanded balloon orifice for purpose of inserting objects. The device has a transparent, cylindrical, balloon chamber covered by a vertically movable lid having a balloon orifice expanding mechanism consisting of multiple, cam actuated, retracting fingers. Lid support columns also function as air supply ducts and have stops to hold the lid at convenient elevations for insertion of deflated balloons and removal of inflated balloons containing objects. A preferred embodiment applies positive pressure to inflate the balloon, although vacuum applied exterior to the balloon is also workable.