Abstract: A device and method for testing for the presence of liquid in a cannula of a medical instrument is described. The device includes a flexible guide member having a first end, a second end and a length extending from the first end to the second end, an elongated member arranged within the flexible guide member, and an absorbent material attached to one of the elongated member. The flexible guide member is inserted into the cannula, the flexible guide member is manipulated to cause the absorbent material to move through the cannula. The absorbent material is analyzed for the presence of liquid.

Abstract: A device and method for testing for the presence of liquid in a cannula of a medical instrument is described. The device includes a flexible guide member having a first end, a second end and a length extending from the first end to the second end, an elongated member arranged within the flexible guide member, and an absorbent material attached to one of the elongated member. The flexible guide member is inserted into the cannula, the flexible guide member is manipulated to cause the absorbent material to move through the cannula. The absorbent material is analyzed for the presence of liquid.

Abstract: A device and method for testing for the presence of liquid in a cannula of a medical instrument is described. The device includes a flexible guide member having a first end, a second end and a length extending from the first end to the second end, an elongated member arranged within the flexible guide member, and an absorbent material attached to one of the elongated member. The flexible guide member is inserted into the cannula, the flexible guide member is manipulated to cause the absorbent material to move through the cannula. The absorbent material is analyzed for the presence of liquid.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating a surface or liquid which is contaminated with prions includes treating the surface with a composition which includes one or more phenol. Phenols which are particularly effective include p-chloro-m-xylanol, thymol, triclosan, 4-chloro, 3-methylphenol, pentachlorophenol, hexachlorophene, 2,2-methyl-bis(4-chlorophenol), and p-phenylphenol.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating a surface or liquid which is contaminated with prions includes treating the surface with a composition which includes one or more phenol. Phenols which are particularly effective include p-chloro-m-xylanol, thymol, triclosan, 4-chloro, 3-methylphenol, pentachlorophenol, hexachlorophene, 2,2-methyl-bis(4-chlorophenol), and p-phenylphenol.

Abstract: A surface which carries a material which is infected with prions is cleaned with an alkaline cleaning solution to remove as much proteinaceous material as possible from the surface. The solution contains an alkaline cleaning agent which attacks prions remaining on the surface and which attacks prions removed from the surface during the cleaning step. After the cleaning step, the surface is exposed to a strong gaseous oxidant, preferably hydrogen peroxide vapor. The hydrogen peroxide or other strong oxidant attacks the prions, particularly the unclumped prion strands, deactivating the prions.

Abstract: A method of treating the surfaces of medical instruments which are contaminated with prions includes contacting the surface with a composition containing a source of peroxide ions, such as hydrogen peroxide, at a molar concentration of at least 1.5M peroxide (equivalent to approximately 5% hydrogen peroxide) and preferably, about 2M peroxide (approximately 7% hydrogen peroxide). The composition is optionally in the form of a gel. The composition is retained in contact with the surfaces for about 1-2 hours until all or substantially all prion contamination is removed.

Abstract: A method of treating the surfaces of medical instruments which are contaminated with prions includes contacting the surface with a composition containing a source of peroxide ions, such as hydrogen peroxide, at a molar concentration of at least 1.5M peroxide (equivalent to approximately 5% hydrogen peroxide) and preferably, about 2M peroxide (approximately 7% hydrogen peroxide). The composition is optionally in the form of a gel. The composition is retained in contact with the surfaces for about 1–2 hours until all or substantially all prion contamination is removed.

Abstract: A proteinaceous material has been found to show similar activity and treatment response to that of disease causing prions, such as CJD. A prion model which incorporates the proteinaceous material has a variety of applications. The model has an ability to be cultured either in vivo or in vitro, allowing rapid screening of potential drugs for treating animals or humans, or methods of treating food products or items which may come into contact with prions, such as medical or dental devices. Several treatment methods and materials have been developed using the model.

Abstract: A method of treating the surfaces of medical instruments which are contaminated with prions includes contacting the surface with a composition containing a source of peroxide ions, such as hydrogen peroxide, at a molar concentration of at least 1.5M peroxide (equivalent to approximately 5% hydrogen peroxide) and preferably, about 2M peroxide (approximately 7% hydrogen peroxide). The composition is optionally in the form of a gel. The composition is retained in contact with the surfaces for about 1–2 hours until all or substantially all prion contamination is removed.

Abstract: A surface which carries a material which is infected with prions is cleaned with an alkaline cleaning solution to remove as much proteinaceous material as possible from the surface. The cleaning agent is an alkaline cleaning agent which attacks prions remaining on the surface and which attacks prions removed from the surface during the cleaning step. After the cleaning solution is drained, a solution of surfactants, buffers, and heavy metal free corrosion inhibitors is circulated over the surface at 50°–60° C. The surfactants disperse and unclump the prion-contaminated material. A strong oxidant, preferably peracetic acid, is added to the solution to bring the peracetic acid concentration to 1,000–2,500 ppm. The peracetic acid or other strong oxidant attacks the prions, particularly the unclumped prion strands, deactivating the prions. After rinsing and drying, the surface may be wrapped in a microbe impermeable barrier and subjected to terminal sterilization, such as steam autoclaving.

Abstract: A proteinaceous material has been found to show similar activity and treatment response to that of disease causing prions, such as CJD. A prion model which incorporates the proteinaceous material has a variety of applications. The model has an ability to be cultured either in vivo or in vitro, allowing rapid screening of potential drugs for treating animals or humans, or methods of treating food products or items which may come into contact with prions, such as medical or dental devices. Several treatment methods and materials have been developed using the model.

Abstract: A surface which carries a material which is infected with prions is cleaned with an alkaline cleaning solution to remove as much proteinaceous material as possible from the surface. The solution contains an alkaline cleaning agent which attacks prions remaining on the surface and which attacks prions removed from the surface during the cleaning step. After the cleaning step, the surface is exposed to a strong gaseous oxidant, preferably hydrogen peroxide vapor. The hydrogen peroxide or other strong oxidant attacks the prions, particularly the unclumped prion strands, deactivating the prions.

Abstract: A surface which carries a material which is infected with prions is cleaned with an alkaline cleaning solution to remove as much proteinaceous material as possible from the surface. The cleaning agent is an alkaline cleaning agent which attacks prions remaining on the surface and which attacks prions removed from the surface during the cleaning step. After the cleaning solution is drained, a solution of surfactants, buffers, and heavy metal free corrosion inhibitors is circulated over the surface at 50°-60° C. The surfactants disperse and unclump the prion-contaminated material. A strong oxidant, preferably peracetic acid, is added to the solution to bring the peracetic acid concentration to 1,000-2,500 ppm. The peracetic acid or other strong oxidant attacks the prions, particularly the unclumped prion strands, deactivating the prions. After rinsing and drying, the surface may be wrapped in a microbe impermeable barrier and subjected to terminal sterilization, such as steam autoclaving.

Abstract: A processing chamber for the treatment and decontamination of biological or medical waste includes a rotating waste treatment system carried within an open-top processing chamber, a cap for closing the chamber opening, a gas-pervious liner carried within the chamber for preventing waste from adhering to the underside of the cap as a result of waste-treatment operations, a sealing member disposed at and for sealing the interface of the cap and the processing chamber, and a chemical indicator carried within the interior of the processing chamber for confirming the presence of decontaminant during a waste treatment cycle.

Abstract: A polymer is disclosed which is represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein: Y is hydrogen, ammonium, an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, nitro, sulfo, phospho, carboxy, carboxyamido groups or hydrocarbon groups of 1 to about 20 carbon atoms; R.sup.3 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group of from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently hydrogen or alkyl groups of 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; m is a number sufficient to provide the acid or salt portion of said polymer at a level of from zero to about 90% by weight of the total weight of said polymer; n is a number sufficient to provide the amide portion of said polymer at a level of from about 10% to about 99.5% by weight of the total weight of said polymer; p is a number sufficient to provide the maleimide portion of said polymer at a level of at least about 0.