Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical lamp for illuminating a surgical site. The surgical lamp includes a housing that defines an internal cavity. A light source is disposed within the internal cavity of the housing for producing a light field at a surgical site that is remote from the housing. A voltage sensitive device is disposed between the light source and the surgical site. The voltage sensitive device has light transmissive properties that change in response to a biasing voltage applied thereto. Control means control the biasing voltage to the voltage sensitive device.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a portable decontamination unit. The invention also relates to a decontamination process. The decontamination unit may be ruggedized for use in hostile environments such as those that may be anticipated for military applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing chemical sterilant molecules from a medium, such as a carrier gas. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing that defines an internal cavity. The housing has an inlet and an outlet fluidly communicating with the internal cavity. An electrode is dimensioned to be received in the internal cavity of the housing. The electrode is made of a material that is chemically active with respect to molecules of a chemical sterilant and conductive to electricity. The electrode is connected to a source of an electrical charge such that an electrical field gradient is formed in a region of space surrounding the electrode. The electrical field gradient is operable to force the chemical sterilant molecule toward the electrode.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a portable decontamination unit. The invention also relates to a decontamination process. The decontamination unit may employ a shipping container for transporting a decontaminant generator and optionally a power generator, and for functioning as a decontamination chamber. The decontamination unit may be ruggedized for use in hostile environments such as those that may be anticipated for military applications.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a bidirectional shelf assembly which may be used in a single door or double door cabinet. The cabinet may comprise the decontamination chamber of a decontamination unit. The cabinet may comprise a sterilizer and/or washer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing chemical sterilant molecules from a medium, such as a carrier gas. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing that defines an internal cavity. The housing has an inlet and an outlet fluidly communicating with the internal cavity. An electrode is dimensioned to be received in the internal cavity of the housing. The electrode is made of a material that is chemically active with respect to molecules of a chemical sterilant and conductive to electricity. The electrode is connected to a source of an electrical charge such that an electrical field gradient is formed in a region of space surrounding the electrode. The electrical field gradient is operable to force the chemical sterilant molecule toward the electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing chemical sterilant molecules from a medium, such as a carrier gas. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing that defines an internal cavity. The housing has an inlet and an outlet fluidly communicating with the internal cavity. An electrode is dimensioned to be received in the internal cavity of the housing. The electrode is made of a material that is chemically active with respect to molecules of a chemical sterilant and conductive to electricity. The electrode is connected to a source of an electrical charge such that an electrical field gradient is formed in a region of space surrounding the electrode. The electrical field gradient is operable to force the chemical sterilant molecule toward the electrode.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a portable decontamination unit. The invention also relates to a decontamination process. The decontamination unit may be ruggedized for use in hostile environments such as those that may be anticipated for military applications.

Abstract: An oxidizing liquid (20), such as hydrogen peroxide, is vaporized (18) and the vapor is used to deactivate nerve gas, blistering gas, or other biologically active substances such as pathogens, biotoxins, and prions. A second chemical compound (42) in vapor, mist, or fog form is used in conjunction with the oxidizing vapor. In one embodiment, the second chemical preconditions the biologically active substances to be deactivated more efficiently by the oxidizing vapor. In another embodiment, the second chemical boosts the reactivity of the oxidizing vapor. In another embodiment, the other chemical reacts with the oxidizing vapor to form an intermediate compound that deactivates at least some of the biologically active substances.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing chemical sterilant molecules from a medium, such as a carrier gas. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing that defines an internal cavity. The housing has an inlet and an outlet fluidly communicating with the internal cavity. An electrode is dimensioned to be received in the internal cavity of the housing. The electrode is made of a material that is chemically active with respect to molecules of a chemical sterilant and conductive to electricity. The electrode is connected to a source of an electrical charge such that an electrical field gradient is formed in a region of space surrounding the electrode. The electrical field gradient is operable to force the chemical sterilant molecule toward the electrode.

Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide is vaporized (20) and mixed (30) with ammonia gas in a ratio between 1:1 and 1:0.0001. The peroxide and ammonia vapor mixture are conveyed to a treatment area (10) to neutralize V-type, H-type, or G-type chemical agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, prions, and the lip-,e. The ammonia provides the primary deactivating agent for G-type agents with the peroxide acting as an accelerator. The peroxide acts as the primary agent for deactivating V-type and H-type agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, and prions. The ammonia acts as an accelerator in at least some of these peroxide deactivation reactions.

Abstract: A processor for decontaminating devices is comprised of a chamber for holding devices and a circulation system to circulate a microbial decontamination fluid through the chamber. A water filtration system filters water used in the processor. The water filtration system has a water line connectable to a source of pressurized water. A water decontamination system fluidly communicates with the source of water and the processor. The water decontamination system has a water circulation path and a tank located within the water circulation path. Means are provided to circulate water along the water circulation path through the tank. A gas circulation path fluidly communicates with the tank. Conveying means is provided to convey gas along the gas circulation path through the tank. An ozone producing device is located along the gas circulation path to introduce ozone into gas flowing along the gas circulation path and through the tank.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a decontamination unit which is energy efficient and may be used to decontaminate a large enclosure such as a multi-room building. The invention also relates to a decontamination process. The decontamination unit may be ruggedized for use in hostile environments such as those that may be anticipated for military applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aerating a region exposed to a gaseous/vaporous sterilant. A catalytic destroyer and a reactive chemical unit are used to reduce the concentration of the gaseous/vaporous sterilant within the region. The reactive chemical unit includes a chemistry that is chemically reactive with the gaseous/vaporous sterilant. In one embodiment, the gaseous/vaporous sterilant is vaporized hydrogen peroxide and the chemistry of the reactive chemical unit includes thiosulfate and iodide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aerating a region exposed to a gaseous/vaporous sterilant. A catalytic destroyer and a reactive chemical unit are used to reduce the concentration of the gaseous/vaporous sterilant within the region. The reactive chemical unit includes a chemistry that is chemically reactive with the gaseous/vaporous sterilant. In one embodiment, the gaseous/vaporous sterilant is vaporized hydrogen peroxide and the chemistry of the reactive chemical unit includes thiosulfate and iodide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor system for determining a concentration of a chemical component in a fluid having a first sensor that senses a first physico-chemical property of the chemical component and, a second sensor that senses a second, different physico-chemical property of the chemical component and a processing system.

Abstract: A mobile deactivation apparatus for deactivating contaminants within a defined region that includes a source of a vaporous deactivating agent, a gas handling system, a support member, a drive means, a control system, and a power system is disclosed. The gas handling system dispenses the vaporous deactivating agent to the defined region. The support member is movable in the defined region and supports the source of the vaporous deactivating agent and the gas handling system. The support member can be propelled by the drive means. The control system is programmed to control the operation of the gas handling system and the drive means. A power system is provided to supply power to the mobile deactivation apparatus.

Abstract: A large convoluted space, such as a multi-story concourse of an airport is isolated and a chemical or biological agent in the concourse is deactivated. A plurality of deactivation gas sources (100) introduce a deactivation gas at multiple points along the concourse. Fans (66, 106) circulate the deactivation gas, sensors (110) sense concentrations of the deactivation gas at numerous points around the concourse and exhaust fans (66) exhaust air, spent deactivation gas, and some deactivation gas. A control processor (84) controls the generators, the circulation fans, and the exhaust fans in accordance with the gas concentrations sensed by the sensors to increase and decrease deactivation gas concentration in selected subregions of the concourse by increasing or decreasing generation, increasing or decreasing exhausting, or altering flow patterns among subregions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aerating a region exposed to a gaseous/vaporous sterilant. A catalytic destroyer and a reactive chemical unit are used to reduce the concentration of the gaseous/vaporous sterilant within the region. The reactive chemical unit includes a chemistry that is chemically reactive with the gaseous/vaporous sterilant. In one embodiment, the gaseous/vaporous sterilant is vaporized hydrogen peroxide and the chemistry of the reactive chemical unit includes thiosulfate and iodide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aerating a region exposed to a gaseous/vaporous sterilant. A catalytic destroyer and a reactive chemical unit are used to reduce the concentration of the gaseous/vaporous sterilant within the region. The reactive chemical unit includes a chemistry that is chemically reactive with the gaseous/vaporous sterilant. In one embodiment, the gaseous/vaporous sterilant is vaporized hydrogen peroxide and the chemistry of the reactive chemical unit includes thiosulfate and iodide.