Abstract: A gas monitor configured to monitor at least one target gas in an environmental mixture, by separating and concentrating the target gas and then adjusting for the concentration factor. The adjustment may also take into account sensor sensitivities to other gases. Methods for adjustment of target gas results and increasing accuracy of monitoring are described.

Abstract: A cover for a probe 12, such as an ultrasonic probe, the cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch 1 and a mouth portion 2 for inserting the probe 12 into the pouch, the mouth portion 2 comprising sealing means to enable the mouth portion to be formed into sealing engagement with a proximal end 11 of the probe. Also, a method of preventing a decontaminated ultrasonic probe from contamination comprising the step of, immediately after disinfection, inserting the ultrasonic probe 12 into a cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch 1 and a mouth portion 2 for inserting the probe 12 into to pouch, the mouth portion 2 comprising a deformably rigid portion 3, and deforming the mouth portion 2 into a sealing engagement with a proximal end 11 of the probe, wherein no undisinfected portion of the probe 12 enters the pouch 1.

Abstract: A system for formulating a performance metric of a motion such as water sport motion, preferable a swimming stroke, includes a wearable sensor device including 4 pressure sensors, a 9 degrees of freedom inertial measurement unit (IMU), a micro-processor communicating with the pressure sensors and the IMU, and waterproof housing in the form of a flexible silicone band to house the microprocessor, the pressure sensors and the IMU. The system includes an external computer communicating with the device for receiving and combining input data from each of the pressure sensors and the IMU, via the microprocessor, and a processing unit configured to combine the input data from both the at least one pressure sensor and the IMU. The input data is used to infer at least one force magnitude and at least one force direction, the input data being used to provide the performance metric of the water sport motion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a consumable cartridge removably attachable to an animal marking apparatus. The consumable cartridge comprises a movably mounted needle and a biasing element operatively coupled to the movably mounted needle to withdraw the needle to a withdrawn position. Also disclosed herein is a method for marking an animal.

Abstract: A cover for a probe 12, such as an ultrasonic probe, the cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch 1 and a mouth portion 2 for inserting the probe 12 into the pouch, the mouth portion 2 comprising sealing means to enable the mouth portion to be formed into sealing engagement with a proximal end 11 of the probe. Also, a method of preventing a decontaminated ultrasonic probe from contamination comprising the step of, immediately after disinfection, inserting the ultrasonic probe 12 into a cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch 1 and a mouth portion 2 for inserting the probe 12 into to pouch, the mouth portion 2 comprising a deformably rigid portion 3, and deforming the mouth portion 2 into a sealing engagement with a proximal end 11 of the probe, wherein no undisinfected portion of the probe 12 enters the pouch 1.

Abstract: A nebuliser cup for maintaining a safe level of liquid during nebulization, the cup comprising a liquid level sensor comprising: a first element sensing liquid at or below a position corresponding to a filled liquid level in the nebuliser cup; a second element electrically isolated from the first element and located at a position corresponding to a filled liquid level in the nebuliser cup; and wherein when the cup is not filled with a liquid to the filled liquid level, the first element, the liquid and the second element do not form an electrically coupled circuit; and when the cup is filled with a liquid to the filled to liquid level, the first element, the liquid and the second element together form an electrically coupled circuit.

Abstract: A cannula protector for protection of a cannulation site on a body is described. The protector includes a shield for inhibiting access to the cannulation site; and a body mount operatively connected to the shield, the body mount configured to provide one or more relief zones so as to relieve the mounting force of the protector when mounted on the body. A protector for protection of a cannulation site on a body is also described, the protector including: a shield for inhibiting access to the cannulation site; wherein the shield is configured to conform to a contour of the body to inhibit access to the cannulation site.

Abstract: A cover for a probe 12, such as an ultrasonic probe, the cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch 1 and a mouth portion 2 for inserting the probe 12 into the pouch, the mouth portion 2 comprising sealing means to enable the mouth portion to be formed into sealing engagement with a proximal end 11 of the probe. Also, a method of preventing a decontaminated ultrasonic probe from contamination comprising the step of, immediately after disinfection, inserting the ultrasonic probe 12 into a cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch 1 and a mouth portion 2 for inserting the probe 12 into to pouch, the mouth portion 2 comprising a deformably rigid portion 3, and deforming the mouth portion 2 into a sealing engagement with a proximal end 11 of the probe, wherein no undisinfected portion of the probe 12 enters the pouch 1.

Abstract: A nebuliser cup for maintaining a safe level of liquid during nebulization, the cup comprising a liquid level sensor comprising: a first element sensing liquid at or below a position corresponding to a filled liquid level in the nebuliser cup; a second element electrically isolated from the first element and located at a position corresponding to a filled liquid level in the nebuliser cup; and wherein when the cup is not filled with a liquid to the filled liquid level, the first element, the liquid and the second element do not form an electrically coupled circuit; and when the cup is filled with a liquid to the filled to liquid level, the first element, the liquid and the second element together form an electrically coupled circuit.

Abstract: Methods for determining the amount of residual sterilant remaining on the surface of an object at the end of a disinfection process are described. One method of determining the amount of residual sterilant on a test piece after a sterilization regime in a sterilization space includes the steps of: placing a test piece having a predetermined surface area into the sterilization space; subjecting the test piece to the sterilization regime; collecting the residual sterilant from the test piece in a collector solution; and measuring the amount of residual sterilant in the collector solution.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an object comprising the steps of i) placing an article to be sterilized in a sterilization chamber; ii) providing a sterilizing mist (for example hydrogen peroxide solution) to the sterilization chamber, thereby to contact said article for a first duration; iii) providing a gas flow to said chamber for a second duration, thereby to displace, where present, said sterilizing mist and to remove, where present, condensed mist from said article; wherein the total reduction in micro organisms over a time period encompassing the first duration and the second duration is less than log 6; and wherein steps ii) and iii) are repeated at least once to achieve a predetermined sterilization parameter such as a predetermined sum total of contact time between the sterilizing mist and the article, a predetermined sum total of sterilizing mist provided to the sterilization chamber or a predetermined level of sterilization.

Abstract: Methods for determining the amount of residual sterilant remaining on the surface of an object at the end of a disinfection process are described. One method of determining the amount of residual sterilant on a test piece after a sterilization regime in a sterilization space, the method comprises the steps of: placing a test piece having a predetermined surface area into the sterilization space; subjecting the test piece to the sterilization regime; collecting the residual sterilant from the test piece in a collector solution; and measuring the amount of residual sterilant in the collector solution.

Abstract: Methods for disinfecting or sterilizing an article are provided. One method includes vaporizing a solution comprising a biocide in a solvent having a first biocide:solvent ratio, directing a flow of the vapor to a first side of a membrane; directing an alternate flow of a gas to a second side of the membrane to increase the first biocide:solvent ratio on the first side to a second biocide:solvent ratio greater than the first biocide:solvent ratio thereby producing a concentrated vapor on the first side of the membrane, and contacting the article with the concentrated vapor for a time sufficient to disinfect or sterilize it.

Abstract: A method of measuring density of a sterilant aerosol e.g. aqueous hydrogen peroxide, in a gas stream (such as a stream of air) for the purposes of measuring sterilant dosage comprising: passing a gas stream at flow rate past an electrically heated element and measuring a first cooling effect, passing an aerosol suspended in a gas stream at flow rate past an electrically heated element and measuring a second cooling effect and measuring the difference between the first cooling effect and second cooling effect and correlating the difference with aerosol density. The total dosage can thus be determined. A measured dosage of a sterilant aerosol can be delivered by way of a feedback loop to halt further delivery of sterilant aerosol when the amount of aerosol delivered reaches a predetermined dosage. The methods allow sterilization to be certified.

Abstract: A nebuliser cup for maintaining a safe level of liquid during nebulization, the cup comprising a liquid level sensor comprising: a first element sensing liquid at or below a position corresponding to a filled liquid level in the nebuliser cup; a second element electrically isolated from the first element and located at a position corresponding to a filled liquid level in the nebuliser cup; and wherein when the cup is not filled with a liquid to the filled liquid level, the first element, the liquid and the second element do not form an electrically coupled circuit; and when the cup is filled with a liquid to the filled liquid level, the first element, the liquid and the second element together form an electrically coupled circuit.

Abstract: A method of measuring density of a sterilant aerosol e.g. aqueous hydrogen peroxide, in a gas stream (such as a stream of air) for the purposes of measuring sterilant dosage comprising: passing a gas stream at flow rate past an electrically heated element and measuring a first cooling effect, passing an aerosol suspended in a gas stream at flow rate past an electrically heated element and measuring a second cooling effect and measuring the difference between the first cooling effect and second cooling effect and correlating the difference with aerosol density. The total dosage can thus be determined. A measured dosage of a sterilant aerosol can be delivered by way of a feedback loop to halt further delivery of sterilant aerosol when the amount of aerosol delivered reaches a predetermined dosage. The methods allow sterilization to be certified.

Abstract: A method of sterilising an object comprising the steps of i) placing an article to be sterilised in a sterilisation chamber; ii) providing a sterilising mist (for example hydrogen peroxide solution) to the sterilisation chamber, thereby to contact said article for a first duration; iii) providing a gas flow to said chamber for a second duration, thereby to displace, where present, said sterilising mist and to remove, where present, condensed mist from said article; wherein the total reduction in micro organisms over a time period encompassing the first duration and the second duration is less than log 6; and wherein steps ii) and iii) are repeated at least once to achieve a predetermined sterilisation parameter such as a predetermined sum total of contact time between the sterilising mist and the article, a predetermined sum total of sterilising mist provided to the sterilisation chamber or a predetermined level of sterilisation.

Abstract: Apparatus for concentrating a vapor including an optional vaporizer, a vapor flow conduit; a counter flow conduit; and an optional humidity controller; wherein at least a portion of the vapor flow conduit and counter-flow conduit define respective opposed sides of a membrane. Also, a method of producing a concentrated active from a solution including an active in a solvent and having a first active-to-solvent ratio, the method comprising the steps of: (1) vaporizing the solution to form a vapor wherein the concentration of active is at about said first ratio, (2) providing a flow of the vapor to a first side of a membrane; and (3) providing an alternate flow of a gas to a second side of the membrane whereby to increase said first active-to-solvent ratio on the first side to a second active-to-solvent ratio greater than the first active-to-solvent ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a valve for controlling the flow of fluid between a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber via a first fluid pathway in a damping device in response to the rate of pressure change in the first fluid chamber, such that when the valve is in a closed state, a relatively rapid change of pressure cause the valve to move to an open state that enables flow through the fluid pathway, and such that a relatively slow change of pressure maintains the valve in the closed state that restricts or prevents flow through the fluid pathway. One version includes using a method for biasing the valve means towards the closed state. The valve includes a second fluid pathway to provide fluid connection between the first fluid chamber and a third fluid chamber, the second fluid pathway being configured such that the rate of flow in the second fluid pathway is restricted.