Abstract: The invention discloses methods and apparatus(es) for the removal and control of pollutants such as gases and suspended particulates in the air of an enclosed space or an outdoor environment by passing the air through absorbent media. The absorbent media includes any liquid, solid or combination of liquid and solid media that is capable of absorbing a material in which it comes in contact. In one aspect of the invention, formaldehyde is removed by air sparging through a liquid such as water, optionally containing additional scavenging agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel ocular drug or agent delivery devices, systems and methods, and ocular monitoring devices, systems and methods. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an ocular agent delivery device, an ocular sampling or monitoring device, and methods thereof utilizing contact lens technology in which lenses or lens assemblies are configured to contain drugs or agents that are delivered by applying to the eye in order to relieve symptoms due to conditions, such as infections and relieve eye improve comfort.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods and apparatus(es) for the removal and control of pollutants such as gases and suspended particulates in the air of an enclosed space or an outdoor environment by passing the air through absorbent media. The absorbent media includes any liquid, solid or combination of liquid and solid media that is capable of absorbing a material in which it comes in contact. In one aspect of the invention, formaldehyde is removed by air sparging through a liquid such as water, optionally containing additional scavenging agents.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods and apparatus(es) for the removal and control of pollutants such as gases and suspended particulates in the air of an enclosed space or an outdoor environment by passing the air through absorbent media. The absorbent media includes any liquid, solid or combination of liquid and solid media that is capable of absorbing a material in which it comes in contact. In one aspect of the invention, formaldehyde is removed by air sparging through a liquid such as water, optionally containing additional scavenging agents.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods and apparatus(es) for the removal and control of pollutants such as gases and suspended particulates in the air of an enclosed space or an outdoor environment by passing the air through absorbent media. The absorbent media includes any liquid, solid or combination of liquid and solid media that is capable of absorbing a material in which it comes in contact. In one aspect of the invention, formaldehyde is removed by air sparging through a liquid such as water, optionally containing additional scavenging agents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for automatically cleaning and decontaminating medical instruments. The method comprising the steps of: a) placing the medical instruments into a container after their use in a medical procedure; b) closing the container to seal the instruments inside whereby to prevent personnel contact with the instruments and any contaminants which might be thereon; c) inserting the sealed container into a washer/decontaminator and sealing the washer/decontaminator; d) the washer/decontaminator automatically opening the container and applying a washing fluid thereto to wash the instruments within the container; and e) the washer/decontaminator automatically applying a disinfectant to the container to disinfect the instruments whereby to allow safe handling thereof by personnel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for automatically cleaning and decontaminating medical instruments. The method comprising the steps of: a) placing the medical instruments into a container after their use in a medical procedure; b) closing the container to seal the instruments inside whereby to prevent personnel contact with the instruments and any contaminants which might be thereon; c) inserting the sealed container into a washer/decontaminator and sealing the washer/decontaminator; d) the washer/decontaminator automatically opening the container and applying a washing fluid thereto to wash the instruments within the container; and e) the washer/decontaminator automatically applying a disinfectant to the container to disinfect the instruments whereby to allow safe handling thereof by personnel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for automatically cleaning and decontaminating medical instruments. The method comprising the steps of: a) placing the medical instruments into a container after their use in a medical procedure; b) closing the container to seal the instruments inside whereby to prevent personnel contact with the instruments and any contaminants which might be thereon; c) inserting the sealed container into a washer/decontaminator and sealing the washer/decontaminator; d) the washer/decontaminator automatically opening the container and applying a washing fluid thereto to wash the instruments within the container; and e) the washer/decontaminator automatically applying a disinfectant to the container to disinfect the instruments whereby to allow safe handling thereof by personnel.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a cleaning process for a medical instrument, includes the steps of placing the instrument in a cleaning chamber; placing a soil standard in the cleaning chamber; cleaning the instrument and the soil standard with a cleaning solution; and detecting whether soil remains on said soil standard. The soil standard includes two substantially parallel substrates separated with two substantially equal thickness spacers, wherein a gap is formed between the two substrates with soil in the gap.

Abstract: A method and device provide for delivering fluid for cleaning and/or decontamination to a lumen in a medical device. A tube having a plurality of openings therethrough is inserted into the lumen of the medical device the fluid is flowed through the tube, out of the openings and into the lumen.

Abstract: High-level disinfectant formulations and sporicidal formulations suitable for use as chemical disinfection and sterilization mediums comprising a dialdehyde, a carboxylate salt in amount of from about 3 weight percent to about 20 weight percent, and the balance water. The formulations are useful for disinfecting and sterilizing medical instruments and medical equipment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ?-Hydroxy sulfonate aldehydes and synthesis methods therefor. Germicidal compositions including the ?-hydroxy sulfonate aldehydes, are also disclosed. In one aspect, a germicidal composition may include a diluent, and a germicidally effective amount of a water-soluble germicidal compound including an aldehyde group and an ?-hydroxy sulfonate group. The water-soluble compound may have a solubility of at least 5 (w/v) % in water. In a further aspect, the compound may include 1-hydroxy-3-oxo-2-phenyl-propane-1-sulfonic acid salt, (2-formyl-phenyl)-hydroxy-methane sulfonic acid salt, 1-hydroxy-2-(4-methanesulfonyl-2-nitro-phenyl)-3-oxo-propane-1-sulfonic acid salt, 2-bromo-1-hydroxy-3-oxo-propane-1-sulfonic acid salt, 2-chloro-1-hydroxy-3-oxo-propane-1-sulfonic acid salt, 2-(1-formyl-2-hydroxy-2-sulfo-ethyl)-isonicotinic acid salt, 2-benzooxazol-2-yl-1-hydroxy-3-oxo-propane-1-sulfonic acid salt, or 1-hydroxy-2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-3-oxo-propane-1-sulfonic acid salt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for automatically cleaning and decontaminating medical instruments. The method comprising the steps of: a) placing the medical instruments into a container after their use in a medical procedure; b) closing the container to seal the instruments inside whereby to prevent personnel contact with the instruments and any contaminants which might be thereon; c) inserting the sealed container into a washer/decontaminator and sealing the washer/decontaminator; d) the washer/decontaminator automatically opening the container and applying a washing fluid thereto to wash the instruments within the container; and e) the washer/decontaminator automatically applying a disinfectant to the container to disinfect the instruments whereby to allow safe handling thereof by personnel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for sterilizing a device in a container. The method comprising the steps of: a) placing the device into the container; b) processing the device, the container and a lid for the container in a sterilization process with the lid separated from the container; and c) after sterilizing a contact surface on the container where the lid meets the container, and while maintaining the container and the lid in a sterile environment, placing the lid onto the container, whereby to prevent contamination of the device upon its removal from the container via contact with the contact surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for cleaning and sterilizing a device in one machine. The method comprises the steps of: a) placing the device into a container; b) placing the container into a washing/sterilization apparatus; c) the washing/sterilization apparatus washing the device by applying a washing fluid to an interior of the container to wash the device; d) after washing the device, and without removing the device from the washing/sterilization apparatus, the washing/sterilization apparatus packaging the device in a bacteria impermeable package; e) the washing/sterilization apparatus sterilizing the device by exposing the device to a sterilizing vapor; and f) removing the device while it remains in the package whereby to preserve its sterility until use.

Abstract: A container provides for soaking medical instruments. The container includes a basin for receiving one or more medical instruments, a fill level sensor for detecting presence of a soaking substance at a minimum fill level, a lid closure sensor which detects closure of a lid onto the basin, and a timer adapted to begin a timing sequence when both the fill lever sensor detects presence of the soaking substance at the minimum fill level and the lid closure sensor detects closure of the lid. Proper soaking of the instruments prior to a full cleaning procedure improves the reliability of the cleaning procedure.

Abstract: Germicidal compositions containing phenylmalonaldehyde-type compounds, or mixtures of phenylmalonaldehyde-type compounds and phthalaldehydes, and methods of using such compositions for killing bacteria, disinfection, or sterilization, are disclosed. In one aspect, a germicidal composition may include a diluent, and a germicidal compound having the formula: wherein Ar is an aryl group that is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-pyrimidinyl, and 2-(2-nitro-3-formyl-phenyl). In a further aspect, the composition may also include a germicidal efficacy enhancer such as isophthalaldehyde or a combination of isophthalaldehyde and terephthalaldehyde.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid-phase saccharide dyes. The dyes are bisboronic acids covalently bonded to a solid substrate. The dyes selectively conjugate with saccharides, particularly glucose, and register a signal. The signal is proportional to the quantity of saccharide. Thus, the dyes of the present invention are useful for measuring and monitoring saccharide levels, particularly in biological fluids such as blood.

Abstract: Methods of forming germicidal aromatic dialdehydes by hydrolyzing acetals are disclosed. Compositions and kits including both germicidal aromatic dialdehydes and acetals that are capable of being converted to germicides are disclosed. In one aspect, an acetal may be converted to germicide gradually in a deployed germicidal solution to accommodate for loss of the germicide or otherwise to modify the germicidal efficacy of the deployed germicidal solution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of synthesizing a 4-substituted-benzene-1,2-carbaldehyde. In one aspect, a method may include reacting a 4-substituted-1,2-bis(dibromomethyl) benzene with sulfuric acid to form a reaction product, introducing a solid sodium bicarbonate into the reaction product, and hydrolyzing the reaction product to form a 4-substituted-benzene-1,2-carbaldehyde, after introducing the bicarbonate.