Abstract: A fermentation apparatus for preserving the aroma of a fermentable beverage is provided. The fermentation apparatus comprises a flow passage fluidly connectable to the headspace located above a fermentable beverage in a fermentation container. A carbon dioxide scrubber in the flow passage receives a headspace fluid mixture comprising at least carbon dioxide gas and an aromatic fluid originating from the fermenting beverage. When the headspace fluid mixture contacts the carbon dioxide scrubber, the carbon dioxide scrubber retains a modified fluid in the flow passage. The modified fluid has a lower carbon dioxide gas concentration and a higher aromatic fluid concentration than the headspace fluid mixture. The flow passage directs the modified fluid back to the headspace to at least partially retain the aromatic fluid in the fermentable beverage in the fermentation container. A method for preserving the aroma of a fermentable beverage is also provided.

Abstract: A fermentation apparatus for preserving the aroma of a fermentable beverage is provided. The fermentation apparatus comprises a flow passage fluidly connectable to the headspace located above a fermentable beverage in a fermentation container. A carbon dioxide scrubber in the flow passage receives a headspace fluid mixture comprising at least carbon dioxide gas and an aromatic fluid originating from the fermenting beverage. When the headspace fluid mixture contacts the carbon dioxide scrubber, the carbon dioxide scrubber retains a modified fluid in the flow passage. The modified fluid has a lower carbon dioxide gas concentration and a higher aromatic fluid concentration than the headspace fluid mixture. The flow passage directs the modified fluid back to the headspace to at least partially retain the aromatic fluid in the fermentable beverage in the fermentation container. A method for preserving the aroma of a fermentable beverage is also provided.

Abstract: A fermentation apparatus for preserving the aroma of a fermentable beverage is provided. The fermentation apparatus comprises a flow passage fluidly connectable to the headspace located above a fermentable beverage in a fermentation container. A carbon dioxide scrubber in the flow passage receives a headspace fluid mixture comprising at least carbon dioxide gas and an aromatic fluid originating from the fermenting beverage. When the headspace fluid mixture contacts the carbon dioxide scrubber, the carbon dioxide scrubber retains a modified fluid in the flow passage. The modified fluid has a lower carbon dioxide gas concentration and a higher aromatic fluid concentration than the headspace fluid mixture. The flow passage directs the modified fluid back to the headspace to at least partially retain the aromatic fluid in the fermentable beverage in the fermentation container. A method for preserving the aroma of a fermentable beverage is also provided.

Abstract: A fermentation apparatus for preserving the aroma of a fermentable beverage is provided. The fermentation apparatus comprises a flow passage fluidly connectable to the headspace located above a fermentable beverage in a fermentation container. A carbon dioxide scrubber in the flow passage receives a headspace fluid mixture comprising at least carbon dioxide gas and an aromatic fluid originating from the fermenting beverage. When the headspace fluid mixture contacts the carbon dioxide scrubber, the carbon dioxide scrubber retains a modified fluid in the flow passage. The modified fluid has a lower carbon dioxide gas concentration and a higher aromatic fluid concentration than the headspace fluid mixture. The flow passage directs the modified fluid back to the headspace to at least partially retain the aromatic fluid in the fermentable beverage in the fermentation container. A method for preserving the aroma of a fermentable beverage is also provided.

Abstract: A fermentation apparatus for preserving the aroma of a fermentable beverage is provided. The fermentation apparatus comprises a flow passage fluidly connectable to the headspace located above a fermentable beverage in a fermentation container. A carbon dioxide scrubber in the flow passage receives a headspace fluid mixture comprising at least carbon dioxide gas and an aromatic fluid originating from the fermenting beverage. When the headspace fluid mixture contacts the carbon dioxide scrubber, the carbon dioxide scrubber retains a modified fluid in the flow passage. The modified fluid has a lower carbon dioxide gas concentration and a higher aromatic fluid concentration than the headspace fluid mixture. The flow passage directs the modified fluid back to the headspace to at least partially retain the aromatic fluid in the fermentable beverage in the fermentation container. A method for preserving the aroma of a fermentable beverage is also provided.

Abstract: A fermentation apparatus for preserving the aroma of a fermentable beverage is provided. The fermentation apparatus comprises a flow passage fluidly connectable to the headspace located above a fermentable beverage in a fermentation container. A carbon dioxide scrubber in the flow passage receives a headspace fluid mixture comprising at least carbon dioxide gas and an aromatic fluid originating from the fermenting beverage. When the headspace fluid mixture contacts the carbon dioxide scrubber, the carbon dioxide scrubber retains a modified fluid in the flow passage. The modified fluid has a lower carbon dioxide gas concentration and a higher aromatic fluid concentration than the headspace fluid mixture. The flow passage directs the modified fluid back to the headspace to at least partially retain the aromatic fluid in the fermentable beverage in the fermentation container. A method for preserving the aroma of a fermentable beverage is also provided.

Abstract: A system, device and method involve the management of formulas. In one embodiment, the formulas are buildable through the selection of mathematical components. A formula list facilitates formula management.

Abstract: Gripper devices for handling syringes and automated pharmacy admixture systems (APASs) that utilize such gripper devices. The gripper devices may include various gripper finger profiles, substantially tapered or angled gripping surfaces and/or gripper fingers interleaving to reduce radial distortion of the syringes to be grasped while opposing axial motion of the syringes.

Abstract: Some methods and related apparatus for manipulating a fluid conduit for insertion into a substantially re-sealable membrane include determining an orientation and position of a fluid conduit relative to the membrane. In an illustrative example, a syringe needle having a beveled leading edge may be manipulated by an automated device to be oriented and aligned with an aperture made upon a previous insertion of a needle into a membrane. In some examples, a predetermined number of insertions may be made in the same aperture by aligning and orienting one or more needles with the aperture. In some examples, multiple needle insertions may be controlled to produce apertures that are substantially spaced apart. Such procedures may, for example, advantageously extend the integrity of the membrane against leakage and/or contamination.

Abstract: A portable steam sterilizer for surgical and dental instruments includes an outer casing and a pressure chamber configured to receive steam therein. A tray is configured to hold the instruments and is releasably received within the pressure chamber while a boiler is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber for providing steam thereto. The sterilizer further includes a container for receiving condensed steam evacuated from the pressure chamber. The container is spaced from the outer casing and includes a main body and a lid that is substantially non-rotationally coupled to the main body. A conduit is coupled to the lid and fluid communicates the container with the pressure chamber. The main body of the container may include a base while the lid may include a wall oriented generally orthogonal to the base.

Abstract: A portable steam sterilizer for surgical instruments includes a tray configured to hold the instruments and a pressure chamber. The pressure chamber includes a cavity portion and a handle portion. The cavity portion includes a set of walls and is configured to releasably receive the tray, while the handle portion is coupled to the tray for selectively inserting and removing the tray respectively into and from within the cavity portion. The handle portion is sealingly engageable with the cavity portion to thereby define the pressure chamber. A steam inlet fluidly communicates the pressure chamber with a source of steam to selectively permit steam to flow from the source of steam and into the pressure chamber. A steam outlet fluidly communicates the pressure chamber with a steam management assembly to selectively permit steam to flow from the pressure chamber and into the steam management assembly.

Abstract: Automated system and techniques for controlling fluid transfers among medical containers such as syringes, vials and IV bag are disclosed. In one aspect, an automated method for substantially balancing a pressure within a medical container such as a vial with ambient pressure using a fluid transfer device such as a needled syringe is disclosed. In another aspect, an automated method for substantially removing a volume of air from a medical container such as an IV bag using a fast pull technique is disclosed.

Abstract: A sterilizer (20) is provided having a steam filled sterilizer chamber (24) for sterilizer articles placed within the chamber (24). An electronic air valve (186) is provided to control the venting rate of the steam is vented back to a water reservoir (140) after the articles have been sterilized. The electronic air valve (186) also vents the chamber (24) in a controlled manner during the heat up portion of the sterilization cycle to obtain an optimum saturated steam environment with the chamber (24) for the sterilizing process. The sterilizer (20) has pre-programmed and programmable sterilization cycles. And the drying times of each of these cycles is programmable by a user. The programmable sterilization cycles also provide a programmable vent rate which may be selected by the user to minimize damage to the sterilized articles. A steam condensing coil (200) is associated with the water reservoir (140) to minimize pressure build up within the water reservoir (140).

Abstract: A water purification apparatus comprising a semi-permeable membrane capable of being contacted with a water source; a superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing water across said semi-permeable membrane; a pressure application surface capable of transmitting pressure to the gel; and a permeable membrane through which absorbed water is capable of being released from the gel upon application of pressure thereto from said pressure application surface, wherein said permeable membrane is isolated in use from the water source by an isolation means

Abstract: Automated system and techniques for controlling fluid transfers among medical containers such as syringes, vials and IV bag are disclosed. In one aspect, an automated method for substantially balancing a pressure within a medical container such as a vial with ambient pressure using a fluid transfer device such as a needled syringe is disclosed. In another aspect, an automated method for substantially removing a volume of air from a medical container such as an IV bag using a fast pull technique is disclosed.

Abstract: Gripper devices for handling syringes and automated pharmacy admixture systems (APASs) that utilize such gripper devices. The gripper devices may include various gripper finger profiles, substantially tapered or angled gripping surfaces and/or gripper fingers interleaving to reduce radial distortion of the syringes to be grasped while opposing axial motion of the syringes.

Abstract: A portable steam sterilizer for surgical instruments includes a tray configured to hold the instruments and a pressure chamber. The pressure chamber includes a cavity portion and a handle portion. The cavity portion includes a set of walls and is configured to releasably receive the tray, while the handle portion is coupled to the tray for selectively inserting and removing the tray respectively into and from within the cavity portion. The handle portion is sealingly engageable with the cavity portion to thereby define the pressure chamber. A steam inlet fluidly communicates the pressure chamber with a source of steam to selectively permit steam to flow from the source of steam and into the pressure chamber. A steam outlet fluidly communicates the pressure chamber with a steam management assembly to selectively permit steam to flow from the pressure chamber and into the steam management assembly.

Abstract: A portable steam sterilizer for surgical and dental instruments includes an outer casing and a pressure chamber configured to receive steam therein. A tray is configured to hold the instruments and is releasably received within the pressure chamber while a boiler is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber for providing steam thereto. The sterilizer further includes a container for receiving condensed steam evacuated from the pressure chamber. The container is spaced from the outer casing and includes a main body and a lid that is substantially non-rotationally coupled to the main body. A conduit is coupled to the lid and fluid communicates the container with the pressure chamber. The main body of the container may include a base while the lid may include a wall oriented generally orthogonal to the base.

Abstract: Some methods and related apparatus for manipulating a fluid conduit for insertion into a substantially re-sealable membrane include determining an orientation and position of a fluid conduit relative to the membrane. In an illustrative example, a syringe needle having a beveled leading edge may be manipulated by an automated device to be oriented and aligned with an aperture made upon a previous insertion of a needle into a membrane. In some examples, a predetermined number of insertions may be made in the same aperture by aligning and orienting one or more needles with the aperture. In some examples, multiple needle insertions may be controlled to produce apertures that are substantially spaced apart. Such procedures may, for example, advantageously extend the integrity of the membrane against leakage and/or contamination.