Abstract: Compositions and methods for their use are presented that substantially increase the rate of inactivation of microbiological organisms, especially those resistant to inactivation from free halogen based sanitizers, and oxidation of oxidation resistant organic based compounds in aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method and composition for reducing chemical oxygen demand is presented. The composition includes a persulfate donor, a transition metal catalyst in contact with the persulfate donor, and a cationic electrolyte. When the composition is contacted by water, the transition metal catalyst reacts with persulfate and reduces the persulfate concentration in the water. The composition allows the use of persulfate, which is known to cause irritation to users of aquatic facilities (e.g., pools, spas) that come in contact with it. As the persulfate concentration is reduced rapidly in the water by the catalyzed reaction, the persulfate-containing product may be applied while the aquatic facilities are being used. A free halogen donor may be incorporated into the composition. The composition may be in the form of powder, granules (coated or uncoated), or agglomerate. The cationic electrolyte facilitates the removal of the catalyst from the water.

Abstract: A method and composition for reducing chemical oxygen demand is presented. The composition includes a persulfate donor and a transition metal catalyst in contact with the persulfate donor. When the composition is contacted by water, the transition metal catalyst reacts with persulfate and reduces the persulfate concentration in the water. The composition allows the use of persulfate, which is known to cause irritation to users of aquatic facilities (e.g., pools, spas) that come in contact with it. As the persulfate concentration is reduced rapidly in the water by the catalyzed reaction, the persulfate-containing cleaning product may even be used while the aquatic facilities are being used. Optionally, a free halogen donor may be incorporated into the composition. The composition may be in the form of powder, granules (coated or uncoated), or agglomerate.

Abstract: A method and composition for reducing chemical oxygen demand is presented. The composition includes a persulfate donor and a transition metal catalyst in contact with the persulfate donor. When the composition is contacted by water, the transition metal catalyst reacts with persulfate and reduces the persulfate concentration in the water. The composition allows the use of persulfate, which is known to cause irritation to users of aquatic facilities (e.g., pools, spas) that come in contact with it. As the persulfate concentration is reduced rapidly in the water by the catalyzed reaction, the persulfate-containing cleaning product may even be used while the aquatic facilities are being used. Optionally, a free halogen donor may be incorporated into the composition. The composition may be in the form of powder, granules (coated or uncoated), or agglomerate.

Abstract: An efficient cyclic process and related compositions for the in-situ generation of oxyhalogens from anions of chloride, bromide and chlorite in an aqueous system using in-situ generated sulfate free radicals. The cyclic process and compositions enhance the rate of inactivation of microbiological organisms especially those resistant to inactivation from free halogen based sanitizers, and oxidation of oxidation resistant organic based compounds in aqueous solution. Aquatic facilities susceptible to accumulation of organic N-chloramines and other oxidation resistant compounds, as well as oxidation resistant parasitic organisms such as cryptosporidium and Giardia, obtain dramatic improvements in the rate of oxidation and subsequent inactivation of these undesirable contaminants.

Abstract: A composition that generates a target product and releases a biocidal solution containing the target product is presented. The composition comprises reactants capable of generating the target product through a chemical reaction, a halogen, and a gel-forming material. The chemical reaction is triggered when the reactants are contacted by a main solvent (e.g., water). The gel-forming material makes the composition stable for storage. Upon being exposed to the main solvent, the gel-forming material forms a gelatinous structure that creates a chamber within the composition enclosing some of the reactants such that the target product is generated in the chamber. The gelatinous structure contributes to the high yield of the target product (e.g., chlorine dioxide) and its controlled release. The halogen (e.g., bromine and/or chlorine) enhances the biocidal effect of the target product.

Abstract: A frame ensures that the alignment between a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer designed for vaginal use and a commercially available ultrasound image probe is maintained, so that the HIFU focus remains in the image plane during HIFU therapy. A water-filled membrane placed between the HIFU transducer and the treatment site provides acoustic coupling. The coupling is evaluated to determine whether any air bubbles exist at the coupling interface, which might degrade the therapy provided by the HIFU transducer. HIFU lesions on tissue appear as hyperechoic spots on the ultrasound image in real time during application of HIFU therapy. Ergonomic testing in humans has demonstrated clear visualization of the HIFU transducer relative to the uterus and showed the potential for the HIFU transducer to treat fibroids from the cervix to the fundus through the width of the uterus.

Abstract: A reactor for an in-situ production of a chemical product in high yield are presented. The reactor, which may be placed in a main solvent, includes an agglomerate of reactants and a gel-forming material. The gel-forming material forms a gelatinous structure when contacted by the main solvent (e.g., water), and allows controlled permeation of the main solvent to the reactants. The reactants dissolve in the main solvent and react to produce a target product. The target product leaves the reactor through the colloidal gel wall at a controlled rate. A high concentration of the reactant is maintained in the chamber formed by the gelatinous structure, resulting in a higher yield of the target product than if the reactants were directly added to a large body of main solvent.

Abstract: A method and composition for reducing chemical oxygen demand is presented. The composition includes a persulfate donor and a transition metal catalyst in contact with the persulfate donor. When the composition is contacted by water, the transition metal catalyst reacts with persulfate and reduces the persulfate concentration in the water. The composition allows the use of persulfate, which is known to cause irritation to users of aquatic facilities (e.g., pools, spas) that come in contact with it. As the persulfate concentration is reduced rapidly in the water by the catalyzed reaction, the persulfate-containing cleaning product may even be used while the aquatic facilities are being used. Optionally, a free halogen donor may be incorporated into the composition. The composition may be in the form of powder, granules (coated or uncoated), or agglomerate.

Abstract: A method and composition for reducing chemical oxygen demand is presented. The composition includes a persulfate donor and a transition metal catalyst in contact with the persulfate donor. When the composition is contacted by water, the transition metal catalyst reacts with persulfate and reduces the persulfate concentration in the water. The composition allows the use of persulfate, which is known to cause irritation to users of aquatic facilities (e.g., pools, spas) that come in contact with it. As the persulfate concentration is reduced rapidly in the water by the catalyzed reaction, the persulfate-containing cleaning product may even be used while the aquatic facilities are being used. Optionally, a free halogen donor may be incorporated into the composition. The composition may be in the form of powder, granules (coated or uncoated), or agglomerate.

Abstract: A composition capable of expedited in-situ generation of dioxirane and a method of preparing the composition are presented. The composition includes a transition metal catalyst, peracid donor, and carbonyl donor, and forms an effective multi-purpose oxidizing (e.g., bleaching) solution. Methods of using the bleaching solutions and their application are also presented. The composition provides a cost-effective means of producing a dioxirane-based multi-purpose bleaching solution for use on laundries, carpets, hard surfaces, bathroom surfaces, floors and the like.

Abstract: A reactor for an in-situ production of a chemical product in high yield are presented. The reactor, which may be placed in a main solvent, includes a core and a reactor wall around the core. The reactor wall allows controlled permeation of the main solvent to the core. The core contains a reactant that reacts to produce a target product upon being contacted by a main solvent. The target product leaves the reactor at a controlled rate. Because the amount of the main solvent that permeates into the reactor is controlled, a high concentration of the reactant is maintained inside the reactor, resulting in a higher yield of the desired chemical product than if the reactants were directly added to the body of main solvent.

Abstract: Composition and method for bleaching are presented. The composition includes a reactor and an oxidizing agent. The reactor includes a core that contains an oxidizer reactant and generates dioxirane, percarboxylic acid, chlorine dioxide, hydroxyl radicals, and/or N-halo-amine when contacted by a main solvent. A reactor wall surrounds the core and controls diffusion of the main solvent to the core through the pores. The reactor wall has a substantially lower solubility in the main solvent than the oxidizer reactant and the generated product such that the reactor wall remains substantially intact until generation of the product is substantially complete. The oxidizing agent is in contact with the main solvent. The oxidizing agent, which may be a hypohalite donor, chlorine dioxide donor, halo-amine donor, percarboxylic acid donor, hydroxyl radical donor, persulfate(s), or a hydrogen peroxide donor, has an order of selectivity that is different from the product generated in the reactor.

Abstract: A method of cleaning water systems and an oxidizer (e.g., a potassium monopersulfate composition) that is used for the method are presented. When potassium monopersulfate is used as the oxidizer, it preferably has a low concentration (<0.5 wt. %) of potassium oxodisulfate byproduct that causes irritation. The low potassium oxodisulfate concentration allows the composition to be used more liberally than conventional potassium monopersulfate. To control the release rate of the oxidizer, the oxidizer is formed into a tablet and placed in an enclosure. The enclosure has pores such that water enters the enclosure at a controlled rate and dissolves the oxidizer. The oxidizer solution that is generated in the enclosure enters the water system through the pores. Optionally, the composition may also include a layer of coating material either under or over the enclosure that further controls the rate of oxidizer dissolution.

Abstract: A storable, stable composition that provides the effective antimicrobial benefits of halogenated agents is presented. The invention includes a water-soluble biocidal composition. The composition includes: about 0.01 to about 10 wt. % of a water-soluble inorganic halide; about 5 to about 60 wt. % of an oxidizing agent which, in aqueous solution, reacts with the inorganic halide to generate hypohalite ions; about 1 to about 15 wt. % of N-succinimide; and about 1 to about 30 wt. % of a pH buffering agent. The invention also includes a method of producing the above composition.

Abstract: The present invention employs hydrogels as acoustic couplings for clinical applications of ultrasound imaging and therapy, but is particularly applicable to high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) based therapy. While other materials can be used, it has been determined that polyacrylamide is sufficiently robust and transmissive to withstand the high temperatures encountered in HIFU therapy. One embodiment of a hydrogel coupling is configured in shape and size (length) to ensure that a focal region of an ultrasound transducer is disposed proximate the target area when the distal tip of the transducer is in contact with tissue. These couplings can be shaped to correspond to the beam focus characteristics of specific transducers. Water can be applied to hydrate the tip of the hydrogel coupling during use, and medication absorbed into the hydrogel material can be applied to the tissue in contact with the distal surface of the hydrogel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the simultaneous use of ultrasound on a probe for imaging and therapeutic purposes. The probe limits the effects of undesirable interference noise in a display by synchronizing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) waves with an imaging transducer to cause the noise to be displayed in an area of the image that does not overlap the treatment site. In one embodiment, the HIFU is first energized at a low power level that does not cause tissue damage, so that the focal point of the HIFU can be identified by a change in the echogenicity of the tissue caused by the HIFU. Once the focal point is properly targeted on a desired treatment site, the power level is increased to a therapeutic level. The location of each treatment site is stored and displayed to the user to enable a plurality of spaced-apart treatment sites to be achieved. As the treatment progresses, any changes in the treatment site can be seen in the real time, noise-free image.

Abstract: A medical instrument uses solid tapered cones mounted to a preferably concave, spherically curved, piezoelectric ultrasound transducer which focuses and concentrates the ultrasound energy to a narrow tip so very high levels of ultrasound can be delivered to the tissue adjacent to the tip. Ultrasound matching layers or variable curvature geometries are employed at the tip aid in transferring the energy from the tip to the tissue. Alternative embodiments employing cooling technology are also described.

Abstract: The present invention employs hydrogels as acoustic couplings for clinical applications of ultrasound imaging and therapy, but is particularly applicable to high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) based therapy. While other materials can be used, it has been determined that polyacrylamide is sufficiently robust and transmissive to withstand the high temperatures encountered in HIFU therapy. One embodiment of a hydrogel coupling is configured in shape and size (length) to ensure that a focal region of an ultrasound transducer is disposed proximate the target area when the distal tip of the transducer is in contact with tissue. These couplings can be shaped to correspond to the beam focus characteristics of specific transducers. Water can be applied to hydrate the tip of the hydrogel coupling during use, and medication absorbed into the hydrogel material can be applied to the tissue in contact with the distal surface of the hydrogel.

Abstract: A medical instrument uses solid tapered cones mounted to a preferably concave, spherically curved, piezoelectric ultrasound transducer which focuses and concentrates the ultrasound energy to a narrow tip so very high levels of ultrasound can be delivered to the tissue adjacent to the tip. Ultrasound matching layers or variable curvature geometries are employed at the tip aid in transferring the energy from the tip to the tissue. Alternative embodiments employing cooling technology are also described.