Abstract: A sealing disc for vacuum closure suitable for using in reciprocating movement to an open position or a closed position to open or seal a valve port of an all-metal valve is disclosed. A sealing plate of the sealing disc is formed with a first sealing surface. When the sealing disc is in the closed position, the first sealing surface directly abuts against the valve port of the all-metal vacuum valve. A vacuum sealability can be improved and a service lifetime can be prolonged through compensating movement and adjusting movement between two metallic sealing surfaces abutting each other.

Abstract: A chemical vapor sterilization process is enhanced by concentrating a germicide via exploitation of the difference between the vapor pressures of the germicide and its solvent. A diffusion restriction can be placed into the diffusion path to assist this process and the path then opened to provide rapid diffusion of the thus concentrated germicide. The path through the diffusion restriction can be closed to allow the pressure in a sterilization chamber to be lowered prior to receiving the concentrated germicide.

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 of reducing the concentration of disinfectant in an environment having a concentration of disinfectant of about 500 ppm or less for a period of time to a lower concentration is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of dehumidifying the environment for the period of time to remove disinfectant, and humidifying the environment with moisture during the period of time to maintain a difference between a lower relative humidity and an upper relative humidity of the environment ranging from about 20 to 50%. A system for decontaminating an environment is also disclosed, comprising a source of disinfectant, a source of moisture, one or more spray generators, and a dehumidifier. A method of decontaminating an environment or enclosure is disclosed, comprising the steps of introducing disinfectant, maintaining liquid disinfectant on surfaces, and dehumidifying the environment to increase the disinfectant concentration is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reducing the concentration of disinfectant in an environment having a concentration of disinfectant of about 500 ppm or less for a period of time to a lower concentration is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of dehumidifying the environment for the period of time to remove disinfectant, and humidifying the environment with moisture during the period of time to maintain a difference between a lower relative humidity and an upper relative humidity of the environment ranging from about 20 to 50%. A system for decontaminating an environment is also disclosed, comprising a source of disinfectant, a source of moisture, one or more spray generators, and a dehumidifier.

Abstract: A system and method to compensate for the proximity effects in the imaging of patterns in a photolithography process. A light exposure of a photoresist layer is effectuated in predetermined patterns through an exposure mask having light-transmissive openings in correspondence to the predetermined patterns. The exposure mask has areas densely populated with the light-transmissive openings and areas sparsely populated with the light-transmissive openings. Light is attenuated through the densely populated light-transmissive openings by a different amount than through the sparsely populated light-transmissive openings.

Abstract: A decontamination apparatus is disclosed. The decontamination apparatus comprises a mist generator configured to generate a mist, a first conduit in fluid communication with the mist generator and configured to receive the mist, a stream movement device configured to move a stream, and a heating device configured to heat the stream moved by the stream movement device. The decontamination apparatus comprises a second conduit in fluid communication with the stream movement device and configured to receive the heated stream. The first conduit comprises a first outlet configured to pass the mist therethrough and the second conduit comprises a second outlet configured to pass the heated stream therethrough. The second outlet is positioned proximate to the first outlet. A portion of the mist evaporates into a vapor for decontamination of an environment when mixed with the heated stream outside of the first outlet, the second outlet, and the decontamination apparatus.

Abstract: A method provides flow to multiple channels in an endoscope during an endoscope decontamination procedure. A member is inserted into a chamber in a body of an endoscope through an opening into the chamber, the chamber being intersected by a first lumen and a second lumen. The member separates fluidly the first lumen from the second lumen. Fluid is flowed through a first channel through the member into the first lumen and through a second channel through the member into the second lumen. Additional lumens can be so treated at the same time. Fluids can include detergents and other cleaning fluids, disinfectants and sterilants.

Abstract: A method provides flow to multiple channels in an endoscope during an endoscope decontamination procedure. A member is inserted into a chamber in a body of an endoscope through an opening into the chamber, the chamber being intersected by a first lumen and a second lumen. The member separates fluidly the first lumen from the second lumen. Fluid is flowed through a first channel through the member into the first lumen and through a second channel through the member into the second lumen. Additional lumens can be so treated at the same time. Fluids can include detergents and other cleaning fluids, disinfectants and sterilants.

Abstract: A system and method to compensate for the proximity effects in the imaging of patterns in a photolithography process. A light exposure of a photoresist layer is effectuated in predetermined patterns through an exposure mask having light-transmissive openings in correspondence to the predetermined patterns. The exposure mask has areas densely populated with the light-transmissive openings and areas sparsely populated with the light-transmissive openings. Light is attenuated through the densely populated light-transmissive openings by a different amount than through the sparsely populated light-transmissive openings.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method to compensate for the proximity effects in the imaging of patterns in a photolithography process. A light exposure of a photoresist layer is effectuated in predetermined patterns through an exposure mask having light-transmissive openings in correspondence to the predetermined patterns. The exposure mask has areas densely populated with the light-transmissive openings and areas sparsely populated with the light-transmissive openings. Light is attenuated through the densely populated light-transmissive openings by a different amount than through the sparsely populated light-transmissive openings.

Abstract: A chemical vapor sterilization process is enhanced by concentrating a germicide via condensation and re-vaporization thereof, exploiting the difference between the vapor pressures of the germicide and its solvent to extract some of the solvent during the condensation process.

Abstract: A device and method provide an aerosol germicide to a device having a lumen within a container. The container is divided into at least two compartments by an interface across which extends the lumen device, with one end of the lumen in one compartment and another end of the lumen in another compartment. A pressure differential can be used to flow the germicide through the lumen.

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 sterilizer employs a vaporizer having sloped surfaces over which flow liquid sterilant solution for vaporization. The arrangement promotes even distribution of the sterilant solution for more efficient vaporization.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an article includes placing the article into a chamber containing an inner atmosphere and exhausting the inner atmosphere to lower pressure in the chamber. Hydrogen peroxide vapor is present in the chamber during at least a portion of the step of exhausting the inner atmosphere. Exhaustion of the inner atmosphere is terminated and additional hydrogen peroxide is admitted into the chamber. Hydrogen peroxide vapor contacts the article for a sufficient period to effect sterilization of the article.

Abstract: An endoscope processor, according to the present invention, provides for cleaning and sterilizing an endoscope having a body, and a first flexible tube attached to the body. It includes an operational housing and an enclosure which is attachable to and detachable from the operational housing, the enclosure being sealed from ingress of potentially contaminating microorganisms when detached from the operational housing. The enclosure is shaped, sized and oriented to receive the endoscope in an orientation with the first flexible tube depending vertically downwardly from the endoscope body. The enclosure includes a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet.

Abstract: A device and a method for rapidly determining the effectiveness of sterilization or disinfection processes are provided. The method involves contacting a biological indicator containing a known number of live spores to a sterilization or disinfection process. When the spores are killed, the minerals in the spores are released. Water is contacted with the dead spores to form an aqueous solution. A parameter related to the concentration of a mineral in the aqueous solution is measured. The effectiveness of the germicidal process is determined from the parameter and the initial number of spores in the biological indicator. Measuring the parameter by measuring the conductivity of the aqueous solution is particularly effective and sensitive.