Abstract: A method for disinfecting a room includes generating a fog from an enclosure having first and second air inlets and an air dispersion outlet including a fan configured to draw air into the enclosure through first and second air inlets and to force air out of the enclosure. A filter assembly is disposed relative to the second air inlet such that air that flows between the exterior and interior of the enclosure through the second air inlet passes through the filter assembly. The method further includes actuating an air intake assembly, activating the fan, actuating the air intake control assembly, and deactivating the fan.

Abstract: A method for decontaminating a medical device includes enclosing the medical device in an enclosure including a fog-permeable layer and an exterior port member coupled to the fog-permeable layer. The exterior port member of the enclosure is coupled to a chemical dispersing interface in a decontamination chamber. A pressure in the decontamination chamber is reduced to a sub-atmospheric pressure in a first evacuation step. A room temperature decontaminating fluid is introduced as a fog into the decontamination chamber. The fog is held in the decontamination chamber for a decontaminating time. The pressure in the decontamination chamber is reduced to a sub-atmospheric pressure in a second evacuation step. The decontamination chamber is vented to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method for disinfecting a room includes generating a fog from an enclosure having first and second air inlets and an air dispersion outlet including a fan configured to draw air into the enclosure through first and second air inlets and to force air out of the enclosure. A filter assembly is disposed relative to the second air inlet such that air that flows between the exterior and interior of the enclosure through the second air inlet passes through the filter assembly. The method further includes actuating an air intake assembly, activating the fan, actuating the air intake control assembly, and deactivating the fan.

Abstract: A pouch for retaining an endoscope during and after a decontamination process includes a first pouch side, a second pouch side attached to the first pouch side to form the pouch that is configured to retain the endoscope, and a port member coupled to the second pouch side. The second pouch side is securable to the first pouch side to seal the endoscope within the pouch. The second pouch side is configured to permit passage of a decontaminating substance. The port member is coupled to the second pouch side and includes an external interface configured to be connected to a device that provides the decontaminating substance for passage through the port member into an interior of the pouch.

Abstract: The early prediction or diagnosis of sepsis advantageously allows for clinical intervention before the disease rapidly progresses beyond initial stages to the more severe stages, such as severe sepsis or septic shock, which are associated with high mortality. Early prediction or diagnosis is accomplished using a molecular diagnostics approach, involving comparing an individual's profile of biomarker expression to profiles obtained from one or more control, or reference, populations, which may include a population who develops sepsis. Recognition of features in the individual's biomarker profile that are characteristic of the onset of sepsis allows a clinician to diagnose the onset of sepsis from a bodily fluid isolated at the individual at a single point in time. The necessity of monitoring the patient over a period of time is, therefore, avoided, advantageously allowing clinical intervention before the onset of serious symptoms.

Abstract: Mass spectrometry techniques for determining the status of sepsis in an individual are provided. A biomarker profile resolved from a biological sample, taken from the individual, using a mass spectrometry technique is compared to a reference biomarker profile. A single such comparison classifies the individual as belonging to or not belonging to a reference population. The individual's biomarker profile and the reference biomarker profile comprise a plurality of ions each having a mass-to-charge ratio of about 100 Daltons to about 1000 Daltons. The plurality of ions can be detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in positive mode. The comparison uses a decision rule, such as a classification tree, that determines the status of sepsis in the individual without requiring knowledge of the identity of the biomarkers in the biomarker profile from the individual and without requiring knowledge of the identity of the biomarkers in the reference biomarker profile.

Abstract: Mass spectrometry techniques for determining the status of sepsis in an individual are provided. A biomarker profile resolved from a biological sample, taken from the individual, using a mass spectrometry technique is compared to a reference biomarker profile. A single such comparison classifies the individual as belonging to or not belonging to a reference population. The individual's biomarker profile and the reference biomarker profile comprise a plurality of ions each having a mass-to-charge ratio of about 100 Daltons to about 1000 Daltons. The plurality of ions can be detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in positive mode. The comparison uses a decision rule, such as a classification tree, that determines the status of sepsis in the individual without requiring knowledge of the identity of the biomarkers in the biomarker profile from the individual and without requiring knowledge of the identity of the biomarkers in the reference biomarker profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transparent sample container containing, preferably, a liquid bacterial growth media for detecting microbacteria and a process for detecting microbacteria using this sample container. The container is optically transparent, heat resistant, and stable during storage. The container and process provide a bacterial growth medium substantially free of contamination upon prolonged storage of preferably about one year at 40° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transparent sample container containing, preferably, a liquid bacterial growth media for detecting microbacteria and a process for detecting microbacteria using this sample container. The container is optically transparent, heat resistant, and stable during storage. The container and process provide a bacterial growth medium substantially free of contamination upon prolonged storage of preferably about one year at 40° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for the detection of the growth of respiring microorganisms in a sample, which comprises:(a) tris(4,7-diphenyl-10-phenanthroline)ruthenium dichloride pentahydrate;(b) a hydroxyl functional group;(c) an organosilicon polymer;(d) an organohydrogensilicon compound; and(e) a catalyst;and a method for preparing said composition.