Abstract: A method and device for high-pressure, high-temperature steam sterilization of endoscopes includes pressure resistant fittings to attach a steam generator to the ports of an endoscope. The method and device allows for high-pressure, high-temperature steam to circulate throughout the endoscope, exposing various surfaces to steam for sterilization. The method and device also allows for high-pressure, high-temperature steam to circulate selectively through the channels of the endoscope, selectively sterilizing the channels and allowing for use of this method with current high-level disinfection methods. The method and device also allows for movement of the scope elevator channel during the sterilization process, allowing for steam to reach the crevices around the elevator and other moving parts of an endoscope.

Abstract: A washing device comprises a manifold dispenser comprising at least one liquid input and a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a rack in the washing device. A number of liquid outputs is equal to a number of laboratory consumables such that each one of the fluid outputs operably directs fluid at a corresponding one of the laboratory consumables.

Abstract: A UV disinfection unit includes a frame, a flexible envelope supported by the frame, the envelope having a reflective inner surface defining an inner volume for receiving an object to be disinfected, and a UV source for being received in the volume.

Abstract: Described herein is a disinfectant system in the form of an autonomous device for performing a disinfectant operation within an enclosed space defined by the walls, ceiling and floor of a room when a predefined condition, in the form of the absence of a human being within the room, is met. The purpose of the system is environmental decontamination and specifically to inactivate pathogenic organisms. The device includes a disinfectant module for carrying out the disinfectant operation when there is an absence of a human being within the room, and a sensing module for sensing the presence of a substantially stationary human being within the room.

Abstract: Closure mechanisms for closing and sealing sterilization containers and indicators for indicating the seal integrity sterilization containers are provided. For example, a container closure mechanism may be configured to distribute a closure force along a gasket to seal a container lid to a container body. Further, a seal indicator may visibly indicate at the container exterior whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is a first state, and if the sterilization container is not sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in a second state. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a state change when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed or from sealed to unsealed, such that a user can ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain sterility or whether the seal and sterility of the container have been compromised.

Abstract: A product bag includes a bladder and an elongated filtration device. The bladder includes opposing first and second film layers defining a product chamber. The first and second film layers are sealed together along a perimeter seal extending along at least a portion of a perimeter of the bladder. The elongated filtration device includes a housing, a filtration membrane disposed in the housing, an inlet adapted for receiving a fluid to be filtered, and an outlet in fluid communication with the product chamber. A majority of the elongated filtration device is embedded between the first and second film layers of the perimeter seal of the bladder to provide for a compact form factor.

Abstract: Seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility. An exemplary seal indicator includes an invertible projection formed with the container gasket that is not visible from outside the container until inverted, due to force applied by the lid, to extend through an opening in the container body. Closure mechanisms for sterilization containers also are provided.

Abstract: Closure mechanisms and seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a closure mechanism comprising at least one handle and at least two arms is provided with a sterilization container lid to apply a more uniform or evenly distributed force to a container gasket. A container body defines an inner lip on which the gasket and lid are received such that the sealing interface is recessed within the container. Further, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility.

Abstract: An indicator device and method for monitoring disinfection or sterilization of closed environments and surfaces located in said closed environments, the disinfection and sterilization made by applying a disinfection or sterilization agent, wherein the indicator device comprises a carrier coated or embedded with substances or reagents that produce a change in color or in other readily visible property when contacting said disinfection or sterilization agent, and wherein the carrier is configured as a polyhedron, a cone, a cylinder, a sphere or any three-dimensional shape. A planar carrier having weakened linear areas or groves, printed lines or printed images, and so it is configured to be folded along said linear areas, groves or printed lines or images so as to form a polyhedron, a cone or a cylinder and so it is configured to be folded along said linear areas, groves or printed lines or images so as to form a polyhedron, a cone or a cylinder.

Abstract: A device for evaporating volatile substances includes a wick (1) impregnated with volatile substances and a heating element (2) that heats the wick (1) for purposes of evaporating said volatile substances. The device further includes a reflective element (3) for reflecting the heat from the heating element (2) to said wick (1). The heating element (2) can be preferably a resistor or a ceramic heater. The reflective element (3) directs substantially all the heat provided by the heating element to the wick, thereby preventing an excessive rising of the temperature of the surface of the device.

Abstract: An aroma cartridge includes: a housing to be loaded to a cartridge loading section of an aroma display, having a hollow portion to store a scent source therein, and a scent passage for emitting scent from the scent source in the hollow portion to the outside; and a near field communication tag attached to an outer surface of the housing for transmitting, by near field communication, to a near field communication reader, data identifying the scent corresponding to the type of scent source contained in the aroma cartridge.

Abstract: A humidifier with regular addition of fixed quantity of essential oil comprises a main body, and a water storage bucket assembling with the main body. The main body comprises an opening located on one side, an inner casing corresponding to the opening, and a peristaltic pump provided on a side of the inner casing not facing the opening. The inner casing defines an essential oil bottle accommodation space communicating with the opening, and the essential oil bottle accommodation space is provided for disposing an essential oil bottle storing an essential oil. The peristaltic pump is controlled by the main body, thereby fixed quantity of essential oil is supplied regularly and quantitatively by the humidifier without dismounting the water storage bucket. Thus, fragrance is kept in atomizing air continuously to solve the problem of the conventional humidifier that fragrance merely exists when the essential oil is added initially.

Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article comprising an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a baffle is provided. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that comprises superabsorbent particles containing nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers.

Abstract: Formulation comprising nanostructured, biocompatible and biocatalytic material comprising a solid acid consisting of mixed oxides of silica and titania (TiO2—SiO2); supporting in its dispersed matrix: copper, silver, gold, iron, rutenium, palladium, zinc, manganese, iridium and/or platinum metals at minimal concentrations, for use in the treatment of wounds and infections.

Abstract: A method of producing a product inorganic compound including: immersing a raw material inorganic compound having a volume of 10?13 m3 or more in an electrolyte aqueous solution or an electrolyte suspension; exchanging anions in the raw material inorganic compound with anions in the electrolyte aqueous solution or the electrolyte suspension; cations in the raw material inorganic compound are exchanged with cations in the electrolyte aqueous solution or the electrolyte suspension; or including a component (that excludes water, hydrogen, and oxygen) in the electrolyte aqueous solution or the electrolyte suspension not included in the raw material inorganic compound in the raw material inorganic compound; and obtaining a product inorganic compound having a volume of 10?13 m3 or more from the raw material inorganic compound.

Abstract: A porous material suitable for implant is disclosed comprising a large plurality of substantially spherical intercalated hollows in a polymer. The hollows are formed by combining the polymer with a fugitive material under heat and pressure and subsequently removing the fugitive material to reveal the hollows. Intercalation can be increased by subjecting the fugitive material to a coalescing compacting process prior to combining the fugitive material with the polymer. The porous material can be combined with a solid material such as a solid polymer to fabricate complex implantable materials with a variety of features.

Abstract: The present invention discloses polyglycol epoxide crosslinked sodium hyaluronate gel for injection and a preparation method thereof. A polyglycol epoxide is a compound with single molecular weight preferably; a plurality of ether bonds are present in the molecule of the polyglycol epoxide, the water solubility is good, and thus, the polyglycol epoxide is more easily subjected to a crosslinking reaction with polysaccharides; and meanwhile, polyglycol is relatively easy in adjustment of the number of repeating units and relatively easy in control of length, and thus, the sodium hyaluronate gel prepared by taking the polyglycol epoxide as a crosslinker is relatively easy in regulation and control of properties. The crosslinked sodium hyaluronate gel is low in toxicity, little in residual, small in squeezing and pushing force, good in shaping performance, good in enzyme resistance and long in in-vivo retention time. The present invention further discloses a mild crosslinker deactivation technology.

Abstract: A cell-free combination for use in the controlled, especially decelerated or retarded, release of active ingredient and/or in the production of a formulation in hydrogel form, especially depot formulation in hydrogel form, and/or as a formulation in hydrogel form, especially depot formulation in hydrogel form, and/or for the coating of a medical product, especially implant, preferably with a formulation in hydrogel form, especially depot formulation in hydrogel form, wherein the cell-free combination comprises a first component and a second component, the first component comprising crosslinkable albumin and the second component comprising a crosslinking agent for the albumin. Additionally, a hydrogel-forming material or hydrogel, to a kit or multicomponent system, to a medical product or a pharmaceutical formulation, to a discharge device, and to uses of the cell-free combination and of the hydrogel-forming material or hydrogel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for predicting or diagnosing a risk of bioprosthetic valve degeneration. Further, the invention relates to a medical device, in particular a bioprosthetic valve coated with EPCR less prone to degeneration and/or calcification once implanted.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for crosslinking an artificial biological tissue. The method may include: providing an artificial biological tissue and crosslinking agent solution, wherein the crosslinking agent includes an imide structure; immersing the artificial biological tissue into the crosslinking agent solution to produce a crosslinking reaction. In this way, the anti-calcification capacity of the crosslinked artificial biological tissue may be improved in the present disclosure.

Abstract: Methods for treating tissue matrices and tissue matrices produced according to the methods are provided. The methods can include treating select portions of a tissue matrix with a cross-linking agent and/or a proteolytic enzyme to produce a tissue matrix with variable mechanical and/or biological properties.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the enhancement of the osteogenic potential of bone graft by ex vivo treatment with a Wnt polypeptide, such as a liposomal Wnt polypeptide.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a prosthetic tissue valve and a preparation method thereof. The preparation method consists of a lyophilization process of soaked biological tissues under preset condition to obtain a lyophilized prosthetic tissue valve, which provides a technical support for pre-loading the lyophilized prosthetic tissue valve onto the delivery device immediately after manufacture. The preset conditions may include a cooling process with a cooling rate of which the temperature decreases from room temperature to a lyophilization temperature, the lyophilization temperature of ?200° C.-0° C., and a pressure of 1 Pa-102 kPa. In such a way of preparation, the present disclosure can provide a lyophilized prosthetic tissue valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing cartilage tissue by selecting and choosing from chondrocytes or spheroids, and use thereof as pharmaceutical composition, medicinal product or transplant. In particular, the invention relates to markers for identifying suitable chondrocytes for producing cartilage tissue, in particular for the purpose of transplantation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for preparing inorganic nanoparticle-gelatin core-shell composite nanoparticles, comprising: dissolving gelatin in a aqueous solution (in which inorganic nanoparticles are dispersed in) to obtain the gelatin-contained aqueous solution, dropwise adding a polar organic solvent to obtain a suspension of inorganic nanoparticle-gelatin core-shell composite particles of nanometer size or submicrometer size, then adding a cross-linking agent thereto to cross-link the gelatin components of the composite particles, followed by washing step to finally obtain inorganic nanoparticle-gelatin core-shell composite micro/nano-particles with inorganic nanoparticles as the core and gelatin as the shell.

Abstract: Disclosed are vascular grafts having a surface modified to reduce the risk of thrombi formation post implantation into a subject. The vascular graft can include a tubular structure comprising a base polymer admixed with an oligofluorinated additive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for recellurization of blood vessels. This method is particularly useful for producing an allogeneic vein, wherein a donor vein is decellularized and then recellularized using whole blood or bone marrow stem cells. The allogeneic veins produced by the methods disclosed herein are particularly advantageous for implantation or transplantation into patients with vascular diseases.

Abstract: Self-crosslinking hydrophilic coatings.

Abstract: An elastomer molded body for a medical device includes an elastomer portion and a filler. The elastomer portion contains a crosslinked fluorine-based elastomer. The filler is formed from a plurality of particles each of which has aspect ratio of 5 or more and specific surface area of 3 m2/g or more and 10 m2/g or less. The aspect ratio is defined as a ratio of a dimension in a long axis direction thereof to a dimension in a short axis direction thereof. The filler has an uneven distribution in a surface layer part of the elastomer portion and is oriented in a direction along a surface of the elastomer molded body.

Abstract: A copper bactericide/virucide assembly for killing invasive bacteria and viruses in a nostril includes a wire that is comprised of copper. In this way the wire can kill bacteria and viruses on contact. The wire is insertable into a nostril thereby facilitating the wire to contact mucous membranes within the nostril. Thus, the wire can kill invasive microbes, bacteria and viruses on the mucous membranes thereby reducing the likelihood of developing an upper respiratory infection.

Abstract: Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed to a treatment device including a therapeutic assembly having a PVDF transducer. A method for tissue denervation through the application of ultrasonic energy, can include positioning a PVDF transducer within a blood vessel of a patient; applying RF energy to the PVDF transducer thereby causing the PVDF transducer to deliver ultrasonic energy to the tissue; and at least partially denervating tissue that is innervated by neural matter located within or in proximity to the blood vessel via the ultrasonic energy delivered to the tissue.

Abstract: There is disclosed a substrate with an electron donating surface, characterized in having metal particles on said surface, said metal particles comprising palladium and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of gold, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, and platinum, wherein the amount of said metal particles is from about 0.001 to about 8 ?g/cm2.

Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment system includes a porous pad positioned at a tissue site and a canister having a collection chamber, an inlet, and an outlet. The inlet is fluidly connected to the porous pad. A reduced pressure source is fluidly connected to the outlet of the canister to such that fluid from the tissue site may be drawn into the collection chamber. A hydrophobic filter is positioned adjacent the outlet to prevent liquid from exiting the collection chamber through the outlet. A baffle is positioned within the canister to create a tortuous path between the inlet and the outlet to prevent premature blocking of the hydrophobic filter.

Abstract: A device for moving contents of a tube by acting on the exterior of the tube is provided. The device includes a housing having a tube passageway extending along a length thereof for holding a tube therein. A first roller and a second roller are moveable between a first position and a second position and configured to compress the tube in the second position. A first roller chassis is coupled to the housing for mounting the first roller therein and a second roller chassis is coupled to the housing for mounting the second roller therein. The first and second roller chasses are moveable between a first position in which the tube is disengaged and a second position in which the tube is engaged. A lever operably coupled to the housing causes the first or second roller to pivot and engage the tube positioned within the passageway.

Abstract: Microstrain-inducing manifolds, systems, and methods are presented that involve microstrain-inducing manifolds that include a plurality of shaped projections for creating microstrain. The shaped projections may be tapered projections. A system may include a sealing member for placing over the tissue site, a microstrain-inducing manifold, and a reduced-pressure subsystem that delivers reduced pressure to the sealing member. The reduced pressure causes the shaped projections to create microstrain at the tissue site. Other methods, apparatuses, and systems are also presented.

Abstract: The holder for a curved duct portion of a tube pump comprises: a supply-side connector comprising a first cavity and a first plate connected together, the first cavity being adapted for receiving an end of the curved duct portion, and a discharge-side connector comprising a second cavity and a second plate connected together, the second cavity being adapted for receiving another end of the curved duct portion, where said connectors are movable the one with respect to the other between a storage configuration, in which the supply-side connector is positioned away to the discharge-side connector, and an operating configuration, in which the supply-side connector is close to the discharge-side connector and in which the first and second plate are engaged together substantially on a same plane.

Abstract: An artificial heart for use in a human recipient includes a housing within which a trio of turbine pump segments are operative. Two of the turbine pumps form a series connected pair for redundancy. The redundancy enhances the safety factor provided by the artificial heart. A controller is powered by a rechargeable battery and is operative to apply appropriate drive signals to the motor drives of the turbine pump segments. The battery may be implanted along with the controller to avoid the need for any external connections to the artificial heart. An inductively coupled battery charger for use outside the recipient's body is positioned proximate the battery charger to provide inductively coupled charging for use in driving the artificial heart.

Abstract: A catheter pump is disclosed herein. The catheter pump can include a catheter assembly that comprises a drive shaft and an impeller coupled to a distal end of the drive shaft. A driven assembly can be coupled to a proximal end of the drive shaft within a driven assembly housing. The catheter pump can also include a drive system that comprises a motor and a drive magnet coupled to an output shaft of the motor. The drive system can include a drive assembly housing having at least one magnet therein. Further, a securement device can be configured to prevent disengagement of the driven assembly housing from the drive assembly housing during operation of the pump.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for controlling ventricular assist devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving at least one reference pump speed differential associated with a pump of a ventricular assist device; determining a filtered pump speed differential associated with the pump of a ventricular assist device; and adjusting, using a feedback based controller algorithm, current to the pump based on the at least one reference pump speed differential and the filtered pump speed differential.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a heart support system with at least one system unit that includes a pump arrangement, a first connection apparatus connected to the pump arrangement and a second connection apparatus connected to the pump arrangement, wherein the pump arrangement has a first pump that is fluidically connected in a first flow path between the first and the second connection apparatus. The pump arrangement further has an intermediate reservoir and a second pump, which are connected in series together with the first pump in the first flow path, wherein the intermediate reservoir is fluidically arranged between the first pump and the second pump. The disclosure further relates to a cannula arrangement for a heart support system of this kind and a corresponding use of the heart support system.

Abstract: A method of detecting a disruption in a diurnal rhythm of a patient having an implantable blood pump comprising calculating a moving average convergence divergence (MACD) based on power consumed by the implantable blood pump to maintain a constant rotational speed of an impeller of the implantable blood pump and generating an alert when the calculated MACD does not cross a MACD zero line for a predetermined MACD zero line crossing time threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a hemodialyzer for the purification of blood and use thereof. The hemodialyzer comprises a bundle of hollow fiber membranes, wherein the hollow fiber membranes have an inner diameter (dB) within the range of 168-175 ?m, a fiber wall thickness (?m) within the range of 25-26 ?m, and an effective length (L) within the hemodialyzer within the range of 207-287 mm. The bundle of hollow fiber membranes has a packing density within the range of 57.5-60.0%, and a total membrane surface area (Atot) within the range of from 1.64 to 1.73 m2.

Abstract: A filter apparatus for removing small molecule chemotherapy agents from blood is provided. The filter apparatus comprises a housing with an extraction media comprised of polymer coated carbon cores. Also provided are methods of treating a subject with cancer of an organ or region comprising administering a chemotherapeutic agent to the organ or region, collecting blood laded with chemotherapeutic agent from the isolated organ, filtering the blood laden with chemotherapeutic agent to reduce the chemotherapeutic agent in the blood and returning the blood to the subject.

Abstract: A plasmapheresis system and a method for operating a plasmapheresis system are provided by which the volume/weight of anticoagulated plasma that is collected is optimized. In one example, a nomogram is provided that utilizes the donor's hematocrit to calculate the volume/weight of raw plasma within a plasma product having the maximum volume permitted by the FDA nomogram. In a plasmapheresis procedure having multiple collection phases followed by a reinfusion cycle in which concentrated red blood cells are returned to the donor, the volume of plasma product to be collected is calculated prior to the start of each collection cycle to account for the donor's increasing hematocrit, thus resulting in a greater total volume of plasma product to be collected during the plasmapheresis procedure.

Abstract: A limb-stabilisation apparatus (100) comprises a limb-receiving container (110) arranged to receive a portion of the limb (5) and to collect blood exited from the limb; and a blood recirculation system (120) configured to recirculate blood from the limb-receiving container (110) to one or more regions of the limb. Advantageously, the limb-stabilisation apparatus (100) may further comprise or may be associated with a limb-compressing apparatus (210) configured to reduce, restrict or prevent blood flow in the region of the limb-compressing apparatus.

Abstract: A blood purification apparatus is provided that is capable of detecting an abnormal state of puncture into a blood vessel with an arterial puncture needle or a venous puncture needle.

Abstract: Subject matter of the present invention is a method for determining the resistance coefficients in particular of different combinations of shaft and endoscope when using a medical fluid pump, e.g. in the context of arthroscopy.

Abstract: A suction device includes an outer tube having an inlet at a first end and an inner suction tube located within the outer tube, the inner suction tube having an inlet at a first end corresponding to the first end of the outer tube. The inlet of the inner suction tube is offset by a distance from the inlet of the outer suction tube, such that the inlet of the inner suction tube is located within the outer suction tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a suction irrigator, including a tri-lumen tube which includes a normal-pressure irrigation lumen, a high-pressure irrigation lumen and a suction lumen, a manifold connected to the tri-lumen tube, two flexible tubes, a control unit and a dual-drainage tube connected to the two flexible tubes, where the cross-sectional area of the suction lumen is larger than that of the normal-pressure irrigation lumen, and the cross-sectional area of the normal-pressure irrigation lumen is larger than that of the high-pressure irrigation lumen; and the normal-pressure irrigation lumen and the high-pressure irrigation lumen are connected to one of the flexible tubes and the suction lumen is connected to the other flexible tube by means of the manifold; and flow rates of gas or liquid in the two flexible tubes are controlled by the control unit. The suction irrigator has a good irrigation effect and is convenient to use.

Abstract: An irrigation balloon catheter includes one or more inner balloons inside of an irrigation balloon. The inner balloon(s) can be compliant with a volume that is dynamically adjustable for rapid inflation, rapid deflation, complete deflation, and/or irrigation flow adjustment.