Abstract: A metal ionic antimicrobial surface configured for external use on a surface location in an indoor environment. A surface structure includes a pair of opposed major surfaces, one surface forming an exposed layer having a pattern of conductive strips and corresponding insulative spacings with a power pod structure secured to the surface structure. The power pod structure houses a battery and a power control circuit electrically connected to the conductive strips. In embodiments, the battery has an amp-hour capacity of 150-1500 mAh, an average width of each conductive strip of copper and silver metallic ions and each insulative spacing is between 0.1 to 0.5 millimeters, and the power control circuit includes a voltage booster circuit that maintains a constant low voltage of 2.5V-4.5V.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for generating and monitoring an antimicrobial is provided, the system including: a microprocessor and/or a microcontroller; an external communications device; a computational system; an antimicrobial sensor and/or an environmental sensor; and an antimicrobial generator, wherein the external communications device, the computational system, the antimicrobial generator, and the antimicrobial sensor and/or the environmental sensor are operatively connected to the microprocessor and/or the microcontroller. The system may further include a separate sensor sub-system comprising: a sensor sub-system microprocessor and/or a sensor sub-system microcontroller; a sensor sub-system external communications device; a sensor sub-system antimicrobial sensor and/or a sensor sub-system environmental sensor; and a sensor sub-system computational system.

Abstract: Disclosed are a repair adjusting system for thermal-assisted in-situ chemical oxidation and an adjusting method. The repair adjusting system for thermal-assisted in-situ chemical oxidation comprises a chemical oxidation adjusting system and a controller, the chemical oxidation adjusting system is provided with a temperature monitor, a magnetic oxidant concentration monitor, a pollutant concentration monitor and a reaction control device, the controller is respectively connected with the temperature monitor, the magnetic oxidant concentration monitor, the pollutant concentration monitor and the reaction control device, and the controller controls an oxidation process of the chemical oxidation adjusting system through the reaction control device according to output data of the temperature monitor, the magnetic oxidant concentration monitor and the pollutant concentration monitor.

Abstract: A hydrogen peroxide sterilization device for sterilizing a medical device, the hydrogen peroxide sterilization device including a hermetic outer container, a hydrogen peroxide pouch, and a hydrogen peroxide solution in the solution chamber. The hermetic outer container includes a sterilization enclosure configured to receive the medical device. The hydrogen peroxide pouch includes a permeable membrane enclosing a solution chamber and is configured to be positioned in the sterilization enclosure of the outer container. The permeable membrane is configured to allow hydrogen peroxide vapor to diffuse from the solution chamber through the permeable membrane into the sterilization enclosure.

Abstract: The disclosed Multi-function Germicidal Apparatus and Method, is an elevation actuator equipped mobile floor-standing air convection system including an electromagnetic radiation oscillating head mounted dish with zoom and focusable UV beam projectors which sweep across a horizontal plane to inactivate airborne pathogens. An open end germicidal chamber behind an open center nozzle is equipped with multi-wavelength UV lights to inactivate passing pathogens and irradiate TIO2 coated charge plates to generate hydroxyl radicals. A fan pushes contaminated air through a chamber discharging remnant pathogens and air mixed through a nozzle to create a high velocity air mixture farther away from the opening. An oscillating and focused UV beam forms a tubular shaped virtual cage encircling exiting pathogens for continuous inactivation. Convection forced pathogens disperse to the floor are picked up by a floor fan and sent back to a chamber and UV beams for repeating inactivation.

Abstract: An indexable cartridge and method that is useable in either a stagnant fluid environment or in a moving fluid environment with the indexable cartridge floatable in a stagnant fluid environment and securable in a moving fluid environment with the indexable cartridge having a housing having one or more diffusion ports and a sleeve having one or more diffusion ports indexable to a diffusion port alignment through resilient yielding of the sleeve while a set of ribs inhibit lateral flow therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor, a system and a method for treating and recovery of liquid and/or solid waste materials and by-products from industrial manufacturing and production operations, such as volatilizing organic compounds, by converting these materials into valuable materials which could be recycled and re-used, while at the same time minimizing any residue for final disposal to landfill or incineration. The invention includes an insulated, magnetic, electrically conductive reactor vessel [10] for receiving and treating a contaminated load, the reactor being characterized therein that it is operated under pyrolysis conditions and is heated by radio frequency induction of eddy currents into the reactor vessel [10].

Abstract: A mist generator is used to deliver a high throughput extremely fine mist comprising a biocide. Flows of evaporating hot gas mix turbulently and enhance forced heat and mass transfer between the very fine droplets and the hot gas to form a well-mixed premixed evaporator, resulting in high humidity vapor formation well inside a tube. The high relative humidity vapor with elevated temperature is then condensed as it exits the tube and disperses into the volume to be decontaminated as a condensed vapor cloud, but neither as a mist nor as a pure vapor depending on temperature and humidity of room environment. The condensed vapor cloud may evaporate or settle on the volume surfaces and contents, whereby both dry vapor and condensed vapor are applied into the volume for the killing process.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions, apparatus, systems, kits, and methods, including but not limited to, feedback and cooperative methods and systems for obfuscating target biological material identifiers in an environment. In an embodiment, a method may include receiving a first input associated with a first possible dataset. The first possible data set may include data representative of one or more environmental biological material identifiers. The method may further include determining data representative of one or more second obfuscating components for one or more target biological material identifiers based on the first possible data set. The method may further include directing one or more controller units to instruct one or more dispensing units to dispense the one or more second obfuscating components to an environment.

Abstract: A smart home system having a controller which controls an ozone generator, gas supply outlets connected to gas supply outlets of the ozone generator via a pipe, and solenoid valves which control opening and closing of the gas supply outlets. The controller is connected with each of the solenoid valves and controls opening and closing of each of the solenoid valves. An operation method for the system discloses driving the ozone generator by the controller to generate ozone, controlling opening of the solenoid valves by the central processor when the central processor receives an external signal for opening the solenoid valves, reducing opening level of the solenoid valves when a gas flow sensor detects that the ozone flow rate passing through the gas inlet is greater than the flow rate threshold, and controlling closing of the solenoid valves by the central processor when the central processor receives a signal for closing the solenoid valves.

Abstract: Fumigation systems and processes that are especially applicable for the fumigation of perishable (or otherwise sensitive to temperature) agricultural products as the temperature conditions under which the product is being treated are closely controlled to advantageously prevent the product from being exposed to temperature drops and/or spikes during the fumigation cycle. In addition, the present invention incorporates an air filtration system as a part of the fumigation system to substantially remove the toxic fumigant residuals from the air before it is exhausted into the open atmosphere, which typically occurs at the completion of a fumigation cycle. As such, the harmful effect of the fumigant on the products and the surrounding environment and work areas is greatly minimized. In summary, the systems and processes of the present invention provide the ability to conduct fumigations in a well-controlled environment.

Abstract: A method for fumigating psyllium husk. The method comprises filling a fumigation chamber with psyllium husk chamber is at least 35% filled with bags of psyllium husk, fumigating the psyllium husk with at least 40 g/m3 of methyl bromide for at least 24 hours, and degassing the chamber for at least 6 hours to form fumigated psyllium husk. The fumigated psyllium husk comprises less than 50 ppm inorganic bromide residue and the fumigated psyllium husk does not comprise an insect infestation or a khapra beetle infestation.

Abstract: A method for increasing the shelf life of donor blood contemplates the following steps. In the first step blood is transferred to a sterile container and mixed with an anticoagulant as indicated in step 20. The anticoagulant and donor blood are centrifuged in step 22 at about 4,000 rpm for about 15 minutes. After centrifuging the red blood cells are separated and placed in a sterile tube. In the next step the red blood cells are irradiated by a laser that emanates a wavelength of about 633 nm for a time period of about 24 hours. During rotation the RBCs are rotated to provide uniform exposure. Such laser biostimulation produces an enhancement of shelf life of donor blood by 66%.

Abstract: A method and a system for producing a change in a medium disposed in an artificial container. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one of a plasmonics agent and an energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy through the artificial container to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating a room or space, comprising the steps of providing a cold-mist decontamination device capable of generating an atomized mist comprised of a decontaminant and water, inputting into an internal processor the parameters of the room or space and the concentration of the decontaminant in the decontamination solution, measuring the temperature and humidity in the room or space, and determining the maximum amount of the decontamination solution that can be introduced into the room or space in atomized form without condensing the decontaminant on surfaces within the room or space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for generating germicidal compositions for use in a wide variety of settings, including agricultural settings (e.g., animal bedding), food production settings, hospitality settings, health care settings, health club settings, exercise facility settings, research based settings, veterinarian settings, medical settings, hydraulic fracturing settings, and/or any setting requiring disinfection.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a sterilization agent comprising H2O2 or a derivative thereof, capable of generating H2O2 as the sterilising component under sterilization conditions, for enhancing the hemocompatibility of objects.

Abstract: Methods and systems for virus inactivation in the production or processing of biological or other sensitive substances are provided. The disclosed methods and systems for virus inactivation involve the key steps of dissolving carbon dioxide into biological or other sensitive substances; and treating the substance with the dissolved carbon dioxide at conditions which are less than critical pressure and temperature for a prescribed treatment time to inactivate at least 80% of the target virus or viruses contained within the biological or other sensitive substances. The disclosed carbon dioxide treatments for virus inactivation may optionally include concurrently or sequentially subjecting the substances with an acid treatment to lower the pH of the substance and inactivate viruses contained within the biological or other sensitive substance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilizing an article. The method comprises placing an article in a sterilization container, generating oxidizing plasma radicals at atmospheric pressure, and providing the oxidizing plasma radicals to the sterilization container to sterilize the article in the container.

Abstract: It is to provide a mechanism where a sterilization process using a concentrated sterilizing agent and a sterilization process using a sterilizing agent that has not been concentrated can be switched without changing the sterilization process. In the case where the concentrated mode is received by receiving means the transfer of the sterilizing agent to the concentration chamber is controlled according to a first timing, and in the case where the non-concentrated mode is received by the receiving means, the transfer of the sterilizing agent to the concentration chamber is controlled according to a second timing, wherein the first timing is different from the second timing.

Abstract: A system and process are provided for the disinfection of sewage sludge or solids without the addition of chemicals such as chlorine etc. or/and reverse osmosis. The treated sludge or solids can be deposited on landfills or used as fertilizer.

Abstract: A decontamination system for decontaminating at least one contaminant in a process stream. Decontaminant liquid is dispersed into the process stream using atomization. A controller detects contaminant levels in the process stream and adjusts the flow of decontaminant fluid into the process stream in response.

Abstract: A method for decontaminating a brick or concrete according to the present invention comprises the steps of: pulverizing the brick or the concrete by using a pulverizing device (pulverizing step); arranging the brick or concrete in a container room and washing the brick or concrete by using a decontamination agent in the container room (washing), wherein the container room has a pressure of above 74 Pa, and a temperature of above 32° C., and the decontamination agent includes a supercritical carbon dioxide flow, a cosolvent and a metal chelating agent; introducing a replacing fluid to the container room to replace the decontamination agent in the container room and then separating the replacing fluid and the brick or concrete (replacing and separating step); and acid cleaning the cosolvent and the metal chelating agent by using an acidic solution (acid cleaning step). A radionuclide may be decontaminated from the brick or concrete.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing a material, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a sterilizing composition comprising (i) peracetic acid and (ii) a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of citric acid, isocitric acid, aconitic acid and propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid; b) introducing such sterilizing composition into a hot gaseous stream to produce a peracetic acid vapor; and c) contacting such peracetic acid vapor with the material to be sterilized. The use of such an organic acid stabilizer results in an unexpected reduction in the amount of residue deposited on the heating surface employed to vaporize the sterilizing composition.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an article is provided. The method includes providing sterilization wrap system with which to wrap the article to be sterilized. The sterilization wrap system comprises a plurality of wrap units configured in a stack, at least one wrap unit in the stack being detachably attached to at least one other wrap unit in the stack.

Abstract: Chlorine dioxide generation systems and methods are disclosed. One or more reactants, such as sodium hypochlorite, may be electrolytically generated on-site for delivery to a reaction column. Low concentration reactants may be used to generate chlorine dioxide as part of a mixed oxy-chloro product stream containing free available chlorine. In at least one embodiment, an optical analyzer may be positioned along a reactant feed line to measure a concentration of reactant supplied to a reaction column. A controller may adjust a flow rate of the reactant in response to information provided by the optical analyzer. The controller may also perform pH control within the system. In some embodiments, the chlorine dioxide generator may be incorporated in an all-liquid water disinfection system.

Abstract: A grain drying apparatus includes a housing for receiving grain. The housing has a bottom wall and a plurality of supports being attached to and extending downwardly from the bottom wall. An outer wall is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. An inner wall is positioned within the outer wall. A receiving space is located between the inner and outer walls and receives grain emptied into the housing. The inner wall has a bottom edge spaced from the bottom wall to define a release aperture that allows grain to flow outwardly from the receiving space under the inner wall. A heating assembly is mounted within the housing to heat the grain. An agitator is mounted on the housing adjacent to the bottom wall. The agitator extends under the inner wall and through the release aperture to agitate grain positioned in the receiving space.

Abstract: A method for gas phase application of chlorine dioxide within an enclosed volume that includes the steps of: climatizing the enclosed volume to achieve a relative humidity (RH) in the range of about 5% to about 56%; generating chlorine dioxide gas; and introducing the chlorine dioxide gas under specified conditions of chlorine dioxide gas concentration and contact time, the specified conditions being effective to eliminate contaminants within the closed volume, and further to mitigate corrosion within the enclosed volume during the gas phase application.

Abstract: A device for sterilization of packages and a method of sterilizing packages are provided. The device comprises a gassing zone for exposing the packages to a gaseous sterilization agent, inlet mechanisms for introducing the gaseous sterilization agent into the gassing zone and a conveyor for transporting the packages through the gassing zone in a transport direction. The device also includes a separation mechanism arranged inside the gassing zone to divide at least an upper part of the gassing zone into sub gassing zones, each of said separation mechanisms having an opening for passage of the packages, each of at least a number of the inlet mechanisms being arranged to provide a flow of the gaseous sterilization agent at the opening of a respective one of the separation mechanisms.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing a material, said method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a solution comprising peroxyacetic acid into a hot gaseous stream to produce a peroxyacetic acid vapor; and (b) contacting such peroxyacetic acid vapor with the material to be sterilized.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously cleaning and disinfecting an industrial water system is described and claimed. The method involves the addition to the water of the industrial water system of a Compound selected from the group consisting of the alkali salts of chlorite and chlorate and mixtures thereof; and an acid, followed by allowing the water in the industrial water system to circulate for several hours. The reaction of the alkali salts of chlorite and chlorate and acid produces chlorine dioxide in-situ in the water of the industrial water system. The chlorine dioxide kills microorganisms and the acid acts to remove deposits upon the water-contact surfaces of the equipment. This cleaning and disinfecting method works in a variety of industrial water systems including cooling water systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to the saturation of different gaseous, liquid, gel-like, solid and mixed media with ingredients emitted by vegetative plants. The method for treating a medium by saturating it with useful substances emitted by plants involves supplying a gaseous medium to a chamber containing vegetative or cut plants and passing the gaseous medium saturated with plant excreta through the medium undergoing treatment. Furthermore, a low pressure or a low and a high pressure is generated in the above-mentioned gaseous medium in the chamber containing the vegetative or cut plants. The medium treating device comprises a means for pumping the gaseous medium, at least one chamber for plants emitting plant excreta, which chamber is connected by a pipe to the above-mentioned means on the intake side and to the pumping means on the discharge side; furthermore, the above-mentioned means is connected on the discharge side to at least one container for the medium undergoing treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating substances in divided solid form for thermal debacterization, in which the substances are stirred in a closed enclosure provided internally with controlled heating contact wall means acting directly on the substances while they are being stirred. In accordance with the invention, the substances for treatment are previously mixed, prior to reaching an inlet to the closed enclosure, with an anti-clumping agent likewise in the form of divided solids, the mixture then being stirred in the closed enclosure while being subjected to the combined action of the heating contact walls and of the superheated wet steam, and being recovered at an outlet of the closed enclosure.

Abstract: An indexable cartridge and method that is useable in either a stagnant fluid environment or in a moving fluid environment with the indexable cartridge floatable in a stagnant fluid environment and securable in a moving fluid environment with the indexable cartridge having a housing having one or more diffusion ports and a sleeve having one or more diffusion ports indexable to a diffusion port alignment through resilient yielding of the sleeve while a set of ribs inhibit lateral flow therebetween.

Abstract: This invention concerns a hydrogen peroxide sterilization device, with injection of hydrogen peroxide vapor, provided with a vaporizer that feeds a sterilization chamber, with a dose that varies in function of the control performed by a computer or control unit. The vaporizer works with a pressure inferior to the atmospheric one and is heated by an electrical resistance heater, or by micro-waves. All the vaporization process is made in vacuum, by heat or ultra-sounds. The filling of the sterilant agent is made drop-by-drop by a capillary tube which transforms the liquid into a pulverized gas. The computer controls the electrical valve following the dosing pump from the pressure and/or temperature information that comes from various pressure and/or temperature sensors, whereby the pressure inside the chamber is maintained during the sterilization process in a constant predefined value, appropriate to use simple cellulose-base paper or paper composed to the packaging of the devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for repairing exterior wall structures. According to the invention, the transfer of moisture through external cladding to the wall structure is prevented by treating the external cladding with facade protection, after which holes are formed in the external cladding at a distance from each other and, through the holes, an insulation space behind the external cladding is dried and disinfected with disinfectant.

Abstract: A method and a system for producing a change in a medium disposed in an artificial container. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one of a plasmonics agent and an energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy through the artificial container to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent.

Abstract: Method of disinfecting floors by injecting hot, wet compressed air into the floor, this air being produced by a generator, whether on board or not, consisting of two cylinders of different diameters, one (1) of large diameter into which the atmospheric air is drawn and then compressed in a chamber (11) to a pressure and temperature sufficient to allow almost instantaneous vaporization of a dose of liquid and the other (6), facing the chamber, of smaller diameter in which the charge of humidified compressed air will be partly expanded so as to bring it back to the chosen pressure and temperature for use in order to inject it into the floor.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing a plastic bottle in an aseptic filling system according to which at least an inner surface or an outer surface of a bottle is sterilized by injecting a heated sterilizing fluid at 65° C.-90° C. while maintaining internal pressure of the bottle at 1 kPa-20 kPa.

Abstract: A pre-assembled orthopaedic implant adapted for improved gas sterilization. The implant includes a first component adapted for assembly with a second component such that a mating surface of the first component is in close proximity with a mating surface of the second component. At least one gas conduit associated with the mating surface of the first component facilitates a sterilizing gas to penetrate into and dissipate from the interface defined by the mating surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a chamber where a base concentrate common to at least a first flavored food product and a second flavored food product is formed, the first flavored food product having different flavoring than the second flavored food product, the base concentrate having a first temperature. The apparatus also comprises a process line that receives the base concentrate from the chamber, heated liquid from a heated liquid source, and flavoring from either a first flavor source or a second flavor source to form a mixture of base concentrate, heated liquid and flavoring. The mixture has a has second temperature sufficient to achieve a change in the mixture selected from the group consisting of microbial change, chemical change, biochemical change, and enzymatic change, and combinations thereof. A method is also disclosed for change over from forming a first flavored food product to forming a second flavored food product.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a chamber where a base concentrate common to at least a first flavored food product and a second flavored food product is formed, the first flavored food product having different flavoring than the second flavored food product, the base concentrate having a first temperature. The apparatus also comprises a process line that receives the base concentrate from the chamber, heated liquid from a heated liquid source, and flavoring from either a first flavor source or a second flavor source to form a mixture of base concentrate, heated liquid and flavoring. The mixture has a has second temperature sufficient to achieve a change in the mixture selected from the group consisting of microbial change, chemical change, biochemical change, and enzymatic change, and combinations thereof. A method is also disclosed for change over from forming a first flavored food product to forming a second flavored food product.

Abstract: A method measures a property of a germicidal solution in an endoscope processor spectroscopically by placing a quantity of the solution into a cuvette and passing a light therethrough. A reservoir receives a quantity of the solution and bubbles are filtered out via a cross-flow filter prior to putting a sample therefrom into the cuvette for measuring.

Abstract: A method for antimicrobial treatment (e.g. antimicrobial treatment of food packaging and equipment) comprising applying to microbes a composition containing a diluting solvent (e.g., water), an antimicrobially-active solvent having a density different from the density of the diluting solvent, and an optional cosolvent, surfactant, or additional antimicrobial agent, wherein the amount of antimicrobially-active solvent or additional antimicrobial agent is sufficiently high and the amount of cosolvent or surfactant is sufficiently low so that the composition will provide greater than a 1-log order reduction in the population of bacteria or spores of Bacillus cereus within 10 seconds at 60° C. Preferred methods of the invention employ compositions containing an additional antimicrobial agent such as peroxyacetic acid. Compositions for use in the method can be prepared as concentrates, and used full strength or in diluted form.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for conducting a continuous operation, flowing vapor phase decontamination in either an open loop or a closed loop. Using the method, a multi-component liquid decontaminant is vaporized and delivered into, through and out of a sealable enclosure by means of a carrier gas that is flowing into, through and out of said sealable enclosure. After leaving the enclosure, the vapor is captured in a cold-water bath and decomposed. The invention humidifies the carrier gas by passing it through a temperature controlled water bath to warm, or to cool, the carrier gas as necessary in order to bring the carrier gas to the desired temperature and humidity before it is combined with the vaporized sterilant and allowed to flow into the sealable enclosure. The concentration of the vapor sterilant and the percent saturation of the vapor sterilant are simultaneously controlled by controlling the rate at which the carrier gas flows and the rate at which the liquid sterilant is vaporized.

Abstract: A free radical decontamination method and system. The system is comprised of a chamber defining a region, and a generator for generating free radical reach effluent from a free radical electric generator and hydrogen peroxide solution with water. A closed loop circulating system is provided for supplying the mixture of free radicals from the electric generator mixed with the hydrogen peroxide solution in the form of the effluent to the chamber.

Abstract: Some food pathogens are not well controlled by lethality treatments followed by refrigeration. A food processing facility according to this invention reduces the likelihood that food pathogens will be able to enter the food processing facility, or spread should they be able to enter. The food processing facility is divided into a plurality of areas, with different areas having different allowed actions that can be taken on the food product, different rules and/or procedures for persons who are allowed entry, and/or different levels of cleanliness. The food processing facility includes a plurality of separate rooms individually, atmospherically and structurally isolated from each other for processing the food product, each including separate single food processing machines lines of series connected food processing, air handling systems, drain systems and/or often-used supplies and tools.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a chamber where a base concentrate common to at least a first flavored food product and a second flavored food product is formed, the first flavored food product having different flavoring than the second flavored food product, the base concentrate having a first temperature. The apparatus also comprises a process line that receives the base concentrate from the chamber, heated liquid from a heated liquid source, and flavoring from either a first flavor source or a second flavor source to form a mixture of base concentrate, heated liquid and flavoring. The mixture has a has second temperature sufficient to achieve a change in the mixture selected from the group consisting of microbial change, chemical change, biochemical change, and enzymatic change, and combinations thereof. A method is also disclosed for change over from forming a first flavored food product to forming a second flavored food product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating mold spores, pathogens and odor from material like equine bedding. The apparatus includes two or more pairs of augers including blades to control the size of the material and to move it in a zigzag fashion through heat.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a cleaning agent that contains surfactants and has a pH value of at least 11 when diluted in an aqueous solution and ready for use. Said cleaning agent is used to destabilize prions during mechanical and manual cleaning and/or disinfection of medical and/or surgical instruments and appliances. It has been recognized that this combination enables a reliable destabilization of prions during the mechanical reconditioning of surgical instruments.