Abstract: A low temperature method for the cleaning and disinfection of heat- and liquid-sensitive articles that are brought into physical contact with patients during diagnostic evaluation, surgery or therapy. These articles, such as endoscopes, bronchoscopes and related equipment are thus subject to contamination by microorganic pathogens and consequently may serve as transmittal agents for noscomial infection. In the method of this invention, quick, penetrating and adequate disinfection can be obtained by the use of a vapor consisting essentially of from 40 to 100% isopropanol and the remainder consisting predominantly of water vapor. The aforesaid articles are brought into direct contact and totally enveloping contact with the vapor at a temperature between 45.degree. C. and 65.degree. C. for a period effective to destroy the pathogens.When the articles are then removed from vapor contact, any condensed isopropanol on the surfaces of the article quickly evaporates.

Abstract: Biocidal gas sterilization methods and apparatus are disclosed in which goods are heated and moisturized prior to addition of the sterilizing gas utilizing repressurization after initial evacuation to provide drive power for the conditioning vapor and improve conditioning efficiency. After initial evacuation to a selected subatmospheric pressure level, the chamber is repressurized with a conditioning vapor comprising steam to a subatmospheric pressure level corresponding approximately to desired sterilizing temperature, then the chamber is held with evacuating and vapor injecting interrupted for a predetermined interval; this sequence of steps is repeated a selected number of times; and, conditioning to various sterilizing temperatures is available. Initial evacuation can be accompanied by intermittent injection of conditioning vapor. No chamber measurement of temperature or relative humidity is required for conditioning control and conditioning vapor injection is free of flow rate control requirements.

Abstract: Conditioning of goods for subsequent sterilization with a biocidal agent in a sealable chamber includes removal of air, and moistening and heating the goods to the desired temperature levels. Controlled evacuation of the chamber and coordinated admission of conditioning vapor into the chamber provides cyclic variations in chamber pressure between preselected subatmospheric pressures to subject goods in the chamber to a plurality of cyclic subatmospheric pressure pulses. The time required for the cyclic pressure variations is responsive to load characteristics, including heat and moisture absorption characteristics of the goods being conditioned, and is independent of prescribed times or direct measurement of load temperature. The subatmospheric pressure levels are selected based on the temperature-pressure relationship of the conditioning vapor so that chamber temperature during cyclic pulsing does not exceed the desired sterilization temperature.

Abstract: Slow release insecticide microcapsules having a core of methomyl surrounded by a cover of all-aromatic, uncrosslinked polyurea.

Abstract: A "cold" gas sterilization process that operates at temperatures below 80.degree. C. in a temperature range that is generally considered nonsporicidal. The process is capable of sterilizing with gaseous hydrogen peroxide at extremely low concentrations in a gas phase, such as 0.5 mg/L. The widely used process of "cold" sterilizing with ethylene oxide is typically run at a gas concentration of 630 mg/L and 55.degree. C. Apparatus is also disclosed for use of this process in "cold" sterilization of contact lenses.

Abstract: A bridge of particulate and ground food, feed and inorganic substances, such as soybean meal, corn meal, flour, cement and the like in a storage vessel is broken by reducing the internal pressure of the vessel and introducing inert gas under pressure of from atmosphere to up to 10 kg/cm.sup.2 to impart impact for breaking the bridge of the particulate and ground substances. After discharge of the particulate and ground substances from the storage vessel, the matter sticking to the internal walls of the vessel can be removed by again reducing pressure and giving impact of introduced atmosphere or pressurized gas. Further, the internal pressure of the closed storage vessel is reduced prior to injecting fumigant gas and thereafter by introducing inert gas the internal pressure is brought to normal pressure to improve fumigation of the substances.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising one or plural fluid inlets at the grip end of the endoscope or at the feeding pipe which contains an air-feeding pipe and a light-transmitting optical fiber.For washing and sterilization of endoscope which does not have a water-proof structure, compressed air or liquid is infused through the fluid inlet, raising the inner pressure of the endoscope to prevent the permeation of the cleanser and disinfectant into the innerside of the endoscope.For washing and sterilization of an endoscope which has a water-proof structure, the compressed air or the liquid is infused through the fluid inlet to detect a pin hole on the surface of a flexible sheath.

Abstract: A method to sterilize the surfaces of objects placed in a continuous flow of a low temperature, low pressure gas plasma, containing small amounts of aromatic, heterocyclic and saturated or unsaturated acyclic aldehydes alone or mixtures thereof. Said gas plasma is a partially ionized gas composed of ions, electrons and neutral species. It is created by electromagnetic discharges at subatmospheric pressure in the 1 to 10,000 Megahertz range, and corresponds to a minimum average spatial energy density of 0.001 watts per cubic centimeter.The gas plasma may also contain other vaporized cidal agents. Contrary to most sterilant gases, the method is safe, allows quick handling of heat sensitive items, does not corrode equipment and does not leave toxic residues.

Abstract: Method for sterilizing soft contact lenses and the like using methoxymethane while the lenses are in a liquid-wetted state. Methoxymethane on the water-wet surface for a sufficient time kills the microorganisms (bacteria, molds and yeasts) that invade and are entrapped in the pores and irregular surfaces of the hydrophilic materials from which such soft contact lenses are made. An easily portable apparatus for applying this sterilization technique to the lenses is also disclosed. It includes a lens holder that can be held in a chamber that can be pressure-isolated to receive the methoxymethane gas from portable sources. In one form, an indicator shows that the lenses are under sterilization pressure. This novel arrangement dispenses with the inconvenience of using prolonged steaming, or questionable sterilization in disinfecting fluids which may affect the composition of the soft contact lens.

Abstract: Conditioning of goods for subsequent sterilization with a biocidal agent in a sealable chamber includes removal of air, and moistening and heating the goods to the desired temperature levels. Controlled evacuation of the chamber and coordinated admission of conditioning vapor into the chamber provides cyclic variations in chamber pressure between preselected subatmospheric pressures to subject goods in the chamber to a plurality of cyclic subatmospheric pressure pulses. The time required for the cyclic pressure variations is responsive to load characteristics, including heat and moisture absorption characteristics of the goods being conditioned, and is independent of prescribed times or direct measurement of load temperature. The subatmospheric pressure levels are selected based on the temperature-pressure relationship of the conditioning vapor so that chamber temperature during cyclic pulsing does not exceed the desired sterilization temperature.

Abstract: A sealed container provided with a valve opening and a resilient valve member self-biased into closing position. The valve is manually openable by a lever which is held in the open position by a rigid fuse-like element which melts after being subjected to sterilizing temperatures long enough to sterilize the container and its contents. The valve then closes sealing the container. The valve and a gasket between the container lid and base will permit leakage out of the box to permit the withdrawal of steam from the container when a vacuum is applied to the container exterior but will prevent reverse flow so that a vacuum is maintained within the container once one is created. The vacuum may be released by opening the valve, which simultaneously cocks it for the next sterilizing operation.An alternate approach includes a disposable, resilient valve member which plugs into a hole in the wall of the container and covers a valve orifice into the container.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for ultrasonic cleaning and decontaminating, disinfecting, or sterilizing articles, such as surgical instruments, in a single piece of equipment. Energy transmission through a unitized shell wall coupled with deep vacuum conditions in the chamber enables rapid degasification, enhanced cavitation providing effective and efficient ultrasonic cleaning in a sealed vessel capable of carrying out high pressure sterilization.Sonic energy transducers are rigidly mounted externally of the unitized shell to achieve desired cavitation substantially uniformly throughout the volume of the chamber established for placement of articles to be ultrasonically washed and biocidally treated.

Abstract: A "cold" gas sterilization process that operates at temperatures below 80.degree. C. in a temperature range that is generally considered nonsporicidal. The process is capable of sterilizing with gaseous hydrogen peroxide at extremely low concentrations in a gas phase, such as 0.5 mg/L. The widely used process of "cold" sterilizing with ethylene oxide is typically run at a gas concentration of 630 mg/L and 55.degree. C. Apparatus is also disclosed for use of this process in "cold" sterilization of contact lenses.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing the surfaces of articles such as medical intruments and other products by exposing such surfaces to hydrogen peroxide gas at temperatures below 80.degree. C. in a temperature range that is generally considered nonsporicidal.

Abstract: An agent for stabilization of a decorative finish is incorporated in a timber preservative composition comprising a preservative e.g. fungicide, insecticide or fire retardant in an organic solvent e.g. white spirit, chlorinated hydrocarbon such as methylene chloride or a liquified butane or propane for use in a double vacuum treatment of the timber. The agent may be an alkyd resin or colloidal pigment of a defined mean particle size, or both.