With Positive Pressure Or Vacuum Patents (Class 422/33)
  • Publication number: 20070193454
    Abstract: To kill insects on fresh produce, the fresh produce is placed into the interior of a vacuum chamber and a partial vacuum is drawn and maintained within the interior for a time interval adequate to kill the insects. In some examples the holding step is carried out with the absolute pressure maintained in a range of 4.57 to 5.0 mm Hg. In some examples a pathogen-killing sanitizing gas is injected into the vacuum chamber at the end of the time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: Western Precooling Systems
    Inventor: Richard S. Brown
  • Patent number: 7258835
    Abstract: A sterilization container has a valve arrangement that remains open in a venting phase and is then closed before a pressure difference is compensated for at a predetermined differential pressure. The valve remains closed until the container is opened for the purpose of withdrawing and using the sterilized instruments contained therein. The valve is actuated through a snap disk arrangement, the snap disks of which vault gradually into opposite directions at predetermined temperatures, thereby effecting a defined valve control. The snap disk arrangement is provided in a thermally isolated housing, which prevents a premature back-switching of certain snap disks that could be caused by a cooling-off as a result of the evaporation of condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Wagner GmbH Fabrik fuer Med. Geraete
    Inventor: Peter Wagner
  • Patent number: 7252800
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Jacobs, Szu-Min Lin, Jenn-Hann Wang, James P. Kohler, Richard Jed Kendall, Anahid Gamsarian
  • Patent number: 7229591
    Abstract: Devices and methods for sterilizing lumens involve a booster that is attached to the lumen. In preferred embodiments, the contact area between the lumen and the booster enhances the penetration of an antimicrobial agent to the contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Su-Syin S. Wu, Harold R. Williams, Nancy S. Chu, Hans Strobel, Szu-Min Lin, Henry K. Hui, Leslie A. Feldman
  • Patent number: 7201869
    Abstract: A chemical vapor sterilization process is enhanced by controlling the temperature of a diffusion path between a vaporizer and a sterilization chamber so as to condense and then re-vaporize at least a portion of the vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold R. Williams, Szu-Min Lin, Robert Lukasik
  • Patent number: 7186371
    Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing a sealed enclosure (1) includes a fan (8) for circulating a gas through a preparation circuit (11) and through the enclosure. The preparation circuit includes an evaporation chamber (10) for dispensing a decontaminant gas and water vapor mixture into the circulating gas to flow therewith through the enclosure and to reach a concentration in the enclosure above the dew point for the ambient temperature in the enclosure and thereby to condense onto surfaces in the enclosure to sterilize such surfaces. A monitor (15) measures gas temperature and dew point/condensation are monitored (17, 18) in the enclosure. The resulting signals led to a control module (19) for controlling the rate of dispensing of the decontaminant gas and water vapor into the gas in the preparation circuit in response to the levels determined by said monitoring to provide a required level of condensation of the decontaminant gas and water vapor in the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Bioquell UK Limited.
    Inventor: David Watling
  • Patent number: 7179419
    Abstract: A method for sterilizing medical devices and similar instruments in diffusion-restricted containers is provided. The sterilization method includes placing a liquid solution containing vaporizable germicide such as hydrogen peroxide into the diffusion-restricted container and vaporizing the germicide. The containers can be attachable and detachable to a sterilization system, and used as a vacuum chamber. An attachable/detachable container containing an article to be sterilized can be nested with a second container, and the article and inside and outside of the inner container are sterilized. The sterile article inside the nested containers can be transported and the sterile inner container with the sterilized article can removed from the outer container and placed in a sterile environment without contaminating the sterile environment. The sterile article can then be removed from the sterile container and utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Medical Div Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Szu-Min Lin, Anthony Lemus, Harold R. Williams, Paul T. Jacobs, Tralance O. Addy, Jon M. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 7108832
    Abstract: Sterilization methods and apparatus are effective to achieve a 6-log reduction in CFUs of industry standard bacteria and bacterial spores, i.e., B. stearothermophilus and B. subtilis spores, by subjecting sterilizable materials to a chemical additive-containing carbon dioxide sterilant fluid at or near its supercritical pressure and temperature conditions. Most preferably, the chemical additive-containing supercritical carbon dioxide sterilant fluid is agitated during sterilization, e.g., via mechanical agitation or via pressure cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: NovaSterilis Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Christensen, David Carroll Burns, Angela Lydia White, Bruce Ganem, Anthony Romey Eisenhut
  • Patent number: 7048887
    Abstract: In a process for sterilizing objects, the surfaces of the objects are dampened by condensating a steam compound of water and hydrogen peroxide. The steam compound reaches hereby the objects to be sterilized without any additional transport gas flow. Subsequent drying occurs by means of evacuation at a pressure below the boiling points of water and hydrogen peroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Ruediger Haaga GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Frost, Peter Awakowicz
  • Patent number: 7001631
    Abstract: Almonds are often harvested off the ground from around trees which have been fertilized with manure. Potentially hazardous microbes are transferred from the husk to the shells during the dehusking process. During deshelling, shell dust with attached microbes escapes into the atmosphere and can permeate an entire packaging facility, contaminating previously uncontaminated packaging and food products. A sterile barrier is provided around the packaging facility. As the almonds in the shell are passed through the barrier, their shells are sanitized. After the nutmeats are removed from the shells, the nutmeats are sanitized again and packaged in packaging which has been sanitized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus J. Mielnik, Matthew C. Lawes, Gerald E. McDonnell
  • Patent number: 6994823
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for removing fumes from an endoscope disinfecting apparatus configured for disinfecting an endoscope with a disinfecting solution. In architecture, the exhaust system includes a fan housing, a fan disposed within the fan housing, an exhaust hose connected to the fan housing, and wherein the exhaust system is connected to the endoscope disinfecting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Next Step Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: H. Thomas Hight, III
  • Patent number: 6984361
    Abstract: A gaseous blend of Ox and a method for significantly reducing the biological load, including anthrax, on mail and shipping parcels is disclosed. The gaseous blend of Ox consists at least in part of O3. The method involves applying a continuous stream of oxygen-containing, i.e., Ox, gas to the mail or shipping parcel at a predetermined temperature, pressure and relative humidity. The continuous stream of Ox gas is prepared in an Ox generation cell, which contains a means for generating the Ox gas at a pressure less than 20 lbs/in2 using, for example, one or more of the following: corona discharge, high frequency electrical discharge, ultraviolet light, x-ray, radioactive isotope and electric beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Cosmed Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary B. Carman, Stephen K. Wirtz
  • Patent number: 6977061
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sterilizing a lumen device. A lumen and a container having an interface on a wall of the container are enclosed in a chamber. The lumen is placed across the interface so that one end of the lumen is in the container and the other end is in the chamber. Germicide is introduced into the chamber, and a pressure difference is created between the two ends of the lumen, so that the germicide flows through the lumen. The lumen may alternatively be placed across an interface which separates the chamber into two areas. Germicide is introduced into the chamber, and a pressure difference is created between the two areas of the chamber, causing the germicide to flow through the lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Szu-Min Lin, Paul Taylor Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6960321
    Abstract: New and in-use fire sprinkler systems can be sterilized by employing antimicrobial gases. The gases include steam, oxygen, and chlorine. Water added to the system after sterilization can be sterilized to prevent the reoccurrence of microbiological contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: Jerome H. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 6955786
    Abstract: A gaseous blend of CO2 and Ox and a method for applying a continuous stream of a gaseous blend of CO2 and Ox to a material are disclosed. The gaseous blend and the method significantly reduce the biological load on consumer products, such as food products, botanicals and cosmetic ingredients; in building structures; on transportation containers; and in soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Cosmed Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary B. Carman, Steven K. Wirtz
  • Patent number: 6919057
    Abstract: An automated endoscope reprocessor (10) includes a removable rack (12) for receiving a container (16, 16?). The container has a clamshell housing (20) having two mating portions (24, 26). The portions together define an internal pressurizable chamber (56) for receiving an endoscope head (22). The endoscope's connector cord (82) is carried through an outlet (80) to the chamber. The outlet is defined by channels (88, 90), one in each of the two housing portions (24, 26). A gasket assembly in the outlet provides a restricted fluid passage which allows a small portion of fluid to flow through the outlet when the connector cord is positioned therein. The gasket assembly (120) includes a number of resiliently flexible fins (126, 128, 130) positioned in each channel, each fin having a U-shaped slot (144, 146, 148). Pairs of fins overlap such that the slots together define openings (150) of diminishing size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventors: Éric Halstead, Eugéne Cantin, Michel Trachy, Christian Angers, Serge Coulombe, Maxime Nicole
  • Publication number: 20040265167
    Abstract: A door closure system for a vacuum sterilization chamber includes a mechanism to allow movement of the door with respect to the chamber at the latch and more preferably at the hinge. In one aspect the hinge attaches to the chamber via screws through elongated slots in the hinge. A spring biases the door toward the chamber. Forces applied by the hinge and by an opposite latch are normalized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Todd Morrison
  • Publication number: 20040262146
    Abstract: A sterilization system applies power in the form of bipolar pulsed DC to a plasma during a gas/plasma sterilization procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Robert C. Platt, Anthony Lemus, Alfredo M. Choperena
  • Publication number: 20040247482
    Abstract: Method of sterilising a packaging material (1) by means of a sterilising agent in liquid form, comprising the steps of: providing a packaging material (1) to be sterilised, providing a source (11) of sterilising agent in liquid form, forcing the liquid sterilising agent through a nozzle (12) to form a jet (14a) directed towards the packaging material, subjecting the jet (14a) of liquid sterilising agent to a controlled, periodic disturbance causing the jet (14a) of liquid sterilising agent to form a train (14) of droplets of controlled, essentially uniform size and controlled rate, moving the packaging material (1) in relation to said nozzle (12) or vice versa, whereby said train (14) of droplets forms a coating (2) of sterilising agent of controlled thickness and controlled coverage on the packaging material (1), and vaporising the film of sterilising agent on the packaging material (1). The invention also concerns a similar method and devices for implementing said methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Jan-Erik Ekstrom, Lars Sickert
  • Patent number: 6821443
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing ozone-containing sterilizing water and apparatus used in the process. Ozone-containing sterilizing water can be continuously produced by maintaining a mixture of raw water and ozone gas under a predetermined pressure and time with the use of two separate compartments of a compression mix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Se-Ham Kim
  • Patent number: 6821481
    Abstract: A continuous processing apparatus includes a dissolution section for dissolving liquid carbon dioxide into a continuously supplied liquid-form raw material, and a processing section for holding the liquid-form raw material with liquid carbon dioxide dissolved therein under predetermined temperature and pressure to thereby transform carbon dioxide into a supercritical or subcritical state. Thus, bacteria, enzyme and the like contained in the liquid-form raw material can be effectively killed or decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Osajima, Mitsuya Shimoda, Masaki Miyake
  • Patent number: 6793884
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for significantly reducing the biological load on consumer products such as food products, botanicals, cosmetic ingredients and medical products is disclosed. The method involves applying a continuous stream of oxygen-containing, i.e., Ox, gas to a material in a sealed biological burden reduction chamber. The continuous stream of Ox gas is prepared in an Ox generation cell, which contains a means for generating the Ox gas at a pressure less than 20 lbs/in2 using, for example, one or more of the following: corona discharge, high frequency electrical discharge, ultraviolet light, x-ray, radioactive isotope and electric beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Cosmed Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary B. Carman, Stephen K. Wirtz
  • Patent number: 6790410
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization, wherein the chamber temperature is set at less than 39° C. throughout, and containers with temperature-sensitive products can be efficiently sterilized without the temperature-sensitive products showing a significant loss of activity or degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Aventis Behring GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Metzner, Joerg Lemmer, Horst Naumann
  • Publication number: 20040170527
    Abstract: A method for sterilizing a device, includes the following steps: placing the article into a chamber containing an inner atmosphere; placing a solution comprising hydrogen peroxide and water into fluid communication with the chamber, the solution having a ratio of hydrogen peroxide to water; vaporizing the solution in the inner atmosphere to form water vapor and hydrogen peroxide vapor; selectively drawing water vapor from the chamber to increase a ratio of hydrogen peroxide to water in the chamber; and contacting the article with the hydrogen peroxide vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Paul T. Jacobs, Szu-Min Lin, Jenn-Hann Wang
  • Publication number: 20040161362
    Abstract: Human cadaver tissues have been used for many years to replace tissues in the body. These replacements not only include such well known organ transplants such as the heart and kidneys, they also involve soft tissue grafts such as tendons and arteries, and hard tissue grafts such as bone. It is desirable for these tissue grafts to be cleaned and sterilized. The basic technology to be utilized for this audible acoustic tissue cleaning process is the use of sound in a range audible to the human ear (20 Hz to 20,000 Hz) to provide the cleansing force necessary to clean and sterilize tissue grafts to be implanted into the human body. Another use of this technology is to clean and treat contaminated bone fragments from compound fractures. Another aspect of this audible acoustic tissue cleaning process is the use of relatively pure oxygen (50 to 100%) under pressure to treat the tissue grafts at 2 to 10 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: David L. Bogert
  • Publication number: 20040156744
    Abstract: A device and method for cleaning and sterilizing tubular structures particularly, long, narrow tubular structures such as lumens of a medical device such as an endoscope by reversing the flow of fluid in interconnected tubular structures. The device comprises a first and second valve in fluid communication with a first and second tubular structure. The valves selectively switch between a first and second position causing a first and second flow path within the tubular structures, at least a part of the second flow path opposite the first flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Patricia M. Stanley
  • Patent number: 6773669
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the encapsulation of substances and drugs into cells and platelets. The present invention is also related to the incorporation of thrombus dissolving drugs, such as tissue plasminogen activator and streptokinase into platelets using the apparatus described herein. The treated platelets can then be used to treat patients suffering from a thrombus blocking a blood vessel. The present invention is also related to a preparation of red blood cells that has a stable right shift of the oxygen dissociation curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Maxcyte, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Holaday, Peter H. Meserol, Doug Doerfler, Shawn J. Green, Vininder Singh
  • Publication number: 20040146427
    Abstract: Described is a sterilization chamber for sterilizing objects for application in a process in which a vapour composite, composed of water vapour and hydrogen peroxide vapour, is guided without a carrier gas flow into the sterilization chamber in which a vacuum prevails, whereby the vapour composite settles on the surfaces of the objects to be sterilized and on the surfaces of the sterilization chamber in the form of a condensation layer, which is suctioned off by means of further evacuation of the sterilization chamber after a certain reaction time in accordance with the present invention, the surfaces of the sterilization chamber consist of poor heat-conducting, water-repellent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: RUEDIGER HAAGA GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Awakowicz, Robert Frost, Gernot Keil, Peter Georg Scheubert
  • Patent number: 6767568
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing meat is provided. According to the method, a meat product is positioned within an interior volume of a decompression chamber. A pressure differential is created across a gas output in communication with the interior volume of the decompression chamber. The decompression chamber is then rapidly decompressed by transferring gas from the interior volume of the decompression chamber through the gas output. The pressure differential and the rate of the rapid decompression are selected to be suitable for processing the meat product positioned within the interior volume of the decompression chamber. Typically, the pressure differential and the rate of rapid decompression are selected to be suitable for tenderizing the meat product, killing microorganisms in the meat product, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Spectra Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley Eugene Tate, John William Sellers, Jr., Morse Bartt Solomon, Bradford William Berry
  • Publication number: 20040136864
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for treating dentures at elevated pressured to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment employs a sealed pressure containment vessel. Denture cleaning, disinfecting, deorderizing, brightening, bleaching can be performed using this apparatus and method and the effectiveness of conventional active agents in removing plaque or the biolayer on the surface of the denture can be improved. Active agents can be forced into pores, fissures and microscopic openings in dentures to remove pathogens or contaminants that cannot be reached by conventional processes. The effectiveness of conventional effervescent denture treatment tablets can also be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: William L. Barham
  • Publication number: 20040120852
    Abstract: A pressure cleaning vessel 1 is connected to a vacuum chamber P by way of a connecting pipe in the sterilizing and cleaning equipment which utilizes a supercritical fluid. The objects to be treated is impregnated, for a given period, in the supercritical fluid with which the pressure cleaning vessel 1 has been filled. Thereafter, the connection between the pressure vessel 1 and the vacuum chamber P is opened so as to generate sudden bubbling within the vessel 1 as a result of a large pressure difference. Thorough sterilization is achieved at the time when the supercritical fluid having penetrated into bacteria and viruses suddenly explodes and destroys these organisms instantly by its power of vaporization and expansion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SR KAIHATSU
    Inventor: Masayuki Kanno
  • Patent number: 6749809
    Abstract: A clustered creature exterminating method efficiently exterminates clustered creature such as cyanobacteria in large quantity with use of a pressure which is substantially lower than that of the conventional method. The exterminating method includes the steps of: pressurizing a fluid containing a clustered creature such as cyanobacteria through a pump; suddenly lowering the pressure applied to the fluid by injecting the fluid from nozzle groups; and destroying a bonding in the clustered creature by a cavitation caused by the pressure drop. The nozzle groups may be arranged to oppose to one another to collide the injected fluids with each other, which divides the cyanobacteria into many small pieces. As a result, the cyanobacteria lose the ability to rise, and sink at the bottom of water, therefore, die because they cannot photosynthesize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Karasawa Fine, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihiko Karasawa
  • Publication number: 20040105780
    Abstract: A method for cleaning and sterilizing a medical device comprises the steps of: placing the device into a container; cleaning the device in the container with a cleaning solution; rinsing the device in the container with a rinse solution; and vaporizing a liquid substance in the container to create a sterilant vapor and contacting the device with the vapor to effect sterilization of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Szu-Min Lin, Paul Taylor Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20040071590
    Abstract: This invention relates to table top steam sterilizers, wherein a novel method of heat conservation within the sterilizer, using fixed vacuum chamber walls, is described. As well, the temperature of the sterilizer is more accurately regulated and stabilized by power application to a single heating coil with the use of a proportional controller, and by use of temperature, pressure and humidity sensors. The method also relates to a post-sterilization moisture evacuation process using a venturi. When this method is employed, the time required for the sterilization process is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Melvyn Lloyd Sawyer
  • Publication number: 20040063607
    Abstract: The present invention describes in particular a method for stabilizing a pharmaceutical composition by contacting said composition with a polymeric material comprising in particular an ethylene oxide sterilization step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Andrea Fetz, Georg Ludwig Kis, Michel Pepiot
  • Patent number: 6699434
    Abstract: A metering valve for delivering liquids from a reservoir includes a rotatable valve plug having at least one well in the valve plug. The valve plug prevents direct communication across the valve. Rotating the valve plug transfers the liquid from the reservoir into the well on the valve plug. Rotating the valve plug further transfers the liquid in the well from the valve plug to the point of delivery. The rotation of the valve plug can be repeated to transfer more liquid. The metering valve can be used to deliver vaporizable germicides to a sterilization chamber. A single metering valve can be used to deliver varying amounts of vaporizable germicide to different sizes of sterilization chamber by rotating the valve plug an appropriate number of times. The valve plug can contain multiple wells to deliver large volumes of liquid quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Lukasik, Szu-Min Lin
  • Publication number: 20040028554
    Abstract: A system and process is provided for removing or treating harmful biologic and organic substances within an enclosure, such as a container, building or vehicle. Air within the enclosure is heated to a predetermined temperature to kill organisms and cause harmful substances in the structure to migrate into the ambient air. Boric acid in combination with the heat may be used to kill mold and similar undesirable organisms. Temperature and pressure levels are monitored. The heated air carrying the harmful substances is passed through a filter to remove the harmful substances, and the heated air is re-circulated to enhance efficiency. The system effectively kills insects, molds, viruses and bacteria and reduces the levels of allergens and volatile organic compounds in the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: David E. Hedman
  • Publication number: 20040028556
    Abstract: Described is a process for the chemical sterilization of objects, in particular of medical objects, which are packed in a non-sterile state into a bacteria-impermeable, but gas-permeable non-sterile package and subsequently sterilized using a diffusionable, reactive, gas-like medium. The medium is an overheated hydrogen peroxide vapor, which drops below dew point in the inside of the package and is thus forced to condensate. The condensate is subsequently returned to the vapor phase by evacuating the package, and thereafter pumped out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Frost, Peter Awakowicz
  • Patent number: 6691047
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a pump that is subject to variations in flow rate based on inlet pressure variations, such as a peristaltic pump found in medical instruments. The pressure at the inlet of the pump is measured and recorded during prior uses of the pump. A mean or average inlet pressure is derived from the measurements, either directly or indirectly from the measurements of using regression techniques, as a way of forecasting the inlet pressure during the next use of the pump. The pump is then calibrated at an inlet pressure that is set or adjusted to match the mean or average inlet pressure. The calibration is thus accurately performed for the pump, and is independent of the absolute accuracy of the inlet pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Aksys, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chris N. Fredericks
  • Publication number: 20040022670
    Abstract: A method and apparatus or system for de-contaminating and/or sanitizing mail in which a quantity of mail is placed into a confined chamber and the atmosphere in the chamber is evacuated to provide a sub-atmospheric pressure. The chamber is filled with an active gas that deactivates or degrades targeted bio-hazardous materials, and, after a pre-selected perio of time, the gas is evacuated from the confined chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicants: Lockheed Martin Corp., a Maryland corporation, Sandia National Laboratories
    Inventors: Clifford A. Megerle, Duane Lee Lindner
  • Publication number: 20040022671
    Abstract: A decontaminator and methods of decontamination of objects within a chamber, or the chamber itself. The decontaminator includes a decontaminant container for storing decontaminant. The container is connected to a valve to regulate the flow of decontaminant out of the container and into a vapor box or directly into a chamber. A heater heats the decontaminant in the vapor box to form a vapor. A fan may be implemented to disburse the vapor into the chamber. A decontaminant distribution device may also be included to improve circulation of the decontaminant within the chamber. A decontamination method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: James Malatesta
  • Patent number: 6685895
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed to reduced or eliminate the occlusion of the device in the container during the cleaning or sterilizing process, preferably with the use of a support and a controllable opening or interface. By changing the configuration of the support, the contact pattern between the device and the support can be modified to reduce occlusion during a cleaning, disinfecting or sterilization procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Szu-Min Lin
  • Patent number: 6673313
    Abstract: A method for sterilizing the interior of a diffusion restricted area by introducing a sterilant in a chamber, condensing the vapor, reducing the pressure in the chamber to revaporize the condensed vapor, and maintaining the device in the chamber until the device is sterilized. The sterilant has a vapor pressure less than the vapor pressure of water and is preferably hydrogen peroxide. The pressure in the chamber while maintaining the device in the chamber may be held constant, varied, or increased. Plasma may additionally be introduced into the chamber to improve the rate of sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jenn-Hann Wang, Szu-Min Lin, Paul T. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20040001774
    Abstract: A chemical vapor sterilization process is enhanced by controlling the temperature of a diffusion path between a vaporizer and a sterilization chamber so as to condense and then re-vaporize at least a portion of the vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Harold R. Williams, Szu-Min Lin, Robert Lukasik
  • Publication number: 20040001775
    Abstract: A chemical vapor sterilization process is enhanced by controlling the temperature of a diffusion path between a vaporizer and a sterilization chamber so as to condense and then re-vaporize at least a portion of the vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Harold R. Williams, Szu-Min Lin, Robert Lukasik
  • Publication number: 20040001776
    Abstract: A chemical vapor sterilization process is enhanced by flowing a portion of the sterilant vapor through an instrument container using a normal portion of the exhaust process. Preferably, an exhaust conduit which draws a vacuum on a sterilization chamber is oriented so that the container is adjacent an inlet to the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Ben Fryer, Szu Min Lin, Robert Lukasik, Todd Morrison
  • Publication number: 20040001777
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods associated therewith for killing molds and reducing other contaminating bioburden that may include bacteria and their spores, yeast, and viruses within various dwellings including homes, office buildings, institutions, and any other enclosed space in which humans reside, either temporarily or permanently. The technology of the present invention can be used to treat vehicles, airplanes, and ships. A process according to the invention includes the generation of a gaseous oxyhalogen species and distribution of the gaseous oxyhalogen species throughout a selected dwelling. It has been unexpectedly found that the concentration level of gaseous oxyhalogen species necessary to kill molds according to the inventive methods is far below that previously recognized in the art as being necessary for the killing of such molds. Thus, mold infestations may be killed in dwellings with minimal disruption to the usual business of the inhabitants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: David W. Hobson, Danny O. Helton, Lawton A. Seal
  • Publication number: 20030235511
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Paul T. Jacobs, Szu-Min Lin, Jenn-Hann Wang, James P. Kohler, Richard Jed Kendall, Anahid Gamsarian
  • Patent number: 6656427
    Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a device has a chamber, a source of sterilant or disinfectant and ports for admitting and exhausting the sterilant or disinfectant but lacks a source of sterile rinse. A related method similarly lacks the step of rinsing with a sterile solvent yet leaves the device essentially free of the sterilant or disinfectant. Preferably the sterilant or disinfectant is removed from the device by vaporizing it and drawing it out of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Szu-Min Lin, Paul Taylor Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6656426
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for sterilization of medical instruments by concentrating a sterilant such as hydrogen peroxide inside of a sterilization chamber and sterilizing articles therewith. The sterilant is concentrated by removing more water from the sterilization chamber than peroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jenn-Hann Wang, Paul Jacobs, Szu-Min Lin