Abstract: A power tool includes a tool housing and a mechanism disposed inside the tool housing. The tool housing has a composite structure that includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer provides an outer surface of the power tool housing and comprises a first material. The outer layer is an assembly of concave shell portions joined along parting lines. The inner layer is disposed on an inner surface of at least a portion of the outer layer so as to be disposed between the portion of the outer layer and the mechanism. The inner layer comprises a second material. The first material has a density that is at least three times the density of the second material. The inner layer has a peripheral edges that are offset relative to the parting lines such that the inner layer extends continuously across the parting lines.

Abstract: A stent which has a cylindrical tubular shape in which wires cross each other and are woven includes first regions each including a horizontal folding crossing portion in which the wires are folded in an axial direction and cross each other and a vertical folding crossing portion in which the wires are folded in a circumferential direction and cross each other. The first region is a region in which the horizontal folding crossing portion and the vertical folding crossing portion are arranged in the circumferential direction, and the first regions are arranged at intervals in the axial direction.

Abstract: A system is presented for monitoring and controlling in a sterilizable environment the peeling of a cover from a tub sealed by the cover. The system employs a platform having a fiducial source locating structure for holding the tub, a cover removal station disposed to engage with the cover and to peel the cover from the tub, a light source disposed to illuminate a portion of the platform proximate the cover removal station, a light sensor sensitive to light from the light source and disposed to preferentially collect and measure light diffusely reflected from the illuminated portion of the platform, and a controller with software to operate the system. An associated method for monitoring and controlling the peeling of the cover involves moving a peeled portion of the cover into a predetermined peeling monitor zone within the illuminated portion of the platform, and measuring an intensity of light from the light source diffusely reflected specifically from the peeling monitor zone.

Abstract: A method is described for shaping the bottom of hot-filled containers, in which the bottoms of the containers are forced inwardly from a state bulged outwardly, in particular as they cool down. Complex mechanisms for forcing the bottom inwardly are dispensable for the reason that the bottoms are forced inwardly by at least one fluid jet and/or fluid pressure wave. In addition, shaping the bottom can advantageously be carried out in a production region immediately downstream of a closer.

Abstract: A machine for filling and closing pharmaceutical containers disposed in respective supports has a sterile first work environment with an inlet passage and an outlet passage, a conveyor transporting the supports, which crosses the work environment through the inlet passage and the outlet passage, and a collecting station in the work environment, for collecting and extracting the containers from the supports. The work environment has a second outlet passage. A sterile second work environment has an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being at the second outlet passage of the first work environment to define a common passage. Another conveyor passes through the common passage, has a first part in the first work environment and a second part in the second work environment, and is predisposed so that the first part can receive the containers and convey them through the common passage at a filling station and a closing station.

Abstract: A base for a plastic container including an outer support portion; a structured formation ring including a plurality of sequential formations; an inner inversion portion disposed radially inwardly of the structured formation ring; and a central portion. In an embodiment, the sequential formations are disposed in a substantially ring-like configuration and at least the inner inversion portion is configured to flex in response to internal vacuum forces associated with said container.

Abstract: An aseptic filling machine and an aseptic filling method are provided with which a petaloid-shape bottle or an unstable bottle is filled with sterilized content and sealed with a sterilized cap in an aseptic atmosphere is discharged without a delay from an aseptic zone to a non-aseptic zone and even if the petaloid-shape bottle or the unstable bottle falls over on a discharging conveyor when being discharged from the aseptic zone to the non-aseptic zone, a stopping time of the aseptic filling machine is shortened by providing a barrier chamber into which air containing a gas of a sterilizer is supplied and a discharge portion chamber that shields discharge portions that are provided downstream of the sealing portion that fills the content into the bottle and seals the bottle with the cap.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating an aseptic filling apparatus that includes stations including a content filling station arranged from an upstream side to a downstream side of a flow of a preform or container, and each of the stations is covered by a chamber. The method includes sterilizing the content filling station by performing a CIP and then an SIP or performing an SIP serving also as a CIP of the content filling station, removing a cleaning liquid used in the CIP or SIP, and performing a COP and/or an SOP of the various kinds of stations in a predetermined order. A first SOP using a first sterilizer and a second SOP using a second sterilizer are performed stepwise on the various kinds of stations while the CIP and the SIP or the SIP serving also as the CIP are being performed on the content filling station.

Abstract: A packaging system and method for reducing or eliminating exposure of medical devices to whole-room disinfecting gases and vapors are disclosed. In some embodiments, the packaging system and method may comprise a diffusion inhibitor member configured as an open-ended bag. In some embodiments, the diffusion inhibitor member comprises polyethylene or polypropylene.

Abstract: A package system suitable for sterilizing cyanoacrylate compositions and providing the sterile cyanoacrylate compositions a shelf life of at least 24 months, wherein the package system comprises: an ampoule comprising a chamber comprising a cyanoacrylate monomer, wherein the chamber is defined by an opening and sidewalls, wherein the ampoule comprises a material comprising a cyclic olefin copolymer; a multilayer foil seal sealing the opening of the ampoule; and a secondary package housing the ampoule.

Abstract: A method forming a surface modifying composition with reduced need for organic solvent and evaporation thereof for removal of insoluble reaction byproducts from the composition. The purified composition can be used in the formation of articles having improved biocompatibility, such as medical articles (e.g., spun hollow fiber).

Abstract: A storage stable package is provided that includes a polymeric bottle having a volume filled with an aqueous saline composition acidified with an acid to a pH of 2 to 9 and having a hypertonic saline concentration relative to saliva and blood, or an aqueous hydrogen peroxide composition acidified with an acid to a pH of 2.7 to 5.3 and having a hydrogen peroxide concentration 0.5 to 3 total weight percent, either to achieve a storage stability at 20 degrees Celsius of the composition of at least 10 weeks. The aqueous composition is independent of a synthetic antimicrobial. A cap is provided that is complementary a package opening for selectively sealing the aqueous saline composition within the volume. A process for treating an infection of a pharyngeal or buccal cavity is provided that includes rinsing with one of the aqueous saline composition. The aqueous saline composition is then expectorated.

Abstract: Methods of marking plastic-based products and marked plastic-based products are provided. Some methods include irradiating the product to alter the functionalization of the plastic. In general, the present disclosure features methods of marking substrates, e.g., substrates including plastics, such as plastic-based products, such as polymer banknotes. Such plastics can be rigid or flexible, e.g., elastomeric. Such plastics can be thermoplastic or thermosets. In some cases, the products are marked by irradiating plastic-based materials, e.g., sheet materials, under conditions that alter characteristics of the irradiated plastic.

Abstract: The invention provides a sterilizable pouch having at least one wall formed of a flexible film and including an opening formed therein for providing communication to an interior space of the package. A breathable material is disposed on an outer surface of the wall covering the opening. The breathable material is joined to the outer surface of the wall with a continuous heat seal. A heat resistant material is positioned between the breathable material an outer surface of the wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a fluid product, having a leaktight flexible pouch (1) placed in a rigid bottle (10) and associated with a pump or a valve (13), this pouch having a cylindrical wall consisting of a sheet (2) rolled into a cylinder, one edge of which is fixed in a leaktight fashion to a flange forming a ring for fastening to the bottle and to the pump or the valve, this flange (4) consisting of a plastic material, the other edge of the said sheet is fixed in a leaktight fashion to a second flange forming the bottom of the pouch, this second flange (3) consisting of a plastic material, these flanges (3, 4) having a solid disk or a ring having a raised edge (3A, 4A) forming an annular lateral surface, to which the edge of the said sheet (2) forming the wall of the pouch is fixed, the said sheet (2) of the cylindrical wall being a multilayer sheet having at least one inner film of plastic material.

Abstract: Described herein are water-soluble UV-absorbing vinylic monomers and their uses in preparing UV-absorbing contact lenses capable of blocking ultra-violet (“UV”) radiation and optionally (but preferably) violet radiation with wavelengths from 380 nm to 440 nm, thereby protecting eyes to some extent from damages caused by UV radiation and potentially from violet radiation. This invention also provides a UV-absorbing contact lens.

Abstract: A system for handling the sterilization of thin-body, pouch-type, flexible containers (1), provides for applying sacrificial closures (200) to the pouches, loading the provisional closed pouches to be sterilized on a transport device (300) for collective transport, to performing the sterilization of the transport device (300) carrying the provisional closed pouches and, finally, separating, in a sterile chamber, the sacrificial closures (200) from the pouches, performing filling and applying an inviolable cap (100).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chamber machine for packaging products in at least one bag, where said chamber machine includes at least one gas nozzle. The chamber machine can also include a monitoring device configured for detecting the presence of a bag neck of the bag over the gas nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device to provide an alert of the potential detection of a disease in an infrastructure having a chamber of air and a geographic location, the device comprising: one or more sample ports of known sub-location within the infrastructure, the one or more sample ports being open to a designated part of the infrastructure and a sample of air from the air chamber being operable to pass through the one or more sample ports; a detector to receive the sample of air from a specific one of the one or more sample ports and being operable to generate molecular characteristic data for identifying diseases from the sample of air; a processor operable to analyze the molecular characteristic data from the sample of air; and an alert module operable to issue an alert output in response to the detection of particular molecular characteristic data from the sample of air.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for calibrating a sensor of a monitoring apparatus for monitoring an analyte concentration in a body fluid sample of a patient in which a temperature-dependent drift model is derived for the sensor. An apparatus for monitoring an analyte concentration in a body fluid sample of a patient including such a sensor and a signal processor programmed to calibrate the sensor in accordance with this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A container for washing, sterilization, transportation and sterile storage of articles for sterilization is provided. The container includes a sleeve and a frame adapted to receive articles for sterilization. The container includes at least one filtered opening to permit communication between the sterilization apparatus and the sterilization chamber for the communication of steam and air. In a first configuration, a front and rear wall of the frame engage the sleeve to create a sterilization chamber. The container may be stacked and stored in any orientation. In a second configuration, the frame rests or nests on top of the sleeve to permit access to and use of the sterilized articles. The container, may include one or a plurality of openings for communication between a sterilization apparatus and the sterilization chamber and one or more filters adjacent to the pluralities of openings.

Abstract: This invention relates to an method of manufacture of an implantable medical device comprising an oxygen-sensitive rapamycin derivative that is protected by addition of an antioxidant during the manufacturing process where the amount of antioxidant added at the outset of the processing is such that when the device is fully fabricated, sterilized and packaged the amount of antioxidant has reduced to a minimal, preferably non-detect, amount.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a UV-blocking silicone hydrogel composition including a hydrophilic silicone macromer, a UV-blocking monomer, a first hydrophilic monomer, a crosslinker and a polymerization initiator. The hydrophilic silicone macromer has a general formula: V-L-S-(L?-V?)x, wherein V and V? are independently ethylenically-based polymerizable groups, L and L? are independently a covalent bond or a linkage group, S is a siloxane group having a chemical structure such as and x is 0 or 1. A silicone contact lens containing the UV-blocking silicone hydrogel composition is also provided herein.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for the sterilization of plastics material containers (10), and in particular of plastics material pre-forms (10), with a conveying device (2) which conveys the plastics material containers (10) along a pre-set conveying path, with at least one stressing device (4) which acts upon an external surface of the plastics material containers to be sterilized with a flowable medium. According to the invention the stressing device is arranged in such a way that it acts upon a pre-set area of the plastics material containers (10)—situated below an aperture of the plastics material pre-forms—with the sterilization medium.

Abstract: A method of packaging a food product using a polymer membrane, the polymer being a self assembling polymeric material, and the method including a.) rendering the said polymer into a film; and b.) packaging a food product in an atmosphere with the said polymer film, wherein said film regulates the atmosphere in which the food product is packaged.

Abstract: A sealing station for a packaging machine comprises a sealing tool for sealing packages, an underpressure source for evacuating packages in the sealing station, and an overpressure source for providing compressed air so as to press the sealing tool against a package. A single drive is provided for the underpressure source and the overpressure source, the underpressure source and/or the overpressure source being a pump that is configured as a rotary vane pump or as a helical pump.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising acylated chitosan fibre. The dressing has a wet strength of 0.3 N/cm or above. The acylated chitosan fibre may have a degree of substitution of 0.10-0.50. The acylated chitosan fibre may preferably have a degree of substitution of 0.20-0.40. The dressing may have an absorbency of 5-25 g/g of a solution containing 8.298 g/l of sodium chloride and 0.368 g/l of calcium chloride dehydrate as measured by BSEN 13726-12002 Part 1 Aspects of Absorbency. The base material of the dressing may be chitosan fibre that has been chemically modified through an acylation process using anhydride and ethanol as the solvent. A method of manufacturing the wound dressing involves reacting chitosan fibre with anhydride and making acylated chitosan felt through a nonwoven process, and through cutting, packing and sterilizing processes.

Abstract: An intramedullary orthopedic implant includes a body section having a first end that provides a point of insertion for the body section and a second end. The body section further includes wings extending away from the point of insertion for the body section. The intramedullary orthopedic implant further includes first and second legs extending from the second end of the body section. The first and second legs begin in a first implanted shape, are movable to a second insertion shape, and remain in the second insertion shape as long as the first and second legs are mechanically constrained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shelf-stable liquid formulations of palonosetron for reducing chemotherapy and radiotherapy induced emesis with palonosetron. The formulations are particularly useful in the preparation of intravenous and oral liquid medicaments.

Abstract: An integrated lancing test strip includes a test strip and a lancet packet coupled to the test strip. The lancet packet includes a sterility sheet enclosing a lancet to maintain the sterility of the lancet and prevent cross-contamination between the test strip and the lancet. The sterility sheet allows the lancet to be sterilized separately from the test strip. The sterility sheet gives the integrated strip a low profile, which is attractive for packaging multiple integrated strips in cassettes, drums, magazines or the like. In one form, the integrated strip is loaded in a meter that includes an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the test strip relative to the skin being sampled. This allows the user to adjust the position of the test strip so as to not apply excessive pressure against skin, which could hamper bleeding from the incision in the skin.

Abstract: Methods of stabilizing the molecular weight of polymer stents scaffolds after E-beam sterilization are disclosed. The molecular weight of the polymer of the irradiated scaffolds is stabilized through exposure to gas containing oxygen.

Abstract: A bone depth gauge having a distal handle to which a tip is releasably connected. The tip is formed by photochemical machining to produce a tip and hook on the distal end with an approximate hexagonal cross section. The manufacturing costs of the tip are low enough to provide it in a one use package. A tubular element is releasably telescoped over the tip and handle to enable determination of the depth of a hole formed in a bone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stack of individually separable packages for a plurality of contact lenses, each individual lens being packaged between a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is provided by a first one of the individually separable packages and the second surface is provided by a second one of the individually separable packages.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing items by placing items to be sterilized into a puncture resistant sealable vapor barrier sterilization bag, performing steam sterilization under pressure via a conduit coupled to the bag while maintaining a heated compensating pressure environment around the exterior of the bag during steam sterilization so as to reduce mechanical stress on the bag and sealing the bag at the completion of sterilization. There is also provided a sterilization services apparatus for sterilizing the contents of a sterilization bag including a pressure compensating compartment having a sealable door that maintains a heated compensating pressure environment around the exterior of a sterilization bag during steam sterilization so as to reduce mechanical stress on the bag.

Abstract: A container and method are provided for storing fat containing liquid products. The container includes a body defining a storage chamber for receiving the product, and a container closure. A first material portion forms at least most of the surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein. Neither the body nor the first material portion leach more than a predetermined amount of leachables into the product or undesirably alter a taste profile thereof. A needle penetrable and thermally resealable second material portion either (i) overlies the first material portion and cannot contact any product within the storage chamber, or (ii) forms a substantially lesser surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein in comparison to the first material portion. A sealing portion is engageable with the body to form a substantially dry hermetic seal between the container closure and body.

Abstract: The present invention presents methods for making oxidation-resistant and wear-resistant polyethylenes and medical implants made therefrom. Preferably, the implants are components of prosthetic joints, e.g., a bearing component of an artificial hip or knee joint. The resulting oxidation-resistant and wear-resistant polyethylenes and implants are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal can (40) for preserving a food product sterilised by heat treatment after closing the can, made up of an integral body forming the bottom (41) and the side wall (43) of the can, and a lid (42) mounted on said body in order to seal the latter, the minimum thickness of the side wall (43) being between 20% and 60% of the thickness of the centre of the bottom (41). According to the invention, the height of the can (40) is between 1.5 and 3.5 times the width thereof, and the bottom (41) and/or the lid (42) of the can has a central wall (411, 421) with an outwardly convex shape, connected to the side wall (43) by a peripheral groove (410) opening up towards the outside.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas permeable sterilization and shipping package system for medical products. The system includes a gas permeable sterilization package composed of an upper panel and a lower panel. Each panel has a main panel element, panel edges, and panel margins at or near the panel edges. The upper panel and the lower panel are joined at their respective panel margins so the respective main panel elements define a compartment for holding one or more articles to be sterilized. At least a portion of at least one panel is permeable to sterilant gas. The system includes at least one reinforcement strip joined to a panel at least at one location on its main panel element between its panel margins. Also disclosed is a method of sterilizing and shipping one or more items used in a medical procedure by utilizing the gas permeable sterilization and shipping package system.

Abstract: A method of making a ready-to-use catheter assembly and a ready-to-use catheter are provided, which avoids any degradation of the catheter during sterilization. The method comprises: placing a catheter with a hydrophilic coating and a wetting fluid in a catheter package made of low moisture transmission material while the package is in a first condition wherein an insertable length of the hydrophilic coating of the catheter is not in contact with the wetting fluid, sterilizing the catheter package with the catheter and the wetting fluid by radiation sterilization while the catheter package is kept in a condition in which the insertable length is not in contact with the wetting fluid, transferring the catheter package with the catheter and the wetting fluid into a second condition, bringing the wetting fluid into contact with at least the insertable length and activating the insertable length via gravity and/or via inertia.

Abstract: A protective cover for a nasal cannula completely encloses the two prongs of the nasal cannula when properly installed. This protective cover will keep the nasal cannula from contacting potentially unclean surfaces when the nasal cannula is not in use. An optional UV light may be present in the protective cover to provide UV cleaning of the nasal cannula prongs when the cover is closed.

Abstract: An endodontic post assembly includes a connecting member and a plurality of post structures. The connecting member includes a base and a plurality of connecting nodes connected to the base. Each of the post structures has a root portion connected to a respective one of the connecting nodes, and an apical portion opposite to the root portion. A method of producing the endodontic post assembly and a method of using a sterilization package in endodontic treatment are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bags made from medical-grade paper for sterilization, with sterilization-process indicators and pigmented-adhesive-based safety features, which is easy to handle and use and can be used to store materials, more particularly surgical medical material, for sterilization. Such bags are produced using medical-grade paper that is treated on the surface thereof with a microbiocide for sterilization, and, owing to the structure and design thereof, allow safe, rapid handling of the sterilized material placed within, since there are visual indicators that guarantee the hermetic closure and sealing thereof. Furthermore, generally, the invention has printed indicators that change color depending on the sterilization process carried out on the bags and on whether said process was carried out correctly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for filling or packing contents, particularly beverages, food, medications, or the like, into containers. As the containers pass through the device from an inlet to an outlet side, the containers passing through the working chamber have a sterile fluid, particularly sterile air, applied thereto for preventing germ growth. In order to reduce the cleaning effort for lines for the sterile fluid, the invention proposes that a cleaning medium having an internal line is inserted into the line for applying the sterile fluid. The line no longer needs to be disassembled in order to load the sterile fluid. In order to distribute the sterile fluid uniformly throughout the containers in a working chamber, the sterile fluid is distributed in two stages, first by means of the pipe extending into the working chamber, as described above and then through a profile extending over the containers and below the pipe, having openings for passing the sterile fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container sealant composition with improved tensile strength and reduced squeeze-out during seaming. The composition comprises a latex of a carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber, a colloidal silica filler, wherein the colloidal silica is pretreated with an organosilane, and a tackifier. Also disclosed is a method of sealing a can with the aforedescribed container sealant composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slider valve assembly for connection to a spout of an aseptically-packaged flexible container for filling and dispensing flowable material. The slider valve assembly comprises a cap member, a valve member, and an outlet member. The cap member has a central opening and is adapted to be secured to the spout of the container. The valve member defines one or more side openings in communication with a central bore, is slidable within the central opening of the cap member and is lockable into a closed or open position. The outlet member is detachably engaged to the valve member and is used for actuating the valve member. The outlet member also defines a hollow interior portion which is in communication with the central bore of the valve member.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging machine for packaging products, in particular food, wherein the packaging machine comprises at least one packaging station for producing packagings that accommodate products, and at least one high-pressure treatment station for high-pressure treatment of the products contained in the packagings. The disclosure is characterized in that a central control system for the packaging station and the high-pressure treatment station are provided. The disclosure moreover also relates to a method for operating such a packaging machine.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for single-step terminal sterilization process for bio-active heparin coatings on materials and biomaterials containing heparin used in medical devices, such as catheters, tissue engineering scaffolds, or drug delivery carrier materials. This may include any medical device or implantable that could benefit from improved antithrombotic and biocompatible heparin surfaces. Other relevant device examples may include heparin or a heparin derivative coated stents to reduce clotting and restenosis, dental or ophthalmological implants. These materials may comprise additional polymeric compositions such as polyethyleneimine, dextran sulfate or their modified forms. These polymers together with heparin coatings may be applied to other substrate of medical devices such as metal, ceramics or biologically derived materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to packaging material for contrast media and more specifically to packages comprising containers filled with contrast media and closed with a closure means. In particular, the invention relates to packaging material comprising closure means comprising Carbon Black. The invention further relates to methods for improving the stability of such contrast media during storage, and in particular the method includes filling the contrast media in a container and closing the container with a closure means comprising Carbon Black.

Abstract: A device for filling containers with liquid may include a first transport, which transports a plurality of containers through a filling chamber. The filling chamber may include a sterile space. A plurality of treatment members may be arranged in the filling chamber for treating the containers, with at least one of these treatment members being a filling member which fills the containers with the liquid. The first transport may be designed in such a way that it transports the containers through the filling chamber in a cyclic manner.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to methods of generating at least one disinfecting gas within a package through a photochemical reaction. More particularly, the disclosed methods include incorporating a composition capable of generating a gas upon exposure to light into the disclosed package. As set forth in detail herein below, the amount of moisture present in the disclosed composition is directly related to the production rate of the gas. Accordingly, the amount of gas generation can be controlled by varying the amount of moisture present in the composition.