Processes and systems for lessening human spread of coronaviruses can include use of a disinfectants and/or rinses that utilize contact times of up to 2 minutes or less than 2 minutes and also more than 20 seconds. Some embodiments can include gargling a rinse having at least one disinfectant as an active ingredient for up to 2 minutes or for a time period of less than 2 minutes. Other embodiments can include performing a naso-rinse for up to 2 minutes or a time period of less than 2 minutes and also more than 20 seconds with rinse fluid having at least one disinfectant.

Processes and systems for lessening human spread of coronaviruses can include use of a disinfectants and/or rinses that utilize contact times of up to 2 minutes or less than 2 minutes and also more than 20 seconds. Some embodiments can include gargling a rinse having at least one disinfectant as an active ingredient for up to 2 minutes or for a time period of less than 2 minutes. Other embodiments can include performing a naso-rinse for up to 2 minutes or a time period of less than 2 minutes and also more than 20 seconds with rinse fluid having at least one disinfectant.

The present invention provides an indicator useful in confirming successful sterilisation and/or nucleic acid decontamination by ethylene oxide (EtO) treatment. The invention also provides a label comprising said indicator and methods for use of the indicator and label in a method of EtO treatment.

The present invention provides an indicator useful in confirming successful sterilisation and/or nucleic acid decontamination by ethylene oxide (EtO) treatment. The invention also provides a label comprising said indicator and methods for use of the indicator and label in a method of EtO treatment.

A method of sterilizing an article includes receiving the article in a sterilization chamber. The method also includes applying a vacuum to a first pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes introducing a sterilant into the sterilization chamber. The method also includes maintaining the first pressure in the sterilization chamber for a first period of time. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a second pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes maintaining the second pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a third pressure. The method also includes maintaining the third pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to atmospheric pressure. The method further includes between venting and maintaining steps applying a vacuum to a fourth pressure less than 100 torr, introducing additional sterilant, and maintaining the fourth pressure.

A method of sterilizing an article includes receiving the article in a sterilization chamber. The method also includes applying a vacuum to a first pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes introducing a sterilant into the sterilization chamber. The method also includes maintaining the first pressure in the sterilization chamber for a first period of time. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a second pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes maintaining the second pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a third pressure. The method also includes maintaining the third pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to atmospheric pressure. The method further includes between venting and maintaining steps applying a vacuum to a fourth pressure less than 100 torr, introducing additional sterilant, and maintaining the fourth pressure.

An apparatus and process to clean medical devices, such as endoscopes, that includes an automatic endoscope reprocessor system equipped with a peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide sensor are described.

An apparatus and process to clean medical devices, such as endoscopes, that includes an automatic endoscope reprocessor system equipped with a peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide sensor are described.

A biological indicator for determining the efficacy of an oxidative sterilization process, and its methods of use. The biological indicator comprises a set of microbial spores, at least one fluorescent sensor protein, and a culture medium, the fluorescent sensor protein being capable of yielding an optically detectable signal when the fluorescent sensor protein is not in a denatured state due to the oxidative sterilization process, and a different optically detectable signal when the fluorescent sensor protein is in a denatured state after the oxidative sterilization process.

Single use medical devices that incorporate one or more destruct elements configured to deform during an autoclave cycle, rendering the device visually damaged or unusable. The use of such destruct elements prevents reuse (knowingly or unwittingly) of single use devices on patients after off-label autoclaving.