A filter sterilization system includes an expiratory filter having filter material that collects pathogens present in the exhaled gas stream from a ventilated patient. A filter sterilizer includes an ultraviolet (UV) light source that is activated by the system to emit light towards the expiratory filter. Additionally, the system includes a ventilator coupled to a patient breathing circuit that provides a gas mixture from a gas source to the ventilated patient and transfers exhaled gases of the ventilated patient to the expiratory filter.

Ultraviolet radiation is directed within an area at target wavelengths and/or target intensities. The target wavelength ranges and/or target intensity ranges of the ultraviolet radiation sources can correspond to at least one of a plurality of selectable operating configurations including a storage life preservation operating configuration, a disinfection operating configuration, and an ethylene decomposition operating configuration.

An antimicrobial medical device that includes a substrate having a metal surface that is made from a metal or metal alloy that may include stainless steel, cobalt, and titanium. Disposed on the metal surface is a first antimicrobial oxide layer that includes an antimicrobial metal that may include silver, copper, and zinc, and combinations thereof. The atoms of antimicrobial metal in the first antimicrobial oxide layer are of a first concentration. The first antimicrobial oxide layer is positioned in a direction opposite that of the metal surface. The device further includes a second antimicrobial oxide layer that includes an antimicrobial metal that may be silver, copper, and zinc, and combinations thereof. The atoms of the antimicrobial metal present in the second antimicrobial oxide layer are of a second concentration. The first concentration and the second concentration are not equal. Methods for making the antimicrobial medical device are also disclosed.

Systems and methods of generating and regenerating peritoneal dialysate are provided. The systems and methods use a dialysate regeneration module, a sterilization module and concentrates to prepare peritoneal dialysate from used peritoneal dialysate or source water. An optional integrated cycler for direct infusion of the generated peritoneal dialysate is included. Optional dialysate storage containers are provided for storage of the peritoneal dialysate prior to use.

Systems and methods of generating peritoneal dialysate are provided. The systems and methods use a water purification module, a sterilization module and concentrates to prepare a bolus of peritoneal dialysate from source water for use with an non-integrated cycler.

A medical inductive heating apparatus (10) for heating at least a portion of a prosthetic or implant. The apparatus (10) has at least one external induction coil, the external induction coil being external to a body or housing of the apparatus (10). The coil (12) is sized and dimensioned to be smaller than a body portion associated with the prosthetic or implant.

A method for the inactivation of viruses and/or bacteria by at least 50%, or the disinfection and sanitization from bacteria and/or viruses, in spaces, surfaces or objects uses an electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength comprised between 410 nm and 430 nm. In particular, it relates to irradiating the area to be disinfected or sanitized with an electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength comprised between 410 nm and 430 nm for a time interval between 5 minutes and 180 minutes, a power density comprised between 13 mW/cm.sup.2 and 120 mW/cm.sup.2 and an energy density comprised between 30 J/cm.sup.2 and 220 J/cm.sup.2. The electromagnetic radiation is irradiated at a distance between the source of the electromagnetic radiation and the irradiated space, surface or object between 30 centimeters to 1.5 meters.

The present invention provides compounds that can be used to form antimicrobial coatings on, for example, a surface or textile, including methods of making and using such compounds. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of making such compounds by a single-step reaction. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of forming an antimicrobial coating on a surface, including applying such compounds to, for example, a surface or textile, and, optionally, treating, for example, the surface or textile, to form a coating.

A product for implantation within a soft tissue site of the human or animal body comprises a matrix of pulverized or morselized substantially non-mineralized native soft tissue (NSTM) of the human or animal body, provided in a therapeutic amount to induce growth of native tissue or organs and healing at the tissue site. The NSTM is composed of at least one soft tissue selected from the group consisting of cartilage, meniscus, intervertebral disc, ligament, tendon, muscle, fascia, periosteum, pericardium, perichondrium, skin, nerve, blood vessels, and heart valves or from organs such as bladder, lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, thyroid, or thymus. Preferably, the NSTM is composed of a soft tissue of the same type of tissue native to the repair site.

A method of packaging amniotic membrane that maintains its structure to be used as a graft includes attaching the amniotic membrane to a support, dimensioning the amniotic membrane together with the support through an inert cutting device or guillotine, gluing the amniotic membrane together with the support to the interior of a container, and sterilizing the amniotic membrane. A packaged amniotic membrane includes a dimensioned sterilized amniotic membrane attached to a support, wherein the amniotic membrane is glued together with the support to a rigid, sterilized container.