Ultraviolet radiation is directed within an area at target wavelengths, target intensities, a target temporal distribution, and/or a target spatial distribution. The target attribute(s) of the ultraviolet radiation can correspond to at least one of a plurality of selectable operating configurations including a storage life preservation operating configuration, a disinfection operating configuration, an ethylene decomposition operating configuration, and/or the like.

A non-thermal plasma for use in the treatment of an infected nail or infected skin. The plasma is used in the method by (a) applying the plasma to the infected nail or skin; (b) rehydrating the infected nail or skin; (c) applying the plasma to the infected nail or skin; and (d) optionally rehydrating the infected nail or skin.

In each of steps (a) and (c) the plasma is applied to a portion of the nail or skin until a hydration level of the plasma-treated portion drops by at most 30 wt % based on the initial moisture content of the plasma-treated portion.

The present invention relates to a device for isolating and cleaning contaminated components comprising a chamber, an entrance door through which components to be isolated and cleaned are introducible into the chamber, means configured to deliver washing solution into the chamber and onto the components to be cleaned, a drying system configured to dry the chamber as well as its content, wherein the device further comprises an exhaust filter system attached to the air exhaust of the chamber, the exhaust filter system comprising a pipe, at least one filter and a blower, the exhaust filter system being configured to be able to bring the chamber under a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure by means of the blower all the time the chamber is closed. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method for isolating and cleaning contaminated components with the aforementioned device.

A method of making an electron beam irradiated osteoinductive implant is provided. The method comprises exposing an osteoinductive implant containing demineralized bone matrix (DBM) fibers to electron beam radiation at a dose of from about 10 kilograys to 100 kilograys for a period of time. The electron beam irradiation reduces microorganisms in the osteoinductive implant, and the electron beam irradiated osteoinductive implant retains osteoinductive properties. Methods of implantation and an irradiated osteoinductive implant are also disclosed.

The present disclosure in one aspect provides a sterile packaging container comprising a container body with a cross-sectional shape that is constant along the majority of the longitudinal axis, a cover and a closure assembly that inhibits the passage of microbial contaminants. The container is configured such that the interior of the container can be sterilized. The sterile packaging container described herein allows one to manufacture a sterile packaging tube exercising the smallest possible volume.

A prosthesis that contains zirconia and supplements a defective portion of a natural bone, and that is changed to a color approximate to that of the natural bone by a heat treatment after a γ-ray sterilization treatment. The color approximate to that of the natural bone has an L* value of 60 to 90, an a* value of −5 to 10, and a b* value of −5 to 10 in the L*a*b* color space. The highest temperature in the heat treatment is 100° C. to 300° C. The prosthesis is a fixture of a dental implant embedded into and bonded to a natural bone, an abutment, an implant crown, and the like.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to “wet” transcatheter prosthetic heart valve or other implant packaging and assemblies in which a prosthetic heart valve or other implant is loaded into a first portion of a delivery device and positioned within a container in which sterilizing fluid is retained to sterilize inside of the container as well as provide moisture to prevent the implant from drying out. The disclosure also relates to methods of sterilizing the disclosed assemblies. Some disclosed methods include at least two sterilizing steps and adjustment of a shaft seal or formation of multiple seals maintaining sterilizing fluid within the container so that areas underneath the shaft seal(s) can also be sterilized.

A method of making an electron beam irradiated osteoinductive implant is provided. The method comprises exposing an osteoinductive implant containing demineralized bone matrix (DBM) fibers to electron beam radiation at a dose of from about 10 kilograys to 100 kilograys for a period of time. The electron beam irradiation reduces microorganisms in the osteoinductive implant, and the electron beam irradiated osteoinductive implant retains osteoinductive properties. Methods of implantation and an irradiated osteoinductive implant are also disclosed.

A terminally sterilized medical procedure kit includes a recovered item and a new item packaged together as a single stock keeping unit. A method for processing at least a portion of a first medical procedure kit includes the steps of receiving a recoverable item of the first kit, performing a processing operation on the recoverable item, providing a new item, combining the recoverable item and the new item in a second kit, and terminally sterilizing the second kit. A method for recovering at least a portion of a terminally sterilized medical procedure kit includes the steps of purchasing a recoverable item of the first kit from an owner and receiving the recoverable item by the purchaser.

Systems and processes for use in heating articles include passing a carrier loaded with an article through a vessel inlet and into a first vessel portion and moving the loaded carrier in a first direction through the first vessel portion away from the inlet. During at least a portion of the movement through the first vessel portion, the article is contacted with a first fluid medium. The loaded carrier is moved carrier in a second direction opposite the first direction through a second vessel portion toward a vessel outlet. During at least a portion of the movement through the second vessel portion, the articles is contacted with a second fluid medium. In certain implementations, each of the first direction and the second direction are vertical.