A sterilization process test device for verifying the efficacy of a sterilization process includes a tubular body defining a chamber for containing at least one sterilization indicator and a cap to sealingly close the tubular body. The tubular body includes at least one hole, which is covered by a gas and steam permeable cover. The only flow path into the chamber is provided through the steam and gas permeable cover and the at least one hole, which when combined are configured to control and restrict a flow of steam or a gaseous sterilization medium from an external environment.

A method and apparatus for reprocessing decontaminating articles in a steam sterilizer at low temperatures and sub-atmospheric pressure. The method includes steps for operating the steam sterilizer such that it can safely and effectively decontaminate articles at temperatures below conventional steam sterilization processing temperatures. The steam sterilizer includes a low temperature operating mode that processes articles in a chamber at low temperatures and at sub-atmospheric pressure.

A method of disinfecting an object using cryogenic temperatures, and a cryogenic disinfection device and cryogenic disinfection tunnel for use in such a method are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, one or more chambers are provided, capable of providing an ultralow temperature therein. An object is placed or moved to within the chamber and subjected to ultralow, e.g., cryogenic, temperatures therein for a period of time sufficient to disinfect the object to a desired depth.

A handheld UV-C sanitizing apparatus is provided and includes: (a) an enclosure defining an opening for light exposure and fabricated from quartz that is transparent or plastic; (b) a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to emit UV-C light; (c) a circuit board, wherein each LED is coupled to the circuit board and each LED is removable and replaceable independently; and (d) a power source coupled to the circuit board, wherein the power source configured to deliver power to each LED. The UV-C light emitted from the LEDs is at a wavelength suitable to kill, destroy, or reduce growth of microorganisms and germs in a preset exposure area directly below the UV-C light. The arrangement of the LEDs spaced apart from each other is configured to emit cones of UV-C light emission sufficient to cover the preset exposure area corresponding to a user's hand surface area.

A system and method for neutralizing a biological organism is provided. The system includes a first pyrotechnic element. A first element is made from decontamination material, the decontamination material decomposing into a decontamination gas in response to thermal energy from the first pyrotechnic element. a selectively sealable chamber is fluidly coupled to the first element to receive the decontamination gas, the chamber being sized to receive an article.

A disinfection panel for disinfecting an article facing the disinfection panel is provided. The disinfection panel comprises an interior surface, an exterior surface, a disinfecting member disposed on the interior surface, a first side comprising a first coupling member and a second side comprising a second coupling member. The disinfecting member is configured to disinfect the article facing the disinfection panel. The disinfecting member is any one or more of an ultraviolet (UV) light emitter, an ionizing or non-ionizing radiator, a chemical sprayer, an ozone sprayer, or a heat emitter.

Provided herein is a method of treating material that is contaminated with a virus, comprising exposing the material to vapor, wherein the vapor is produced by heating and/or vaporizing a dry cleaning solvent, and wherein the method at least partially deactivates the virus.

This utility model applies germicidal ultra violet light from 220 nm to 290 nm, also known as UV-C light, to facemasks for their disinfection and safely reuse by users; such application of ultraviolet light is executed by a piece of equipment with UV-C LED lights strategically installed in the upper and bottom parts of such equipment.

A system and method for sanitizing currency is provided. The system generally comprises a container, control board, switch, power supply, heating elements, temperature probe, and charging ports. Currency is inserted into the system via an entrance, and the control board provides power to the heating elements from the power supply to increase the temperature within the internal cavity of the container. The temperature probe assists the control board and heating element to maintain a desired temperature for a desired length of time in order to kill pathogens that may be living on the currency. A switch on the container may be used to complete a circuit of control board and initiate a cleaning cycle when the entrance is closed by a user.

Self-sterilizing filtration materials are disclosed that include at least one polydopamine-functionalized layer. The at least one polydopamine-functionalized layer is configured to heat to a sterilization temperature when illuminated by light with a light intensity. The self-sterilizing filtration materials may be included in a filtering respirator mask. Methods of sterilizing filtration materials and filtering respirator masks containing at least one polydopamine-functionalized layer by exposing to sunlight are also disclosed. In addition, methods of producing a self-sterilizing filtering respirator mask by polydopamine-functionalizing at least one layer of the filtration material in an existing filtering respirator mask.