The present invention discloses an automated device for tissue and organ engineering. The device comprises a main chamber for performing decellularization, tissue sterilization, and recellularization and a set of solution and medium chambers, which provide solutions and medium for the decellularization and recellularization processes, respectively, in a continuous closed circuit. The device further comprises a sterilizing system for self-sterilization of the automated device. The device further comprises a user interface to input steps of protocols for tissue or organ engineering. The device further comprises a controller configured to control valves and pumps, which control and direct the flow of solutions and medium based on the steps of protocols, thereby automating the processes of decellularization, tissue sterilization, recellularization and self-sterilization. All parts of the device are installed in one single body in a fully integrated manner, in one example, which makes the device ready to use. The device minimizes the user intervention and enhances sterility, reproducibility, and efficiency.

Device and method suitable for disinfecting herbs using plasma are disclosed. The device comprises a chamber and two sets of electrodes in an opposed position one relative to the other, inside the chamber. Each electrode in one set has a counterpart electrode in the other set, the two electrodes positioned facing each other and being configured to connect to a RF HV power supply, to produce a plasma-generating EM field in the space between the electrodes. The device further comprises a dielectric carrier positioned inside the chamber in the space between the two sets of electrodes, the carrier being dimensioned and configured to carry herbs in granular form such as powder or particles thereon. A portable sealable container comprising a unidirectional valve is also disclosed, configured to store herbs thereinside during plasma treatment in the device, and to store the disinfected herbs after treatment under vacuum. A device for disinfecting herbs by evaporating a disinfection agent in an evacuated chamber is also disclosed where plasma is used in any of several methods to enhance, improve and expedite the disinfection process.

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 interior portions 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 mechanical seal member or formation of multiple seals so that areas proximate the seals are also sterilized during the sterilization process.

A method for inactivating and/or destroying microscopic biological pathogens includes placing an object to be treated in a pressure vessel, exposing the object to a pressurized noble gas at a selected target treatment pressure for a selected treatment time duration, then decreasing the treatment chamber pressure from the target treatment pressure to external atmospheric pressure within a selected depressurization time duration. The method has been tested effective against pathogens for target treatment pressure in a range from 60 psi to 150 psi and treatment time duration in a range from 300 seconds to 600 seconds.

An applicator in the form of a container or cannister that is arranged to apply one or more photosensitizers to surfaces. The applicator includes at least one light source and the one or more photosensitizers. Light combined with the photosensitizers creates singlet oxygen and other radical species which are toxic to viruses and other pathogens. The photosensitizers may be combined in a powder form, or in an aqueous solution. Any light source can be used that emits the proper wavebands or wavelengths of light that are effectively absorbed by the photosensitizers leading to singlet oxygen generation.

An illustrative control system for use with an aqueous ozone sanitizing device, for example, for sanitizing objects, including hands, hands and forearms, feet, other tissue, instruments, or other object sanitizing, including rinsing and clinical treatment. One embodiment of the control system includes a proximity sensor for detecting a user proximity to the sanitizing device, sensors for detecting a body part or object placement within a application zone, control of the delivery of desired aqueous ozone concentration and duration to the application zone, control of ozone off-gas mitigation, cycle error detection, and usage data logging, including personnel sanitizing practice compliance.

An illustrative aqueous ozone sanitizing system for body part, tissue, and instrument sanitizing, including hand rinsing and sanitizing includes a sanitizing chamber, spray devices configured to simultaneously irrigate the entire left and right hand of a user, at least two aqueous ozone generators each fluidly coupled to a subset of the spray devices, and a housing for the sanitizing chamber having an opening for guiding the user's hand orientation and position into the sanitizing chamber.

An illustrative aqueous ozone delivery device for use with an aqueous ozone generator cartridge can be used for body part, tissue, and instrument sanitizing, including hand rinsing, hand sanitizing, and clinical treatment. One embodiment includes a hooded sanitizing chamber and spray devices directed to each hand of a user, a docketing station for pluggably receiving a replaceable ozone generator and sensor cartridge, and a controller for sensing hand position and orientation, delivering a desired ozone concentration and duration.

An illustrative control system for use with a replaceable ozone generator cartridge for use with an aqueous ozone delivery device, for example, for sanitizing objects, including hands, hands and forearms, feet, other tissue, instruments, or other object sanitizing. One embodiment of the control system calculates and transmits usage data to a memory device of the ozone generator cartridge, and also includes various sensors and drivers for controlling an aqueous ozone concentration. The control system also provides other data logging, error detection, and identity verification of the replaceable ozone generator cartridge.

An illustrative expendable or reconstructable ozone generator cartridge for an aqueous ozone delivery device, for example, for antimicrobial sanitizing and/or medical treatment, includes a housing for a water ozonating manifold, at least one ozone generating cell coupled to the manifold, and optionally a data logging and authentication feature. Advantageously, a water inlet and aqueous ozone outlet of the ozone generator cartridge is pluggable into and unpluggable from a docking station of the aqueous ozone delivery device, for example, a hand or implement washing and sanitizing device or a medical treatment device.