A method of making an anti-microbial nano-particle containing an essential oil compound (EOC) can include the steps of: a) mixing a quantity of an amphiphilic polymer with a quantity of a solvent to produce a suspension b) heating the suspension to a processing temperature that is higher than a glass transition temperature of the amphiphilic polymer thereby formatting a plurality of polymeric micelles within the solvent, each micelle having a hydrophilic outer portion encasing a hydrophobic core and having a micelle diameter of less than about 80 nm; and c) adding a quantity of an essential oil (EOC) or components of such into the suspension so that a concentration of the essential oil compound is between about 0.2% and about 20% wt, whereby the EOC diffuses into and are encapsulated within the hydrophobic cores of each micelle.

Methods of forming spinel ferrite nanoparticles containing a chromium-substituted copper ferrite as well as properties (e.g. particle size, crystallite size, pore size, surface area) of these spinel ferrite nanoparticles are described. Methods of preventing or reducing microbe growth on a surface by applying these spinel ferrite nanoparticles onto the surface in the form of a suspension or an antimicrobial product are also described.

Methods of forming spinel ferrite nanoparticles containing a chromium-substituted copper ferrite as well as properties (e.g. particle size, crystallite size, pore size, surface area) of these spinel ferrite nanoparticles are described. Methods of preventing or reducing microbe growth on a surface by applying these spinel ferrite nanoparticles onto the surface in the form of a suspension or an antimicrobial product are also described.

Embodiments described herein relate to encasements for protection of central lines, arterial lines, and/or intravenous (IV) lines from contaminants, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, an encasement device can include a flexible sleeve that fits over a central line and protects the central line from contaminants. The flexible sleeve has a first open end and a second open end. A first closing element secures the first open end to a medical dressing and a second closing element secures the second open end in a closed position at a location distal to the first closing element. In some embodiments, the central line can include an intravenous (IV) catheter, a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) and/or a hemodialysis line. In some embodiments, the device can include a flap coupled to the flexible sleeve.

Embodiments described herein relate to encasements for protection of central lines, arterial lines, and/or intravenous (IV) lines from contaminants, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, an encasement device can include a flexible sleeve that fits over a central line and protects the central line from contaminants. The flexible sleeve has a first open end and a second open end. A first closing element secures the first open end to a medical dressing and a second closing element secures the second open end in a closed position at a location distal to the first closing element. In some embodiments, the central line can include an intravenous (IV) catheter, a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) and/or a hemodialysis line. In some embodiments, the device can include a flap coupled to the flexible sleeve.

A pathogen-deactivating fibrous material is coated with salt crystals or salt crystal layer. The salt crystals or coating on the supporting fibrous material layer dissolves upon exposure to pathogenic aerosols and recrystallizes during evaporation of water from the pathogenic aerosols. Recrystallization of the salt deactivates pathogens. The pathogen-deactivating fibrous material can be used in a sanitizing fabric, an air filtering device, such as respiratory devices, masks, furnace filter devices, air conditioning device, vehicle cabin filter device, etc., and can provide a universal personal protection for preventing infections.

A pathogen-deactivating fibrous material is coated with salt crystals or salt crystal layer. The salt crystals or coating on the supporting fibrous material layer dissolves upon exposure to pathogenic aerosols and recrystallizes during evaporation of water from the pathogenic aerosols. Recrystallization of the salt deactivates pathogens. The pathogen-deactivating fibrous material can be used in a sanitizing fabric, an air filtering device, such as respiratory devices, masks, furnace filter devices, air conditioning device, vehicle cabin filter device, etc., and can provide a universal personal protection for preventing infections.

A device for detecting a coating applied to a surface includes a portable housing, a light source, a light detector, and a processing unit. The light source emits a first light having a first wavelength. The coating includes a fluorophore that re-emits a second light having a second wavelength, which is different than the first wavelength, in response to excitation by the first light. The light detector receives the second light re-emitted from the coating. The processing unit is adapted to determine a re-emission intensity of the second light and to determine a coverage metric of the coating based on the re-emission intensity of the second light. The coverage metric is then used to infer the efficacy of the coating.

In order to provide a hygiene mouthpiece element which makes it possible to reliably prevent the transmission of micro-organisms, in particular fungi and bacteria, and viruses when using a water pipe, a hygiene mouthpiece element is proposed, comprising a first end section which is configured for connection to a handle mouthpiece element of a water pipe and comprising a second end section which is configured as a mouth-side free end, wherein the hygiene mouthpiece element comprises a first filter element, wherein the first filter element comprises at least one adsorbing material and/or wherein the hygiene mouthpiece element comprises a second filter element, wherein the second filter element comprises metal oxide and/or electrolytically charged fibres.

In order to provide a hygiene mouthpiece element which makes it possible to reliably prevent the transmission of micro-organisms, in particular fungi and bacteria, and viruses when using a water pipe, a hygiene mouthpiece element is proposed, comprising a first end section which is configured for connection to a handle mouthpiece element of a water pipe and comprising a second end section which is configured as a mouth-side free end, wherein the hygiene mouthpiece element comprises a first filter element, wherein the first filter element comprises at least one adsorbing material and/or wherein the hygiene mouthpiece element comprises a second filter element, wherein the second filter element comprises metal oxide and/or electrolytically charged fibres.