Superconducting RF cavities and a 1.9 K cooling system for a femtosecond light source

As elsewhere, accelerators in Canada have evolved from modest beginnings to major facilities such as TRIUMF (currently with the highest-power driver for rare isotope beam production) and the third generation Canadian Light Source. Highlights along the way include construction of the first microtron, the first racetrack microtron and the first superconducting cyclotron (to which list might have been added the first pulse stretcher ring, had it been funded sooner). This article will summarize the history of accelerators in Canada, documenting both the successes and the near-misses. Besides the research accelerators, a thriving commercial sector has developed, manufacturing small cyclotrons and linacs, beam line components and superconducting rf cavities.

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Air circulation in a gastrointestinal light source box and endoscope in the era of SARS-CoV-2 and airborne transmission of microorganisms

Endoscopy International Open ◽

10.1055/a-1336-3280 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 09 (03) ◽

pp. E482-E486

Author(s):

Stanislas Chaussade ◽

Einas Abou Ali ◽

Rachel Hallit ◽

Arthur Belle ◽

Maximilien Barret ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Light Source ◽

Cooling System ◽

Air Cooling ◽

Airborne Transmission ◽

Plastic Tube ◽

Care Workers ◽

Air Cooling System ◽

Forced Air ◽

Air Circulation ◽

Closed Environment

Abstract Background and study aims The role that air circulation through a gastrointestinal endoscopy system plays in airborne transmission of microorganisms has never been investigated. The aim of this study was to explore the potential risk of transmission and potential improvements in the system. Methods We investigated and described air circulation into gastrointestinal endoscopes from Fujifilm, Olympus, and Pentax. Results The light source box contains a lamp, either Xenon or LED. The temperature of the light is high and is regulated by a forced-air cooling system to maintain a stable temperature in the middle of the box. The air used by the forced-air cooling system is sucked from the closed environment of the patient through an aeration port, located close to the light source and evacuated out of the box by one or two ventilators. No filter exists to avoid dispersion of particles outside the processor box. The light source box also contains an insufflation air pump. The air is sucked from the light source box through one or two holes in the air pump and pushed from the air pump into the air pipe of the endoscope through a plastic tube. Because the air pump does not have a dedicated HEPA filter, transmission of microorganisms cannot be excluded. Conclusions Changes are necessary to prevent airborne transmission. Exclusive use of an external CO2 pump and wrapping the endoscope platform with a plastic film will limit scatter of microorganisms. In the era of pandemic virus with airborne transmission, improvements in gastrointestinal ventilation systems are necessary to avoid contamination of patients and health care workers.

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