Application of Pulsating Vacuum Cleaning Technology to Medical Devices Cleaning

This study aims to solve existing problems in cleaning medical devices, such as the cumbersome loading of minimally invasive surgical instruments, the incomplete cleaning of instruments with complex structures, and the low cleaning efficiency of ordinary instruments. A pulsating vacuum cleaning machine was combined with ultrasonic cleaning and boiling cleaning technology to clean various complex medical devices through a pressure pulsating process (i.e., repetitive pump-out and pumpin until the cleaning results meet the cleaning standards for medical devices). The cleaning results of spay washing, ultrasound cleaning and pulsating vacuum cleaning were compared among four groups of medical devices, including silica gel hoses, chamber instruments, whole box of minimally invasive instruments and surgical instruments. The amount of protein residues was tested using the spectrophotometric method. The testing results revealed that the loading capacity of a pulsating vacuum cleaning machine is 3–4 times as much as that of an ordinary spray cleaning machine, without manual placement and connection operation required, which reduced the workload of pretreatment. The protein residue after cleaning meets the requirements of the YY/T0734 standard for the cleaning effect of medical devices. Pulsating vacuum cleaning technology has an overall better loading capacity, when compared to spay washing and ultrasound cleaning, and this can make up for the shortcomings of commonly used cleaning machines, such as the low cleaning efficiency and unsatisfactory cleaning results of medical devices with complex structures.

The research of the composition of mineral component of compact bone tissue after flow delipidation using the optic method

The results of the research of bone mineral component (BMC) composition using the Raman spectroscopy method are presented in the work. The subjects of the research were the groups of BMC samples made of compact bone tissue of cows using “Lyoplast”® technology where vacuum delipidation of initial material was replaced by the flow one by washing it out in hydrogen peroxide and ether. The solution filtration after bone tissue demineralization was used as additional treatment. The results of the experiment show that the flow delipidation can be used for preparing this biomaterial (BMC), which is cost-effective compared to standard vacuum cleaning and additional filtration stage can be rejected.

The movement profile of trunk and neck during habitual vacuuming

Musculoskeletal disorders of the trunk and neck are common among cleaners. Vacuum cleaning is a demanding activity. The aim of this study was to present the movement profile of the trunk and neck during habitual vacuuming. The data were collected from 31 subjects (21f./10 m) using a 3D motion analysis system (Xsens). 10 cycles were analysed in vacuuming PVC and carpet floors with 8 vacuum cleaners. The joint angles and velocities were represented statistically descriptive. When vacuuming, the trunk is held in a forwardly inclined position by a flexion in the hip and rotated from this position. In the joint angles and velocities of the spine, the rotation proved to be dominant. A relatively large amount of movement took place in the cervical spine and also in the lumbar spine. The shown movement profile is rather a comfort area of vacuuming which may serve as a reference for ergonomics in vacuuming.

A novel multi-target strategy to attenuate the progression of Parkinson's disease by diamine hybrid AGE/ALE inhibitor

Instead of a conventional ‘one-drug-one-target approach’, this article presents a novel multi-target approach with a concept of trapping simultaneously as many detrimental factors as possible involved in the progression of Parkinson's disease. These factors include reactive carbonyl species, reactive oxygen species, Fe3+/Cu2+ and ortho-quinones ( o-quinone), in particular. Different from the known multi-target strategies for Parkinson's disease, it is a sort of ‘vacuum cleaning’ strategy. The new agent consists of reactive carbonyl species scavenging moiety and reactive oxygen species scavenging and metal chelating moiety linked by a spacer. Provided that the capacity of scavenging o-quinones is demonstrated, this type of agent can further broaden its potential therapeutic profile. In order to support this new hypothetical approach, a number of simple in vitro experiments are proposed.

Effective Decontamination and Remediation After Elemental Mercury Exposure: A Case Report in the United States

Elemental mercury exposure can result in significant toxicity. Source decontamination and remediation are often required after larger elemental mercury exposures, but the details of these processes are infrequently reported. In the case described herein, a 64-year-old woman and her husband were exposed to elemental mercury in their home after the husband purchased it online for the purpose of recreational barometer calibration. After the mercury reportedly spilled during the calibration process, a vacuum cleaner was used to decontaminate the affected surface; this led to extensive mercury contamination of the home. The couple was relocated from the home while remediation occurred over the course of several weeks. Vacuum cleaning of an elemental mercury spill can lead to extensive volatilization and recirculation of mercury vapor. For smaller mercury spills, careful removal of visible mercury beads by using an eyedropper, cardboard, and masking tape is recommended. Larger spills require professional decontamination and remediation and may necessitate involvement of governmental resources. Vacuum cleaning should not be used as an initial method of decontamination after elemental mercury exposure. Careful attention to source decontamination can reduce the emotional and financial costs associated with extensive remediation after elemental mercury exposure.

Optimizing Heat Treat Processes Through State-of-the-Art Metal Cleaning Capabilities

Metal cleaning has the potential to make or break heat treat processes. However, many heat treat companies are struggling with common cleaning challenges, including residual contaminations leading to insufficient hardening/nitriding/brazing results; surface stains on the finished products; inconsistent cleaning process as well as high cleaning costs due to high consumption of cleaning agent. In addition, burned oil can cause increased maintenance costs of the equipment and contaminate the facilities. The decision for a cleaning agent or sustainable cleaning technology has become more and more important under the aspect of current legislative efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US. This paper discusses the underlying causes behind these challenges and explains key factors fundamental to ensuring high-quality metal cleaning in terms of consistency, reliability and sustainability. Furthermore, it will introduce legally compliant, state-of-the-art cleaning capabilities such as closed vacuum cleaning technology with solvent, also known as airless system, the combined (two-step-) process of solvent and water in one machine; as well as a simple one-process step with two solvent based media. The theoretical principles will be further illustrated through a joint study with HEMO GmbH (HEMO), a manufacturer of cleaning machines, on cleaning trials based on different metals and contaminations.

Study of the impregnation kinetics of basalt, carbon, oxide fibers with aluminum melts and its alloys

Wetting studies were performed by the sessile drop method using the capillary purification method of melt during the experiment in a vacuum of 2·10-3 Pa in the temperature range of 600–700 oC. The use of a dropper allows separate heating of the melt and the substrate, capillary and thermo vacuum cleaning of the melt, as well as thermo vacuum cleaning of the coatings surface. This is a model scheme of the impregnation process of non-metallic frames with matrix melts in the manufacture of composite materials by spontaneous free impregnation. Vanadium, copper and nickel metals were chosen for the coatings, which were sprayed on the materials by electron beam evaporation of metals in vacuum, and titanium, nickel powders for the coatings were used. The nature of the wetting angle dependence on the film thickness is a linear decrease in the angle with increasing film thickness. Studies have shown the possibility of using double films vanadium–copper, vanadium–nickel for the manufacture of composite materials from basalt fibers. The process of impregnation of basalt, carbon and oxide fibers with aluminum melts and its alloy with silicon in the temperature range 650–700 oC has been studied. The metal titanium, nickel powder coatings and films vanadium–copper, vanadium–nickel for the method of spontaneous free impregnation were used. Speciments of the composite material were obtained and the limit of destruction of these samples was determined. The bend strength of composites (basalt fiber 200 μm) is 270 MPa. Keywords: spontaneous free impregnation, composites, aluminium melts, basalt, carbon, oxide fibers, wetting, metal coatings and coverings.

Study of wetting and impregnation kinetics of oxide fibers with lead melts and its alloys

The effect of metal coverings on wetting of oxide fibers by lead, bismuth, tin-lead-bismuth-cadmium alloy in vacuum 2·10-3 Pa in the temperature range 400–600 oC was studied by the sessile drop method using the capillary purification method of melt. Oxide fibers plaits that have been placed on a silicon oxide substrate as wetting substrates used. Titanium and nickel powders were used as metal coatings. There is no wetting. The contact angles are close to or greater than 90 degrees and only in the case of the lead-titanium melt system at 600 oC the value of the angle is 15, respectively. The use of a dropper allows separate heating of the melt and the substrate, capillary and thermo vacuum cleaning of the melt, as well as thermo vacuum cleaning of the coatings surface. This is a model scheme of the impregnation process of non-metallic frames with matrix melts in the manufacture of composite materials by spontaneous free impregnation. The metal titanium, nickel powder coatings for the method of spon¬taneous free impregnation was used. The study of the kinetics of impregnation of plaits of oxide fibers with melts of lead and tin-lead-bismuth-cadmium alloy was performed at 600–700 oC. The metal melt impregnates metal powders well. The rate of impregnation is quite high 1,1–1,8 mm/s. The obtained results allow the use of titanium pastes for the manufacture of composites from oxide materials with lead matrices. Composites were made. Oxide fiberglass made of CRT waste was selected as the reinforcing material. Lead was chosen as the matrix metal. Despite the fact that lead is a harmful material, but its use as a matrix phase for composites from the action of ionizing radiation is indispensable. Keywords: spontaneous free impregnation, composites, lead melts, oxide fibers, wetting, metal coverings.

House Dust Avoidance during Pregnancy and Subsequent Infant Development: The Japan Environment and Children’s Study

House dust, well known for causing allergy, contains chemicals that are harmful to fetal neurodevelopment. However, whether countermeasures for house dust allergy, such as frequent use of vacuum cleaners, frequent airing of futons, and the usage of anti-mite covers during pregnancy, are related to subsequent reduced risk of infant developmental delay remains unknown. Therefore, we examined this association by analyzing 81,106 mother-infant pairs who participated in a nationwide birth cohort in Japan. Infant developmental delays at 6 and 12 months postpartum were assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition. A generalized linear model analysis was used to derive adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with the lowest care frequency as reference, while controlling 22 covariates. Our analysis showed that the above-mentioned cleaning measures were overall associated with a reduced risk of developmental delays, both at 6 and 12 months postpartum (AOR varied from 0.73 to 0.95, median: 0.84). Additionally, risks tended to decrease with an increase in the cleaning frequency. In conclusion, a negative dose-response association existed between these measures during pregnancy and infant developmental delay. Our results identify a potential role of frequent vacuum cleaning, airing bedding, and usage of anti-mite bedding covers in promoting intact infant development.