: Using Clinically Relevant Test Soils to Evaluate Personal Protective Materials.

Effective personal protective equipment (PPE) is critically important to preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Appropriate test systems and test soils are needed to adequately evaluate PPE. ASTM test method F903, which specifies the test method setup also used in ASTM F1670/F1670M-17a and ASTM F1671/F1671M-13, has been used for decades to test liquid penetration resistance of fabrics.

Evaluation of Apparatus Used to Test Liquid through Protective Materials: Comparison of a Modified Dot-Blot Apparatus to the ASTM Penetration Cell.

Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gowns used in the latest Ebola outbreak in Western Africa, are critical in preventing the spread of deadly diseases. Appropriate test systems and test soils are needed to adequately evaluate PPE. ASTM F903, , has been used for decades to test fabrics' resistance to liquid penetration.

Evaluation of one-way valves used in medical devices for prevention of cross-contamination.

Background: One-way valves used in day use devices (used on multiple patients throughout a day without reprocessing between patients) are intended to reduce the potential for cross-contamination between patients resulting from the backflow of patient fluids. One-way valves are typically designed to withstand high levels of back pressure before failure; however, they may not be explicitly designed as a means of infection control as used in medical device applications.

Methods: Five different medical grade one-way valves were placed in low pressure configurations.

Evaluating Device Design and Cleanability of Orthopedic Device Models Contaminated with a Clinically Relevant Bone Test Soil.

Unlabelled: Reusable medical devices need to be cleaned prior to disinfection or sterilization and subsequent use to prevent infections. The cleanability of medical devices depends in part on the design of the device. This study examined how models of orthopedic medical devices of increasing complexity retain calcium phosphate bone cement, a relevant test soil for these devices.

Effects of ultrasound and ultrasound contrast agent on vascular tissue.

Background: Ultrasound (US) imaging can be enhanced using gas-filled microbubble contrast agents. Strong echo signals are induced at the tissue-gas interface following microbubble collapse. Applications include assessment of ventricular function and virtual histology.

Analysis of polyhexamethylene biguanide in multipurpose contact lens solutions.

The objective of this study was to establish a reasonably simple and reliable method to measure very low concentrations of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) in multipurpose contact lens solutions (MPSs). By using a weak cation exchange solid phase extraction cartridge to extract the PHMB from MPS, followed by HPLC analysis using an evaporative light scattering detector, low levels (0.1 ppm) of PHMB were detected.

Steam sterilization and internal count sheets: assessing the potential for cytotoxicity.

Count sheets, when placed in contact with surgical instruments during steam sterilization, can transfer ink to the instruments. To explore whether this poses a safety concern, stainless steel instruments were placed on top of completely inked paper and subjected to steam sterilization, extracted, and tested for cytotoxicity. Preprinted labels were examined in a similar fashion.