3m Innovative Properties Company

Assumpta A G Bennaars-Eiden

Tonya D Bonilla

Jodi L Connell

Matthew T Scholz

William Bedingham

Caroline M Ylitalo

Barry W Robole

G Marco Bommarito

Caleb T Nelson

Steven P Swanson

Timothy J Nies

Andrew W Vail

Petra L Kohler Riedi

Richard C Webb

Caitlin E Meree

Van Cuong Bui

Federica Sgolastra

Francois Ahimou

Ruthann R Duda

Andrew W Long

Jonas A Nilsson

John J Schmidt

Daniel B Taylor

Henning T Urban

Timothy A Kohman

Nardine S Abadeer

Patrick Hjort

An article is provided. The article comprises a nonwoven substrate having a copolymer grafted thereto, and a dried coating adhered to the substrate. The copolymer comprises interpolymerized monomer units of a quaternary ammonium-containing ligand monomer, an amide monomer, and an oxy monomer. The coating comprises a plurality of test microorganisms. Optionally, the coating further comprises a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymeric binding agent. A process challenge device comprising a body having a hollow channel with said article fixed disposed therein is also provided. Methods of using the article or the process challenge device for determining the efficacy of a disinfection process are also provided.

Article and methods to determine efficacy of disinfection process

A ring-shaped cushion for a hearing protector or audio headset. The cushion has a circumferential contact pad for sealing on a wearer's head and an attachment for sealing with an earmuff. The cushion further has a sound insulation tube that inwardly defines an inner space. The sound insulation tube extends between the contact pad and the attachment. The cushion has a ventilation passage that extends entirely through the cushion between an inlet opening in the contact pad and an area outside of the inner space. The cushion may further include one or more physiological sensors to monitor the health of a wearer.

Cushion for a hearing protector or audio headset

A microbial indicator device for liquid disinfection comprises a first cavity, a source of biological activity fluidically coupled to the first cavity via a portion of a first fluidic path, a filter membrane positioned in a second fluidic path for a disinfectant, and a first coupling portion fluidically coupled to the source of biologically activity via the second fluidic path. The filter membrane has a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is in fluid communication with the first fluidic path. The filter membrane has a pore size sufficient to retain at least a portion of the source of biological activity on the first side. The device further comprises a frangible container contained in the first cavity, wherein a liquid in the container is in fluid communication with the first cavity when the container is fractured.

Microbial indicator device for use with process monitoring systems

A device for monitoring the effectiveness of a decontamination process, the device including a bacteria cell as the indicator test organism and optionally a substrate, where the indicator test organism may include acell, and methods of using the monitoring device to evaluate the efficacy of a decontamination process.

Device for monitoring efficacy of a decontamination process comprising a bacteria cell and method of using

A system and methods for sterilizing or disinfecting articles, particularly the hollow internal areas of medical instruments are disclosed. The system includes a plasma generator having an electrode, a shield, and a dielectric gap between the electrode and the shield. A source of electrical power is connected to the plasma generator for applying an electron energy density between the electrode and the shield. A source of gas comprising water vapor, oxygen and nitrogen provides a flow of gas between the electrode and the shield, to form a plasma containing acidic and/or oxidizing species. In the exemplary system, the temperature at the shield's surface is &#x3c;150&#xb0; C. when the electron energy density is &#x3e;0.05 eV/molecule of the gas. Also disclosed is a method for disinfecting an article contaminated with a bio-film or spores, by exposing the contaminated article to the plasma for an exposure time sufficient to achieve at least 2-logreduction in colony forming units.

Plasma sterilization system and methods

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Woodbury, MN, United States of America

Assumpta A G Bennaars-Eiden