text:
Biofilm and debris can be removed from the interior and exterior surfaces of small bore tubing by passing an aqueous cleaning solution of water, one or more surfactants and preferably a source of hydrogen peroxide, optionally including small inert solid particles, together with a gas under pressure, to create a turbulent flow within the tubing that loosens the biofilm and debris so that they can be flushed from the tubing. When the exterior surfaces of tubing are to be cleaned, the tubing is inserted in a sleeve fitted with an adaptor that provides a pressure-tight seal between the tubing and the sleeve.
[0001] This invention relates to a mixed-phase cleaning solution and method for removing bacteria with pathogenic potential and other microorganisms, debris, tissue, food particles and the like from lines and tubing, and to an apparatus that delivers the mixed-phase cleaning solution under pressure to the lines and tubing to be cleaned.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Small bore tubing that delivers ordinary running water, purified or not, to fixtures such as dental units, develop bacterial and fungal growth from the water on their interior surfaces, as is well known. Bacteria present in the water strongly adhere to tubing surfaces and then grow laterally, forming what is known as biofilm. Biofilm is apparent to the touch as a slimy film which has been analyzed and found to be bacterial growth.
[0003] Several prior art workers have identified various bacteria included in these biofilms, which include several bacteria having pathogenic potential, such as Flavobacterium, Moraxella, Achromobacter, Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes, Micrococcus and Legionella. All of these bacteria have the potential to cause infections in humans, and legionella, which is highly resistant to antibiotics, is of particular concern since infection can be fatal. Organisms such as legionella can also be inhaled from contaminated water spray during dental or other medical treatment.
[0004] Dental unit tubing that carries rinse water to the mouth of patients has been determined to contain over one million (1×106) colony forming units of bacteria per milliliter of water (CFU/ml) after one week of use. Thus these water lines and tubing must be periodically cleaned to ensure the removal of this biofilm on the walls of the tubing to prevent infection. The potential for infection of immuno compromised patients is also a major concern. If the patient has any open wounds in the mouth, the danger of infection is of course much higher.
[0005] Biofilms are very difficult to remove from tubing however. The biofilm is strongly adherent to smooth tubing surfaces, whether the tubing is made from natural or synthetic materials such as rubber-based materials, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene and the like. Treatment with disinfectant and biocidal agents may kill the bacteria and so remove the biofilm. However, these agents do not readily diffuse into the biofilm which strongly adheres to the tubing walls, and thus removal is generally only partial and the biofilm returns quite rapidly. Reduction of the level of bacteria present in water delivery systems to below 200 CFU/ml has been suggested by the American Dental Association.
[0006] Other applications employing small bore tubing that must be periodically cleaned include internal endoscopy tubing, catheter tubing, sterile filling ports, and tubing used for sterile manufacturing, food processing and the like. These types of tubing may contain, in addition to biofilm, food particles, tissue particles, mucous, blood and the like, which is referred to hereinafter as "debris". Such tubing also must be thoroughly cleaned, these between each and every use, to prevent infection from one patient to another.
[0007] Guidelines for cleaning gastrointestinal endoscopy units promulgated by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy include a multi-step method for cleaning tubing between patients to prevent infection. First, mechanical cleaning with a brush is performed, using a detergent solution, soon after use. The tubing is then rinsed with water and then a sterilization is carried out using a disinfecting solution such as a gluteraldehyde solution. The tubing is then rinsed with water again and then dried with forced air.
[0008] Other applications for the present invention are respirators, both neonatal and adult, which must be cleaned about every 8 hours or so. Such cleaning is expensive, but necessary.
[0009] Thus an improved cleaning composition and method for removing biofilm and debris from interior and external tubing surfaces in a cost effective manner and for preventing or delaying biofilm reoccurrence, and an apparatus to deliver these cleaning solutions to the lines and tubing that have become contaminated, would be highly desirable.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In accordance with the present invention, a combination of pressurized gas and a suitable aqueous cleaning solution is used to create a turbulent environment on or in a tubing having a biofilm or debris on interior or exterior surfaces, that completely removes the biofilm and debris. A suitable aqueous' cleaning solution comprises water and a surfactant. An oxidizing agent and a biocidal agent can also be added. Inert particles that can provide a scrubbing action can also be added advantageously to the aqueous cleaning solution. This aqueous cleaning composition is delivered to the tubing to be cleaned by means of compressed gas, thus making a mixed-phase system, that provides a turbulent flow along the walls of the tubing that aids in loosening the biofilm and debris from the surfaces of the tubing, and aids in flushing the loosened materials from the tubing.
[0011] The invention also includes an apparatus for delivering the above mixed-phase cleaning solution to the interior of small bore tubing and lines and combining it with a gas under pressure. The compressed gas-aqueous cleaning solution combination develops turbulent flow inside the tubing that aids in loosening the biofilm from the interior surfaces of tubing so that it can be readily removed by flushing and rinsing with water.
[0012] The invention also includes an apparatus for delivering the above cleaning solution to the exterior surfaces of small bore tubing and lines, by encapsulating the tubing in a pressure-resistant sleeve having an adaptor that provides a pressure-tight seal between the cleaning solution-pressurized gas mixture and the tubing. The apparatus includes a mixing chamber for mixing the aqueous solution, optional solid particles and a gas under pressure for delivery to the lines and tubing to be cleaned.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an aqueous cleaning composition delivery system of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a high magnification photomicrograph of the inside wall of tubing having a biofilm thereon used in a dental unit, which biofilm is about one year old.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a photograph of an overall view of the interior wall of dental tubing after cleaning in accordance with the invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a photograph of the interior wall of another dental tubing prior to treatment according to the invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a photograph of an overall view of the interior wall of the dental tubing of FIG. 4 after treatment according to the invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a photograph of an overall view of the interior wall of another dental tubing prior to treatment according to the invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a photograph of the interior wall of a portion of the dental tubing of FIG. 6 after treatment.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a photograph of still another dental tubing prior to treatment according to the invention.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a photograph of the wall of FIG. 8 after treatment in accordance with the invention.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a photograph of a closeup view of another portion of dental tubing prior to treatment.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a photograph of a closeup view of the tubing of FIG. 10 after treatment in accordance with the invention.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a photograph of the interior wall of still another dental tubing prior to treatment.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a photograph of the interior wall of FIG. 12 after treatment with a control cleaning solution.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a schematic view of an apparatus used to remove biofilm and debris from the internal and external surfaces of endoscopy tubing.
[0027] FIG. 14A is a magnified view of a port leading to the interior of the endoscopy tube.
[0028] FIG. 14B is a magnified view of a port connecting the exterior wall of the endoscopy tube with a sleeve.
[0029] FIG. 15 is a photograph of the interior of an endoscopy tube prior to cleaning.
[0030] FIG. 16 is a photograph of the interior of an endoscopy tube after cleaning in accordance with the invention.
[0031] FIG. 17 is a photograph of the exterior of an endoscopy tube prior to cleaning.
[0032] FIG. 18 is a photograph of the exterior of an endoscopy tube after cleaning in accordance with the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] The aqueous cleaning solution useful herein contains water and a surfactant that, when mixed under pressure with a gas such as air, acts to loosen organic residues from tubing surfaces so they can be rinsed away. Since the cleaning solution is water-based, environmental problems relating to waste disposal are reduced or non-existent.
[0034] The aqueous cleaning solution can comprise water and a surfactant alone, but preferably includes an oxidizing agent, such as a hydrogen peroxide source.
[0035] Suitable surfactants can be nonionic, anionic or cationic, or mixtures thereof. Any surfactant that is compatible with water or aqueous solutions can be used, generally in a concentration of up to about 5% by weight of the cleaning solution.
[0036] Suitable anionic surfactants include for example alkyl sulfates and sulfonates such as sodium dodecyl sulfate. Nonionic surfactants can be added to increase the wetting of the organic material to be removed, and to improve the quality of the foam generated when the aqueous surfactant-containing solution is mixed with a gas under pressure.
[0037] Cationic surfactants, such as quaternary amines, have a strong interaction with glycoproteins and bacterial cell walls present in biofilms, and thus solubilize the bacterial and fungal matter in the biofilm. Cationic surfactants are also known that have disinfectant properties.
[0038] These surfactants provide a foaming action to the aqueous solution which helps to provide a turbulent flow in the tubing to be cleaned, and also aids in loosening the biofilm or debris from the tubing surface. In particular, quaternary amine surfactants produce small bubbles in solution that further aid in forming a turbulent flow in the gas-cleaning solution mixture during cleaning, adding a scrubbing action against the biofilm that aids in its effective and efficient removal.
[0039] The presence of an oxidizing agent is also believed to aid in loosening the biofilm from the interior and exterior walls of tubing and lines. Suitable oxidizing agents include aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions, or peroxy compounds such as perborates, periodates and peroxycarboxylic acids that produce hydrogen peroxide in situ in an aqueous solution. Solid oxidizing agents, such as peroxycarbonates and the like, may also provide a further scrubbing action.
[0040] Further, oxidizing agents have biocidal properties that not only aid in efficiently reducing bacterial material from tubing walls, but also reduce the re-occurrence of biofilm. Mixing a peroxide-surfactant solution with compressed air produces a thick froth, enhanced by the peroxide, in the tubing which removes biofilm more effectively than water and air alone. The oxidizing agents are suitably present in amounts of up to about 15% by weight of the aqueous solution, preferably about 3-15% by weight.
[0041] Inert particles can also be added advantageously to the aqueous cleaning solution of the invention to provide a further scrubbing action to the tubing walls. Hard insoluble particles, such as of silica, alumina and titania, will provide the most effective scrubbing action together with surfactant foams. Soft insoluble inert particles such as calcium carbonate, preferably having a small particle size such as 10-300 microns, can advantageously be used. These materials are normally used already as abrasives for cleaning teeth or removing plaque and for polishing teeth and gums. Water soluble particles, such as sodium bicarbonate, can also be added. Since removal of biofilm takes place rapidly in accordance with the invention, some scrubbing action by the water soluble particles is obtained prior to their dissolution. The fact that the particles are water soluble means that they dissolve during the rinsing or flushing step, so that the particles are removed from the tubing surfaces in solution, thus reducing the number of solid particles that must be flushed out of the tubing after cleaning.
[0042] A sufficient amount of inert, insoluble particles can be added to the above cleaning solution to provide increased erosion of the biofilm by impact of the particles on the walls of the tubing to be cleaned in a turbulent environment. However, in order to remove biofilm, the particle size of the inert particles should be on the order of 10-300 microns, which may be somewhat larger than particles used in tooth pastes for example. The particle shape is not critical, but may be adjusted to maximize the effectiveness of the present process. For example, an irregularly shaped particle may be preferred to a smooth walled particle to increase the scrubbing action of the mixture. The particles preferably are hydrophobic so that they can be carried along in the cleaning solution by air bubbles. For example, generally up to about 20% by weight of inert particles are suitably added to the cleaning solution.
[0043] The temperature of use of the cleaning mixture of the invention can vary from about 0-50° C.
[0044] The cleaning solution and the inert particles used herein are safe and non-toxic. Most of the ingredients are already used in present-day dental practices and thus present no danger to patients. The cleaning solution can be discharged into municipal sewage systems. The cleaning solution is also safe, i.e., non-toxic and non-carcinogenic, and is non-corrosive to commonly available plastics such as polyvinychloride, polyolefin and polytetrafluoroethylene tubing.
[0045] The cleaning solution is used together with a pressurized gas that provides turbulence of the cleaning solution inside the tubing. Although the invention is hereinafter described using air as the gas, other gases can be substituted such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, noble gases such as argon and the like. Such gases may be stored under pressure in cylinders, or available from in-house gas sources.
[0046] The mixture charged to the tubing to be cleaned preferably includes a surfactant that produces bubbles or froth in the aqueous solution, a surfactant that produces a foaming action to the aqueous solution, and air under pressure. This mixed-phase mixture is charged to the small bore tubing to be cleaned in a sufficient volume to loosen and remove biofilm in a short time, i.e., about 3-10 minutes. The volume of the mixed-phase cleaning solution can thus be maximized for various applications.
[0047] To further increase the scrubbing action of the above mixture, the pressurized air can be pulsed.
[0048] The air or other pressurized gas is delivered under a pressure of above about 25 psi, preferably at a pressure of about 30 to 60 psi for dental tubing. However, the pressure range is not critical and can be adjusted to be higher according to the tubing diameter.
[0049] After the small bore tubing has loosened the biofilm and/or debris, water alone, together with pressurized air, can be used to remove all solid materials from the tubing. This flushing step generally takes another 3 or more minutes.
[0050] The invention will be first described in the Examples in terms of cleaning dental tubing that supplies cleaning water under pressure. The pressure is supplied by an air compressor that can continuously supply up to 80-100 psi of compressed air. This pressure is stepped down to about 30-60 psi prior to entry of the cleaning composition to the hand cleaning syringe used by the dental practitioner. As a comparison, water is generally delivered by municipal water systems at a pressure of about 25 psi.
[0051] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a modified coolant and irrigation apparatus for use by a dental practitioner. The conventional system includes an air compressor 12, an air line 13, a pressure regulator 14, a water line 16 for adding water or other aqueous solution to the compressed air in line 13, an air adaptor 18 and a water adaptor 19 to permit the dental practitioner to adjust the volumes of air in line 20 and water in line 21 delivered to a hand held fixture 22.
[0052] In accordance with the present invention, the conventional apparatus is modified to deliver the present cleaning solution to water line 21 to clean it.
[0053] A three way valve 24 is used to direct the pressurized air to air line 13A. A solenoid valve 26 is inserted into line 13A to impart a pulsing action to the pressurized air.
[0054] A pressurized container 28 that is refillable stores the cleaning solution of the invention. An air tight cap (not shown) permits the cleaning solution to be replaced and line 13A permits pressurized air to enter the container 28. The outlet line 30 is connected to a mixing chamber 32.
[0055] The mixing chamber 32 is connected to the pressurized air line 13A and to the cleaning solution outlet line 30. The cleaning solution and pressurized air are mixed in the mixing chamber 32 to create a turbulent mixture or froth depending on the ratio of air to cleaning solution, which can be adjusted.
[0056] Additional pressurized containers can be included. As shown in FIG. 1, a container 34 is connected to water line 16 and can include a biocide for example. The outlet from the container 34 can be directly connected to water line 16 or can be connected to the mixing chamber 32 for addition to the cleaning solution mixture.
[0057] A water source can be connected to the water line 16 or to the mixing chamber 32 to flush the dental water line 21 with water subsequent to cleaning with the cleaning solution of the invention.
[0058] A conventional control panel (not shown) can be used to regulate the air pressure in the system, to turn the solenoid valve 26 to impart a pulsating action to the compressed air, to control the temperature of the solutions, to control the three-way valves during regular dental unit operation, during cleaning and during flushing operations, to add biocide solution from the chamber 34 and the like. An alert light can be included to alert attendants that it is time to clean the dental tubing. The above system can be enclosed in a suitable housing if desired.
[0059] Thus during the cleaning cycle, the top water line 36 is shut off via valve V1 and compressed air is directed to the container 28 via valve V2. The solenoid valve 26 is activated to create a pulsating action to the compressed air which is passed to the container 28, and to the additional container 34 if required. A froth is formed in the mixing chamber 32 and is forced into the dental unit adaptor 19 to the dental tubing water line 21.
[0060] During the rinsing or flushing cycle, cleaning solution is shut off in line 30 via valve V3 and biocide or an alkaline peroxide solution and water can be directed to the mixing chamber 32 together with pulsating compressed air through line 13A. The pressurized water is passed through the dental tubing 21 to flush out cleaning solution, loosened biofilm and any solid particles or debris remaining in the tubing 21. The addition of a biocide and/or a peroxide may increase the time period that elapses before biofilm starts to re-form.
[0061] At the end of the flushing cycle, normal operation of the dental unit is resumed, using tap water alone or tap water including a biocide stored in container 34.
[0062] The cleaning, flushing and normal operation cycles are each continued for a certain period of time, as predetermined by the manufacturer or the practitioner.
[0063] The turbulent flow in the mixing chamber 32 provides bubbles or froth patterns by manipulating the ratio of air:liquid:particles and the flow speeds of the cleaning solution and compressed air. The compressed air creates liquid droplets, or suspends any solid particles in the cleaning solution, and thus produces an effective method of eroding the biofilm via a dynamic impact of the solution and froth or inert particles on the tubing walls.
[0064] As an example, air forced through a 1.8 mm diameter tubing, using 30-60 psi air pressure, has a Reynolds number between about 9700 and 15,000, which is considered to be turbulent in a pipe-type geometry. The addition of inert particles or liquid droplets to the cleaning solution further increases the cleaning effectiveness of the solution. When the biofilm has a thickness of 5-10 microns, the relationship between the applied air pressure and the friction force can be estimated in accordance with known one dimensional energy equations.
[0065] Calculated and measured velocities in an 8 foot long dental tubing 1.8 mm in diameter were in good agreement with each other.
[0066] Further, the fact that some dental tubing is continuously curled is an excellent geometry for the present cleaning method because it causes random impact of the air, solid particles and solution against the tubing walls to loosen and erode the biofilm rapidly and completely.
[0067] The invention will be further described in the following Examples 1-6 with respect to cleaning dental tubing, but the invention is not meant to be limited to the details described therein. In the Examples, percent is by weight unless otherwise noted.EXAMPLE 1
[0068] A portion of dental tubing having a biofilm about one year old on its interior surface is shown in FIG. 2. The biofilm completely covers the interior surface of the tubing and consists of about 200,000 colonies/cm of bacteria.
[0069] A three foot section of the tubing was treated in accordance with the invention using a cleaning solution of 3% aqueous hydrogen peroxide containing 5% by weight of inert particles of calcium carbonate 50-100 microns in size, and surfactants including about 2% of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and about 1% of a nonionic surfactant. The cleaning solution was added to the mixing chamber 28 of FIG. 1 and air was added to the mixing chamber from a 1 HP air compressor regulated at 30-60 psi, the air being continuously pulsed. The amount of air and the pulse rate were regulated to optimize mixing of the ingredients and the turbulence generated inside the tubing. The mixture was passed to the dental tubing to permit turbulent cleaning of the tubing.
[0070] The tubing was then flushed with distilled water. The interior surface of the cleaned tubing is shown in FIG. 3. It is apparent that the biofilm has been completely removed.
[0071] The cleaned tubing was tested for bacteria by scraping the interior surface of a section of the tubing 2.5 cm long and collecting water in that portion of the tube as follows. The tubing was cut in half, about 1.25 cm in length, and three pieces were stored at 4° C. The lumen of each piece was scraped 15 times with the tip of a sterile scalpel blade to remove any bacteria and the scalpel and the tubing were agitated in water for one minute to suspend any bacteria present. The resultant suspension was diluted 10 fold and spread onto dilute peptone agar plates using distilled water. The water in the tubing was also diluted and plated. The plates were incubated for two weeks at 25° C. and the bacteria colonies counted and identified according to conventional practice, including Gram strain calitose reaction, oxidase and glucose fermentation tests. The total number of bacteria and the total number of viable bacteria were counted according to the procedure of Hobbe et al, Applied & Environmental Microbiology, May, 1977 pp 1225-1228; and Kogure et al, Can. J. of Microbiology Vol. 25, pp 415-420 (1979).
[0072] The cleaned tubing had only 280 colonies/cm of tubing, whereas untreated tubing had about 200,000 colonies/cm of tubing. Thus a reduction in bacterial count of one thousand times was obtained. The large white particles in FIG. 4 are believed to be deposits due to water hardness that accumulate over a long period of time.EXAMPLE 2
[0073] A cleaning solution was made by mixing 50 grams of calcium carbonate particles having a particle size of 10-100 microns into 450 ml of a solution containing 3% by weight of hydrogen peroxide solution, 2% by weight of a surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate and 1% of a nonionic surfactant.
[0074] The above mixture was introduced into a used dental tubing 3 feet long and 1.8 mm in diameter having a biofilm thereon, as shown in FIG. 4, together with air supplied by a compressor set between 30 and 60 psi. The cleaning composition was flushed through the tubing for about 3 minutes.
[0075] The tubing was then flushed with 200 ml of distilled water.
[0076] The number of bacterial colonies in the tubing decreased from an initial value of 7.15×105 per linear cm of tubing down to zero after cleaning. The CFU/ml of water flowing in the tube was reduced from an initial value of 3.19×106 to zero after cleaning.
[0077] The SEM photograph of FIG. 5 is an overall view of the interior wall of the tubing after treatment. FIG. 5 shows a complete removal of biofilm in the lumen of the tubing. The bare surface of the tubing was free of any debris or biofilm.EXAMPLE 3
[0078] 576 Milliliters of 3% by weight of aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution was admixed with 2% by weight of sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant. The cleaning reagent was introduced into used dental tubing with air supplied by a compressor set at a pressure of 30 to 60 psi. After treatment for three minutes, the tubing was flushed with 200 ml of water.
[0079] The number of bacterial colonies per cm of tubing after culture decreased from an initial value of 1×105 to zero. The CFU/ml of the water decreased from an initial value of 3.01×106 to zero.
[0080] FIG. 6 is a photograph of the interior wall of the tubing prior to treatment. FIG. 7 is a photograph of the interior wall of the tubing after treatment.
[0081] Thus in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, surfactant and air under a preselected pressure, complete cleaning was achieved even in the absence of solid particles.EXAMPLE 4
[0082] The procedure of Example 2 was followed except substituting distilled water for the hydrogen peroxide solution.
[0083] The CFU/cm decreased from an initial value of 4×105 to zero. Thus a mixture of water, surfactant, abrasive particles and air under a preselected pressure was sufficient to remove the biofilm from the tubing.
[0084] FIG. 8 is a photograph of the interior surface of the tubing prior to treatment.
[0085] FIG. 9 is a photograph of the interior surface of the tubing after treatment according to this example.EXAMPLE 5
[0086] A cleaning solution was made from 193 ml of 3% by weight of hydrogen peroxide, 3% by weight of sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant and 50-100 grams of water soluble sodium bicarbonate particles. The solution was brought to 600 grams with distilled water.
[0087] The cleaning solution was introduced into used dental tubing along with air from a compressor set at 30-60 psi for three minutes. The tubing was then flushed with distilled water.
[0088] The CFU/cm decreased from an initial value of 5.5×104 to zero and the CFU/ml was reduced from an initial value of 3×106 to zero. SEM photograph of FIG. 10 shows the presence of biofilm prior to treatment, and a complete removal of the biofilm from the lumen of the tubing after treatment, as can be seen in FIG. 11.EXAMPLE 6
[0089] A mixture of 5% of sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant and peroxycarbonate and 1% of polyphosphate was mixed with water to a total of 600 ml. The mixture was introduced into used dental tubing with air under pressure supplied by a compressor set at 30 to 60 psi for three minutes. The tubing was then flushed with 200 ml of water.
[0090] The CFU/cm was reduced from an initial value of 1.25×105 to zero and the CFU/ml was reduced from an initial value of 3×106 to zero.
[0091] Control
[0092] As a control, water alone was mixed with air from a compressor set at 30-60 psi and passed through used dental tubing for three minutes.
[0093] The CFU/cm was reduced from an initial value of 7.5×104 to 3.5×104. However, the CFU/ml of water was reduced only from 2.5×106 and was 2.38×106 after treatment.
[0094] The SEM photograph of FIG. 12 shows the presence of biofilm prior to the Control treatment and FIG. 13 shows a reduction of only about 30% in the biofilm after treatment.
[0095] Thus physical force of air and water alone is not sufficient to adequately remove biofilm from tubing.
[0096] In order to adequately maintain dental or medical tubing without substantial biofilm accumulation, the above treatment should be repeated at least about every 100 hours.
[0097] As biofilm ages, bacteria colonies not only multiply, but they become more adherent to the surface of the tubing. Thus, if treatment is repeated often, e.g., every 4-5 days, the biofilm remains comparatively easy to remove with the composition and process of the invention.
[0098] The present cleaning solutions and method can also be used to remove other contaminants in addition to biofilm from tubing, such as organic films, mucous or solid debris, e.g., tissue, loose cells, food particles and the like, that adhere to tubing walls.
[0099] A major application for such cleaning is endoscopy tubing, which in accordance with the present invention can be cleaned on both interior and exterior walls. FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a cleaning apparatus that can be used to clean both the interior walls of an endoscopy tube and the exterior walls.
[0100] An air compressor 100 carries air in line 102 through a compressed air pulsation control nozzle 104 to a mixing chamber 106. A pressure regulator 108 controls the air flow. A chamber 110 for the storage of cleaning solution passes the cleaning solution to the mixing chamber 106 through a line 112. The resultant turbulent mixture of pressurized air and cleaning solution is passed via line 114 to an adaptor 116 (see FIG. 14A) that provides a pressure-tight fitting to the port 118 of the endoscopy tube 120. FIG. 14A is a magnified view of the adaptor 116 and the endoscopy port 118.
[0101] FIG. 14B is a magnified view of an external port 122 that fastens a pressure-tight sleeve 124 by means of an adaptor 126 to accommodate the line 115 carrying cleaning solution to the external surfaces of the endoscopy tube. The sleeve 124 can be made of any flexible plastic such as cellulose materials, polyolefins and polyesters.
[0102] Using the apparatus of FIG. 14, FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, the following examples were carried out to clean endoscopy tubing.EXAMPLE 7
[0103] A flexible tubing having a length of about 6 feet and an internal channel diameter of about 0.110 cm was partially filled with a debris mixture of food residue including carbohydrates (starch), proteins and sugars and allowed to dry overnight. This residue was designed to simulate debris remaining after an endoscopy procedure. The debris can be clearly seen in FIG. 15, which is a low magnification view.
[0104] In a first step, the internal channels were filled with water for 5-10 minutes to soften the debris residue.
[0105] A mixture of cationic surfactants of 0.05% octyldecyldimethyl ammonium chloride, 0.025% dioctyldimethyl ammonium chloride and 0.025% didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride and about 1% of nonionic and anionic surfactants mixed with 4% of hydrogen peroxide were used as the cleaning solution. 500 Ml of this solution was mixed with air up to 80 psi pressure and passed through the channel over a 5 minute period.
[0106] The channels were then flushed with one liter of water.
[0107] The channels were then disinfected using 200 ml of a solution of 3-7% hydrogen peroxide together with pressurized air. The channels were then dried in air for five minutes. The interior walls of the tubing were cleaned of all debris, as shown in FIG. 16.EXAMPLE 8
[0108] The procedure of Example 7 was repeated except the cleaning solution contained a mixture of both anionic and nonionic surfactants at up to 2% concentration in a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide. All debris was removed.EXAMPLE 9
[0109] The procedure of Example 7 was repeated except the cleaning solution was made by first dissolving the surfactants in distilled water. All debris was removed.EXAMPLE 10
[0110] The procedure of Example 7 was repeated except that 5% of calcium carbonate particles having a particle size of 50-200 microns was dispersed in the cleaning solution. All debris was removed.EXAMPLE 11
[0111] The procedure of Example 8 was repeated except that 5% of calcium carbonate particles having a particle size of 50-200 microns was dispersed in the cleaning solution. All debris was removed.
[0112] Water soluble particles, such as sodium bicarbonate, can be substituted for the water insoluble calcium carbonate particles.EXAMPLE 12
[0113] The external surface of an endoscopy tube about 7 feet long and having an external diameter of 1.1 cm was immersed in a mixture of debris as in Example 7 and allowed to dry overnight. The photograph of FIG. 17 clearly shows the adhered debris on the external surface of the tubing.
[0114] The stem of the tube was inserted into a flexible cellulose polymer sleeve having a diameter of 1.4 cm. The sleeve and the tube were connected together by means of a pressure-tight adaptor. The cleaning solution (500 ml) of Example 7 was mixed with air at up to 100 psi pressure and passed into the sleeve for five minutes. A water flushing cycle, disinfecting cycle and drying cycle were carried out as in Example 7. All debris was removed from the external surface of the tubing as can be seen in FIG. 18.
[0115] The present cleaning solution can also be sprayed under pressure onto a surface to be cleaned, such as prosthesis implants and respirators for both adults and for neonatal care.
[0116] Although the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, the invention is not meant to be so limited. The invention is only to be limited by the scope of the appended claims.
1. An aqueous cleaning solution that removes biofilm and debris from the walls of tubing for dental and medical uses comprises water and a surfactant admixed with air under pressure.
2. A composition according to
- claim 1 wherein said solution additionally includes a source of hydrogen peroxide.
3. A composition according to
- claim 2 wherein said hydrogen peroxide is present in an amount of up to about 15% by weight.
4. A composition according to
- claim 1 wherein said solution additionally includes inert particles having a particle size of from 10-100 microns.
5. A composition according to
- claim 1 wherein said inert particles are present in an amount of up to about 10% by weight of said solution.
6. A composition according to
- claim 1 wherein said surfactant is present in an amount up to about 5% by weight.
7. A method of removing biofilm from the interior surfaces of tubing exposed to aqueous solutions comprising mixing an aqueous solution of water and a surfactant with a gas under pressure so as to form a turbulent mixture in said tubing for a time sufficient to loosen said biofilm, and flushing the tubing to remove the biofilm.
8. A method according to
- claim 7 wherein said aqueous solution further includes a source of hydrogen peroxide.
9. A method according to
- claim 7 wherein said aqueous solution further includes up to 10% by weight of inert solid particles.
10. A method according to
- claim 7 wherein said gas under pressure is pulsed at intervals of about 0.5 to 1 second.
11. In a dental unit comprising a source of compressed air, a source of water, and a small bore tubing that passes said water and air to a nozzle for delivery of the pressurized air and water to a patient, the improvement which comprises a mixing container for mixing a cleaning solution of water and a surfactant with the pressurized air and delivering the pressurized cleaning solution to said tubing.
12. A dental unit according to
- claim 11 wherein said cleaning solution further includes a source of hydrogen peroxide.
13. A method of cleaning the interior surface of endoscopy tubing comprising
- a) forming a cleaning solution from water, up to 5% of a surfactant and up to 15% of a source of hydrogen peroxide,
- b) mixing the cleaning solution with a gas under pressure of up to about 100 psi,
- c) providing an adaptor to pass the mixture to the internal surfaces of the tubing, and
- d) passing said pressurized cleaning solution to the internal surfaces of said tubing.
14. A method according to
- claim 13 wherein said surfactants include a cationic surfactant.
15. A method according to
- claim 14 wherein said surfactants include nonionic and anionic surfactants.
16. A method according to
- claim 13 wherein prior to step a), the interior surfaces of the tubing are soaked in water.
17. A method of cleaning the exterior surfaces of endoscopy tubing comprising
- a) encapsulating said tubing in a sleeve fitted with an adaptor to provide a pressure-tight seal between the tubing and the sleeve,
- b) forming a cleaning solution comprising water, up to 5% by weight of a surfactant and up to 15% by weight of a source of hydrogen peroxide,
- c) mixing said cleaning solution with a gas under pressure of up to about 100 psi, and
- d) passing the pressurized cleaning solution between the exterior surface of the tubing and said sleeve.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 29, 1998
Publication Date: Dec 6, 2001
Patent Grant number: 6619302
Inventors: MOHAMED EMAM LABIB (PRINCETON, NJ), CHING-YUE LAI (LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ)
Application Number: 09162698
International Classification: B08B009/04;


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Contact details
Calle Zoilo Ruíz-Mateos Camacho s/n
11408 Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz (Andalusia)
Tel.:+ 34 956 32 89 97
Tel.:+ 34 956 32 89 97
Valdivia is the newest, most modern vineyard in Jerez. Tradition and modernity go hand in hand, so visitors can learn about the culture of Jerez wine and brandy from both a historical perspective and with a view to the future. Its creation has meant the launch of a new brand, and a new concept in Jerez wines and brandies. It also offers accommodation and a broad range of wine-tourism, gastronomic and cultural activities.
For more information on specific dates, telephone or check the company website.
English, French, Spanish, German
Activities with reservation
Guided vineyard tours
Visits to vineyards
Visits to wine presses
Wine sales
Other products on sale
Restaurant service
Wine tasting
Tasting courses
Celebration of events
Guided tasting sessions
Activities without reservation
Guided vineyard tours
Wine sales
Other products on sale
Wine tasting
Celebration of events

subset: commoncrawl


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St. Louis Baseball Outing Draws Crowdby Tom Runge • June 27, 2005 Share:
Over 50 people from Wabash and DePauw gathered to watch a Cardinals home run fest Friday, June 24, 2005 as the Cards beat the visiting Pirates 8-1. The group was treated to some pre-game fireworks as several explosions at a nearly plant brought CNN attention to St. Louis and the resulting fire delayed the start of the game by 30 minutes. Charlie Raiser '69 reported that it's the first time in history that a major league baseball game was delayed by a fire.
The game started as a real pitchers duel on a very hot St. Louis evening. However, the bats of the Cardinals were just too much as 50% of the St. Louis hits were home runs!
In addition to Wabash alumni, the group included several prospective students and their parents.
Many thanks go to Charlie Raiser '69 and his wife Jill for arranging the entire evening.
For more pictures, click here.


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As wonderful as working at Special Events can be, the experience has ruined me. And this is because I have now seen so many beautiful meals, floral arrangements and decor installations that I firmly believe life is so, so much better if it is art-directed.
In my old, "amateur" days, my Christmas presents were a merry jumble of colorful ribbons and wrapping paper in clashing patterns. But no more.
Now, all my presents are always wrapped in one beautiful paper--this year, dark blue with gold snowflakes--and three varieties of gold ribbon. The result is striking enough for a magazine cover---but only after I hide the "nonstandard" presents, wrapped by those unfortunate enough to be my friends and relatives, beneath some hefty branches.
I am ashamed that I am failing the test of true Christmas spirit, but alas, it's too late.
I'm a little like post-apple Eve--wiser about all that is available in the world but bereft of my innocent, "before" life, when I simply enjoyed what I had without yearning for some "wow" effect.
Of course, I blame this all on you, my talented readers. You are always looking at what is in front of you—a blah ballroom, a ho-hum house—and imagining what it could be with some brilliant design and crafty engineering. In your mind's eye, you are already painting the building façade in projection mapping and draping the Brooklyn Bridge in tulle.
So, I'm thinking about Christmas 2013. Wouldn't it be wonderful if ….


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Our volume UPS discounts are passed-on directly to you for the lowest possible shipping rates.
The 1830 Series Pilot Uni-Kit is designed to be used with all Uni-Line andcompetitive thermocouples. Kits include an adaptor that converts a threadedthermocouple/thermopile model 2CH to a snap-in thermocouple type,model 2C. Each kit comes with a natural gas orifice installed, and a separateL.P. gas orifice. Pilot tubing size is 1/4" tubing. These 1830 Pilot Uni-Kits are aerated type pilots, combining the best feature of an incineratortype plot and a target type pilot. These pilots have non-linting characteristics,and no air shutters or supplementary shields requiring assembly oradjustment are needed.Flame Pattern Type:3-WAY Replaces Pilot Burner Part Numbers:1830-0114CHL-4CAR1830011


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Just a quick update on one of our favorite charts in the world: An overlay of initial jobless claims vs. the S&P 500.
If you ever want to be reassured that it's economic fundamentals that are driving the stock market rally, then look no further than this.
As jobless claims improve, stocks go up.
As claims weaken, stocks go down.
(Note that we've flipped over the claims number, the red line)


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(Albany, NY) - The Sacred Heart Men's and Women's Cross Country teams ran in the University of Albany Invitational Saturday afternoon, with the women finishing 6th out of 23 and the men 16th out of 27.
Brittney Lane led the women by finishing seventh out of 192 finishers, beating her personal best by 23 seconds with a time of 17:59.3. She also was the top NEC finisher among four conference teams that competed. She moved to second on SHU's All-Time list for Cross Country, behind only 2009 NEC individual champ Kimberly DeLoreto and just ahead of 2003 NEC individual champ Katie Wrinkle.
The remaining top finishers for the SHU all ran their best performances of the season. They include:
Brittany Llobell (35th), 18:57.3, with a personal best by 1.2 seconds.
Alyssa Selmquist (40th), 19:08.8, with a seasonal best.
Brianna Castrogivanni (49th), 19:20.2, with a seasonal best.
Michelle Navarro (52nd), 19:23.0, with a seasonal best.
Emma Bolduc (56th), 19:28.1, with a personal best by 25 seconds. She also was the top NEC freshman in the race
Teresa Gagliostro (58th), 19:33.2, personal best by 8 seconds
SHU also had a season's best nine women under 20 minutes in the race, as Mekenzie Krause (19:53.5), and Elizabeth Hutchins (19:56.1) also surpassed this barrier.
For the men, Christopher Connelly finished 5th out of 185 finishers with a time of 25:42.3 to set a personal best by four seconds. His performance moved him to sixth on SHU's All-Time list for Cross Country. Like Lane, he finished first among all the NEC runners and actually beat the 2009 NEC individual champion Rogers Kipruto of LIU by 33 seconds.
Aleksandr Morin (69th) finished second for SHU and first among NEC freshman in the race with a time of 27:03.7.
Highlights and times for the other top-7 finishers for SHU include:
Patrick Peterson (103rd), 27:50.9, with a personal best by 57 seconds.
John Bigouette (105th), 27:51.1, with a personal best by 9 seconds.
Ryan Bezner (126th), 28:39.5
Kevin Schumann (142nd), 29:10.4
Stephen Phillips (145th), 29:14.1


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Property for Rent
Stunning seaview mansion on the cliff. This exceptionnal Pool villa will offer you a direct access to the most prestigious landscape in Phuket. A prime location to enjoy fireworks at the pool bar.
This luxurious Pool villa is hidden in a High end private residence. You ll be on the cliff of an incredible scenic environment. You ll enjoy all the services a top resort can offer.
This high end villa is situated in a private residence and offers you a stunning Ocean view. Close to Patong area, you ll be able to enjoy both quietness of the residence and the warm atmosphere from Patong.
3 Bedrooms villa taking full advantage of its prime sea view location in Patong.The villa is very private and enjoys spectacular sea views.
This 3 bedrooms pool villa is situated in one of the most exclusive residence of Kalim area. minutes away from Patong, you ll have the choice of either enjoying the quietness of the residence or enjoying the warm atmosphere of Patong area.
The family house is a very peaceful, tatefully decorated place. With swimming pool, the large terraces, across a rice field, near the beach (150 meters) the Villa is on the Island of KHO YAO NOI face to PHUKET and the beautiful and protected Islands of the PHANG NGA National Park.
3 bedrooms oceanfront cliff villas boast 3 private bedrooms with an individualistic and contemporary approach to tropical design for people accustomed to an up-market way of life and imbue a clean, sophisticated look and feel.
3 bedrooms exclusive ocean private villa.The sleek modern Asian styling is further enhanced by stunning views and high end furniture and fixtures.
This luxurious private pool villa is situated close to Bangtao Beach on the west coast of Phuket near the entrance to the popular Laguna resort complex. The villa is on over 1000 sqm land plot, very well maintained and fully furnished. The villa features a separate lounge, dining...
This 3 bedrooms exquisite villa has an absolutely breath-taking view over Kata Yai and the Andaman Sea that can be enjoyed in total privacy from almost everywhere in the house.The living room and open space kitchen open up completely onto the outdoor deck creating a very large, b...


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Top Services Provided By Local New Berlin Retail Roofers
A retail roofing company is a company that is customer-focused and provides a full range of services to satisfy all roofing needs, from inspections to repairs to upgrades to new roof installation. If you live in New Berlin, WI and you are looking for the best roofer near me, then contact CAB Construction for all your roofing needs. Homeowners in southeastern Wisconsin and Independence, Missouri can rely on CAB Construction, a retail roofer dedicated to helping customers with professional service and top-quality materials. The following are some of the services a professional retail roofer provides.
Recommending Roofing Materials
Customers who are building a new home or replacing an old roof have many options to choose from. A professional roofer can help customers make the best choice for their type of home, environment, and budget. Energy-efficient roofing materials like reflective shingles may not be the cheapest to install, but they often pay for themselves in savings on monthly heating and cooling bills. However, each home is unique and the best roofing option depends on many factors, including the shape of the roof, the climate conditions, the aesthetics or curb appeal of the roofing material, and of course, the homeowner's personal preferences. Satisfying customers is CAB Construction's number one priority.
Roofing Repairs And Removing Stains From A Roof
CAB Construction recommends that homeowners and business owners do a roof inspection at least once per year to insure that there are no potential problems with the roof. It is much easier to do roofing repairs than to wait for the problem to become worse, which may require more work at a later time or even a roof replacement. Besides extending the life of the roof, it is also important to conduct inspections on a regular basis because if there is a problem with the roof it can cause leaks that could damage the interior of the building. Many times a minor roof repair can be fixed relatively inexpensively if the problem is determined early enough. That is why it is important to have a trained and experienced roofing company conduct the roof inspection.
If homeowners see no sign of leaking, they tend to assume that their roof is doing fine. However, an inspection may reveal discolored spots that are the first sign of damage. A dark, stained-looking area on a roof may indicate the presence of mold, mildew, or other fungus embedded in the shingles. Mold can proliferate and eventually destroy a roof, but fortunately it's easy to get rid of with a bleach solution or other stain-removal product. A roofing professional can not only remove mold but also protect the roof from future damage.
Protecting A Roof From Ice Dams
Ice dams occur when snow melts above the warmest part of the roof but then refreezes near the cooler gutter line. The ice creates a dam that causes water to pool behind it, unable to run off into the gutters. Pooled water can then seep into the shingles and eventually leak into the house. Roofing technicians at CAB Construction can not only repair damage caused by ice dams, but they can also help homeowners identify home improvements that will prevent the problem in the future. Ice dams are much more frequent in Wisconsin than they are in Missouri, but anytime a home is exposed to snow or ice on their rooftop, it is possible for an ice dam to cause damage to the home or business. Many times a simple roof inspection can determine areas that are susceptible to ice dams, and therefore they can be fixed before the problem occurs.
Installing Or Replacing Flashing
Flashing is a thin metal sheet that provides an important layer of protection against leaks. Flashing is placed at any junction in the roof, such as where two roof sections meet, around the chimney, or around vents. If flashing is damaged due to weather, age, or improper installation, an otherwise sound roof is compromised. Professional roofing contractors at CAB Construction can install flashing wherever it is needed or replace existing flashing that is no longer doing its job.
Contact CAB Construction For All Your Retail Roofing Needs
CAB Construction is a GAF Factory-Certified Master Elite roofing contractor, an achievement which only 3% of U.S. roofing contractors have attained. This certification guarantees that we are appropriately licensed, carry sufficient insurance, and have a high level of expertise. Our motto is "Above and Beyond Your Expectations," and we pride ourselves on being a local retail roofing company that provides excellent and personalized customer service. Don't hesitate to contact us for a free roof inspection by filling out the form on the sidebar or calling us at 1.844.781.7117.
For more information on CAB Construction and our other roofing and contracting services, please visit our Home Page Here. Thank you.
Zip Code Serviced:
53146, 53150, 53151
Roofing and contracting services also provided for:
- Town of Lisbon, WI
- Hales Corners, WI


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If this is not the reason, it could be your browser. Make sure your browser's privacy settings are set to allow 'Cookies'.
We recommend you close your browser, re-open it and then try placing your order again.
This problem could also occur when using bookmarks/favorites.
If this problem continues please call our office.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
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The Center of the Galaxy part 1
Walkthrough - The Center of the Galaxy part 1
Do you know what's at the center of the Milky Way galaxy? Presumably, the same thing that's at the center of every galaxy -- a super-massive black hole. Yet, the ancient Collectors, and their Reaper allies make their home at the center of the galaxy, likely using incomprehensible technology. The Omega-4 Relay, located in the Omega cluster (in the Sahrabarik system) is their conduit back to civilization. Anyone who has tried to use the relay in the past hasn't made it back alive. But now, it's our time to make the jump. So head to the relay, examine it, and opt to jump. It's do-or-die time. Once you jump, you can't jump back without having completed the game. So if there's anything you want to do, now is the time to get it done. Otherwise, you're committed to the center of the galaxy. You've been warned! Also, fully upgrade your ship with all upgrades. You'll be sorry if you don't!
When you resolve to make the jump, you'll be transported back to the Normandy for some extended cutscenes. You'll witness various cutscenes, depending on what you've done in the game (for instance, there's a chance you'll have a rendezvous with a member of your crew here). But for all players, you should see Shepard standing in front of the galaxy map, barking orders at EDI and his crew. You will also witness the Illusive Man visiting one last time with Shepard before he takes off, thanking him for his service, and commending him on his leadership abilities, and an overall job well done. After all of that has run its course, however, it's time to jump. The jump to the center of the galaxy naturally takes its toll on the crew and the ship, but the good news is that you made it in one piece. And in one piece you shall remain. For now, anyway.
Your team isn't the only crew to ever attempt to jump into the Omega-4 Mass Relay. Many, many, many have tried in the past, and none have succeeded in coming back through. You'll witness the result of all of those jumps as soon as you come through, for debris galore is hurtling around the black hole at the center of the galaxy, remnants of ships that unsuccessfully attempted the jump. Some of these ships are outright ancient, suggesting that this cycle has been going on for some time. But just when Joker clears the Normandy out of the debris field, mysterious Collector robots tag on to the ship and begin to chase it. Joker nearly succeeds in getting rid of the robots, but one latches on to the ship. Now, the Normandy is in deep trouble.
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On Saturday, 12 October 2002, Kuta Beach on the Indonesian island of Bali. a popular holiday destination for generations of Australians, was shattered by a terrorist attack. The horrific bombings claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent people, including 88 Australians.
"Sydney's Eastern Suburbs were devasted by the tragic loss of twenty local residents and injuries to many more.
"The community of the City of Randwick remembers all the victims and dedicates this site to those local residents who lost their lives."
The tragedy was particular cogent for residents of Coogee as six of the victims were members of the Coogee Dolphins Rugby League Club. The Dolphins' home ground is Coogee Oval and they meet at the Beach Palace Hotel at the northern end of Coogee Beach close to this memorial.
Gayle Airlie 47 yrs
There are no kangaroos in Austria. We're talking about Australia, the world's smallest continent. That being cleared up, let's dive right in! Australia is a sovereign state under the Commonwealth of Nations, which is in turn overseen by Queen Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth. The continent was first sighted and charted by the Dutch in 1606. Captain James Cook of Britain came along in the next century to claim it for Britain and name it "New South Wales." Shortly thereafter it was declared to be a penal colony full of nothing but criminals and convicts, giving it the crap reputation you may have heard at your last cocktail party. This rumor ignores 40,000 years of pre-European human history, especially the Aboriginal concept of Dreamtime, an interesting explanation of physical and spiritual reality. The two biggest cities in Australia are Sydney and Melbourne. Sydney is more for business, Melbourne for arts. But that's painting in very broad strokes. Take a whirl around the panoramas to see for yourself! Text by Steve Smith.


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A love for adventure. A passion for perfection. An eye for utmost quality.
Land Rover is far more than just an automotive brand, it embodies a way of life and our diverse and exceptional collections promise nothing but the best.
Our Land Rover Branded Goods are designed and crafted with the greatest attention to detail, as nothing less would exceed your and our standards.
The eye-catching 2017 collections include a variety of new and innovative products ranging from top quality apparel to stylish watches and branded accessories.
Some of our branded goods include:


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The Merchant of Venice
Niles | Website
This event occurred in the past.
Map | Find Parking
The Shakespeare Project of Chicago presents this play about a merchant who's forced to offer his flesh as collateral to his rival, a Jewish taxpayer who despises he anti-antisemitism. His best friend's wife disguises herself as a male lawyer to save him.


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|In Stitches
Event Type: Adults
Age Group(s): Adults
Date: 1/17/2019
Start Time: 2:00 PM
End Time: 4:00 PM
Knitting and crocheting are great crafts to learn that you can use to make one of a kind handmade items. The In Stiches Knitting and Crochet Club is open to adults at all skill levels. Come chat and have a snack while you stitch away. Refreshments will be served.Library: Main Branch
Location: East Orange Room
Contact: Nathalia Bermudez
Contact Number: 973-266-7049
Presenter: Adult Services


text:
These sample materials have been provided by state and local associations. NAR has not reviewed these materials and makes no representations about whether they comply with state or federal laws or regulations or applicable NAR policies. The advice of local legal counsel should be obtained before adopting or adapting any of these materials.
Questions? Contact:


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The value of assets owned by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has crossed the Rs 1 crore mark in 2012, from Rs 40 lakh five years ago, as per his affidavit accompanying the nomination papers for Assembly elections.
Modi filed the papers for Maninagar constituency here today.
The value of the assets of the Gujarat CM stood at Rs 40 lakh in 2007. His assets at the time included a plot in Gandhinagar Sector-1, bought for Rs 1,30,488, and valued at Rs 30 lakh.
The market value of this plot has been shown as Rs 1 crore in the present affidavit. The development work on the plot is worth Rs 2,47,208, it says.
Other assets, including bank deposits, gold rings, NSCs,etc, have been valued at Rs 33,42,842.
He has fixed deposits of Rs 22,59,226 at SBI Sachivalaya branch, besides Rs 4,24,836 in savings account. In 2007, Modi had deposits of Rs 8,00,000, and Rs 55,651 in the savings account.
The Chief Minister has added two more bank accounts in the last five years: at Rajkot Nagrik Sahkari Bank (Rs 30,347), and SBI Maninagar (Rs 10,000). He has also invested Rs 20,000 in infrastructure bonds.
His income in the latest I-T return was Rs 1,50,630. He is yet to get I-T refund of Rs 54,403, and has to get back Rs 14,363 lent to someone, the affidavit states.


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cvit necesitaba un nuevo diseño de papelería y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 268 diseños de 51 diseñadores freelance.
ClearView IT
We are a high-end IT consultancy serving small to medium sized businesses as well as large corporations. We provide highly tailored and specifically complex technical solutions that are very simple and easy for our clients to use and manage.
The combination of unparalleled knowledge and ease of use is what sets us apart.
In addition to technical solutions, we also provide design and web development services.
Our target audience is small to medium sized business owners and corporate management teams.
In nearly every case, our customer is highly-educated, but very non-technical.
We deal with male/female equally and the age range is normally 35-45 years old.
Customers choose ClearView IT for the following reasons:
- They trust us
- We provide "just right" guidance and solutions
- We're a stable company
- We're easy to work with and adapt specifically to their needs
- Our staff consists exclusively of experienced senior-level professionals
Below is an outline of what we're looking for, but please feel free to be creative. We're looking for a real stand out card and we promise to provide timely and detailed feedback on design submittals.
- We're looking for something that is a touch conservative for the back of the card, with the front of the card being significantly more artistic, stylish, and/or abstract.
- We would like the design to feel natural/organic/fresh.
- The design should be absolutely non-techie in nature.
- Convey intuitive and ease of use.
- For the sake of readability, it's preferred that the main office contact information be in one block of text with the person's individual contact info in a separate block of text.
- We're looking for designs with great color use.
- Please no designs in light/baby blue.
- Definitely want two-sided card.
- Strongly prefer landscape orientation.
- List the office locations - Phoenix, Tucson, New York.
- Phone/Address information as well as company logo is included in uploaded files.
- We're planning on opening an office in Germany.


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At Norwalk IMAX dispelling the horror movie myth of 'Jaws'
Monsters of the deep, or one of the most unjustly maligned creatures on the planet?
Shark expert Christopher G. Lowe firmly believes the fearful reputation of the Great White Shark basically boils down to the bad public relations that followed in the wake of Peter Benchley and Steven Spielberg joining forces on "Jaws" 40 years ago.
The best-selling 1974 novel and the blockbuster 1975 film turned sharks into monster movie fare on a par with Godzilla or King Kong, causing several generations of moviegoers to think twice about taking a dip in the ocean -- especially at night.
Lowe is one of the marine biologists who contributed to the IMAX movie, "Great White Shark," playing at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, and he hopes the film will dispel some of the "Jaws" horror movie myths.
"People have always felt more comfortable on land. ... Part of the (shark problem) is we are not aquatic creatures and we are scared by what we can't see," Lowe said in a phone interview last week.
The scientist came naturally to his occupation, having grown up fishing and diving off Martha's Vineyard.
"There wasn't much else to do," he said, adding that his grandfather was a commercial fisherman and his great-great uncle Charles W. Morgan was the captain of the whaling ship on display at Mystic Seaport.
"It was just the natural thing for me to do," Lowe said of his love of the sea and marine biology, which eventually led to his current position as professor of marine biology at California State University Long Beach, where he runs the Shark Lab.
Lowe and his students have been studying baby white sharks for the past decade and he is developing robots that would track sharks.
The increased number of Great White sightings on Cape Cod recently, he said, are actually signs that the ocean environment is much healthier than it was a few decades ago.
"They show that coastal systems can come back -- there have been remarkable and amazing improvements," he said. The fact that Great Whites have returned means that the food chain below them is healthy again.
"Top predators are like canaries in the coal mine," he said of the way their presence is a sign that once depleted and over-fished regions have started to recover.
"This is good news, which I know can be hard to accept ... because we now live in a day and age of doom and gloom science," Lowe said.
Great White Sharks also have become a protected species over the past two decades. In California, legislation was passed in 1994 that demands any Great Whites caught by fishermen must be released back into the sea.
Lowe is halfway through writing a book about sharks -- aimed at a general readership -- that will, among other things, examine the fear factor of the post-"Jaws" era.
"One hundred years ago, people were deathly afraid of whales because all they knew was that they killed people. Most people never saw whales, but they would hear about fishermen who died ... when they were trying to kill whales," he said.
The marine biologist chuckled at the thought of one of his whale-fearing ancestors in Mystic seeing today's packed whale-watching cruises that have sprung up in so many coastal areas.
"Somewhere along the line, the PR for whales went from them being dangerous to having to protect them. If we could that with whales, why not with sharks?," Lowe asked.
email@example.com; Twitter:


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I'm coming to a huge milestone in "Mommyhood", in about a month. MY youngest, Joseph will be off to pre-k this fall...there will be noboby home but me and Sierra (the Portuguese Water Dog). I've been on this mommy track for 21 years...it seems like it will never end...but I know that one day the house will be empty...yeah right! shoot there's already the pitter patter of grandkid's feet!
The kids go back to school soon...the summer went by too fast...I didn't get to do nearly all of the things I wanted to do, but we got our annual vacation in, so that was a blessing.
Here's a rare photo of all of them together...I think this is the very first one. Had to take this photo on the spur of the moment because a fellow scrapper at my house didn't realize that all the kids running around that day were all mine (yes... ages 21 to 4 plus 2 yr old grandson)...so I call this the Sound of Music line up. Man I love these kids!
This photo is an opportunity for me to use those Switzerland Stickers (Sound of Music lineup) that have been sitting in my stash for years...just another example of Ethnic Scrapbooking!!


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Thu, Feb 13, 2020
Green Science: Enriching Instruction Through Sustainability
- DOE Division of School Facilities
The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. Up and Down arrows will open main level menus and toggle through sub tier links. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items.
Mon, Feb 17, 2020-Fri, Feb 21, 2020
Wed, Feb 26, 2020
Thu, Apr 09, 2020-Fri, Apr 17, 2020
Thu, May 14, 2020
Wed, May 20, 2020
Thu, May 21, 2020
Mon, May 25, 2020


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STUDIO NO 6 necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 82 diseños de 32 diseñadores freelance.
I am the art director and owner of Studio No. 6 which is a branding and design firm. We offer a high level of creative services and we are looking for amazing talent and the best of design. We are looking for high concept with strong execution and really fresh thinking.
The culture of our company: Fun! Fresh! Innovative!
The personality we are trying to get across is high quality, fresh, never-been seen before.
We are also looking for part-time and full time staff who specialize in logo design.
The market for this particular logo is all of Colorado residents, so very broad. We want to bring awareness to all water issues: water quality, conservation, preservation, etc. And we want to celebrate water! What is unique about Colorado Water? Colorado is a headwaters state meaning the water comes from glaciers and the mountains and is as pure as it comes. Combining the mountains, a stream, a droplet, a "C" would all be on target.
I want to present a variety of concepts:
1. Colorful and fresh, energetic
2. More serious with the idea of conservation and preservation
3. Mountains, water droplet, stream are all important elements
4. It has to communicate Colorado Water
5. This is not about fish or wildlife, no fish please
6. This is not about outdoor water sports
7. It needs to Read: Colorado Water, Water by Colorado, or Colorado Celebrates Water
8. We are looking for the big "Ah-ha", something clever, where you see two images at once perhaps
9. I am attaching a concept which I like but we can not copy this. Can we do something with a reflection?
10. Logo has to work on a white background
11. This is more broad than drinking water, so no glasses of water.
12. A water splash, a reflection, a ripple, and a droplet would all work
Thanks for your help!
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text:
A military squad has safely removed a 250-kilogram World War II bomb found two weeks ago near the runway of a major airport in northern Japan.
The team defused the rusty bomb today and then transported it away from Sendai Airport. More than 30 flights were cancelled while they worked.
Sendai Airport was heavily damaged by last year's tsunami and the bomb was uncovered in construction related to its restoration. The airport was immediately closed, but troops piled hundreds of sandbags around the bomb so that flights could resume the next day.
The airport was closed again today morning as the bomb was removed.
The US heavily bombed Japanese cities during World War II, and finding unexploded bombs is not unusual, even 67 years after Japan's surrender


text:
Safe Handle
Safe Handle
Safe Handle
Represents a wrapper class for operating system handles. This class must be inherited.
public ref class SafeHandle abstract : System::Runtime::ConstrainedExecution::CriticalFinalizerObject, IDisposable
public abstract class SafeHandle : System.Runtime.ConstrainedExecution.CriticalFinalizerObject, IDisposable
type SafeHandle = class
inherit CriticalFinalizerObject
interface IDisposable
Public MustInherit Class SafeHandle
Inherits CriticalFinalizerObject
Implements IDisposable
- Inheritance
- Derived
- Attributes
- Implements
The following code example creates a custom safe handle for an operating system file handle, deriving from SafeHandleZeroOrMinusOneIsInvalid. It reads bytes from a file and displays their hexadecimal values. It also contains a fault testing harness that causes the thread to abort, but the handle value is freed. When using an IntPtr to represent handles, the handle is occasionally leaked due to the asynchronous thread abort.
You will need a text file in the same folder as the compiled application. Assuming that you name the application "HexViewer", the command line usage is:
HexViewer <filename> -Fault
Optionally specify
-Fault to intentionally attempt to leak the handle by aborting the thread in a certain window. Use the Windows Perfmon.exe tool to monitor handle counts while injecting faults.
using System;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.IO;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Security.Permissions;
using System.Security;
using System.Threading;
using Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles;
using System.Runtime.ConstrainedExecution;
namespace SafeHandleDemo
[SecurityPermission(SecurityAction.InheritanceDemand, UnmanagedCode = true)]
[SecurityPermission(SecurityAction.Demand, UnmanagedCode = true)]
internal class MySafeFileHandle : SafeHandleZeroOrMinusOneIsInvalid
// Create a SafeHandle, informing the base class
// that this SafeHandle instance "owns" the handle,
// and therefore SafeHandle should call
// our ReleaseHandle method when the SafeHandle
// is no longer in use.
private MySafeFileHandle()
: base(true)
[ReliabilityContract(Consistency.WillNotCorruptState, Cer.MayFail)]
override protected bool ReleaseHandle()
// Here, we must obey all rules for constrained execution regions.
return NativeMethods.CloseHandle(handle);
// If ReleaseHandle failed, it can be reported via the
// "releaseHandleFailed" managed debugging assistant (MDA). This
// MDA is disabled by default, but can be enabled in a debugger
// or during testing to diagnose handle corruption problems.
// We do not throw an exception because most code could not recover
// from the problem.
internal static class NativeMethods
// Win32 constants for accessing files.
internal const int GENERIC_READ = unchecked((int)0x80000000);
// Allocate a file object in the kernel, then return a handle to it.
[DllImport("kernel32", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Unicode)]
internal extern static MySafeFileHandle CreateFile(String fileName,
int dwDesiredAccess, System.IO.FileShare dwShareMode,
IntPtr securityAttrs_MustBeZero, System.IO.FileMode dwCreationDisposition,
int dwFlagsAndAttributes, IntPtr hTemplateFile_MustBeZero);
// Use the file handle.
[DllImport("kernel32", SetLastError = true)]
internal extern static int ReadFile(MySafeFileHandle handle, byte[] bytes,
int numBytesToRead, out int numBytesRead, IntPtr overlapped_MustBeZero);
// Free the kernel's file object (close the file).
[DllImport("kernel32", SetLastError = true)]
[ReliabilityContract(Consistency.WillNotCorruptState, Cer.MayFail)]
internal extern static bool CloseHandle(IntPtr handle);
// The MyFileReader class is a sample class that accesses an operating system
// resource and implements IDisposable. This is useful to show the types of
// transformation required to make your resource wrapping classes
// more resilient. Note the Dispose and Finalize implementations.
// Consider this a simulation of System.IO.FileStream.
public class MyFileReader : IDisposable
// _handle is set to null to indicate disposal of this instance.
private MySafeFileHandle _handle;
public MyFileReader(String fileName)
// Security permission check.
String fullPath = Path.GetFullPath(fileName);
new FileIOPermission(FileIOPermissionAccess.Read, fullPath).Demand();
// Open a file, and save its handle in _handle.
// Note that the most optimized code turns into two processor
// instructions: 1) a call, and 2) moving the return value into
// the _handle field. With SafeHandle, the CLR's platform invoke
// marshaling layer will store the handle into the SafeHandle
// object in an atomic fashion. There is still the problem
// that the SafeHandle object may not be stored in _handle, but
// the real operating system handle value has been safely stored
// in a critical finalizable object, ensuring against leaking
// the handle even if there is an asynchronous exception.
MySafeFileHandle tmpHandle;
tmpHandle = NativeMethods.CreateFile(fileName, NativeMethods.GENERIC_READ,
FileShare.Read, IntPtr.Zero, FileMode.Open, 0, IntPtr.Zero);
// An async exception here will cause us to run our finalizer with
// a null _handle, but MySafeFileHandle's ReleaseHandle code will
// be invoked to free the handle.
// This call to Sleep, run from the fault injection code in Main,
// will help trigger a race. But it will not cause a handle leak
// because the handle is already stored in a SafeHandle instance.
// Critical finalization then guarantees that freeing the handle,
// even during an unexpected AppDomain unload.
_handle = tmpHandle; // Makes _handle point to a critical finalizable object.
// Determine if file is opened successfully.
if (_handle.IsInvalid)
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error(), fileName);
public void Dispose() // Follow the Dispose pattern - public nonvirtual.
// No finalizer is needed. The finalizer on SafeHandle
// will clean up the MySafeFileHandle instance,
// if it hasn't already been disposed.
// Howerver, there may be a need for a subclass to
// introduce a finalizer, so Dispose is properly implemented here.
[SecurityPermission(SecurityAction.Demand, UnmanagedCode = true)]
protected virtual void Dispose(bool disposing)
// Note there are three interesting states here:
// 1) CreateFile failed, _handle contains an invalid handle
// 2) We called Dispose already, _handle is closed.
// 3) _handle is null, due to an async exception before
// calling CreateFile. Note that the finalizer runs
// if the constructor fails.
if (_handle != null && !_handle.IsInvalid)
// Free the handle
// SafeHandle records the fact that we've called Dispose.
[SecurityPermission(SecurityAction.Demand, UnmanagedCode = true)]
public byte[] ReadContents(int length)
if (_handle.IsInvalid) // Is the handle disposed?
throw new ObjectDisposedException("FileReader is closed");
// This sample code will not work for all files.
byte[] bytes = new byte[length];
int numRead = 0;
int r = NativeMethods.ReadFile(_handle, bytes, length, out numRead, IntPtr.Zero);
// Since we removed MyFileReader's finalizer, we no longer need to
// call GC.KeepAlive here. Platform invoke will keep the SafeHandle
// instance alive for the duration of the call.
if (r == 0)
throw new Win32Exception(Marshal.GetLastWin32Error());
if (numRead < length)
byte[] newBytes = new byte[numRead];
Array.Copy(bytes, newBytes, numRead);
bytes = newBytes;
return bytes;
static class Program
// Testing harness that injects faults.
private static bool _printToConsole = false;
private static bool _workerStarted = false;
private static void Usage()
// Assumes that application is named HexViwer"
Console.WriteLine("HexViewer <fileName> [-fault]");
Console.WriteLine(" -fault Runs hex viewer repeatedly, injecting faults.");
private static void ViewInHex(Object fileName)
_workerStarted = true;
byte[] bytes;
using (MyFileReader reader = new MyFileReader((String)fileName))
bytes = reader.ReadContents(20);
} // Using block calls Dispose() for us here.
if (_printToConsole)
// Print up to 20 bytes.
int printNBytes = Math.Min(20, bytes.Length);
Console.WriteLine("First {0} bytes of {1} in hex", printNBytes, fileName);
for (int i = 0; i < printNBytes; i++)
Console.Write("{0:x} ", bytes[i]);
static void Main(string[] args)
if (args.Length == 0 || args.Length > 2 ||
args[0] == "-?" || args[0] == "/?")
String fileName = args[0];
bool injectFaultMode = args.Length > 1;
if (!injectFaultMode)
_printToConsole = true;
Console.WriteLine("Injecting faults - watch handle count in perfmon (press Ctrl-C when done)");
int numIterations = 0;
while (true)
_workerStarted = false;
Thread t = new Thread(new ParameterizedThreadStart(ViewInHex));
while (!_workerStarted)
t.Abort(); // Normal applications should not do this.
if (numIterations % 10 == 0)
if (numIterations % 10000 == 0)
The SafeHandle class provides critical finalization of handle resources, preventing handles from being reclaimed prematurely by garbage collection and from being recycled by Windows to reference unintended unmanaged objects.
This topic includes the following sections:
Why SafeHandle?
What SafeHandle does
Classes derived from SafeHandle
Why SafeHandle?
Before the .NET Framework version 2.0, all operating system handles could only be encapsulated in the IntPtr managed wrapper object. While this was a convenient way to interoperate with native code, handles could be leaked by asynchronous exceptions, such as a thread aborting unexpectedly or a stack overflow. These asynchronous exceptions are an obstacle to cleaning up operating system resources, and they can occur almost anywhere in your app.
Although overrides to the Object.Finalize method allow cleanup of unmanaged resources when an object is being garbage collected, in some circumstances, finalizable objects can be reclaimed by garbage collection while executing a method within a platform invoke call. If a finalizer frees the handle passed to that platform invoke call, it could lead to handle corruption. The handle could also be reclaimed while your method is blocked during a platform invoke call, such as while reading a file.
More critically, because Windows aggressively recycles handles, a handle could be recycled and point to another resource that might contain sensitive data. This is known as a recycle attack and can potentially corrupt data and be a security threat.
What SafeHandle does
The SafeHandle class simplifies several of these object lifetime issues, and is integrated with platform invoke so that operating system resources are not leaked. The SafeHandle class resolves object lifetime issues by assigning and releasing handles without interruption. It contains a critical finalizer that ensures that the handle is closed and is guaranteed to run during unexpected AppDomain unloads, even in cases when the platform invoke call is assumed to be in a corrupted state.
Because SafeHandle inherits from CriticalFinalizerObject, all the noncritical finalizers are called before any of the critical finalizers. The finalizers are called on objects that are no longer live during the same garbage collection pass. For example, a FileStream object can run a normal finalizer to flush out existing buffered data without the risk of the handle being leaked or recycled. This very weak ordering between critical and noncritical finalizers is not intended for general use. It exists primarily to assist in the migration of existing libraries by allowing those libraries to use SafeHandle without altering their semantics. Additionally, the critical finalizer and anything it calls, such as the SafeHandle.ReleaseHandle() method, must be in a constrained execution region. This imposes constraints on what code can be written within the finalizer's call graph.
Platform invoke operations automatically increment the reference count of handles encapsulated by a SafeHandle and decrement them upon completion. This ensures that the handle will not be recycled or closed unexpectedly.
You can specify ownership of the underlying handle when constructing SafeHandle objects by supplying a value to the
ownsHandle argument in the SafeHandle class constructor. This controls whether the SafeHandle object will release the handle after the object has been disposed. This is useful for handles with peculiar lifetime requirements or for consuming a handle whose lifetime is controlled by someone else.
Classes derived from SafeHandle
SafeHandle is an abstract wrapper class for operating system handles. Deriving from this class is difficult. Instead, use the derived classes in the Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles namespace that provide safe handles for the following:
Files (the SafeFileHandle class).
Memory mapped files (the SafeMemoryMappedFileHandle class).
Pipes (the SafePipeHandle class).
Memory views (the SafeMemoryMappedViewHandle class).
Cryptography constructs (the SafeNCryptHandle, SafeNCryptKeyHandle, SafeNCryptProviderHandle, and SafeNCryptSecretHandle classes).
Processes (the SafeProcessHandle class).
Registry keys (the SafeRegistryHandle class).
Wait handles (the SafeWaitHandle class).
Notes to Inheritors
To create a class derived from SafeHandle, you must know how to create and free an operating system handle. This process is different for different handle types because some use the CloseHandle function, while others use more specific functions such as UnmapViewOfFile or FindClose. For this reason, you must create a derived class of SafeHandle for each operating system handle type that you want to wrap in a safe handle.
When you inherit from SafeHandle, you must override the following members: IsInvalid and ReleaseHandle().
You should also provide a parameterless constructor that calls the base constructor with a value that represent an invalid handle value, and a Boolean value indicating whether the native handle is owned by the SafeHandle and consequently should be freed when that SafeHandle has been disposed.
|SafeHandle() SafeHandle() SafeHandle() SafeHandle()
|SafeHandle(IntPtr, Boolean) SafeHandle(IntPtr, Boolean) SafeHandle(IntPtr, Boolean) SafeHandle(IntPtr, Boolean)
Initializes a new instance of the SafeHandle class with the specified invalid handle value.
|handle handle handle handle
Specifies the handle to be wrapped.
|IsClosed IsClosed IsClosed IsClosed
Gets a value indicating whether the handle is closed.
|IsInvalid IsInvalid IsInvalid IsInvalid
When overridden in a derived class, gets a value indicating whether the handle value is invalid.
for full trust for inheritors. This member cannot be inherited by partially trusted code.
requires full trust for the immediate caller. This member cannot be used by partially trusted or transparent code.