Methods and apparatus for indicating sterilization or disinfection of objects

• US 20050254992A1
• Filed: 06/23/2005
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Uv-Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Uv-Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Eckhardt, Richard, Jenkins, Geoffrey H.
• Application Number:
  US11/165,096
• Publication Number:
  US 20050254992A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/28 Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour apparatus involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M1/34; methods involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q1/00

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for indicating a successful sterilization or disinfection of an object are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, an object to be sterilized or disinfected by an ultraviolet sterilization/disinfection device comprises material responsive to ultraviolet light to indicate successful sterilization or disinfection of the object through exposure to ultraviolet light.

Claims

1. An object to be sterilized or disinfected by an ultraviolet sterilization/disinfection device, comprising:

material responsive to ultraviolet light to indicate successful sterilization or disinfection of the object through exposure to ultraviolet light.

2. The object of claim 1, wherein the material is disposed on the surface of the object.

3. The object of claim 1, wherein the material is formed within at least a portion of the object.

4. The object of claim 1, wherein the object is formed of plastic, and wherein the material is included within the plastic.

5. The object of claim 1, wherein the object is a stethoscope.

6. The object of claim 1, wherein the object is a thermometer.

7. The object of claim 1, wherein the object is a drinking glass.

8. The object of claim 1, wherein the object is a pulse oximeter.

9. The object of claim 1, wherein the object is a toothbrush.

10. The object of claim 1, wherein the object is an otoscope.

11. The object of claim 1, wherein the object is a blood pressure meter.

12. The object of claim 1, wherein the object is a dental pick.

13. The object of claim 1, wherein the object is a dental tool.

14. The object of claim 1, wherein the object is a hygenic tool.

15. The object of claim 1, wherein the object is a medical tool.

16. The object of claim 1, in combination with an ultraviolet light sterilization/disinfection device;

wherein the object is configured to be sterilized or disinfected by the sterilization/disinfection device.

17. The combination of claim 16, wherein the object includes material responsive to ultraviolet light to indicate a degree of exposure of the object to ultraviolet light.

18. The combination of claim 16, wherein the object includes material responsive to ultraviolet light to indicate successful sterilization or disinfection of the object using ultraviolet light.

19. The object of claim 1, wherein the material changes color in response to ultraviolet light.

20. The object of claim 19, wherein the object is a stethoscope.

21. The object of claim 19, wherein the object is a thermometer.

22. The object of claim 19, wherein the object is a drinking glass.

23. The object of claim 19, wherein the object is a pulse oximeter.

24. The object of claim 19, wherein the object is a toothbrush.

25. The object of claim 19, wherein the object is an otoscope.

26. The object of claim 19, wherein the object is a blood pressure meter.

27. The object of claim 19, wherein the object is a dental pick.

28. The object of claim 19, wherein the object is a dental tool.

29. The object of claim 19, wherein the object is a hygenic tool.

30. The object of claim 19, wherein the object is a medical tool.

31. The object of claim 19, in combination with an ultraviolet light sterilization/disinfection device;

wherein the object is configured to be sterilized or disinfected by the sterilization/disinfection device.

32. The combination of claim 31, wherein the object includes material responsive to ultraviolet light to indicate a degree of exposure of the object to ultraviolet light.

33. The combination of claim 31, wherein the object includes material responsive to ultraviolet light to indicate successful sterilization or disinfection of the object using ultraviolet light.