Disposable biological indicator test pack for monitoring steam and ethylene oxide sterilization cycles
First Claim
1. A device for monitoring the efficacy of steam and ethylene oxide sterilization cycles comprising:
- a housing having an interior made of a material having heat sink, insulating and moisture absorbent properties, said housing being configured to define at least one tortuous path for entry of sterilant into said housing, said tortuous path having a moisture absorbent surface and being dimensioned to promote intimate contact between said sterilant and said surface as said sterilant moves along said tortuous path;
means for optionally providing an alternate path of entry of sterilant into said housing; and
a biological indicator within said housing which includes a calibration of microbes which are resistant to sterilization by steam and ethylene oxide.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A disposable test pack for monitoring the efficacy of steam or ethylene oxide sterilization cycles includes a fiber board housing for a bioligical indicator. The housing includes an outer tube and a shorter inner tube. The outer tube has upper and lower portions which define a seam or gap at their adjoining open ends. The inner tube extends past the seam and telescopes into the upper and lower portions. The seam and the close tolerance between the inner tube and the upper and lower portions of the outer tube provide a tortuous path for the entry of sterilant into the interior of the housing. The tortuous path has a moisture absorbent surface and is dimensioned to promote intimate contact between the sterilant and the absorbent surface. The exterior of the housing can be lined with foil to prevent sterilant from permeating the housing, thereby preventing entry of the steam by any path other than through the seam. A hole covered by an optionally removable tab is provided at the end of the upper portion of the outer tube for use in monitoring ethylene oxide sterilization cycles.
70 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A device for monitoring the efficacy of steam and ethylene oxide sterilization cycles comprising:
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a housing having an interior made of a material having heat sink, insulating and moisture absorbent properties, said housing being configured to define at least one tortuous path for entry of sterilant into said housing, said tortuous path having a moisture absorbent surface and being dimensioned to promote intimate contact between said sterilant and said surface as said sterilant moves along said tortuous path; means for optionally providing an alternate path of entry of sterilant into said housing; and a biological indicator within said housing which includes a calibration of microbes which are resistant to sterilization by steam and ethylene oxide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A device for monitoring the efficacy of steam and ethylene oxide sterilization cycles comprising:
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a housing having an inner member and an outer member, said outer member having a first entryway therethrough to at least one tortuous path defined between said inner and outer members, said tortuous path having a moisture absorbent surface and being dimensioned to promote intimate contact between said sterilant and said surface as said sterilant moves along said tortuous path; said housing having an alternate entryway therethrough; means removably sealing said alternate entryway for optionally providing a second path of entry of sterilant into said housing; and a biological indicator within said housing which includes a calibration of microbes which are resistant to sterilization by steam and ethylene oxide. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification