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Steam sterilization indicator

  • US 5,158,363 A
  • Filed: 08/16/1991
  • Issued: 10/27/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A steam sterilization indicator for use in a fabric pack comprising:

  • a backing strip;

    a tablet formed of a compound having a normal melting point greater than a predetermined temperature, said melting point being depressed below said predetermined temperature by absorption of water into the compound when said compound is exposed to saturated steam at the predetermined temperature, said predetermined temperature being below the normal melting point of the compound, said tablet being mounted on said backing strip;

    wicking means for absorbing the compound after melting of the tablet disposed on said backing strip, said wicking means having a first end positioned in intimate contact with said compound;

    a transparent steam permeable membrane adhesively bonded to said backing strip and covering said tablet and said wicking means, said steam permeable membrane controlling the exposure of said tablet to steam;

    a handle having a first end and second end affixed to said backing strip at said first end, said handle being dimensioned to extend externally of said fabric pack when said backing strip is disposed within said fabric pack and steam exposure indicating means mounted to said handle at said second end for indicating exposure of said steam sterilization indicator to steam and acceptance indicating means for determining, in cooperation with said wicking means and absorbed compound, whether said fabric pack has been sterilized.

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