Rapid read-out biological indicator
First Claim
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1. A sterility indicator comprisinga) an outer container having liquid impermeable and substantially gas non-absorptive walls, said container having at least one opening therein;
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c) contained within said outer container, a detectable amount of active enzyme isolated from an appropriate microorganism, said enzyme having sufficient activity following a sterilization cycle which is sublethal to at least one test microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, to react with an effective amount of a substrate system for said enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product within less tan twenty-four hours, yet said enzyme having activity which is reduced to "background" following a sterilization cycle which is lethal to said test microorganisms.
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Abstract
A rapid method of determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle, and an indicator adapted to perform such method, comprising subjecting to the sterilization cycle a source of active enzyme having activity which correlates with the viability of a microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, and incubating the enzyme source, following the completion of the sterilization cycle, with an effective amount of a substrate system capable of reacting with any residual active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A sterility indicator comprising
a) an outer container having liquid impermeable and substantially gas non-absorptive walls, said container having at least one opening therein; - and
b) a gas-transmissive, bacterial impermeable means covering said opening; and c) contained within said outer container, a detectable amount of active enzyme isolated from an appropriate microorganism, said enzyme having sufficient activity following a sterilization cycle which is sublethal to at least one test microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, to react with an effective amount of a substrate system for said enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product within less tan twenty-four hours, yet said enzyme having activity which is reduced to "background" following a sterilization cycle which is lethal to said test microorganisms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification