Container monitoring system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for monitoring a sterilization or disinfection process comprising:
- a container defining a first space and a second space, the first space and second spac being in fluid communication with each other;
the first space being adapted to contain one or more articles to be sterilized or disinfected;
the second space having therein at least one indicator for indicating at least one parameter relevant to the sterilization or disinfection process;
an antimicrobial source for providing an antimicrobial agent to the first space, wherein the antimicrobial source comprises an aperture into the first space from outside of the container whereby antimicrobial fluids in space around the container may diffuse into the first space through the aperture, a flow restriction between the first space and the second space; and
wherein the second space is in fluid communication with the antimicrobial source only through the first space.
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Abstract
A sterilization system uses a sterilization process monitoring device which is capable of indicating the efficacy of the sterilization process. To enhance accuracy of the monitoring function, the monitoring device is located in such a fashion that an antimicrobial agent used in the process can only reach the monitor through an area containing the article to be sterilized.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring a sterilization or disinfection process comprising:
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a container defining a first space and a second space, the first space and second spac being in fluid communication with each other;
the first space being adapted to contain one or more articles to be sterilized or disinfected;
the second space having therein at least one indicator for indicating at least one parameter relevant to the sterilization or disinfection process;
an antimicrobial source for providing an antimicrobial agent to the first space, wherein the antimicrobial source comprises an aperture into the first space from outside of the container whereby antimicrobial fluids in space around the container may diffuse into the first space through the aperture, a flow restriction between the first space and the second space; and
wherein the second space is in fluid communication with the antimicrobial source only through the first space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for monitoring a sterilization or disinfection process comprising:
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a container defining a first space and a second space, the first space and second space being in fluid communication with each other;
the first space being adapted to contain one or more articles to be sterilized or disinfected;
the second space having therein at least one indicator for indicating at least one parameter relevant to the sterilization or disinfection process;
a flow restriction between the first space and the second space;
an antimicrobial source for providing an antimicrobial agent to the first space; and
wherein the second space is in fluid communication with the antimicrobial source only through the first space.
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13. A system for monitoring a sterilization or disinfection process comprising:
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a container defining a first space and a second space, the first space and second space being in fluid communication with each other;
the first space being adapted to contain one or more articles to be sterilized or disinfected;
the second space having therein at least one indicator for indicating at least one parameter relevant to the sterilization or disinfection process;
the first space being divided into two or more subspaces connected in series between the source of antimicrobial fluid and the second space;
an antimicrobial source for providing an antimicrobial agent to the first space; and
wherein the second space is in fluid communication with the antimicrobial source only through the first space. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A system for monitoring a sterilization or disinfection process comprising:
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a container defining a first space and a second space, the first space and second space being in fluid communication with each other;
the first space being adapted to contain one or more articles to be sterilized or disinfected;
the second space having therein at least one indicator for indicating at least one parameter relevant to the sterilization or disinfection process;
an antimicrobial source for providing an antimicrobial agent to the first space wherein the antimicrobial fluid comprises hydrogen peroxide; and
wherein the second space is in fluid communication with the antimicrobial source only through the first space.
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16. A system for monitoring a sterilization or disinfection process comprising:
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a container defining a first space and a second space, the first space and second space being in fluid communication with each other;
the first space being adapted to contain one or more articles to be sterilized or disinfected;
the second space having therein at least one indicator for indicating at least one parameter relevant to the sterilization or disinfection process;
an antimicrobial source for providing an antimicrobial agent to the first space;
wherein the second space is in fluid communication with the antimicrobial source only through the first space; and
further comprising a fan adapted to assist flow through the container from the source of antimicrobial fluid to the second space.
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17. A method for monitoring a disinfection or sterilization procedure comprising the steps of:
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providing a container having a first space and a second space in fluid communication with each other;
placing an article to be disinfected or sterilized into the first space;
placing at least one indicator into the second space;
providing an antimicrobial agent to the first space;
flowing said antimicrobial agent to the second space only from the first space and reading a relevant function of the disinfection or sterilization procedure with the indicator; and
wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises hydrogen peroxide.
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19. A method for monitoring a disinfection or sterilization procedure comprising the steps of:
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providing a container having a first space and a second space in fluid communication with each other;
placing an article to be disinfected or sterilized into the first space;
placing at least one indicator into the second space;
providing an antimicrobial agent to the first space;
flowing said antimicrobial agent to the second space only from the first space and reading a relevant function of the disinfection or sterilization procedure with the indicator; and
further comprising the step of assisting the flow of the antimicrobial agent through the first space and to the second space with a fan. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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20. A method for monitoring a disinfection or sterilization procedure comprising the steps of:
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providing a container having a first space and a second space in fluid communication with each other;
placing an article to be disinfected or sterilized into the first space;
placing at least one indicator into the second space;
providing an antimicrobial agent to the first space;
flowing said antimicrobial agent to the second space only from the first space and reading a relevant function of the disinfection or sterilization procedure with the indicator; and
further comprising the step of recirculating the antimicrobial agent back to the first space from the second space.
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21. A method for monitoring a disinfection or sterilization procedure comprising the steps of:
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providing a container having a first space and a second space in fluid communication with each other;
placing an article to be disinfected or sterilized into the first space;
placing at least one indicator into the second space;
providing an antimicrobial agent to the first space;
flowing said antimicrobial agent to the second space only from the first space and reading a relevant function of the disinfection or sterilization procedure with the indicator; and
wherein the container is a pouch and further comprising the step of sealing the first space from the second space after flowing the antimicrobial agent into the second space and then removing the indicator from the second space. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification