Biological sterilization indicator, system, and methods of using same
First Claim
1. A biological sterilization indicator comprising:
- a housing;
a spore reservoir located in the housing, the spore reservoir comprising a locus of spores, the spore reservoir having a volume, wherein the locus of spores is positioned on a carrier;
a first reservoir positioned in fluid communication with the locus of spores;
a channel positioned to fluidly couple the first reservoir to the spore reservoir;
a second reservoir containing a liquid, the second reservoir having a closed state in which the second reservoir is not in fluid communication with the spore reservoir and an open state in which the second reservoir is in fluid communication with the spore reservoir, wherein the second reservoir is defined by a frangible container, and wherein the frangible container is positioned within the first reservoir; and
a wicking material positioned adjacent the channel to facilitate flow of the liquid from an interior of the housing into the spore reservoir when the second reservoir is in the open state, wherein the wicking material is separate from the carrier.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A biological sterilization indicator, system, and methods of determining the effectiveness of a sterilization process. The biological sterilization indicator can include a locus of spores, a reservoir containing a liquid, and a sterilant path positioned to provide fluid communication between ambience and the locus of spores. The reservoir can have a closed state in which the reservoir is not in fluid communication with the locus of spores and an open state in which the reservoir is in fluid communication with the locus of spores. The biological sterilization indicator system can include the biological sterilization indicator and a detection device adapted to be coupled to the biological sterilization indicator. In some embodiments, the method can include assaying the spores for a detectable change in a characteristic, and detecting substantially all of the detectable change.
84 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A biological sterilization indicator comprising:
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a housing; a spore reservoir located in the housing, the spore reservoir comprising a locus of spores, the spore reservoir having a volume, wherein the locus of spores is positioned on a carrier; a first reservoir positioned in fluid communication with the locus of spores; a channel positioned to fluidly couple the first reservoir to the spore reservoir; a second reservoir containing a liquid, the second reservoir having a closed state in which the second reservoir is not in fluid communication with the spore reservoir and an open state in which the second reservoir is in fluid communication with the spore reservoir, wherein the second reservoir is defined by a frangible container, and wherein the frangible container is positioned within the first reservoir; and a wicking material positioned adjacent the channel to facilitate flow of the liquid from an interior of the housing into the spore reservoir when the second reservoir is in the open state, wherein the wicking material is separate from the carrier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification