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Integrated chemical indicator device

  • US 9,726,652 B2
  • Filed: 10/10/2014
  • Issued: 08/08/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An indicator device that semi-quantitatively assesses the dose of a sterilant to which an object is exposed during a single cycle of a low temperature sterilization process utilizing ethylene oxide or hydrogen peroxide as sterilants, consisting of:

  • a. a support;

    b. a chemical indicator ink composition dispersed in a uniform concentration on the support, consisting of(i) a single dye, which, when reacted directly with the sterilant, achieves at least three different, distinct color changes corresponding to different doses of sterilant to which the device was exposed during the single sterilization cycle;

    (ii) a binder consisting of nitrocellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, a polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate or a mixture of two or more thereof present in amounts ranging from about 5 wt. % to about 90 wt. %;

    (iii) a UV-protectant consisting of 2-(2′

    -hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole or derivatives of benzophenone, or mixtures thereof present in amounts ranging from about 0.5 wt. % to about 5 wt. %;

    (iv) a silicone-based anti-foaming agent present in amounts ranging from about 0.1 wt. % to about 2 wt. %; and

    (v) a plasticizer present in amounts ranging from about 0.5 wt. % to about 5 wt. %, andc. a pre-calibrated visual color chart for assessing, semi-quantitatively, the dose of sterilant to which the device was exposed based upon the color change achieved,wherein the single dye consists of pararosaniline base present in amounts ranging from about 0.05 wt. % to about 10 wt. %; and

    wherein the weight percentages are based upon the total weight of the chemical indicator ink composition.

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