Chemical indicator for determining the adequacy of a liquid sterilization process
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorRodney K. Hehenberger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sterilization indicator that presents a visually distinct and uniform color transition after having been passed through sterilizing conditions. This sterilization indicator has a base layer with an indicator compound applied to at least an indicating region thereon. It also has a raised lamina attached to the base layer so as to substantially surround the indicating region.
Claims8
A sterilization indicator for a liquid sterilization procedure, comprising:
- a base layer having an indicator composition associated with an indicating region thereof, the indicator compound designed to changed color when the sterilization indicator is placed in a liquid sterilization procedure;
- and
- a raised portion attached to the base layer so as to substantially surround the indicating region.
A method of evaluating the uniformity of a chemical sterlization indicator change comprising the steps of:
- subjecting a first chemical indicator to a lethal sterilization cycle;
- subjecting a second chemical indicator to a non-lethal sterilization cycle;
- objectively reading the color of the first chemical indicator;
- objectively reading the color of the second chemical indicator;
- comparing the colors of the first and second readers to determine the color change.
A method of evaluating the uniformity of a chemical sterilization indicator change comprising the steps of:
- subjecting a chemical indicator to a lethal sterilization cycle;
- objectively reading the color of the first chemical indicator at a first location;
- objectively reading the color of the first chemical indicator at a second location that is spaced from the first location;
- comparing the colors at the first and second locations to assess the uniformity of the color.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.