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US 4,596,773 AGranted
Sterilization indicator
AssigneeConcord Laboratories, Inc.
InventorRobert P. Wheeler, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sterilization indicator for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization process and a sterilization process using such an indicator are described. The indicator includes a container for holding a number of viable microorganisms and a quantity of nutrient medium; a separation member that prevents the nutrient medium from contacting the microorganisms; a penetration member that penetrates the separation member to allow the nutrient medium to contact the microorganisms and a cap, coupled to the penetration member, to seal the microorganisms and nutrient medium within the container.
Claims27
A sterilization indicator comprising:
- means for containing a number of viable microorganisms and a quantity of nutrient medium which promotes the growth of said microorganisms;
- a stopper forming a seal within said containing means to enclose said nutrient medium in a portion of said containing means separate from said microorganisms until it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium;
- means for penetrating said stopper to allow said nutrient medium to contact said microorganisms;
- and
- cap means, coupled to said penetrating means, for sealing said microorganisms and said nutrient medium within said containing means after said stopper has been penetrated.
2 more elements
A sterilization indicator comprising:
- means for containing a number of viable microorganisms and a quantity of nutrient medium which promotes the growth of said microorganisms;
- separation means for enclosing said nutrient medium within a portion of said containing means to separate said nutrient medium from said microorganisms until it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium;
- an elongated member for penetrating said separation means to allow said nutrient medium to contact said microorganisms;
- plunger means, connected to said elongated member, for pushing against said separation means to move said separation means relative to said containing means so as to reduce the size of said portion of said containing means and to force said nutrient medium out of said portion of said containing means and into contact with said microorganisms;
- and
- cap means, coupled to said plunger means, for enclosing said microorganisms and said nutrient medium within said containing means after said separating means has been penetrated.
3 more elements
A sterilization indicator comprising:
- means for containing a number of viable microorganisms and a quantity of nutrient medium which promotes the growth of said microorganisms;
- separation means for enclosing said nutrient medium within a portion of said containing means to separate said nutrient medium from said microorganisms until it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium;
- a plunger inserted within said containing means, said plunger including penetration means, at one end thereof, for penetrating said separation means to allow said nutrient medium to contact said microorganisms and said plunger including shoulder members extending from said penetration means to push against said separation means to move said separation means relative to said containing means so as to reduce the size of said portion of said containing means and to force said nutrient medium out of said portion of said container and into contact with said microorganisms after said separation means has been penetrated;
- a cap connected to the plunger at the opposite end of said penetration means, said cap sealing said containing means when said plunger has been fully inserted into said containing means;
- and
- means, connected to said cap, for holding said plunger partially inserted within said containing means, said holding means including means for allowing air to pass into said containing means.
3 more elements
A method for checking the effectiveness of a sterilization process, said method comprising:
- placing a sterilization indicator into a sterilization chamber along with objects to be sterilized, said sterilization indicator comprising means for containing a number of viable microorganisms and a quantity of nutrient medium which promotes the growth of said microorganisms;
- a stopper forming a seal within said containing means to enclose said nutrient medium in a portion of said containing means separate from said microorganisms until it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium;
- means for penetrating said stopper to allow said nutrient medium to contact said microorganisms;
- and cap means, coupled to said penetrating means, for sealing said microorganisms and said nutrient medium within said containing means after said stopper has been penetrated;
- including a detector composition within said containing means, said detector composition being capable of undergoing a detectable change in response to the growth of said microorganisms;
- removing the sterilization indicator from the sterilization chamber along with the objects being sterilized after completion of the sterilization cycle;
- penetrating said stopper to allow said microorganisms to contact the nutrient medium;
- sealing said microorganisms and said nutrient medium within said containing means;
- incubating the sterilization indicator for a predetermined period of time of promote the growth of the microorganisms;
- and
- examining the sterilization indicator for said detectable change in response to the growth of the microorganisms.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.