US 6,581,435 B2Granted

Method and apparatus for calibration of instruments that monitor the concentration of a sterilant in a system

AssigneeAbbott Laboratories

InventorsJianjun Wang, David A. Mondiek, Dennis V. Boruszewski, David P. Guntrip

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A method and apparatus for calibrating a sensor for determination of the concentration of a sterilant, e.g., hydrogen peroxide vapor, in a sterilization system. This invention provides a method for calibrating a sensor that is used for measuring the quantity of a sterilant in a system for delivering the sterilant, the method comprising the steps of: (a) generating reference calibration data, the reference calibration data showing a mathematical relationship between a measurable parameter, e.g. voltage, and a quantity of the sterilant, e.g., parts of sterilant per million parts of air (ppm), for a plurality of sensors; (b) generating sensor calibration data, the sensor calibration data showing a mathematical relationship between the measurable parameter and the quantity of the sterilant for an individual sensor; and (c) normalizing the sensor calibration data to compensate for the difference between the measurable parameter for the reference calibration data and the measurable parameter for the sensor calibration data, whereby data obtained by the individual sensor can be used to accurately determine the quantity of sterilant in the system.

Claims2

Dependent claims

A method for verifying that a sensor for measuring the quantity of sterilant in a system for delivering said sterilant has been calibrated accurately, wherein said sterilant is delivered in a stream of flowing air, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) performing at least two static test runs for said sensor to obtain readings of concentration of sterilant vapor;
(b) performing at least two dynamic test runs for said sensor to obtain readings of concentration of sterilant vapor;
(c) comparing the results of said at least two static test runs;
(d) comparing the results of said at least two dynamic test runs;
(e) concluding that (1) the flow rate of air has changed or (2) the rate of addition of sterilant to the system has changed or (3) said sensor is unreliable if (i) if said readings of concentration of sterilant vapor determined in said static test runs remain substantially constant, but said readings of concentration of sterilant vapor determined in said dynamic test runs vary substantially or (ii) if said readings of concentration of sterilant vapor determined in said static test runs vary substantially, but said readings of concentration of sterilant vapor determined in said dynamic test runs remain substantially constant.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/196,036Filed 16 Jul 2002 · division
Priority: 15 Feb 2001
Published: US 2003/0084703 A18 May 2003
Granted: 24 Jun 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

A61L 2/208
Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours: hydrogen peroxide
A61L 2/28
Accessories: devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation or disinfection, e.g. indicators which change colour
G01D 18/00
Testing or calibrating apparatus or arrangements provided for in groups g01d1/00 -
G01N 27/4163
Systems: checking the operation of, or calibrating, the measuring apparatus

Family

Application09/784,710Parent of this division · filed 15 Feb 2001
US 2003/0084703 A1Pre-grant publication · published 8 May 2003
US 2002/0152792 A1Published application
US 6,612,149 B2Related patent
US 6,581,435 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.