Test device for checking a pre-vacuum steam sterilization apparatus

Test device capable of checking for the presence of non-condensable undesirable gases, and therefore the quality of the sterilizing steam in a pre-vacuum apparatus intended for sterilization with said steam, and including an envelope holding elements of the device, said test device including a receptacle forming an elongate chamber closed at a distal end and open at a proximal end;

• said chamber containing a filling load occupying at least a portion of a volume of said chamber;
• at least one undesirable gas presence indicator arranged toward the distal closed end of the chamber;
• the envelope having a high thermal inertia at least around the distal end of the chamber;
• the undesirable gas presence indicator comprising an electronic temperature sensor which is able to allow calculation of a proportion of said non-condensable undesirable gas in the atmosphere at the distal end of the chamber;
• and the filling load comprising at least, in an operating position of the chamber, one path enabling a flow by gravity of water condensed in the chamber from the steam primarily forming the atmosphere of the chamber, to the opening of the proximal end, wherein the filling load consists of at least one rigid element.