Biological indicator reader systems for determining efficacy of sterilization
US12410459B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2022 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2044 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/94
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A biological indicator includes: a BI housing; a germinant container inside the BI housing and housing a germinant composition; a germinant releaser configured to release the germinant composition from the germinant container; a germinant releaser support supporting the germinant releaser and configured to bring the germinant releaser into contact with the germinant container upon application of a force to the germinant releaser support or the germinant container; a first spore carrier inside the BI housing, the first spore carrier having a plurality of spores deposited at a first surface thereof; and an imaging window at a first surface of the BI housing. A BI reader is configured to detect and quantify the presence of live spores in the BI, and includes an excitation source, a camera for capturing images of the spores over time, and a processor for analyzing the images to determine the presence of live spores.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.