Patent · US Expired

Rapid read-out sterility indicator

US5223401A · kind A · utility

83Cited by
26References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 29, 1988
Grant dateJun 29, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 29, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S436/805
  • WIPO fieldBiotechnology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A unitary sterility indicator and a method for its use, the indicator comprising an outer container having liquid impermeable and gas non-absorptive walls, and having a gas-transmissive, bacteria impermeable opening therein; contained within the outer container, a detectable amount of a source of active enzyme and/or another microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization; a sealed, openable gas and liquid impermeable inner container containing an aqueous medium and/or a nutrient growth medium, disposed in the outer container; an enzyme substrate system capable of reacting with active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product and/or a detector material sensitive to microorganism growth, contained in one of the containers; and means contained within the outer container for restricting the area in which enzyme-modified product and/or growing microorganisms are contained, after the inner container is opened, to an area which is less than the volume of aqueous solution contained in the inner container.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.