Biological test pack for ethylene oxide sterilization
US5955296A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12Q1/22
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A disposable biological test pack for determining the efficacy of ETO gas sterilizers comprising a plastic housing which in turn houses a plastic vial holding biological spores. The plastic housing is closed at one end by a rubber cap and at the other end by an end plug with a porous paper/plastic insert or plug which allows sterilant to enter the tube in metered amounts to kill the biological spores contained within a plastic vial otherwise referred to as a self-contained biological indicator. If insufficient sterilant is present the biological spores will survive upon incubation which indicates a failure of the sterilization equipment. The present invention is unique in that it uses low porosity filter material to restrain the entry of the sterilant. By doing so the test pack stimulates the performance of the AAMI standard test pack. The test pack can be made very small and at low cost which reduces the cost to the end user and utilizes less space than currently available products designed for a similar purpose. Furthermore, since it can be made consistently and samples tested, it is more reliable then biological test packs made from syringes and towels assembled by hospital pers…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.