Patent · US Expired

Sterilization indicator with chemically stabilized enzyme

US6355448B1 · kind B1 · utility

37Cited by
49References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 12, 1999
Grant dateMar 12, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 12, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC12Q1/22
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A sterilization indicator for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure comprises a source of an enzyme, a sterilant-resistant chemical associated with the enzyme, and a substrate that reacts with the enzyme to form a detectable enzyme-modified product that provides an indication of the failure of the sterilization procedure. The sterilant-resistant chemical may be a polyglycerol alkyl ester, polyglycerol alkyl ether, an ethoxylated polyhydric alcohol ester, or a polyhydric alcohol ether. The indicator may be used to test the effectiveness of a hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization procedure and may be provided with a non-challenge test pack or a lumen-challenge test pack.

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