Monitoring of sterilant apparatus and method for monitoring sterilant

US6491881B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Ben Fryer · Lake Forest, US
• Debra Timm · Lake Forest, US
• Szu-Min Lin · Laguna Hills, US
• Henry Hui · Glen Gardner, US
• Sam Nutt · Irvine, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 19, 2000
• Grant date: Dec 10, 2002
• Expiry date: Dec 19, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T436/206664
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus for monitoring the concentration of an oxidative gas or vapor includes a chemical substance which reacts with the oxidative gas or vapor to produce a heat change. A temperature probe is coupled to the chemical substance and adapted to respond to the heat change. The temperature probe can be coupled to the chemical substance by a carrier, and can include a reference temperature probe. Additionally, a method of using the apparatus is described, as well as a sterilization system which utilizes the apparatus.