Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080199903 | Biological indicator - A biological indicator for monitoring the effectiveness of a sterilizing, disinfecting, etc., compound or condition is disclosed which comprises a substrate having a surface layer containing functional groups thereon desirably free of silicone linking groups. The functional groups are desirably in the form of a monolayer of a uniformed distribution and of a selected quantity. Various types of microorganisms such as spores and/or etiological agents are covalently bonded to the surface layer functional groups through a crosslinking reagent and thus form a uniform number and distribution of the microorganisms and/or etiological agents. After being subjected to sterilization or other similar treatment, etc., along with various articles such as instruments, the indicator can be cultivated to determine the effectiveness of the sterilization, disinfection, etc. process. | 08-21-2008 |
20090047176 | INDICATOR FOR MONITORING A STERILIZATION PROCESS - The disclosed invention relates to an indicator composition comprising at least one iodide salt, at least one binder, at least one carbonate salt and/or at least one sulfate salt, and at least one antioxidant. The indicator composition may contain at least one dye, complexing agent, inhibitor, and/or solvent. A sterilization indicator comprising the foregoing indicator composition is disclosed. The sterilization indicator may be used for monitoring sterilization processes involving oxidative chemistries. | 02-19-2009 |
20090117603 | STERILIZATION INDICATOR - The disclosed technology relates to a sterilization indicator and a process to concentrate signal generated by constraining it to a minimal surface, in a minimal volume and minimal pH and growth buffering or mediating influences. The sterilization indicator may comprise a carrier | 05-07-2009 |
20100081165 | SELF-CONTAINED BIOLOGICAL INDICATOR - The disclosed invention provides a self-contained sterilization indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of a sterilization process. The sterilization indicator includes a cap configured for housing a growth medium, the cap being mountable on a container that contains a concentration of microorganisms. The cap comprises an inner chamber for housing the growth media. The inner chamber has an opening and a breakable barrier overlying the opening for encapsulating the growth media within the inner chamber of the cap. The biological indicator is adapted for breaking the breakable barrier at a selected time to introduce the growth medium into the container such that the growth medium contacts the microorganisms. | 04-01-2010 |
20100143930 | Biological indicator - A biological indicator for monitoring the effectiveness of a sterilizing or disinfecting treatment or process. A compound or condition is disclosed which comprises a substrate having a surface layer containing functional groups thereon desirably free of silicon linking groups. The functional groups are desirably in the form of a monolayer of a uniformed distribution and of a selected quantity. Various types of microorganism indicators, such as spores, and/or etiological agent indicators are covalently bonded to the surface layer functional groups through a crosslinking reagent and thus form a uniform number and distribution of the microorganism and/or etiological agent indicators. After being subjected to sterilization or other similar disinfecting treatments or processes, along with various articles such as instruments, the indicator can be cultivated to determine the effectiveness of the sterilization, disinfection, etc. treatment or process. | 06-10-2010 |
20100151562 | Biological indicator - A biological indicator for monitoring the effectiveness of a sterilizing or disinfecting treatment or process. A compound or condition is disclosed which comprises a substrate having a surface layer containing functional groups thereon desirably free of silicon linking groups. The functional groups are desirably in the form of a monolayer of a uniformed distribution and of a selected quantity. Various types of microorganism indicators, such as spores, and/or etiological agent indicators are covalently bonded to the surface layer functional groups through a crosslinking reagent and thus form a uniform number and distribution of the microorganism and/or etiological agent indicators. After being subjected to sterilization or other similar disinfecting treatments or processes, along with various articles such as instruments, the indicator can be cultivated to determine the effectiveness of the sterilization, disinfection, etc. treatment or process. | 06-17-2010 |
20100151563 | Biological indicator - A biological indicator for monitoring the effectiveness of a sterilizing or disinfecting treatment or process. A compound or condition is disclosed which comprises a substrate having a surface layer containing functional groups thereon desirably free of silicon linking groups. The functional groups are desirably in the form of a monolayer of a uniformed distribution and of a selected quantity. Various types of microorganism indicators, such as spores, and/or etiological agent indicators are covalently bonded to the surface layer functional groups through a crosslinking reagent and thus form a uniform number and distribution of the microorganism and/or etiological agent indicators. After being subjected to sterilization or other similar disinfecting treatments or processes, along with various articles such as instruments, the indicator can be cultivated to determine the effectiveness of the sterilization, disinfection, etc. treatment or process. | 06-17-2010 |
20100248296 | STERILIZATION INDICATOR - The disclosed technology relates to a sterilization indicator and a process to concentrate signal generated by constraining it to a minimal surface, in a minimal volume and minimal pH and growth buffering or mediating influences. The sterilization indicator may comprise a carrier | 09-30-2010 |
20100267044 | GENETICALLY ENGINEERED BIOLOGICAL INDICATOR - The disclosed technology relates to a genetically engineered biological indicator, comprising: at least one test organism and at least one reporter gene suitable for producing an indicator enzyme, the reporter gene being taken up by the test organism; and at least one repressor gene that inhibits expression of the reporter gene until the reporter gene is exposed to at least one inducer. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed. | 10-21-2010 |
20110217204 | STERILIZATION COMPOSITION - A composition is disclosed which comprises (A) an anti-microbial agent comprising peracetic acid; and (B) a reagent mixture comprising a buffer, an anticorrosive agent and a chelator. The composition may be characterized by the absence of molybdate. The foregoing composition may be dispersed in water to form a liquid sterilant. The liquid sterilant may be used for sterilizing articles such as medical, dental, pharmaceutical, veterinary or mortuary instruments, devices, and the like. | 09-08-2011 |
20110243809 | APPARATUS FOR RELEASING A DRY CHEMISTRY INTO A LIQUID STERILIZATION SYSTEM - The present invention provides an apparatus that inhibits microbial viability on a medical instrument. The apparatus has a sterilization chamber for receiving the medical instrument. A circulation system is fluidly connected to the sterilization chamber to circulate a fluid through the sterilization chamber. A well is provided to receive a chemistry container that includes a removable base portion. A device is provided to detach the removable base portion from the chemistry container. The device includes a mounting end that is mountable within the well such that the device extends into a lower portion of the well. An elongated intermediate section extends from the mounting end at a first angle. A free end extends from the elongated intermediate section at a second angle. The free end is dimensioned to matingly engage and apply a force to a mating feature on the chemistry container or on the removable base portion as the chemistry container is inserted into the well. | 10-06-2011 |
20120021406 | METHOD FOR MONITORING A STERILIZATION PROCESS - The disclosed invention relates to a method for monitoring a sterilization process. The method comprises: (A) exposing an article to be sterilized and a biological indicator to a sterilization medium during a sterilization process, the biological indicator comprising a cell with a plasma membrane; and (B) measuring the membrane potential of the cell to detect the viability of the cell. | 01-26-2012 |
20120189495 | PROCESS FOR STERILIZING AN ARTICLE - A composition is disclosed which comprises (A) an anti-microbial agent comprising peracetic acid; and (B) a reagent mixture comprising a buffer, an anticorrosive agent and a chelator. The composition may be characterized by the absence of molybdate. The foregoing composition may be dispersed in water to form a liquid sterilant. The liquid sterilant may be used for sterilizing articles such as medical, dental, pharmaceutical, veterinary or mortuary instruments, devices, and the like. | 07-26-2012 |
20120196355 | STERILIZATION INDICATOR - The disclosed technology relates to a sterilization indicator, including a carrier, the carrier having a first surface and a second surface; a support, the support having a first section and a second section, the carrier overlying the first section of the support, the second surface of the carrier being adhered to the first section of the support; and a biological indicator supported by the carrier; the sterilization indicator being formed by applying the biological indicator to the carrier and then adhering the carrier to the support, the carrier being adhered to the support using sonic welding, in which the sonic welding, when applied to the carrier with the biological indicator applied, exhibits no significant difference in viability of the biological indicator following the sonic welding as compared to prior to the sonic welding. | 08-02-2012 |
20120214154 | GENETICALLY ENGINEERED BIOLOGICAL INDICATOR - The disclosed technology relates to a genetically engineered biological indicator, comprising: at least one test organism and at least one reporter gene suitable for producing an indicator enzyme, the reporter gene being taken up by the test organism; and at least one repressor gene that inhibits expression of the reporter gene until the reporter gene is exposed to at least one inducer. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed. | 08-23-2012 |
20120230870 | STERILIZATION APPARATUS AND PROCESS - A sterilizing apparatus and a process for sterilizing an article in the sterilizing apparatus, the apparatus including a sterilization chamber and a sterilant introduction system, wherein the sterilant introduction system separately supplies components (A) and (B) to form a composition comprising the components (A) and (B), the components including (A) an anti-microbial agent comprising peracetic acid; and (B) a reagent mixture comprising a buffer, an anticorrosive agent and a chelator; in which the composition is characterized by the absence of molybdate. In the apparatus and in the process, components (A) and (B) may be introduced separately. | 09-13-2012 |
20130089922 | TEST PACK TO MONITOR EFFECTIVENESS OF STERILIZATION PROCESS - A sterilization test pack, including a base comprising a pair of recessed compartments, wherein the recessed compartments are arranged in a non-concentric relationship and are in fluid communication with each other; a cover attached to the base and forming a sealed enclosure for the recessed compartments; an external channel providing the only fluid communication between the sealed enclosure and an external environment; a selected sterilization indicator in a first of the recessed compartments; and a chemical integrator and/or a chemical indicator in a second of the recessed compartments, in which the external channel is configured to allow only restricted flow of a gaseous sterilization medium into the recessed compartments and the base and cover are otherwise impenetrable by the gaseous sterilization medium. | 04-11-2013 |
20130199955 | TRAUMA RESISTANT SUSPENSION CELL PACKAGE FOR SECURE SHIPPING AND STORAGE - An impact and crush resistant shipping container for a vial and cap assembly, e.g., a FABI, the container having sides and a bottom defining a cavity and an opening, and a closeable cover; a partitioning divider defining at least one vertical receptacle for receiving a portion of the vial and cap assembly; an insert having at least one opening therethrough for receiving the vial and cap assembly, each opening sized such that the vial and cap assembly can be suspended in the opening, and the partitioning divider is positionable with respect to the insert such that the vial and cap assembly can be suspended at least partially within the receptacle, and the partitioning divider and the insert with the at least one vial and cap assembly suspended therein are positionable within the cavity such that the cover can be closed without contacting the at least one vial and cap assembly. | 08-08-2013 |
20130217001 | METHOD FOR MONITORING A STERILIZATION PROCESS - The disclosed invention relates to a method for monitoring a sterilization process. The method comprises: (A) exposing an article to be sterilized and a biological indicator to a sterilization medium during a sterilization process, the biological indicator comprising a cell with a plasma membrane in which the biological indicator is positioned on part or all of an electronically conductive material positioned on a substrate; and (B) measuring the membrane potential of the cell to detect the viability of the cell. | 08-22-2013 |
20140162307 | METHODS FOR MAKING A STERILIZATION INDICATOR AND FOR MONITORING A STERILIZATION PROCESS USING MEMBRANE POTENTIAL - The disclosed invention relates to a method of making a sterilization indicator including depositing an electronically conductive material on a substrate using an ink jet printer and depositing a biological indicator on part or all of the electronically conductive material using the ink jet printer, and further relates to a method for monitoring a sterilization process including (A) exposing an article to be sterilized and a biological indicator to a sterilization medium during a sterilization process, the biological indicator comprising a cell with a plasma membrane in which the biological indicator is positioned on part or all of an electronically conductive material positioned on a substrate; and (B) measuring the membrane potential of the cell to detect the viability of the cell. | 06-12-2014 |
20140262829 | NON-ENZYME BASED DETECTION METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC MONITORING OF BIOLOGICAL INDICATOR - A sterilization indicator system and method of using the system to determine efficacy of a sterilization process. The system may include a vial having an optional first compartment and a second compartment comprising a growth medium comprising one or more of a disaccharide, an oligosaccharide or a polysaccharide capable of conversion to a monosaccharide by germinating spores of the one or more species of microorganism, the vial being free of the monosaccharide prior to use; a strip including two or more electrodes to oxidize the monosaccharide and to carry a resulting electrical signal, and an apparatus to detect and measure the electrical signal resulting from the oxidation. Spores of a suitable biological indicator may be disposed in the first compartment and/or on the strip. | 09-18-2014 |
20140273054 | COUPLED ENZYME-BASED METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC MONITORING OF BIOLOGICAL INDICATOR - A sterilization indicator system and method of using the system to determine efficacy of a sterilization process. The system includes a vial having a first compartment containing spores of one or more species of microorganism; a second compartment containing a growth medium with a disaccharide, an oligosaccharide or a polysaccharide in which the vial is free of monosaccharide; an enzyme, capable of acting upon the monosaccharide to yield reaction products and electron transfer, disposed on two or more electrodes adapted to carry an electrical signal resulting from the electron transfer, the pair of electrodes positioned to contact the combined contents of the first compartment and the second compartment during incubation; and an apparatus linked or linkable to the electrodes and adapted to detect and measure the electrical signal resulting from electron transfer when the enzyme acts upon the monosaccharide. | 09-18-2014 |
20140273072 | STERILIZATION INDICATOR INCLUDING A SIMPLIFIED GENETICALLY ENGINEERED BIOLOGICAL INDICATOR - A sterilization indicator, including a first compartment containing a genetically engineered biological indicator, and a second compartment containing an enzyme substrate, the second compartment adapted to maintain the enzyme substrate separate from the biological indicator during sterilization, and to permit the enzyme substrate to contact the biological indicator after the biological indicator has been exposed to the sterilization medium; in which the genetically engineered biological indicator comprises at least one test organism and at least one reporter gene suitable for producing an indicator enzyme, the reporter gene being taken up by the test organism; and the test organism is free of any active or activatable repressor gene that would inhibit expression of the reporter gene if present in the test organism or sterilization indicator, and the indicator enzyme and the enzyme substrate are selected such that enzymatic action of the indicator enzyme upon the enzyme substrate yields a detectable signal. | 09-18-2014 |
20140273073 | STERILIZATION INDICATOR OF OXIDATIVE STERILANTS - A sterilization indicator for oxidative sterilants, comprising a first compartment comprising spores of one or more microorganism species, wherein the spores have been pretreated with and comprises a compound comprising a transition metal ion that is reactive with an oxidative sterilant; a second compartment comprising a growth medium and adapted to combine contents of the first compartment with contents of the second compartment for incubation after the sterilization indicator has been exposed to an oxidative sterilant; and an agent disposed in the growth medium and selected to indicate viability of the spores after the sterilization indicator has been exposed to the oxidative sterilant. | 09-18-2014 |