Patent EP0421760B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0421760B1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Sterilizer test pack
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
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Filing: 1990-10-03
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Granted: 1994-03-23
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Expires: 2010-10-03
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a test pack having a housing defining an inner volume and an opening for communication between the inner volume and the environment outside of the housing. A divider divides the inner volume into two portions. A first portion of the inner volume has an absorber positioned therein to retard passage of the sterilization atmosphere. A chemical indicator to indicate exposure to the sterilization atmosphere may also be positioned within the first portion. The second portion defines a blind reservoir which contains a biological indicator for testing for successful completion of the sterilization procedure.
Inventors
- 👤 Szu-Min Lin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/26; A61L2/28; C; C12; C12Q; C12Q1/00; C12Q1/02; C12Q1/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A test pack for a sterilization procedure wherein a sterilization atmosphere of active species is created and contacted with an object to be sterilized, comprising: (a) a housing defining an inner volume and an opening (3) for communication between said inner volume and the outside of said housing; (b) a divider which divides said inner volume into two portions comprising: (i) a first portion of said inner volume defining a passage (2) between said opening and said second portion of said inner volume; and (ii) said second portion defining a blind reservoir (8) having a communication port (9) between said reservoir and said first portion; said reservoir and said first portion; (c) an absorber (7) positioned within said passage (2) to retard passage of said sterilization atmosphere through said passage (2) during the sterilization procedure; (d) a chemical indicator (6) within said housing and in communication with said passage (2) to indicate contact of the indicator (6) with the sterilization atmosphere; and (e) a biological indicator (10) positioned within said blind reservoir (8), biological indicator (10) including microorganisms which are capable of being incubated to show whether the sterilization procedure was incomplete.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
15 words
The test pack of Claim 1 wherein said biological indicator (10) is a spore strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The test pack of Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said biological indicator (10) is self-contained with a culture medium for incubation after exposure to the sterilization atmosphere.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The test pack of any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the absorber (7) is a rubber tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The test pack of any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein said first portion is an oval annulus which encircles said second portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The test pack of any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein said housing is formed of a thermoformable material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The test pack of Claim 6 wherein said housing formed of a tray (1) having a top (4) peelably sealed to said tray (1) to define said inner volume.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The test pack of Claim 7 wherein said top (4) is clear.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The test pack of Claim 7 wherein (a) said top (4) is polyester; (b) said tray (1) is polystyrene; (c) said absorber (7) is rubber tubing; and (d) said biological indicator (10) is a spore strip.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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