US3861875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterility analyzer
Assignee: MDT Corp
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Filing: 1973-06-08
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1993-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A sterility analyzer which continuously senses various sterilizing effecting environmental conditions within the sterilizing chamber and then converts such information to an output signal representative of the death rate of a given microorganism within the chamber. Such signal is then used to control the operation of the sterilizer and/or associated equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry James Joslyn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/26; A61L2/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A sterility analyzer comprising: a. a plurality of sensor means, each being capable of continuously monitoring one of a plurality of different sterilization affecting environmental conditions including temperature and humidity within a sterilization chamber and issuing a signal representative of said condition; b. means for receiving a signal from each of said sensor means and converting each of said signals to an output indicative of the death rate for a given micro-organism at each of said sensed conditions; and c. intEgrator means receiving said outputs and summing the same over a timed interval to obtain the total number of said micro-organism killed over said timed interval.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A sterility analyzer comprising: a. a plurality of sensor means, each being capable of continuously monitoring one of a plurality of different sterilization affecting environmental conditions including temperature and humidity within a sterilization chamber and issuing a signal representative of said condition; b. means for receiving a signal from each of said sensor means and converting each of said signals to an output indicative of the death rate for a given micro-organism at each of said sensed conditions; and c. intEgrator means receiving said outputs and summing the same over a timed interval to obtain the total number of said micro-organism killed over said timed interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A sterility analyzer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensor means are located in said sterilization chamber; and further includes a plurality of leads connecting each of said sensor means to said second mentioned means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A sterility analyzer as set for in claim 1, including a barrier interposed between each of said sensor means and said sterilization chamber, said barrier representing the ''''worst load'''' condition within said sterilization chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A sterility analyzer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second mentioned means includes a logic circuit capable of relating the sensed condition to a curve representative of the death rate of said given micro-organism at the sensed condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sterility analyzer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensor means are adapted for placement within the product to be sterilized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sterility analyzer as set forth in claim 1, wherein one of said sensor means monitors sterilizing gas concentration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sterility analyzer as set forth in claim 1, including a signal delay means associated with each of said sensor means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
101 words
A METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF A GIVEN MICRO-ORGANISM KILLED DURING A STERILIZATION PROCESS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: A. CONTINUOUSLY MOITORING A PLURALITY OF STERILIZATION AFFECTING CONDITIONS INCLUDING TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY WITHIN A STERILIZING CHAMBER WITH A PLURALITY OF SENSORS CAPABLE OF ISSUING A SIGNAL REPRESENTIVE OF EACH OF THE SENSED CONDITIONS; B. CONTINOUSLY CONVERTING EACH OF SAID SIGNALS TO AN OUTPUT INDICATIVE OF THE DEATH RATE FOR SAID GIVEN MICRO-ORGANISM AT THE SENSED CONDITIONS; AND C. INTEGRATING SAID DEATH RATES OVER A TIMED INTERVAL TO OBTAIN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SAID GIVEN MICRO-ORGANISM KILLED IN SAID TIMED INTERVAL.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
101 words
A METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF A GIVEN MICRO-ORGANISM KILLED DURING A STERILIZATION PROCESS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: A. CONTINUOUSLY MOITORING A PLURALITY OF STERILIZATION AFFECTING CONDITIONS INCLUDING TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY WITHIN A STERILIZING CHAMBER WITH A PLURALITY OF SENSORS CAPABLE OF ISSUING A SIGNAL REPRESENTIVE OF EACH OF THE SENSED CONDITIONS; B. CONTINOUSLY CONVERTING EACH OF SAID SIGNALS TO AN OUTPUT INDICATIVE OF THE DEATH RATE FOR SAID GIVEN MICRO-ORGANISM AT THE SENSED CONDITIONS; AND C. INTEGRATING SAID DEATH RATES OVER A TIMED INTERVAL TO OBTAIN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SAID GIVEN MICRO-ORGANISM KILLED IN SAID TIMED INTERVAL.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as set forth in claim 5, including the step of continuously monitor sterilizing gas concentration.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |