Sterilization indicator

Claim 1

A sterilization indicator comprising: a first compartment having at least one open end; a gas-permeable, bacteria-impermeable closure covering said open end; said first compartment containing a number of viable microorganisms; a second compartment, said first and second compartments being moveable with respect to each other; said second compartment having a predetermined quantity of nutrient medium for promoting the growth of said microorganisms; separation means separating the nutrient medium in said second compartment from said microorganisms in said first compartment until it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium; communication means for providing communication between said first compartment and said second compartment by penetrating said separating means when it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium; activation means for activating said communication means by relative movement between said first and second compartments to provide communication between said first compartment and said second compartment without breaking said second compartment by engaging and penetrating said separation means; and a detector composition contained in one of said compartments that is capable of undergoing a detectable change in response to the growth of said microorganisms.

Claim 13

A method for checking the effectiveness of a sterilization process, said method comprising: placing a sterilization indicator into a sterilization chamber along with objects to be sterilized, said sterilization indicator comprising a first compartment having at least one open end; a gas-permeable, bacteria-impermeable closure covering said open end; said first compartment containing a number of viable microorganisms; a second compartment moveably engaged with said first compartment; said second compartment having a predetermined quantity of nutrient medium for promotion of growth of said microorganisms; separation means separating the nutrient medium in said medium in said second compartment from said microorganisms in said first compartment until it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium; communication means for providing communication between said first compartment and said second compartment by penetrating said separating means when it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium; activation means for activating said communication means to provide communication between said first compartment and said second compartment without breaking said second compartment by engaging and penetrating said separation means; and a detector composition contained in one of said compartments that is capable of undergoing a detectable change in response to the growth of said microorganisms; removing the sterilization indicator from the sterilization chamber along with the objects being sterilized after completion of the sterilization cycle; activating the sterilization indicator to contact the microorganisms with the nutrient medium; incubating the sterilization indicator for a predetermined period of time to promote the growth of the microorganisms; and examining the sterilization indicator for said detectable change in response to the growth of the microorganisms.

Claim 14

A method for checking the effectiveness of a sterilization process, said method comprising: placing a sterilization indicator into a sterilization chamber along with objects to be sterilized, said sterilization indicator comprising a first compartment having at least one open end; a gas-permeable, bacteria-impermeable closure covering said open end; said first compartment containing a number of viable microorganisms; a second compartment moveably engaged with said first compartment; said second compartment having a predetermined quantity of nutrient medium for promotion of growth of said microorganisms; separation means separating the nutrient medium in said medium in said second compartment from said microorganisms in said first compartment until it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium; communication means for providing communication between said first compartment and said second compartment by penetrating said separating means when it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium; activation means for activating said communication means to provide communication between said first compartment and said second compartment without breaking said second compartment by engaging and penetrating said separation means; and a detector composition contained in one of said compartments that is capable of undergoing a detectable change in response to the growth of said microorganisms; removing the sterilization indicator from the sterilization chamber along with the objects being sterilized after completion of the sterilization cycle; activating the sterilization indicator to contact the microorganisms with the nutrient medium; incubating the sterilization indicator for a predetermined period of time to promote the growth of the microorganisms; and examining the sterilization indicator for said detectable change in response to the growth of the microorganisms.