US4596773A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilization indicator
Assignee: Concord Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1983-09-30
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Granted: 1986-06-24
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Expires: 2003-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A sterilization indicator for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization process and a sterilization process using such an indicator are described. The indicator includes a container for holding a number of viable microorganisms and a quantity of nutrient medium; a separation member that prevents the nutrient medium from contacting the microorganisms; a penetration member that penetrates the separation member to allow the nutrient medium to contact the microorganisms and a cap, coupled to the penetration member, to seal the microorganisms and nutrient medium within the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert P. Wheeler, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:17
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M37/00; C12M37/06; C12Q; C12Q1/00; C12Q1/02; C12Q1/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A sterilization indicator comprising: means for containing a number of viable microorganisms and a quantity of nutrient medium which promotes the growth of said microorganisms; a stopper forming a seal within said containing means to enclose said nutrient medium in a portion of said containing means separate from said microorganisms until it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium; means for penetrating said stopper to allow said nutrient medium to contact said microorganisms; and cap means, coupled to said penetrating means, for sealing said microorganisms and said nutrient medium within said containing means after said stopper has been penetrated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A sterilization indicator comprising: means for containing a number of viable microorganisms and a quantity of nutrient medium which promotes the growth of said microorganisms; a stopper forming a seal within said containing means to enclose said nutrient medium in a portion of said containing means separate from said microorganisms until it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium; means for penetrating said stopper to allow said nutrient medium to contact said microorganisms; and cap means, coupled to said penetrating means, for sealing said microorganisms and said nutrient medium within said containing means after said stopper has been penetrated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 1 wherein said penetrating means comprises an elongated member having an end with cross-section in the shape of a cross.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 1 wherein said stopper is ring-shaped with removable plug means for filling the hole in said stopper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 3 wherein said plug means comprises a ball.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 3 wherein said penetrating means comprises an elongated member having an end for pushing said plug means out of said stopper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 5 wherein said elongated member includes a shoulder of greater cross-section than said end for pushing against said stopper after said plug means has been pushed out of said stopper, so that said nutrient medium is forced through the hole of said stopper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
159 words
A sterilization indicator comprising: means for containing a number of viable microorganisms and a quantity of nutrient medium which promotes the growth of said microorganisms; separation means for enclosing said nutrient medium within a portion of said containing means to separate said nutrient medium from said microorganisms until it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium; an elongated member for penetrating said separation means to allow said nutrient medium to contact said microorganisms; plunger means, connected to said elongated member, for pushing against said separation means to move said separation means relative to said containing means so as to reduce the size of said portion of said containing means and to force said nutrient medium out of said portion of said containing means and into contact with said microorganisms; and cap means, coupled to said plunger means, for enclosing said microorganisms and said nutrient medium within said containing means after said separating means has been penetrated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
159 words
A sterilization indicator comprising: means for containing a number of viable microorganisms and a quantity of nutrient medium which promotes the growth of said microorganisms; separation means for enclosing said nutrient medium within a portion of said containing means to separate said nutrient medium from said microorganisms until it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium; an elongated member for penetrating said separation means to allow said nutrient medium to contact said microorganisms; plunger means, connected to said elongated member, for pushing against said separation means to move said separation means relative to said containing means so as to reduce the size of said portion of said containing means and to force said nutrient medium out of said portion of said containing means and into contact with said microorganisms; and cap means, coupled to said plunger means, for enclosing said microorganisms and said nutrient medium within said containing means after said separating means has been penetrated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 7 wherein said containing means further contains a detector composition capable of undergoing a detectable change in response to the growth of said microorganisms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 8 wherein said detector composition undergoes a visible change in response to the growth of said microorganisms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 9 wherein said visible change is a change of color.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 7 wherein said separation means includes a ring-shaped stopper and a ball axially movable within the hole through said stopper, said ball being the size necessary to plug the hole in said stopper.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 7 wherein said cap means further includes means for holding said elongated member and said plunger means in place within said containing means before said separation means has been penetrated, said holding means including means for allowing air to pass into said containing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 12 wherein said holding means comprises a plurality of indentations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
216 words
A sterilization indicator comprising: means for containing a number of viable microorganisms and a quantity of nutrient medium which promotes the growth of said microorganisms; separation means for enclosing said nutrient medium within a portion of said containing means to separate said nutrient medium from said microorganisms until it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium; a plunger inserted within said containing means, said plunger including penetration means, at one end thereof, for penetrating said separation means to allow said nutrient medium to contact said microorganisms and said plunger including shoulder members extending from said penetration means to push against said separation means to move said separation means relative to said containing means so as to reduce the size of said portion of said containing means and to force said nutrient medium out of said portion of said container and into contact with said microorganisms after said separation means has been penetrated; a cap connected to the plunger at the opposite end of said penetration means, said cap sealing said containing means when said plunger has been fully inserted into said containing means; and means, connected to said cap, for holding said plunger partially inserted within said containing means, said holding means including means for allowing air to pass into said containing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
216 words
A sterilization indicator comprising: means for containing a number of viable microorganisms and a quantity of nutrient medium which promotes the growth of said microorganisms; separation means for enclosing said nutrient medium within a portion of said containing means to separate said nutrient medium from said microorganisms until it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium; a plunger inserted within said containing means, said plunger including penetration means, at one end thereof, for penetrating said separation means to allow said nutrient medium to contact said microorganisms and said plunger including shoulder members extending from said penetration means to push against said separation means to move said separation means relative to said containing means so as to reduce the size of said portion of said containing means and to force said nutrient medium out of said portion of said container and into contact with said microorganisms after said separation means has been penetrated; a cap connected to the plunger at the opposite end of said penetration means, said cap sealing said containing means when said plunger has been fully inserted into said containing means; and means, connected to said cap, for holding said plunger partially inserted within said containing means, said holding means including means for allowing air to pass into said containing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 14 wherein said holding means comprises a plurality of indentations in said cap.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 14 wherein said containing means further contains a detector composition capable of undergoing a detectable change in response to the growth of said microorganisms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 16 wherein said detector composition undergoes a visible change in response to the growth of said microorganisms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 17 wherein said visible change is a change of color.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 14 wherein said separation mean includes a ring-shaped stopper and removable plug means for filling the hole in said stopper.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 19 wherein said plug means comprises a ball.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 19 wherein said ring-shaped stopper is an elastomeric stopper.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 14 wherein said penetration means comprises an elongated member having an end with a cross-shaped cross-section.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 14 wherein said microorganisms are carried on a substrate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 23 wherein said substrate is carried on said plunger.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sterilization indicator of claim 23 wherein said substrate is an absorbent material.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
232 words
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 means for containing a number of viable microorganisms and a quantity of nutrient medium which promotes the growth of said microorganisms; a stopper forming a seal within said containing means to enclose said nutrient medium in a portion of said containing means separate from said microorganisms until it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium; means for penetrating said stopper to allow said nutrient medium to contact said microorganisms; and cap means, coupled to said penetrating means, for sealing said microorganisms and said nutrient medium within said containing means after said stopper has been penetrated; including a detector composition within said containing means, said detector composition being 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; penetrating said stopper to allow said microorganisms to contact the nutrient medium; sealing said microorganisms and said nutrient medium within said containing means; incubating the sterilization indicator for a predetermined period of time of promote the growth of the microorganisms; and examining the sterilization indicator for said detectable change in response to the growth of the microorganisms.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
232 words
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 means for containing a number of viable microorganisms and a quantity of nutrient medium which promotes the growth of said microorganisms; a stopper forming a seal within said containing means to enclose said nutrient medium in a portion of said containing means separate from said microorganisms until it is desired to contact said microorganisms with said nutrient medium; means for penetrating said stopper to allow said nutrient medium to contact said microorganisms; and cap means, coupled to said penetrating means, for sealing said microorganisms and said nutrient medium within said containing means after said stopper has been penetrated; including a detector composition within said containing means, said detector composition being 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; penetrating said stopper to allow said microorganisms to contact the nutrient medium; sealing said microorganisms and said nutrient medium within said containing means; incubating the sterilization indicator for a predetermined period of time of promote the growth of the microorganisms; and examining the sterilization indicator for said detectable change in response to the growth of the microorganisms.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method for checking the effectiveness of a sterilization process according to claim 26 wherein said detector composition undergoes a visible color change and the examining step comprises visual examination of the indicator to determine whether any color change has occurred.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-06-23 | 1989-12-23 | 1990-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-23 | 1993-12-23 | 1994-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-23 | 1997-12-23 | 1998-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |