Rapid readout sterilization indicator for liquid peracetic acid sterilization procedures

• Main Authors: WOODSON LEWIS P, WITCHER KELVIN J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 05.03.2002
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BEER; BIOCHEMISTRY; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, ORSURGICAL ARTICLES; CHEMISTRY; COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL ORENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION, OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; ENZYMOLOGY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, OR SURGICALARTICLES; MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEICACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METALLURGY; METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS INGENERAL; MICROBIOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; SPIRITS; VINEGAR; WINE

A sterilization indicator is useful for testing the effectiveness of sterilization procedures that disinfect objects by contacting them with a liquid sterilization procedure. The indicator includes an outer container having an open end and a cover material associated with the open end that is impermeable to liquids and bacteria. An enzyme-gel matrix is coated on a surface within the outer container that comprises a biologically inert polymeric gel and a source of an active enzyme dispersed within the gel. The enzyme has an activity that is correlated with the survival of at least one test microorganism that is commonly used to monitor the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure. A breakable ampoule within the outer container contains a substrate that is capable of reacting with any active enzyme remaining after the indicator has been subjected to a sterilization procedure to provide a detectable indication that the sterilization procedure was ineffective.