53results about "Investigating sterilization degree" patented technology

A pathogen surrogate, formed by a DNA tag or bar code and a carrier, is described for use in the validation and verification of sanitation, such as in food processing operations and for wash water systems for fresh produce. The carrier material is selected so that the pathogen surrogate mimics the behavior of a pathogen when subjected to a sanitation operation. One or more surrogates can be introduced in to an environment, which is then subjected to sanitation process, followed by a detection process using the DNA tag of the surrogate.

An integrated process challenge device is provided. The integrated process challenge device includes a shell including an interior and an exterior; a first compartment defined by the interior and exterior of the shell, the first compartment shaped to retain a first indicator; a second compartment defined by the interior and exterior of the shell, the second compartment shaped to retain a second indicator; a barrier formed by the shell, the barrier formed between the first compartment and the second compartment to prevent fluid exchange between the first compartment and the second compartment; a first opening located on the exterior of the shell adjacent to the first compartment; and a second opening located on the exterior of the shell adjacent to the second compartment, wherein the first and second openings allow a sterilant to enter and exit the first and second compartments respectively.

A process indicator isolation chamber includes a housing having an interior volume; an inlet at a first end of the housing; an opening at a second end of the housing; and a flange extending radially outward from the housing. A removable module includes: a frame removably disposed in the interior volume, the removable module including a first end disposed in the interior volume; a shielding cap attached to the frame at a second end of the removable module, the shielding cap including a top portion that covers the opening of the housing and a side portion that covers a portion of an outer surface of the housing between the flange and the second end; and a process indicator mount attached to the frame and disposed in the interior volume. A tortuous outlet passage is formed between the cap and outer surface of the housing when the removable module is installed.

To provide a test soil which can be attached directly to an object to be cleaned and is visually detectable.SOLUTION: Disclosed is a test soil comprising a plurality of molecules of labeled polypeptides, where the labeled polypeptide is a polypeptide to which a dye is added by a covalent bond, and the value of X calculated by the following formula is 100,000 or more: X=(number of dyes comprised in one molecule of labeled polypeptide)×(molar absorption coefficient of dye (M-1 cm-1)).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

A sterilization challenge device for verifying the efficacy of a gas sterilization process includes an outer container, an inner container, and a cap. The outer container includes an open end, a closed end, a chamber configured to contain the inner container for containing a chemical indicator, and at least one hole arranged proximate the open end. The cap is configured to engage with the outer container to close the open end, and the at least one hole is configured to provide a flow path for the gaseous sterilant into the chamber.

A sterilization challenge device for verifying the efficacy of a gas sterilization process includes an outer container, an inner container, and a cap. The outer container includes an open end, a closed end, a chamber configured to contain the inner container for containing a chemical indicator, and at least one hole arranged proximate the open end. The cap is configured to engage with the outer container to close the open end, and the at least one hole is configured to provide a flow path for the gaseous sterilant into the chamber.

To provide UV-responsive laminates including a first layer having a photochromatic pigment arranged as a pigment texture, or one or more photochromatic indicators, or combinations thereof.SOLUTION: The photochromatic pigment may be disposed on the laminates during laminate fabrication, prior to laminate installation, or subsequently to the installation in situ. The photochromatic pigment is configured to change from a first state to a second state in response to exposure to an ultraviolet (UV) light source, the first state is invisible to the naked eye under ambient lighting and the second state is visible to the naked eye under ambient lighting. The UV-responsive laminates may further include additional layers, such as a second layer which may be a coupling layer configured to removably couple the laminate to a component. Additional layers, such as a protective layer or a backing layer, may also be included in the UV-responsive laminate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1D

A cleaning and marking composition 12 for application to a medical device or a surface 20 comprises an aqueous solution including: 1-10 wt% nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of al

The disclosure relates to pH sensitive color indicators which indicate the efficacy of a cleaning composition for antimicrobial activity by exhibiting a color change. In particular, the pH sensitive color indicators comprise a pH sensitive dye and a substrate, wherein the dye is bound to the substrate. In an aspect of the disclosure, the dye can be chemically bound, physically bound, coated on a substrate, or painted on a substrate.

The present invention provides a reversibly protected colorant or composition thereof that imparts color to a disinfectant solution when mixed with the disinfectant solution to allow temporary visualization of the disinfectant, and a method for use in disinfecting, decontaminating, and / or cleaning surfaces and objects. The reversibly protected colorant or composition thereof is added to a disinfectant solution or a disinfectant article (e.g., disinfectant wipes, microfibers, rugs, towels, fabrics, spun woven wipes, nonwoven wipes, etc.), and the reversibly protected colorant or composition thereof imparts color to the disinfectant solution until such protection is removed, thereby releasing the colorant and exposing the colorant to agents and / or oxidizing conditions that cause the colorant to permanently lose its color, resulting in a colored disinfectant solution. The present invention also provides a method of using the colored disinfectant solution to visually indicate surface disinfection and a method of visually indicating surface disinfection.

A verification composition for application to a surface to be decontaminated, the composition being a manually-spreadable solid at room temperature, and comprising up to 50 wt% of one or more waxes, u

A sterilization challenge device for verifying the efficacy of a gas sterilization process includes an outer container, an inner container, a chemical indicator, and a cap. The outer container includes an open end, a closed end, a chamber configured to contain the inner container containing the chemical indicator, and at least one hole arranged proximate the open end. The cap is configured to engage with the outer container to close the open end, and the at least one hole is configured to provide a flow path for the gaseous sterilant into the chamber.

A method of marking a residual aqueous contaminant on a surface to be decontaminated comprises first mixing a first part of a marking system with a second part of the marking system, wherein the first part of the marking system comprises a pH-sensitive dyestuff and has a first pH, and exhibits a first colour, and the second part of the marking system comprises a pH modifier. Upon mixing the first and second parts of the marking system, a marker composition is obtained that has a second pH and exhibits a second colour, different to the first colour. The method further comprises applying the marker composition to the surface, such that the marker composition changes colour from the second colour to a third colour, different to the second colour, when in contact with a residual aqueous contaminant on the surface having a pH that differs from the second pH, thereby marking the position of the contaminant with the third colour.

A disinfectant visualizing sheet includes a base material, a chromogenic portion disposed on the base material, and a coating portion on the chromogenic portion, wherein the chromogenic portion includes a visualizing agent that changes a color state thereof upon exposure to a disinfectant, and wherein the coating portion has a silsesquioxane structure.

A sterilization challenge device for verifying the efficacy of a gas sterilization process includes an outer container, an inner container, a chemical indicator, and a cap. The outer container includes an open end, a closed end, a chamber configured to contain the inner container containing the chemical indicator, and at least one hole arranged proximate the open end. The cap is configured to engage with the outer container to close the open end, and the at least one hole is configured to provide a flow path for the gaseous sterilant into the chamber.

The invention discloses a sterilisation test pack. The sterilisation test pack may include: a housing defining an indicator compartment having a volume; a channel extending between the compartment opening and the external opening, the channel being in fluid communication with the indicator compartment through the compartment opening, and the ambient atmospheric environment being in fluid communication with the channel through the external opening such that the indicator compartment is in fluid communication with the ambient atmospheric environment through the channel, the channel has a length measured between the compartment opening and the outer opening and a hydraulic radius along the length; and an indicator disposed in the indicator compartment, wherein the ratio of the volume of the compartment to the hydraulic radius of the channel may be in the range of 1000 cm2 to 8000 cm2.

Disclosed are methods for quantifying the cleanability of a surface of an article, for instance an aircraft interior component. In embodiments, a solution containing an artificial “dirt” is introduced to a surface under test to simulate a sullied condition. The sullied surface is subjected to at least one cleaning process. Obtained reference and post-cleaning light measurements are compared to determine a measurement difference corresponding to a cleanability of the surface and / or effectiveness of the at least one cleaning process. In embodiments, the measurement difference is assigned a cleanability score for at least one of determining a passing or failing cleanability, modifying the cleaning process, indicating the need for a second or subsequent cleaning, modifying the barrier coating formulation, redesigning the article, etc. The disclosed methods provide solutions for objective verification measures of surface cleanability used to facilitate new article designs, materials, barrier coatings, cleaning processes, cleaners, etc.

Radiant energy control systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided. An example light emitting device may comprise a sensor operable to detect whether a space is occupied, and a controller in communication with the sensor and operable to cause output, via a first light emitter white light comprising a wavelength range of 380 to 420 nm, and cause output, via a second light emitter a non-white light comprising a wavelength range of 380 to 420 nm.

Disclosed are methods (100; 300) for quantifying the cleanability of a surface (202; 402) of an article (204; 404), for instance an aircraft interior component. In embodiments, a solution containing an artificial "dirt" is introduced to a surface under test to simulate a sullied condition. The sullied surface is subjected to at least one cleaning process. Obtained reference and post-cleaning light measurements are compared to determine a measurement difference corresponding to a cleanability of the surface and / or effectiveness of the at least one cleaning process. In embodiments, the measurement difference is assigned a cleanability score for at least one of determining a passing or failing cleanability, modifying the cleaning process, indicating the need for a second or subsequent cleaning, modifying the barrier coating formulation, redesigning the article, etc. The disclosed methods provide solutions for objective verification measures of surface cleanability used to facilitate new article designs, materials, barrier coatings, cleaning processes, cleaners, etc.

In some embodiments, a sensor device includes a first electrode and a second electrode, each of the first and second electrodes being electrically coupled to an electrical bridge. The electrical bridge includes a conductive polymer having a first impedance state and a second impedance, the second impedance state being different than the first impedance sate. The sensor device also includes a latent base.

A class 5 chemical indicator color may be imaged such that a color of the indicator may be determined and compared to a color-value threshold indicative of an efficacious sterilization procedure. Color changes of the indicator during a sterilization procedure are typically not uniform. As such, colors on the indicator may be averaged and then compared to the color-value threshold to determine if the procedure has been efficacious or if additional exposure to a sterilant may be desired. Color values and color-value thresholds may be based on, e.g., the L*a*b* color model or a grayscale color model.

A sterilization test pack may include a shell defining an indicator compartment having a volume; a channel extending between a compartment opening and an exterior opening, the channel being in fluid communication with the indicator compartment through the compartment opening and surrounding atmosphere being in fluid communication with the channel through the exterior opening such that the indicator compartment is in fluid communication with the surrounding atmosphere through the channel, the channel having a length measured between the compartment opening and the exterior opening and a hydraulic radius along the length; and an indicator disposed in the indicator compartment, where a ratio of the compartment volume to the channel hydraulic radius may range from 1000 cm2 to 8000 cm2.

An example sterilization indicator (102) includes a cover (122), an indicator (102), and a seal (142). The cover (122) defines at least a portion of a cavity (138). The indicator (102) is disposed within the cavity (138). The indicator (102) is configured to fluidly couple with an internal cavity (110) of a sterilization package (package) and indicate an exposure to a sterilant. The seal (142) is configured to form a microorganism barrier between an exterior of the cover (122) and an internal cavity (110) of a sterilization package (100).

Marker composition comprising water, 1-10 wt.% non-ionic surfactant selected from alkyl polyglucosides, alcohol ethoxylates and alcohol ethoxylate propoxylates, or mixtures thereof, 1-5% organic solve

The disclosure relates to pH sensitive color indicators which indicate the efficacy of a cleaning composition for antimicrobial activity by exhibiting a color change. In particular, the pH sensitive color indicators comprise a pH sensitive dye and a substrate, wherein the dye is bound to the substrate. In an aspect of the disclosure, the dye can be chemically bound, physically bound, coated on a substrate, or painted on a substrate.

The present disclosure provides embodiments of a sterilization indicator reading apparatus. The sterilization indicator reading apparatus includes a plurality of wells disposed in a housing configured to receive a plurality of biological indicators. Each well includes a heater sleeve that is thermally coupled within and configured to rapidly heat a biological indicator and provide rapid results of the effectiveness of a sterilization process. The heater sleeve is communicatively coupled with a printed circuit board that controls the heating profile of a biological indicator depending on the desired heating time and desired temperature to provide rapid results of the effectiveness of a sterilization process.

A sterilization challenge device for verifying the efficacy of a gas sterilization process includes an outer container, an inner container, a chemical indicator, and a cap. The outer container includes an open end, a closed end, a chamber configured to contain the inner container containing the chemical indicator, and at least one hole arranged proximate the open end. The cap is configured to engage with the outer container to close the open end, and the at least one hole is configured to provide a flow path for the gaseous sterilant into the chamber.