A high pressure sterilization indicator card

Abstract

The invention discloses a high-pressure sterilization indicator card, comprising a base layer (1), wherein the base layer (1) is provided with a temperature-sensitive area (2), a diffusion channel (21), a moisture-sensitive area (3) and a standard color block (4), wherein the temperature-sensitive area (2) is filled with a temperature-sensitive color-changing material, and the temperature-sensitive color-changing material changes color along the diffusion channel (21) on the base layer (1) after reaching the required temperature; wherein the moisture-sensitive area (3) is located between the temperature-sensitive area (2) and the diffusion channel (21), and wherein the moisture-sensitive area (31) is filled with a moisture-sensitive material (31), and wherein the moisture-sensitive material (31) is in a solid state when the humidity required for sterilization is not reached, thereby blocking the temperature-sensitive area (2) and the diffusion channel (21), and wherein the moisture-sensitive material (31) changes from a solid state to a liquid state when the humidity required for sterilization is reached, thereby connecting the temperature-sensitive area (2) with the diffusion channel (21). The invention has the characteristic of improving the accuracy of the detection result.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an indicator card, in particular to a high-pressure sterilization indicator card. Background Art

[0002] Pressure steam sterilization is a common sterilization method used by medical institutions and pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers both domestically and internationally. It boasts strong sterilization capacity, short cycle times, low costs, simple operation, safety, and a pollution-free environment. It is one of the most widely used and effective methods of thermodynamic sterilization.

[0003] A pressure steam sterilization indicator card is a conventional indicator card used to monitor the effectiveness of pressure steam sterilization. The card is made by combining heat-sensitive chemicals with color developers and their auxiliary materials to create an ink. This ink is then printed on special cardstock printed with a standard color block, displaying the indicator color block. Under the required sterilization conditions, the card is placed inside the device to be sterilized and then sterilized in an autoclave. The high-temperature steam generated during the steam sterilization process soaks the ink sealed in the sterilization indicator card, causing it to change color under the high-temperature steam conditions. This color change is then compared with the standard color block to indicate the sterilization status. For a device sterilized by high-pressure steam, if the color indicated on the indicator card matches the standard color block, the device has passed the sterilization process as required. If the color on the indicator card is lighter than the standard color block, the device's sterilization conditions did not meet the required sterilization criteria and requires re-sterilization.

[0004] In the prior art, due to the influence of sterilization conditions and the ink of the indicator card itself, when the sterilization humidity does not meet the requirements, the color on the sterilization card has changed to be consistent with the standard color block, thereby affecting the judgment of the sterilization effect and causing inaccurate test results. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a high-pressure sterilization indicator card, which has the characteristic of improving the accuracy of detection results.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A high-pressure sterilization indicator card includes a base layer, on which a temperature-sensitive area, a diffusion channel, a moisture-sensitive area and a standard color block are provided. The temperature-sensitive area is filled with a temperature-sensitive color-changing material, and the temperature-sensitive color-changing material changes color along the diffusion channel on the base layer after reaching the required temperature; the moisture-sensitive area is located between the temperature-sensitive area and the diffusion channel, and is filled with a moisture-sensitive material. The moisture-sensitive material is solid when the humidity required for sterilization is not reached, blocking the temperature-sensitive area and the diffusion channel. The moisture-sensitive material changes from solid to liquid when the humidity required for sterilization is reached, so that the temperature-sensitive area and the diffusion channel are connected.

[0007] In the aforementioned high-pressure sterilization indicator card, the moisture-sensitive area is adjacent to and connected to the diffusion channel and the temperature-sensitive area.

[0008] In the aforementioned high-pressure sterilization indicator card, a water-blocking plate supported by a solid wet-sensitive material is provided above the wet-sensitive area, one end of the water-blocking plate is connected to the edge of the wet-sensitive area, a counterweight is provided at the bottom of the other end of the water-blocking plate, and a chromatography paper connected to the diffusion channel when the wet-sensitive material is in liquid state is provided above the water-blocking plate.

[0009] In the aforementioned high-pressure sterilization indicator card, a circle of water-retaining edge with a stepped structure is provided around the base layer, the outer height of the water-retaining edge is higher than the inner height of the water-retaining edge, a water-absorbing layer is provided on the inner stepped surface of the water-retaining edge, the water-absorbing layer is connected to the moisture-sensitive area, a waterproof cavity is provided on the outer side of the water-retaining edge, and an annular elastic component is provided in the waterproof cavity.

[0010] In the aforementioned high-pressure sterilization indicator card, an inclined drainage ladder is provided at the bottom of the moisture-sensitive area, and the inclined lower end of the drainage ladder faces the water absorption layer.

[0011] In the aforementioned high-pressure sterilization indicator card, a first through hole is provided on the side of the moisture-sensitive area, a waterproof film is attached to the surface of the water-absorbing layer, and a second through hole communicating with the first through hole is provided on the waterproof film.

[0012] In the aforementioned high-pressure sterilization indicator card, the elastic component is composed of a plurality of longitudinal springs and transverse elastic wires that are staggered and distributed. The lower end of the longitudinal spring is connected to the bottom of the waterproof cavity, the upper end of the longitudinal spring is connected to the top of the waterproof cavity, and the two ends of the transverse elastic wire are respectively connected to two adjacent longitudinal springs.

[0013] In the aforementioned high-pressure sterilization indicator card, the temperature-sensitive color-changing material includes a controlled release nano-mixture, an oily adhesive, an oily diluent, and a defoaming agent.

[0014] In the aforementioned high-pressure sterilization indicator card, the moisture-sensitive material is anhydrous calcium chloride which becomes liquid when the humidity reaches 70%.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] The present invention arranges the humidity-sensitive area on the chromatography diffusion channel of the temperature-sensitive area. When the ambient humidity does not reach the humidity required for sterilization, the humidity-sensitive material is solid, closing the passage between the temperature-sensitive area and the diffusion channel, and blocking the diffusion of the temperature-sensitive area. Even if the temperature reaches the sterilization requirement, but the humidity does not reach the sterilization requirement, the temperature-sensitive color-changing material in the temperature-sensitive area cannot be chromatographed and color-changed. Only when the ambient humidity reaches the humidity required for sterilization, the humidity-sensitive material changes from solid to liquid, and the diffusion channel of the temperature-sensitive area is opened. When the ambient temperature reaches the temperature required for sterilization, the temperature-sensitive color-changing material becomes liquid, and then chromatographs are performed through the opened diffusion channel, and finally color is developed on the basal layer. Through the design structure of the humidity-sensitive area and the temperature-sensitive area, it can be ensured that the color development process is performed only after the humidity and temperature meet the requirements, avoiding color development when the temperature and humidity do not meet the standards, and ensuring the accuracy of the test results. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of the moisture sensitive area;

[0019] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram of the water retaining edge;

[0020] Figure 4 It is a structural diagram of the elastic component.

[0021] The markings in the accompanying drawings are: 1. Base layer; 11. Water retaining edge; 12. Water absorption layer; 121. Waterproof membrane; 122. Second through hole; 13. Waterproof cavity; 14. Elastic component; 141. Longitudinal spring; 142. Transverse elastic wire; 2. Temperature-sensitive area; 21. Diffusion channel; 3. Humidity-sensitive area; 31. Humidity-sensitive material; 32. Water-retaining plate; 33. Counterweight block; 34. Chromatography paper; 35. Drainage ladder; 36. First through hole; 4. Standard color block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the examples, but they are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0023] Example:

[0024] like Figures 1-4As shown, a high-pressure sterilization indicator card includes a base layer 1, on which a temperature-sensitive area 2, a diffusion channel 21, a humidity-sensitive area 3 and a standard color block 4 are provided. The temperature-sensitive area 2 is filled with a temperature-sensitive color-changing material, which changes color along the diffusion channel 21 on the base layer 1 after reaching the required temperature; the humidity-sensitive area 3 is located between the temperature-sensitive area 2 and the diffusion channel 21, and is filled with a humidity-sensitive material 31. The humidity-sensitive material 31 is solid when the humidity required for sterilization is not reached, thereby blocking the connection between the temperature-sensitive area 2 and the diffusion channel 21. The humidity-sensitive material 31 changes from solid to liquid when the humidity required for sterilization is reached, thereby connecting the temperature-sensitive area 2 with the diffusion channel 21.

[0025] The humidity-sensitive area 3 is placed on the chromatographic diffusion channel 21 of the temperature-sensitive area 2. When the ambient humidity does not reach the sterilization requirement, the humidity-sensitive material 31 is solid, blocking the passage between the temperature-sensitive area 2 and the diffusion channel 21, and preventing diffusion from the temperature-sensitive area 2. Even if the temperature meets the sterilization requirement, but the humidity does not, the temperature-sensitive color-changing material in the temperature-sensitive area 2 cannot undergo chromatographic color change. Only when the ambient humidity reaches the sterilization requirement will the humidity-sensitive material 31 change from solid to liquid, opening the diffusion channel 21 of the temperature-sensitive area 2. Only when the ambient temperature reaches the sterilization requirement will the temperature-sensitive color-changing material become liquid, then undergo chromatography through the opened diffusion channel 21, and ultimately develop color on the base layer 1. In this way, color will only develop on the base layer 1 after both the humidity and temperature meet the sterilization requirements. The operator compares the displayed color with a standard color block 4. If the indicated color on the base layer 1 matches or is darker than the standard color block 4, the device has completed high-temperature steam sterilization. If the indicated color is lighter than the standard color block 4 or the base layer 1 is not dyed by the temperature-sensitive zone 2, sterilization has not been achieved and re-sterilization is required. The design of the humidity-sensitive zone 3 and the temperature-sensitive zone 2 ensures that color development is performed only after the humidity and temperature meet the requirements, avoiding color development when the temperature and humidity are not up to standard, thus ensuring the accuracy of the test results.

[0026] The humidity sensitive area 3 is adjacent to and connected to the diffusion channel 21 and the temperature sensitive area 2 .

[0027] A water-blocking plate 32 supported by a solid water-sensitive material 31 is provided above the wet-sensitive area 3. One end of the water-blocking plate 32 is connected to the edge of the wet-sensitive area 3. A counterweight 33 is provided at the bottom of the other end of the water-blocking plate 32. A chromatography paper 34 is provided above the water-blocking plate 32, which is connected to the diffusion channel 21 when the wet-sensitive material 31 is in liquid state.

[0028] When the humidity-sensitive material 31 in the humidity-sensitive area 3 is fixed, the water-blocking plate 32 is lifted up by the humidity-sensitive material 31 to block the diffusion channel 21, and a gap is formed between the water-blocking plate 32 and the humidity-sensitive area 3 for the entry of heating steam; when the humidity-sensitive material 31 is in liquid state, the water-blocking plate 32 is covered on the humidity-sensitive area 3 under the action of the counterweight block 33, and the chromatography paper 34 is connected to the diffusion channel 21 for chromatography of the temperature-sensitive color-changing material.

[0029] The provision of the water-blocking plate 32 also prevents excessive condensed water from entering the moisture-sensitive area 3 , thereby causing the moisture-sensitive area 3 to overflow and affect the color development of the base layer 1 .

[0030] The base layer 1 is surrounded by a water retaining edge 11 with a stepped structure. The outer height of the water retaining edge 11 is higher than the inner height of the water retaining edge 11. A water absorbing layer 12 is provided on the inner stepped surface of the water retaining edge 11. The water absorbing layer 12 is connected to the moisture-sensitive area 3. A waterproof cavity 13 is provided on the outer side of the water retaining edge 11, and an annular elastic component 14 is provided in the waterproof cavity 13.

[0031] The water retaining edge 11 prevents external environmental contamination from reaching the base layer 1. The water absorbing layer 12 absorbs the liquidized temperature-sensitive color-changing material and moisture-sensitive material 31. Water absorbing layer 12 can be made of absorbent cotton to prevent excessive diffusion and overflow of liquid in the temperature-sensitive area 2 or moisture-sensitive area 3, which could cause card contamination. The gradient design of water absorbing layer 12 increases the difficulty of crossing. The elastic component 14 stabilizes the shape of the water retaining edge 11, preventing it from folding. Its annular structure maintains the tension of the base layer 1, ensuring its flatness and smooth color card reading.

[0032] The bottom of the moisture sensitive area 3 is provided with an inclined drainage ladder 35, the inclined lower end of which faces the water absorption layer 12. The drainage ladder 35 facilitates the liquid moisture sensitive material 31 to flow quickly and smoothly into the water absorption layer 12, avoiding affecting the chromatography of the temperature sensitive area 2.

[0033] Specifically, a first through hole 36 is provided on the side of the moisture-sensitive area 3. A waterproof membrane 121 is attached to the surface of the water-absorbing layer 12. The waterproof membrane 121 has a second through hole 122 connected to the first through hole 36. The liquid moisture-sensitive material 31 is absorbed by the moisture-absorbing layer 12 through the first through hole 36 and the second through hole 122. The provision of the waterproof membrane 121 prevents the moisture-sensitive material 31 from reaching saturation before absorbing the moisture-sensitive area 3, thereby preventing the moisture-sensitive area 3 from being absorbed.

[0034] The elastic assembly 14 is composed of a plurality of longitudinal springs 141 and transverse elastic threads 142 arranged in a staggered arrangement. The lower ends of the longitudinal springs 141 are connected to the bottom of the waterproof cavity 13, and the upper ends of the longitudinal springs 141 are connected to the top of the waterproof cavity 13. The ends of the transverse elastic threads 142 are respectively connected to two adjacent longitudinal springs 141. The longitudinal springs 141 maintain the shape of the water retaining edge 11, while the transverse elastic threads 142 maintain the shape of the base layer 1. This prevents the base layer 1 from being affected by external factors during the inspection process, thereby ensuring smooth color change.

[0035] The temperature-sensitive color-changing material includes a controlled release nano-mixture, an oily adhesive, an oily diluent, and a defoaming agent. The temperature-sensitive color-changing material can be the ink material in the existing pressure sterilization indicator card, so it will not be described in detail here.

[0036] The humidity-sensitive material 31 is anhydrous calcium chloride, which becomes liquid when the humidity reaches 70%. Anhydrous calcium chloride is hygroscopic and, while in a solid state, continuously absorbs water. When the humidity reaches 70%, it becomes liquid, generating CaCl2·6H2O. Depending on the amount of humidity-sensitive material 31, the melting time can be controlled to ensure the duration of the humidity.

Claims

1. An autoclave indicator card, characterized in that: The invention comprises a base layer (1), wherein the base layer (1) is provided with a temperature-sensitive area (2), a diffusion channel (21), a moisture-sensitive area (3) and a standard color block (4); the temperature-sensitive area (2) is filled with a temperature-sensitive color-changing material, and the temperature-sensitive color-changing material changes color along the diffusion channel (21) on the base layer (1); the moisture-sensitive area (3) is located between the temperature-sensitive area (2) and the diffusion channel (21); the moisture-sensitive area (3) is filled with a moisture-sensitive material (31), and the moisture-sensitive material (31) is in a solid state when the humidity does not reach the sterilization requirement, thereby blocking the temperature-sensitive area. (2) and the diffusion channel (21), the humidity-sensitive material (31) changes from solid to liquid after reaching the humidity required for sterilization, so that the temperature-sensitive area (2) is connected to the diffusion channel (21); a water-blocking plate (32) supported by the solid humidity-sensitive material (31) is provided above the humidity-sensitive area (3), one end of the water-blocking plate (32) is connected to the edge of the humidity-sensitive area (3), a counterweight (33) is provided at the bottom of the other end of the water-blocking plate (32), and a chromatography paper (34) is provided above the water-blocking plate (32) for communicating with the diffusion channel (21) when the humidity-sensitive material (31) is in liquid state.

2. The high pressure sterilization indicator card according to claim 1, characterized in that: The humidity-sensitive area (3) is adjacent to and connected to the diffusion channel (21) and the temperature-sensitive area (2).

3. The high pressure sterilization indicator card according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base layer (1) is provided with a water retaining edge (11) with a stepped structure around its periphery. The outer side of the water retaining edge (11) is higher than the inner side of the water retaining edge (11). A water absorbing layer (12) is provided on the inner stepped surface of the water retaining edge (11). The water absorbing layer (12) is connected to the moisture sensitive area (3). A waterproof cavity (13) is provided on the outer side of the water retaining edge (11). An annular elastic component (14) is provided in the waterproof cavity (13).

4. The high pressure sterilization indicator card according to claim 3, characterized in that: An inclined drainage ladder (35) is provided at the bottom of the moisture-sensitive area (3), with the inclined lower end of the drainage ladder (35) facing the water-absorbing layer (12).

5. The high pressure sterilization indicator card according to claim 3, characterized in that: A first through hole (36) is provided on the side of the moisture-sensitive area (3); a waterproof membrane (121) is attached to the surface of the water-absorbing layer (12); and a second through hole (122) communicating with the first through hole (36) is provided on the waterproof membrane (121).

6. The high pressure sterilization indicator card according to claim 3, characterized in that: The elastic component (14) is composed of a plurality of longitudinal springs (141) and transverse elastic wires (142) that are staggered and distributed. The lower end of the longitudinal spring (141) is connected to the bottom of the waterproof cavity (13), the upper end of the longitudinal spring (141) is connected to the top of the waterproof cavity (13), and the two ends of the transverse elastic wire (142) are respectively connected to two adjacent longitudinal springs (141).

7. The autoclave indicator card according to claim 1, wherein: The temperature-sensitive color-changing material comprises a controlled release nano-mixture, an oily adhesive, an oily diluent and a defoaming agent.

8. The high pressure sterilization indicator card according to claim 1, characterized in that: The humidity-sensitive material (31) is anhydrous calcium chloride that becomes liquid when the humidity reaches 70%.

Images