Peracetic Acid Test Strip Composition for Disinfection Threshold Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a reliable method to determine the concentration of peracetic acid in cleaning solutions used for reprocessing medical devices like endoscopes to ensure adequate disinfection and sterilization, as improper concentration can lead to patient safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A test strip with a chemical indicator composition that changes color based on peracetic acid concentration, providing a pass rate at 2300 ppm and fail rate at 2000 ppm or less, ensuring the solution is effective for disinfection and sterilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a chemical indicator composition is applied to a test strip substrate and dried, then the test strip can detect peracetic acid concentration, but the composition requires precise formulation with multiple components in specific proportions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperacetic acid concentration detection accuracyVSAvoidchemical indicator composition formulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the chemical indicator composition by adjusting the parameters (concentrations) of multiple components including starch (3-4%), iodide (0.25-1.2%), phosphate agents (0.6-1% dibasic, 0.3-0.5% monobasic), mercapto benzimide sulfonate (0.2-0.7%), and glycerol (7-7.3%). This systematic parameter optimization enables the composition to detect peracetic acid concentrations in the 2000-3000 ppm range with high precision while maintaining manufacturability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite chemical indicator composition that integrates multiple functional components: starch and iodide form the color-changing indicator system, phosphate agents provide buffering capacity, mercapto benzimide sulfonate enhances sensitivity to peracetic acid, and glycerol acts as a plasticizer and stabilizer. This composite material approach achieves reliable detection across the required concentration range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If the test strip uses a simple color change indicator, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability of peracetic acid concentration determination decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest strip structure simplicityVSAvoidconcentration determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a color change-based detection system where the chemical indicator composition (starch-iodide complex) changes color in response to peracetic acid concentration. The composition provides distinct color transitions that allow visual or instrumental detection of whether the peracetic acid concentration meets the minimum 2000 ppm requirement, maintaining simple test strip structure while achieving reliable measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Measurement precision

If the chemical indicator composition is formulated with higher concentrations of reactive components, then the detection sensitivity increases, but the stability and shelf life of the test strip decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidtest strip shelf life
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates stabilizing components into the chemical indicator composition before the test strip is used. Glycerol (7-7.3%) acts as a plasticizer and stabilizer that protects the starch-iodide complex and other reactive components from degradation during storage. The phosphate buffer system (0.6-1% dibasic phosphate, 0.3-0.5% monobasic phosphate) maintains pH stability, preventing premature reactions. This beforehand cushioning allows the composition to maintain high detection sensitivity while achieving adequate shelf life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The test strip provides a simple and efficient way to verify the adequacy of peracetic acid concentration, enhancing patient safety by ensuring proper disinfection and sterilization of medical devices.

Implementation Method 1

A test strip is provided with a chemical indicator composition that is designed to inform the use that the concentration of peracetic acid is sufficient to disinfect and/or sterilize a medical device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectColor change: Photochromism

Data Source

PatentEP4347861B1Peracetic acid test strips
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 MEDIVATORS INC
  • EP4347861B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4347861B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention describes test strips to determine a peracetic acid concentration in a solution.