Pre-reacted Oxidative Dye Indicator for Sterilization Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indicators for oxidative high-level disinfection and sterilization processes, such as those using liquid peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, are complex and expensive to manufacture, often relying on interactions with halide salts or direct oxidative reactions for color changes, which can be inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A prereacted dye is formed by reacting an indicator dye with a reducing agent, blended with a binder and solvent, and applied to a substrate to create an oxidative dye indicator that undergoes a notable color change upon exposure to oxidizing agents, providing a clear visual indication of disinfection or sterilization efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If current indicators rely on oxidative bleaching reactions or interactions with halide salts for color change, then color change can be achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-reacting the indicator dye with a reducing agent to form a reduced dye complex before application to the substrate. This pre-reaction simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for separate reducing agents and halide salts during use, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective color change capability upon oxidizing agent exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from the indicator system. By incorporating the reducing agent into a pre-reacted complex with the dye, the patent removes the need for separate halide salt sources and complex multi-component formulations, simplifying both manufacturing and the final indicator composition
2Ease of manufacture
If indicators use multiple components like halide salts and transition metal salts for color change, then color change can be achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the indicator dye and reducing agent into a single pre-reacted dye complex. This combination eliminates the need for separate halide salts and transition metal salts, reducing the number of components from multiple substances to essentially two main components (the pre-reacted dye and binder), thereby lowering manufacturing cost and simplifying the formulation
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-reacted dye complex serves multiple functions: it acts as both the indicator component and contains the reducing capability within its structure. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate reducing agents and halide sources, reducing component quantity while maintaining effective color change performance
3Reliability
If indicators rely on gradual oxidative bleaching for color change, then exposure detection can be achieved, but visual indication becomes less distinct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a colorimetric detection system where the pre-reacted dye complex undergoes a distinct color change upon reaction with oxidizing agents. The reduced dye complex initially appears in one color state, and upon oxidation by the disinfectant or sterilant, it transitions to a clearly different color, providing immediate and distinct visual indication of exposure while maintaining reliable detection accuracy
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 oxidative dye indicator offers a simple, cost-effective, and visually apparent color change, allowing immediate determination of disinfection or sterilization exposure, serving as a process indicator, chemical indicator, or integrator, with significant changes in chromaticity values, ensuring effective monitoring of disinfection and sterilization processes.
Implementation Method 1
A prereacted dye is formed by reacting an indicator dye with a reducing agent
Implementation Method 2
said pre-reacted dye upon reaction with an oxidizing agent produces a color change
Data Source
AI summary
An oxidative dye indicator composition comprising an indicator dye that has been pre-reacted with a reducing agent prior to use in an oxidizing or disinfectant sterilizing system. The pre-reacted dye, when subjected to an oxidizing disinfection or sterilization agent, such as peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide, under goes a visible color change and thus can serve as a chemical, process, or chemical integrator, indicator. The dyes include various azines, thiazines, and oxazines compounds and the reducing agents include alkali metal alkoxides and alkaline earth metal alkoxide compounds.