Steris Inc.

George E Grignol

Christopher M Fricker

Iain McVey

Brian C Wojcieck

Stephanie A S Harrington

Paul S Malchesky

Brian E Schindly

An environmentally friendly decontaminant solution, which may be disposed of after use without posing significant environmental hazards, is formulated without molybdenum-based corrosion inhibitors and preferably is free of all heavy metals. A zeolite-based buffering system optionally replaces phosphate buffers for maintaining the pH of the decontaminant solution at an appropriate pH for effective antimicrobial decontamination. Molybdenum-free decontaminant solutions containing peracetic acid retain their peracetic acid levels, and thus their antimicrobial effectiveness, for longer periods than comparable solutions formulated with a molybdate corrosion inhibitor.

Environmentally friendly peracetic acid decontamination formula with increased performance and chemical stability

A single-use cartridge C contains a dose of a concentrated decontaminant for providing a decontaminant solution upon mixing with water. The cartridge is inserted into the well ( ) of a decontamination system (A). Fresh water and then the decontaminant solution are recirculated through the well during a decontamination cycle. The cartridge includes a porous region ( ), through which the decontaminant solution flows. Impregnated in the porous region is a chemical indicator ( ), such as crystal violet, which gradually changes color on exposure to the decontaminant. The indicator provides a semi-quantitative indication of the integrated level of the decontaminant in the solution over time for determining whether an acceptable level of the decontaminant was present for decontamination. A preferred embodiment of the cartridge C includes nested inner and outer water-penetrable cups ( ) for holding first and second reagents. The two cups are sealed together adjacent upper open ends ( ). A porous top cover ( ) is sealed to the inner cup adjacent the inner cup open end ( ) to complete the cartridge. The two reagents react with water flowing through the cartridge to form the decontaminant solution. The chemical indicator is printed on the top cover so that it is exposed to the decontaminant solution as it is recirculated through the cartridge.

Flow through chemical indicator for measurement of active biocidal agents in a single use package

A pigment such as crystal violet is impregnated in or otherwise affixed to a translucent plastic or porous member (14, 22). The color change material changes at least one of opacity or color with repeated exposure to a fluid sterilant, such as an oxidant solution. A label (10, 24) is mounted behind the translucent plastic material and carries an indicia (12, 26). With repeated sterilizations of the instrument, the color change material becomes progressively more translucent, allowing the indicia to be read through the translucent plastic material. When the indicia becomes visible, such as after about 7 sterilization cycles in FIG. 3, the user is warned to discontinue use of the instrument, either discarding it or having it rebuilt. Rather than having a written indicia, a color scale (30) can be provided for comparison against the current color of the color change material. When the color changes to the discard color on the color scale, the user is again advised to discontinue use of or rebuild the instrument.

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Fairview, PA, United States of America

George E Grignol