Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Steven S Kirckof

Chester Piotrowski

Dennis L Baker

Werner R Schwarz

Josef A Graessle

Dan J Morse

Theo N Wildt

Brian Kirk

A self-contained electronic test pack utilizes parametric measurments to determine the efficacy of a sterilization cycle. The electronic test pack is placed within a sterilization chamber and monitors and records environmental parameters at two predetermined locations during the sterilization cycle. More specifically, the test pack provides a challenging medium to challenge sterilant penetration to a first location and measures a first environmental condition at that location, and measures a second environmental condition within the sterilization chamber. The test pack records data associated with the first and second environmental conditions as well as time data from a timer within the test pack. The test pack may further process the data to determine whether adequate sterilant penetration has been achieved, or may transfer data to external devices to process the data.

Electronic test pack using parametric measurements for sterlizers

A monitor for detection of temperature and/or steam conditions indicative of sterilization. The monitor comprises means for creating a remotely detectable response upon interrogation by an electromagnetic field and means for changing the response upon exposure to a predetermined set of temperature and steam conditions. The remotely detectable response is preferably produced through the interaction of an electromagnetic interrogation field with magnetic components of the monitor, wherein the characteristic harmonic response generated by the magnetic components is either inhibited or enabled by the change in configuration of one or more elements of the detector. Sterilization conditions are detected through one or more compounds known to have melting points which are above the temperature used in the sterilization process. Melting of the chemical compound produces the change in configuration of the element or elements of the monitor.

Remotely detectable sterilization monitor

Growing community of inventors

Oakdale, CA, United States of America

Steven S Kirckof