The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 27, 1999
Filed:
Mar. 10, 1997
Paul S Malchesky, Painesville Township, OH (US);
Steris Corporation, Mentor, OH (US);
Abstract
A porous material (10) is contaminated with soil (14). Optionally, the porous material is partially shielded by an impermeable layer. The contaminated porous material is packaged and shipped to a user site. The contaminated porous material is removed from the package and placed in an automated processor containing medical equipment (22). The medical equipment and porous material are subjected to a cleaning, disinfecting, or sterilizing cycle in the processor. The cleaning process is evaluated by examining the porous material with an infrared or other electronic reader (24) to determine the presence of remaining soil which has not be removed during the cleaning, disinfecting, or sterilizing cycle.