Sterilant monitoring assembly and apparatus and method using same

Abstract

Sterilant monitoring assembly includes an external housing defining an inlet and an outlet, and an internal flow path extending therethrough. An internal housing is located within the external housing and substantially surrounded by the internal flow path. The internal housing defines an interior sensor chamber therein, and includes a valve arrangement to join the interior sensor chamber selectively in fluid communication with the internal flow path. Preferably, the valve arrangement of the internal housing is defined by a base portion and a cover portion moveable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position. In one embodiment, the cover portion has an open end section configured for sealing engagement with an opposing surface of the base portion when moved axially to the closed position. In another preferred embodiment, the base portion and cover portion include mating peripheral walls. The peripheral walls of the base and cover portions have corresponding passageways and openings defined therein, respectively, so as to be in alignment with each other when moved to the open position and out of alignment with each other when moved to the closed position. A sterilant sensor, and any other desired sensor, is positioned to provide output signals corresponding to detected levels of sterilant and related parameters within the interior sensor chamber.