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:
Apr. 15, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 10, 1999
Dennis Kinney, Queens, NY (US);
Propper Manufacturing Co., Inc., Long Island City, NY (US);
Abstract
A method of determining the effectiveness of a sterilization cycle in a sterilization chamber by the use of an indicator containing DNA and a dye which can be bound thereto. The indicator containing DNA is placed in the sterilization chamber prior to the beginning of the sterilization cycle. When the DNA is subjected to heat and steam, the molecule is fragmented so that it is no longer capable of binding the dye. The DNA is withdrawn from the indicator after the sterilization cycle, contacted by a solution of the dye and, thereafter, dipped into wash water. If sufficient fragmentation has taken place, a substantial percentage of the dye will be washed off during the second dip. This is easily recognized by the operator and the efficacy of the cycle can be determined. On the other hand, if insufficient heat and steam has been applied, the remaining DNA will retain the dye and little or no change in color will be observed. In such a case, the operator will immediately recognize that the sterilization cycle was ineffective.