Patent ID: 6630352
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
A sterilant challenge device for use in a sterilizer for determining the efficacy of the air removal stage of a sterilization cycle, the device comprising a tube of thermally-insulating material, the bore of the tube having a wall extending therethrough and defining a free space which is open at one end for the entry of sterilant and is closed at the other end; and a heat sink portion which surrounds the tube and, when the device is in use in a sterilizer, receives heat preferentially from the bore of the tube whereby the penetration of sterilant along the bore of the tube during a sterilization cycle is inhibited through the accumulation of air and/or non-condensable gas within the free space resulting from condensation on the wall of the bore; the device also comprising means for mounting a sensor to detect the presence of sterilant at, or adjacent, the closed end of the tube; wherein the wall of the bore is provided with grooves which, during a sterilization cycle, directs condensate that forms on the wall towards the open end of the bore.