An Indicator Control Device for Ethylene Oxide Sterilisation

Abstract

Abstract The use of physical sterilisation controls instead of bacteriological controls for heat sterilisation processes is cited. Due to sorption of the gas and penetrability difficulties added need for such controls exists in ethylene oxide sterilisations. Some data on sorption of ethylene oxide is presented. The construction of a simple disposable device, to indicate the attainment of lethal conditions in ethylene oxide sterilisations is described. Data are presented to compare the control device with bacteriological controls, under different conditions of time, temperature, and gas concentration.