Abstract: A method of sterilizing material includes receiving the material in a sterilizing chamber, vaporizing sterilant supplied to vaporizer from a sterilant source, exposing the material to the vaporized sterilant by conducting a sterilization cycle in the sterilizing chamber, heating ambient filtered air supplied to the vaporizer from an ambient filtered air source, and removing residuals of the vaporized sterilant absorbed or adsorbed by the material during the sterilization cycle by conducting an aeration cycle in the sterilizing chamber. The removing of the residuals includes conducting a plurality of aeration pulses to provide the sterilizing chamber with an aeration atmosphere comprising the heated filtered air to vaporize the absorbed or adsorbed residuals, and conducting a plurality of aeration vacuum pulses to evacuate the aeration atmosphere and vaporized residuals from the sterilizing chamber.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing material includes receiving the material in a sterilizing chamber, vaporizing sterilant supplied to vaporizer from a sterilant source, exposing the material to the vaporized sterilant by conducting a sterilization cycle in the sterilizing chamber, heating ambient filtered air supplied to the vaporizer from an ambient filtered air source, and removing residuals of the vaporized sterilant absorbed or adsorbed by the material during the sterilization cycle by conducting an aeration cycle in the sterilizing chamber. The removing of the residuals includes conducting a plurality of aeration pulses to provide the sterilizing chamber with an aeration atmosphere comprising the heated filtered air to vaporize the absorbed or adsorbed residuals, and conducting a plurality of aeration vacuum pulses to evacuate the aeration atmosphere and vaporized residuals from the sterilizing chamber.

Abstract: A cap assembly for attachment to an equalization port on an endoscope, comprising a tubular housing defining an internal chamber, a mounting section releasably attached to the housing in fluid-tight fashion and attachable to the equalization port of an endoscope, wherein the internal chamber communicates with the equalization port; a barrier layer formed of a reactive material disposed within the internal chamber, a first cavity defined between the barrier layer and a first end of the housing; a second cavity defined between the barrier layer and the mounting section, the second cavity dimensioned to receive an indicator test strip that is capable of detecting a gaseous germicide; and a filter layer disposed between the barrier layer and the first end of the housing.

Abstract: A cap assembly for attachment to an equalization port on an endoscope, comprising a tubular housing defining an internal chamber, a mounting section releasably attached to the housing in fluid-tight fashion and attachable to the equalization port of an endoscope, wherein the internal chamber communicates with the equalization port; a barrier layer formed of a reactive material disposed within the internal chamber, a first cavity defined between the barrier layer and a first end of the housing; a second cavity defined between the barrier layer and the mounting section, the second cavity dimensioned to receive an indicator test strip that is capable of detecting a gaseous germicide; and a filter layer disposed between the barrier layer and the first end of the housing.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an indicator composition comprising at least one iodide salt, at least one binder, at least one carbonate salt and/or at least one sulfate salt, and at least one antioxidant. The indicator composition may contain at least one dye, complexing agent, inhibitor, and/or solvent. A sterilization indicator comprising the foregoing indicator composition is disclosed. The sterilization indicator may be used for monitoring sterilization processes involving oxidative chemistries.

Abstract: An oxidative dye indicator composition comprising an indicator dye that has been pre-reacted with a reducing agent prior to use in an oxidizing or disinfectant sterilizing system. The pre-reacted dye, when subjected to an oxidizing disinfection or sterilization agent, such as peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide, under goes a visible color change and thus can serve as a chemical, process, or chemical integrator, indicator. The dyes include various azines, thiazines, and oxazines compounds and the reducing agents include alkali metal alkoxides and alkaline earth metal alkoxide compounds.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an indicator composition comprising at least one iodide salt, at least one binder, at least one carbonate salt and/or at least one sulfate salt, and at least one antioxidant. The indicator composition may contain at least one dye, complexing agent, inhibitor, and/or solvent. A sterilization indicator comprising the foregoing indicator composition is disclosed. The sterilization indicator may be used for monitoring sterilization processes involving oxidative chemistries.

Abstract: A self-contained biological indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of a sterilizer utilizing an anti-microbial gas or liquid fluid. The indicator is comprised of a tubular casing having open ends and defining an interior chamber. A source of viable microorganisms is disposed within the chamber. A frangible ampoule containing a culture medium capable of promoting growth of the microorganism and a detector means capable of reaction with the metabolites of the microorganism to produce a visual indication is disposed within the chamber. The ampule is operable by pressure applied to an external surface thereof to permit the microorganism and the medium to come into contact with each other. A cap assembly is mounted to each end of the tubular casing. Each cap assembly includes a telescoping element movable from a first position defining an opening communicating with the chamber and a second position crushing the ampoule and forming a gas/fluid impermeable seal around the chamber.