Abstract: A device is disclosed for monitoring an ethylene oxide sterilization process in which 100% ethylene oxide is utilized as the sterilant comprising a wick impregnated with an ethylene oxide responsive chemical compound, a quantifier and a pH sensitive dye; an ethylene oxide impervious backing strip upon which the wick is mounted; and a cover strip having an ethylene oxide impervious film. The backing and cover strip are adhered to one another, and in intimate contact with and sealed to the wick. At least one of the cover strip and backing strip having a centrally located perforation through which the ethylene oxide sterilant can access the wick.

Abstract: A package for adapting a chemical thermometer to axillary use comprising a substrate coated with a release agent, a clinical chemical thermometer disposed on the substrate and a transparent overlayer film having a surface of the film coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive, the adhesive coated surface being in juxtaposition with the oral thermometer and the release agent coated surface of the substrate, thereby, adhering the thermometer to the overlayer film and sealing the thermometer within the package formed by the substrate and the overlayer film, the overlayer film being releasably adhered to the substrate.

Abstract: An improved steam sterilization process monitor is disclosed comprising a backing strip, a wicking means in intimate contact with an organic compound mounted on the backing strip and a water vapor rate controlling cover strip. In the preferred embodiment the backing strip comprises aluminum foil having a polypropylene interlayer adhesively bonded thereto. The sole means for bonding the cover strip to the backing strip is by heat sealing. The cover layer is heat sealed to the backing strip over the entire land area of the backing strip surrounding the wicking means, but is not heat sealed to the wicking means. The organic compound has a normal melting point in the absence of water vapor of about 5.degree. to about 50.degree. F. above a predetermined control temperature.

Abstract: A freeze indicator comprising a frangible ampule containing a liquid which expands upon freezing, a dye soluble in the liquid and a nucleating agent, the nucleating agent and the liquid having substantially similar space groupings, the ampule being enclosed within a blister of transparent film, the blister being adhered to a backing, the inner surface of the blister being coating with an absorbent layer comprising a binder wettable by the liquid and a filler, whereby upon rupture of the ampule the liquid containing dye is absorbed by the absorbent layer thereby causing a color change in the absorbent layer visible through the transparent film.

Abstract: A sterility indicator of the type used in hospitals and laboratories. The device uses a cylindrical ampule holder with an ampule containing nutrient media and spore strip disposed therein. One or more gas pervious, liquid impervious tortuous paths lie between the interior and exterior of the ampule holder. Fracturing of the ampule is by the combination of a rotation and rotation prevention means with respect to the cylindrical axis.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for substantially eliminating undercooling in a liquid cooled below its freezing point which comprises utilizing a nucleating agent system comprising:(1) a nucleating agent which is a metal compound, insoluble in the liquid, the metal compound and liquid having similar molecular space groupings; and(2) at least 0.075 wt. % based on the metal compound of a soluble salt of a metal which is the same metal as that of the metal compound.In a preferred embodiment the valence state of the metal of the salt is the same as that of the metal of the metal compound. In another embodiment a metal compound of limited solubility, e.g., less than 1% by weight in the liquid, more preferably about 0.15 to about 0.25 wt. %, is utilized to serve the function of both the insoluble nucleating agent and the soluble metal salt.Where the liquid is water, deuterium oxide or mixtures thereof the preferred metal compound is cupric sulfide and the preferred salt is cupric sulfate.

Abstract: There are disclosed improved modulat heat sinks for use in packages for protecting thermolabile goods, having a thermosensitive temperature, from high ambient shipping temperatures in excess of the thermosensitive temperatures. One of the modular heat sinks is adapted to be configured to a variety of box sizes and may be used in either of two configurations, flat or folded. The dimensions of the heat sink and the fold line are correlated to a plurality of box sizes to enable the use of a single size heat sink in a plurality of carton sizes, and for a plurality of degree day temperature protection requirements. A second heat sink having a recessed wall defined therein for protecting a thermosensitive area of the thermosensitive goods is also disclosed. This second heat sink may be combined with the foldable modular heat sink for certain boxes of said plurality of boxes.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved heat sink composition and a method for preparing said composition to protect thermolabile goods from degradation or destruction from high temperatures. A representative composition includes sodium sulfate, sodium sulfate decahydrate (also known as Glauber's salt) and fumed silcon dioxide, a hydrophilic suspension agent which maintains the excess anhydrous sodium sulfate in uniform suspension when the composition is in a liquid state. In a preferred embodiment, the salt prior to use is dissolved in water, and driven to saturation, the hydrophilic agent is added, and the suspension driven to an over saturated state by the additional of from 1 to 30% anhydrous salt. The composition is then sealed in a plastic container of the desired shape to form an improved heat sink. The goods to be protected are packaged with the heat sink, whose salt hydrate has a melting point about 3.degree. C. to about 5.degree. C.

Abstract: An improved steam sterilization indicator is provided. The indicator includes a fusible material, in tablet form, deposited in an embossment in one end of a thin aluminum backing. A wicking strip is attached to the backing with one end of the strip being in close proximity to the fusible tablet. A clear plastic material covers the tablet and the strip and is adhered to the backing. The melting point of the fusible tablet is depressed in the presence of saturated steam. Upon melt, the material in the tablet is absorbed by the wicking strip, producing a color front to provide an indication of the integration of time and temperature in the presence of steam. Various amounts of a binder are used in the tablet to provide a device which may be adjusted to reflect the thermal death curves of various types of microorganisms. The cover and the wick are bonded to the backing by an acrylic adhesive which also affects the rate of the indicator.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for protecting thermolabile goods from degradation or destruction from high temperatures by surrounding the goods with a compound having a melting point about 3.degree. to about 5.degree. C. lower than the thermosensitive temperature of the goods and a heat capacity sufficient to protect the goods when the temperature of the environment exceeds the temperature of the goods. A representative compound is sodium sulfate decahydrate also known as Glauber's salt. In a preferred embodiment, the compound prior to use is melted, absorbed in a bibulous material, and then sealed in a plastic bag. In still another preferred embodiment, the method surrounds the compound with a layer of outer insulation which is adjacent to the outside container, which is made of cardboard, paper, and/or wood.

Abstract: A new and useful composition of matter, solid at room temperature, is disclosed, comprising: (1) an effective amount of a suitable nucleating agent substantially uniformly dispersed in (2) a suitable pressure-sensitive adhesive for encapsulating a temperature-sensitive solid mixture having a given nucleation efficiency and which melts at a predetermined temperature, whereby the suitable nucleating agent is (a) inert to both the pressure-sensitive adhesive and the temperature-sensitive solid mixture, and (b) capable of raising the nucleation efficiency of said solid mixture. The novel composition of matter overcomes the extreme super-cooling achieved by temperature-indicating compositions of matter in U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,552 (which change color with a change in phase) without the use of classical nucleating agents being employed in such temperature-indicating compositions of matter.

Abstract: An improved steam sterilization indicator is provided. The indicator includes a fusible material in tablet form, deposited in an embossment in one end of a thin aluminum backing. A wicking strip is attached to the backing with one end of the strip being in close proximity to the fusible tablet. A clear plastic material covers the tablet and the strip and is adhered to the backing. The melting point of the fusible tablet is depressed in the presence of saturated steam. Upon melt, the material in the tablet is absorbed by the wicking strip, producing a color front to provide an indication of the integration of time and temperature in the presence of steam. Various amounts of a binder are used in the tablet to provide a device which may be adjusted to reflect the thermal death curves of various types of microorganisms. The cover and the wick are bonded to the backing by an acyclic adhesive which also affects the rate of the indicator.