Abstract: A microbial indicator device for liquid disinfection comprises a first cavity, a source of biological activity fluidically coupled to the first cavity via a portion of a first fluidic path, a filter membrane positioned in a second fluidic path for a disinfectant, and a first coupling portion fluidically coupled to the source of biologically activity via the second fluidic path. The filter membrane has a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is in fluid communication with the first fluidic path. The filter membrane has a pore size sufficient to retain at least a portion of the source of biological activity on the first side. The device further comprises a frangible container contained in the first cavity, wherein a liquid in the container is in fluid communication with the first cavity when the container is fractured.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a reading apparatus that a well formed from a portion of a housing. The well dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a sterilization indicator having spores. The reading apparatus can also have a heating element thermally coupled to a portion of the well and an excitation source to excite the substance in the sterilization indicator. The reading apparatus can have a sterilization indicator activation circuit for detecting activation of the sterilization indicator. The excitation source is positioned such that light from the excitation source is directed into the well. A color sensor can be positioned adjacent the well to receive reflected light from the sterilization indicator.

Abstract: The disclosed sterilizer includes a humidity control system for controlling humidity. The sterilizer for sterilizing objects comprises a chamber for receiving objects to be sterilized and a humidity control system. The humidity control system comprises a water control system which can be connected to a water source for injecting a first quantity of water vapor into the chamber, a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the chamber for measuring pressure in the chamber, a humidity sensor in fluid communication, or in selective fluid communication, with the chamber for sensing a first humidity value (RHchamber) of the first quantity of water vapor in the chamber; and a controller configured to inject a second quantity of water vapor into the chamber.

Abstract: A microbial indicator device for liquid disinfection comprises a first cavity, a source of biological activity fluidically coupled to the first cavity via a portion of a first fluidic path, a filter membrane positioned in a second fluidic path for a disinfectant, and a first coupling portion fluidically coupled to the source of biologically activity via the second fluidic path. The filter membrane has a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is in fluid communication with the first fluidic path. The filter membrane has a pore size sufficient to retain at least a portion of the source of biological activity on the first side. The device further comprises a frangible container contained in the first cavity, wherein a liquid in the container is in fluid communication with the first cavity when the container is fractured.

Abstract: A cartridge for use with a process monitoring system. The process monitoring system can include an adapter comprising a first fluid pathway and configured to be positioned in fluid communication with a reprocessing system. At least a portion of the cartridge can be configured to be removably received in a receptacle of the adapter. The cartridge can include a second fluid pathway configured to be positioned in fluid communication with the first fluid pathway of the adapter when at least a portion of the cartridge is positioned in the receptacle of the adapter. The cartridge can further include at least one indicator positioned on the cartridge in fluid communication with the second fluid pathway of the cartridge.

Abstract: Process monitoring systems include a reader having a read sensor, an optional reference sensor, and a light source. The reader optionally includes an optical block defining an interior volume and an aperture aligned with the read sensor to allow diffuse light to be received by the read sensor. One or more percent reflectance values may be calculated in response to a dark measurement, a correction function, and normalization. The one or more percent reflectance values may be compared to a threshold to determine whether a disinfection cycle was effective. The reader may indicate the determination to a user and provide the determination to a tracking system for diagnostics, inventory management, or compliance monitoring.

Abstract: The disclosed sterilizer includes a humidity control system for controlling humidity. The sterilizer for sterilizing objects comprises a chamber for receiving objects to be sterilized and a humidity control system. The humidity control system comprises a water control system which can be connected to a water source for injecting a first quantity of water vapor into the chamber, a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the chamber for measuring pressure in the chamber, a humidity sensor in fluid communication, or in selective fluid communication, with the chamber for sensing a first humidity value (RHchamber) of the first quantity of water vapor in the chamber; and a controller configured to inject a second quantity of water vapor into the chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling humidity. Methods can include providing a chamber configured to receive objects to be sterilized; injecting a first quantity of water into the chamber; determining a pressure rise and a pressure drop in the chamber resulting from the first injection; calculating an absorption ratio (AR) as the ratio of the pressure drop to the pressure rise; sensing the humidity of the chamber after the first injection to determine a first humidity value (RHchamber); comparing the first humidity value to a pre-selected humidity value (RHsetpoint) to determine a humidity error (RHerror), wherein RHerror=RHsetpoint?RHchamber; and injecting a second quantity of water into the chamber, wherein the second quantity of water is calculated based on the absorption ratio (AR) and the humidity error (RHerror). Systems can perform the method; and the systems and methods can be employed in a sterilizer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling humidity. Methods can include providing a chamber configured to receive objects to be sterilized; injecting a first quantity of water into the chamber; determining a pressure rise and a pressure drop in the chamber resulting from the first injection; calculating an absorption ratio (AR) as the ratio of the pressure drop to the pressure rise; sensing the humidity of the chamber after the first injection to determine a first humidity value (RHchamber); comparing the first humidity value to a pre-selected humidity value (RHsetpoint) to determine a humidity error (RHerror), wherein RHerror=RHsetpoint?RHchamber; and injecting a second quantity of water into the chamber, wherein the second quantity of water is calculated based on the absorption ratio (AR) and the humidity error (RHerror). Systems can perform the method; and the systems and methods can be employed in a sterilizer.

Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) system and method. The system can include a BI and a reading apparatus comprising a well. The BI can include a housing, which can include a first portion, and a second portion movable between a first “unactivated” position and a second “activated” position. The BI can further include a frangible container containing a liquid and dimensioned to be positioned in the housing. The reading apparatus can be configured to detect activation of the biological sterilization indicator, for example, by detecting that the second portion is in the second position, and/or by detecting that the liquid from the frangible container is present in a specific chamber of the biological sterilization indicator. The method can include positioning the BI in the well of the reading apparatus and detecting activation, for example, by detecting one or more of the above conditions.

Abstract: A process challenge device comprising process challenge device comprising a container defining a space within the container, wherein the space can fully contain a process indicator; and at least one pressure-actuating valve associated with the container, wherein the at least one pressure-actuating valve regulates entrance of a sterilant into and exiting of a gas and/or liquid out of the space within the container, methods of using the device and a kit including the device are disclosed.

Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) system and method. The system can include a BI and a reading apparatus comprising a well. The BI can include a housing, which can include a first portion, and a second portion movable between a first “unactivated” position and a second “activated” position. The reading apparatus can detect at least one of (i) when the well is empty; (ii) when the biological sterilization indicator is positioned in the well with the second portion of the housing in the first position, and (iii) when the biological sterilization indicator is positioned in the well with the second portion of the housing in the second position. The method can include detecting at least one of the above conditions, which can be used to detect an activation status of the biological sterilization indicator.

Abstract: A process challenge device comprising process challenge device comprising a container defining a space within the container, wherein the space can fully contain a process indicator; and at least one pressure-actuating valve associated with the container, wherein the at least one pressure-actuating valve regulates entrance of a sterilant into and exiting of a gas and/or liquid out of the space within the container, methods of using the device and a kit including the device are disclosed.

Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) system and method. The system can include a BI and a reading apparatus comprising a well. The BI can include a housing, which can include a first portion, and a second portion movable between a first “unactivated” position and a second “activated” position. The BI can further include a frangible container containing a liquid and dimensioned to be positioned in the housing. The reading apparatus can be configured to detect activation of the biological sterilization indicator, for example, by detecting that the second portion is in the second position, and/or by detecting that the liquid from the frangible container is present in a specific chamber of the biological sterilization indicator. The method can include positioning the BI in the well of the reading apparatus and detecting activation, for example, by detecting one or more of the above conditions.

Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) system and method. The system can include a BI and a reading apparatus comprising a well. The BI can include a housing, which can include a first portion, and a second portion movable between a first “unactivated” position and a second “activated” position. The BI can further include a frangible container containing a liquid and dimensioned to be positioned in the housing. The reading apparatus can be configured to detect activation of the biological sterilization indicator, for example, by detecting that the second portion is in the second position, and/or by detecting that the liquid from the frangible container is present in a specific chamber of the biological sterilization indicator. The method can include positioning the BI in the well of the reading apparatus and detecting activation, for example, by detecting one or more of the above conditions.

Abstract: A sterilization process challenge device comprising a solid body comprised of walls which define a space, wherein the space can fully contain a sterilization indicator and a volume of gas of at least 5 cubic centimeters and not more than 1000 cubic centimeters; a flow restrictor associated with the solid body such that any flow of the gas out of the space and any flow of a sterilant into the space is restricted; wherein the sterilization indicator indicates whether or not it has been contacted by the sterilant for a time and at a temperature sufficient to sterilize an article; and wherein the walls of the solid body are impervious to the sterilant and have a thickness of at least 0.3 centimeter, methods of using the device and a kit including the device are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for processing sample processing devices. The system can include a base plate adapted to rotate about a rotation axis. The system can further include a cover including a first projection, and a housing. A portion of the housing can be movable with respect to the base plate between an open position and a closed position, and can include a second projection. The first projection and the second projection can be adapted to be coupled together when the portion is in the open position and decoupled when the portion is in the closed position. The method can include coupling the cover to the portion of the housing, moving the portion of the housing from the open position to the closed position, and rotating the base plate about the rotation axis.

Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) system and method. The system can include a BI and a reading apparatus comprising a well. The BI can include a housing, which can include a first portion, and a second portion movable between a first “unactivated” position and a second “activated” position. The reading apparatus can detect at least one of (i) when the well is empty; (ii) when the biological sterilization indicator is positioned in the well with the second portion of the housing in the first position, and (iii) when the biological sterilization indicator is positioned in the well with the second portion of the housing in the second position. The method can include detecting at least one of the above conditions, which can be used to detect an activation status of the biological sterilization indicator.

Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) system and method. The system can include a BI and a reading apparatus comprising a well. The BI can include a housing, which can include a first portion, and a second portion movable between a first “unactivated” position and a second “activated” position. The BI can further include a frangible container containing a liquid and dimensioned to be positioned in the housing. The reading apparatus can be configured to detect activation of the biological sterilization indicator, for example, by detecting that the second portion is in the second position, and/or by detecting that the liquid from the frangible container is present in a specific chamber of the biological sterilization indicator. The method can include positioning the BI in the well of the reading apparatus and detecting activation, for example, by detecting one or more of the above conditions.

Abstract: Methods for processing sample materials. Methods of the present disclosure can include providing a device including a process chamber array, the process chamber array including a loading chamber and a process chamber; providing sample material in the process chamber array; moving the sample material within the process chamber array by rotating the device; providing paramagnetic particles within the sample material located in the process chamber array; providing a magnet proximate the device; and rotating the device such that the paramagnetic particles within the sample material are subjected to the magnetic field of the magnet during rotation of the device.