Abstract: Disclosed herein are biological indicators suitable for use in a liquid-chemical sterilization process that may be conducted by an automated endoscope reprocessor. The biological indicator may include one or more ports for introducing and removing a liquid-chemical sterilant therefrom. The biological indicators may include features, such as a declivity leading to a port opening or a pipette, that may assist in transferring the liquid-chemical sterilant. The system may additionally include a holder having features that facilitate use of the system and biological indicators.

Abstract: A treatment indicator, a method for indicating a level of treatment in a treatment apparatus, and a method of preparing a treatment indicator are provided. The treatment indicator comprises a first body comprising a biological material, a fluid porous body in fluid communication with the first body in a fluid path, and a cleaning test soil disposed in at least a portion of interstitial spaces of the fluid porous body to inhibit traversal of a fluid through the fluid porous body to the first body via the fluid path.

Abstract: A treatment indicator, a method for indicating a level of treatment in a treatment apparatus, and a method of preparing a treatment indicator are provided. The treatment indicator comprises a first body comprising a biological material, a fluid porous body in fluid communication with the first body in a fluid path, and a cleaning test soil disposed in at least a portion of interstitial spaces of the fluid porous body to inhibit traversal of a fluid through the fluid porous body to the first body via the fluid path.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an article includes receiving the article in a sterilization chamber. The method also includes applying a vacuum to a first pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes introducing a sterilant into the sterilization chamber. The method also includes maintaining the first pressure in the sterilization chamber for a first period of time. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a second pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes maintaining the second pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a third pressure. The method also includes maintaining the third pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to atmospheric pressure. The method further includes between venting and maintaining steps applying a vacuum to a fourth pressure less than 100 torr, introducing additional sterilant, and maintaining the fourth pressure.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an article such as a flexible endoscope is performed in a sterilization chamber. A vacuum is applied in the sterilization chamber while the article is contained in the sterilization chamber. A sterilant is then introduced into the sterilization chamber. The pressure within the sterilization chamber is incrementally increased to provide a step-wise transition from a high vacuum state to atmospheric pressure. The article is thereby sterilized.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for adjusting a void volume of a basin of a treatment apparatus are provided. A treatment apparatus comprising a basin and an expandable member are provided. The expandable member may be disposed in the basin. The expandable member may be configured to expand from a first state to a second state to adjust the void volume of the basin. A void volume of the basin when the expandable member is in the second state is less than the void volume of the basin when the expandable member is in the first state.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for adjusting a void volume of a basin of a treatment apparatus are provided. A treatment apparatus comprising a basin and an expandable member are provided. The expandable member may be disposed in the basin. The expandable member may be configured to expand from a first state to a second state to adjust the void volume of the basin. A void volume of the basin when the expandable member is in the second state is less than the void volume of the basin when the expandable member is in the first state.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an article includes receiving the article in a sterilization chamber. The method also includes applying a vacuum to a first pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes introducing a sterilant into the sterilization chamber. The method also includes maintaining the first pressure in the sterilization chamber for a first period of time. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a second pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes maintaining the second pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a third pressure. The method also includes maintaining the third pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to atmospheric pressure. The method further includes between venting and maintaining steps applying a vacuum to a fourth pressure less than 100 torr, introducing additional sterilant, and maintaining the fourth pressure.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an article such as a flexible endoscope is performed in a sterilization chamber. A vacuum is applied in the sterilization chamber while the article is contained in the sterilization chamber. A sterilant is then introduced into the sterilization chamber. The pressure within the sterilization chamber is incrementally increased to provide a step-wise transition from a high vacuum state to atmospheric pressure. The article is thereby sterilized.

Abstract: A two-part formulation for creating a decontamination solution may comprise a first part comprising a peracid (e.g., peracetic acid (PAA), acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide) and a second part comprising a pH adjuster (e.g., a pH modifier, such as ethanolamine or disodium phosphate), in which the first part and the second part are maintained separately from each other. To assist in increasing the stability of the solution after the first part and the second part are mixed with water, including hard water, the first part and the second part should lack any chelants that could reduce the stability of the solution. Stability reducing chelants may include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), tetrasodium EDTA, methylglycinediacetic acid trisodium salt, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid pentasodium salt, sodium citrate, nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt, and glutamic acid diacetic acid tetrasodium salt.

Abstract: A biological indicator (100) for use in a liquid-chemical decontamination system is disclosed. The biological indicator may include a housing (102) and a cap (106) coupled to the housing. The cap may comprise a liquid chamber and at least two ports. One of the ports may connect to a liquid passage in the cap such that liquids such as liquid-chemical decontaminants may be introduced and removed from the biological indicator via this port.

Abstract: A method for reprocessing a medical device uses a medical device processor with an enclosure for holding the medical device. The enclosure also has a reservoir containing a disinfectant, a water source, and a mixing chamber that retains the medical device. The method delivers disinfectant from the reservoir to an internal channel of the medical device, and further delivers water from the water source to the mixing chamber. A flow sensor is operable to monitor the disinfectant delivered to the internal channels of the medical device.

Abstract: An article, a system, and a method for indication of treatment are provided. The article comprises a first body, a second body, and a treatment indicator. The first body comprises a first axis, a cavity, a first port, and a second port. The cavity is positioned within the first body and configured to receive the second body. The second body comprises a second axis, a chamber, a third port, and a fourth port. The article is configured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the first port is aligned with the third port to form a fluid pathway to the chamber, and the second port is aligned with the fourth port to form a fluid pathway to the chamber. In the second configuration, the first port is misaligned with the third port, and the second port is misaligned with the fourth port.

Abstract: A detergent composition, a method of making the detergent composition, and a method of use thereof are provided. The detergent composition comprises at least 0.001% by weight of an antimicrobial agent, based on the total weight of the composition; an enzyme; and at least 0.01% by weight of a hydrotrope, based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: A detergent composition, a method of making the detergent composition, and a method of use thereof are provided. The detergent composition comprises at least 0.001% by weight of an antimicrobial agent, based on the total weight of the composition; an enzyme; and at least 0.01% by weight of a hydrotrope, based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: A disinfecting solution includes hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of from about 1.5% w/w to 8% w/w; at least one readily biodegradable anionic surfactant in a concentration of from about 10% w/w to about 25% w/w; at least one of salicylic acid and salts thereof, in a concentration of from about 1% w/w to about 8% w/w; at least one chelating agent in a concentration of from about 0.005% w/w to about 10% w/w; and at least one low-corrosive non-surfactant sulfonic acid selected from benzenesulfonic acid, benzene disulfonic acid, xylene sulfonic acid, toluene sulfonic acid, cumene sulfonic acid, sulfosalicylic acid, naphthalene mono- or di-sulfonic acid, methane sulfonic acid, and isethionic acid in a concentration of from about 1% w/w to about 15% w/w. The solution is free of acetic acid, furoic acid, phenylacetic acid, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, aromatic alcohols, halogen acids, phenols, peracid activators, bleaches, and (optionally) benzoic acid.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an article includes receiving the article in a sterilization chamber. The method also includes applying a vacuum to a first pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes introducing a sterilant into the sterilization chamber. The method also includes maintaining the first pressure in the sterilization chamber for a first period of time. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a second pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes maintaining the second pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a third pressure. The method also includes maintaining the third pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to atmospheric pressure. The method further includes between venting and maintaining steps applying a vacuum to a fourth pressure less than 100 torr, introducing additional sterilant, and maintaining the fourth pressure.

Abstract: A treatment indicator, a method for indicating a level of treatment in a treatment apparatus, and a method of preparing a treatment indicator are provided. The treatment indicator comprises a first body comprising a biological material, a fluid porous body in fluid communication with the first body in a fluid path, and a cleaning test soil disposed in at least a portion of interstitial spaces of the fluid porous body to inhibit traversal of a fluid through the fluid porous body to the first body via the fluid path.

Abstract: An article, a system, and a method for indication of treatment are provided. The article comprises a first body, a second body, and a treatment indicator. The first body comprises a first axis, a cavity, a first port, and a second port. The cavity is positioned within the first body and configured to receive the second body. The second body comprises a second axis, a chamber, a third port, and a fourth port. The article is configured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the first port is aligned with the third port to form a fluid pathway to the chamber, and the second port is aligned with the fourth port to form a fluid pathway to the chamber. In the second configuration, the first port is misaligned with the third port, and the second port is misaligned with the fourth port.

Abstract: A sterilization system includes a vial, a carrier of microorganisms disposed in the vial, and a fluid management system having an output connectable to the vial for delivering a liquid chemical sterilant and a neutralizer thereto. Additionally, a growth medium may be delivered to the vial such that the vial and growth medium may assessed for a change to a visual characteristic indicative of sterilization inefficacy.