Abstract: A fecal specimen may be tested for the presence of occult blood by combining the fecal specimen with (a) an oxidizable substrate that produces a colored product in the presence of peroxide and hemoglobin; (b) hydrogen peroxide or a peroxide source; and (c) an enhancer selected to enhance the sensitivity of the test. Suitable enhancers are monocyclic nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic compounds; tertiary or quaternary ammonium compounds having a phenyl, hydroxy alkyl or esterified hydroxy alkyl attached to the nitrogen; or quinoline or a substituted derivative thereof. If hemoglobin is present in the fecal sample, the oxidizable substrate is converted to the visibly detectable, colored product.

Abstract: A fecal specimen may be tested for the presence of occult blood by combining the fecal specimen with(a) an oxidizable substrate that produces a colored product in the presence of peroxide and hemoglobin;(b) hydrogen peroxide or a peroxide source; and(c) an enhancer selected to enhance the sensitivity of the test. Suitable enhancers are monocyclic nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic compounds; tertiary or quaternary ammonium compounds having a phenyl, hydroxy alkyl or esterified hydroxy alkyl attached to the nitrogen; or quinoline or a substituted derivative thereof. If hemoglobin is present in the fecal sample, the oxidizable substrate is converted to the visibly detectable, colored product.

Abstract: A fecal specimen may be tested for the presence of occult blood combining the fecal specimen with(a) an oxidizable substrate that produces a colored product in the presence of peroxide and hemoglobin;(b) hydrogen peroxide or a peroxide source; and(c) an enhancer selected to enhance the sensitivity of the test. Suitable enhancers are monocyclic nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic compounds; tertiary or quaternary ammonium compounds having a phenyl, hydroxy alkyl or esterified hydroxy alkyl attached to the nitrogen; or quinoline or a substituted derivative thereof. If hemoglobin is present in the fecal sample, the oxidizable substrate is converted to the visibly detectable, colored product.

Abstract: A prevacuum steam sterilization test pack, for testing the efficiency of the vacuum system of a steam sterilizer apparatus to create a vacuum, comprises a bundle of layers and a porous overwrap folded about the bundle to maintain the integrity thereof. The bundle includes a porous test sheet with a steam sensitive indicator ink printed thereon positioned between layers of the bundle to indicate the efficiency of the vacuum system of a sterilizer, a plurality of selectively porous layers within the bundle above and below said test sheet, and at least one pair of non-porous gas-impermeable layers disposed intermediate the test sheet and one of the bundle end surfaces. The pair of non-porous layers is spaced from both the test sheet and the one bundle end surface by at least one of the porous layers, and the non-porous layers are spaced apart by at least one and no more than two of the porous layers.

Abstract: A Bowie and Dick type prevacuum steam sterilization test pack for insertion into a sterilization chamber for indicating the presence of unacceptable levels of uncondensable gas comprises a housing, a heat sink and an indicator. The housing defines a single chamber having a large open end, a relatively small closed end opposite the open end, and a sidewall smoothly tapering from the open end to the closed end. The heat sink is disposed in the chamber and extends substantially from the open end to the closed end to define a path through which the steam travels from the open end toward the closed end, the path being adapted to provide sufficient exposure of the steam to the heat sink so that the steam condenses within the path, releasing any noncondensable gas associated with the steam, forcing the noncondensable gas so released toward and concentrating such noncondensable gas within the closed end.

Abstract: A disposable package is adapted to simulate the steam permeability and other qualities of the linen pack previously used to test the functioning of a steam sterilizer using a biological test device. The biological test device comprises spores on an appropriate carrier, either in a self-contained biological device or as a spore strip. The biological test device is placed within applicant's specially constructed package and the package is placed within the sterilizer, which is then cycled through a conventional sterilization cycle. During the sterilization cycle, applicant's package simulates the standard sterilizer linen pack previously used for such tests. After the sterilization cycle, sterility of the spore preparation is evaluated by incubating the spores in a culture medium to determine whether the spore population has been adequately destroyed.

Abstract: A disposable test package for testing the proper functioning of a steam sterilizer is formed with a test sheet adapted to change color in response to the presence of steam under preselected sterilization conditions. The sheet is surrounded by disposable nonwoven porous material, above and below, forming a core region around the test sheet having desired height and porosity parameters and a shell region around the core having different height and porosity parameters which are adapted to permit the test pack to simulate a Bowie and Dick challenge pack for the testing of steam sterilizers.

Abstract: A sterile pack blank is provided which comprises an enclosure determined by a substrate of predetermined porosity and a discrete plastic film overlying the porous substrate. The film and porous substrate are adhesively connected by a cohesive or self-sealing adhesive. The porous substrate is printed with a continuous adhesive track, while substantially an entire surface of the plastic film is adhesive coated. An end flap of the film is folded back upon itself along a fold line to provide access to the enclosure interior. After introduction of an instrument into the enclosure, the film end flap is hingedly connected to the substrate, along respective adhesively coated areas thereof, according to the sealing method of the invention. The adhesive is characterized by the fact that it is self-adhering. Therefore, only interfaced areas of the film and substrate that are respectively coated with the adhesive may be adhesively connected.