The present disclosure provides an ethylene oxide sterilization sensor and method of use. The sensor includes: at least one thermal indicator component independently selected from an electronic thermal sensor, an irreversible temperature indicator, and a heat-shrinkable film; an acid-functional porous sorbent or an acid-functional nonwoven fibrous substrate in thermal contact with the at least one thermal indicator component; and an acid having a boiling point above 120° C. and a pKa of no greater than 2.5. The acid is impregnated in or covalently attached to the porous sorbent or is covalently attached to the nonwoven fibrous substrate. The sensor includes at least one of the electronic thermal sensor, the irreversible temperature indicator, or the acid-functional nonwoven fibrous substrate.

The present disclosure provides an ethylene oxide sterilization sensor and method of use. The sensor includes: at least one thermal indicator component independently selected from an electronic thermal sensor, an irreversible temperature indicator, and a heat-shrinkable film; an acid-functional porous sorbent or an acid-functional nonwoven fibrous substrate in thermal contact with the at least one thermal indicator component; and an acid having a boiling point above 120° C. and a pKa of no greater than 2.5. The acid is impregnated in or covalently attached to the porous sorbent or is covalently attached to the nonwoven fibrous substrate. The sensor includes at least one of the electronic thermal sensor, the irreversible temperature indicator, or the acid-functional nonwoven fibrous substrate.

A method for automated microbial monitoring in an isolator having a transfer lock, the method comprising the steps: first providing at least one nutrient medium carrier holder at, in each case, a first position within the isolator; second providing at least one nutrient medium carrier within the transfer lock; first robot-assisted transferring of an individual nutrient medium carrier from the transfer lock to a free nutrient medium carrier holder; and first robot-assisted placing of the transferred nutrient medium carrier in the free nutrient medium carrier holder. Further, a system for automated microbial monitoring in an isolator and a computer program are also disclosed.

Disclosed embodiments can pertain to process indicator enhancements. A process indicator can include a dye material that has electrical properties such as conductivity and capacitance that can be employed to determine whether observed conditions are acceptable or not to sterilize medical equipment. Furthermore, the indicators can employ amplification, a specialized antenna, or both to allow signals, such as an electronic property value, to be communicated through sterilization containers that can shield or degrade signals. A number and location of indicators can also be determined and utilized to assist in visual inspection of the indicators as well as automatic evaluation.

Disclosed embodiments can pertain to process indicator enhancements. A process indicator can include a dye material that has electrical properties such as conductivity and capacitance that can be employed to determine whether observed conditions are acceptable or not to sterilize medical equipment. Furthermore, the indicators can employ amplification, a specialized antenna, or both to allow signals, such as an electronic property value, to be communicated through sterilization containers that can shield or degrade signals. A number and location of indicators can also be determined and utilized to assist in visual inspection of the indicators as well as automatic evaluation.

A method for validating a method for sterilizing an item, making it possible to validate the sterility assurance level achieved with this sterilization method. The method includes carrying out a first step of contaminating a container receiving the item with more than 10.sup.5 living microorganism cells, then carrying out a first sterilization cycle with the chosen method, then opening the container in order to contaminate it again with more than 10.sup.5 living microorganism cells, then carrying out a second sterilization cycle with the same method, and finally checking the sterility of the container after the first sterilization cycle and after the second sterilization cycle. The method is applicable in particular for products and devices intended for health use.

A method for validating a method for sterilizing an item, making it possible to validate the sterility assurance level achieved with this sterilization method. The method includes carrying out a first step of contaminating a container receiving the item with more than 10.sup.5 living microorganism cells, then carrying out a first sterilization cycle with the chosen method, then opening the container in order to contaminate it again with more than 10.sup.5 living microorganism cells, then carrying out a second sterilization cycle with the same method, and finally checking the sterility of the container after the first sterilization cycle and after the second sterilization cycle. The method is applicable in particular for products and devices intended for health use.

Provided is a hygiene evaluation apparatus capable of precisely evaluating a hygiene state of hands. A hygiene evaluation apparatus includes a captured image acquiring unit that acquires a captured image of a hand, a calculating unit that calculates a score regarding a substance stuck to the hand, using the captured image, and an output unit that outputs the score calculated by the calculating unit. It is possible to more precisely perform evaluation by more directly evaluating a hygiene state of hands using the captured image of the hands.

Provided is a hygiene evaluation apparatus capable of precisely evaluating a hygiene state of hands. A hygiene evaluation apparatus includes a captured image acquiring unit that acquires a captured image of a hand, a calculating unit that calculates a score regarding a substance stuck to the hand, using the captured image, and an output unit that outputs the score calculated by the calculating unit. It is possible to more precisely perform evaluation by more directly evaluating a hygiene state of hands using the captured image of the hands.

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.