A soil-based coupon having an electronically readable verification code printed thereon is used for verification of soil removal by a cleaning process. The coupon includes a soil overlay covering the verification code. The verification code is at least partially revealed by removal of all or part of the soil overlay during the cleaning process. If the data encoded in the verification code can be correctly decoded after completion of the cleaning process, the cleaning process can be verified. The soil overlay can be designed to match the application. The coupons may be used in a cleaning process verification procedure in which one or more computing devices analyze images of the verification codes to determine whether or not cleaning processes can be verified.

A method for controlling an environment within a sterilizer device is disclosed. The method includes equipping an interior space of the sterilizer device with an auxiliary device having a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a heating element, monitoring temperature within the sterilizer device, receiving, by the sterilization device, information associated with an initiation of a sterilization cycle of the sterilizer device; monitor duration of the sterilization cycle, receiving, by the sterilization device, information associated with an end of a sterilization cycle of the sterilizer device, determining whether a current humidity measurement is above a predefined threshold, and controlling the heating element to an ON operating state when the current humidity measurement is above the predefined threshold.

A method for controlling an environment within a sterilizer device is disclosed. The method includes equipping an interior space of the sterilizer device with an auxiliary device having a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a heating element, monitoring temperature within the sterilizer device, receiving, by the sterilization device, information associated with an initiation of a sterilization cycle of the sterilizer device; monitor duration of the sterilization cycle, receiving, by the sterilization device, information associated with an end of a sterilization cycle of the sterilizer device, determining whether a current humidity measurement is above a predefined threshold, and controlling the heating element to an ON operating state when the current humidity measurement is above the predefined threshold.

A method for manufacturing a packaging with an intraocular lens enclosed therein includes insertion of the intraocular lens into a packaging, comprising a first packaging material which is gas-tight in a first sub-section, and a second packaging material which is permeable to gases in a second sub-section, first sealing of the packaging so that the intraocular lens is enclosed in the interior space of the packaging, the interior space being partially delimited by the first sub-section and the second sub-section, sterilization of the interior space of the packaging by exposing the packaging to a gas so that the gas can penetrate through the second sub-section into the interior space of the packaging, second sealing of the packaging by sealing off a volume of the gas-tight first sub-section of the packaging with the intraocular lens enclosed therein from the volume of the second sub-section.

The present invention is of a sterilization device, which features a sterilization chamber for accommodating at least one item for sterilization, a power means for powering the device, a means for providing a sterilization medium for sterilizing the item and a plurality of sterilization cycle programs. The plurality of sterilization cycle programs include at least one S class sterilization cycle program and at least one B class sterilization cycle program. In a first state the sterilization device provides sterilization using the at least one S class sterilization cycle program and the at least one B class sterilization cycle program is locked and unavailable for use by a user. The present invention provides a sterilization device which is adaptable to unlock and provide B class sterilization. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method of converting a convertible S Class sterilization device to a B Class sterilization device.

The present invention is of a sterilization device, which features a sterilization chamber for accommodating at least one item for sterilization, a power means for powering the device, a means for providing a sterilization medium for sterilizing the item and a plurality of sterilization cycle programs. The plurality of sterilization cycle programs include at least one S class sterilization cycle program and at least one B class sterilization cycle program. In a first state the sterilization device provides sterilization using the at least one S class sterilization cycle program and the at least one B class sterilization cycle program is locked and unavailable for use by a user. The present invention provides a sterilization device which is adaptable to unlock and provide B class sterilization. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method of converting a convertible S Class sterilization device to a B Class sterilization device.

A medical device with a valve for autoclavability is disclosed. The medical device may include a cavity. A channel connects the cavity to an autoclave environment. The channel has a distal end and proximal end. The distal end of the channel may open to the autoclave environment and the proximal end may open to the cavity. A valve may be positioned in or near the channel. The valve may permit gas to flow from the cavity when a pressure inside the cavity is greater than a pressure in the autoclave environment outside the cavity. The valve may also prevent gas from flowing into the cavity when the pressure in the autoclave environment outside the cavity is greater than the pressure inside the cavity.

A medical device with a valve for autoclavability is disclosed. The medical device may include a cavity. A channel connects the cavity to an autoclave environment. The channel has a distal end and proximal end. The distal end of the channel may open to the autoclave environment and the proximal end may open to the cavity. A valve may be positioned in or near the channel. The valve may permit gas to flow from the cavity when a pressure inside the cavity is greater than a pressure in the autoclave environment outside the cavity. The valve may also prevent gas from flowing into the cavity when the pressure in the autoclave environment outside the cavity is greater than the pressure inside the cavity.

Seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility. An exemplary seal indicator includes an invertible projection formed with the container gasket that is not visible from outside the container until inverted, due to force applied by the lid, to extend through an opening in the container body. Closure mechanisms for sterilization containers also are provided.

Seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility. An exemplary seal indicator includes an invertible projection formed with the container gasket that is not visible from outside the container until inverted, due to force applied by the lid, to extend through an opening in the container body. Closure mechanisms for sterilization containers also are provided.