Liquid-chemical sterilization system with biological indicator

1. A sterilization system, comprising:

a vial;

a carrier disposed in the vial, the carrier being impregnated with a source of microorganisms including spores;

a fluid management system having an output connectable to the vial for delivering liquids thereto, the fluid management system comprising:

a valve;

a first tube;

a source of a liquid-chemical sterilant;

a source of a neutralizer, the source of the neutralizer connected to the output via the valve and the first tube; and

a source of a growth medium, wherein the valve is configured to either allow a flow between a second tube of the fluid management system and the vial or allow a flow between a third tube of the fluid management system and the source of the neutralizer; and

a fixture, the fixture comprising:

a first segment including a needle connected to the output;

a second segment including a cavity containing the vial;

a hinge connecting the first segment to the second segment, said hinge configured such that a rotation of the first segment about the hinge causes the needle to penetrate the vial.

2. The sterilization system of claim 1 , further comprising a medical device having a lumen connected between the needle and the output.

3. The sterilization system of claim 2 , wherein the medical device comprises an endoscope.

4. The sterilization system of claim 1 , further comprising a second cavity containing a second vial containing a growth medium.

5. The sterilization system of claim 1 , wherein the fixture further comprises a heating element disposed adjacent to the cavity.

6. The sterilization system of claim 1 , wherein the liquid-chemical sterilant comprises peracetic acid.

7. The sterilization system of claim 6 , wherein the growth medium comprises α-MUG.

8. The sterilization system of claim 7 , wherein the spores comprise Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores.

9. The sterilization system of claim 1 , wherein the vial includes a cover.

10. A sterilization system, comprising:

a first vial;

a carrier disposed in the first vial, the carrier being impregnated with a source of microorganisms including spores;

a fluid management system having an output connectable to the first vial for delivering liquids thereto, the fluid management system comprising:

a valve;

a tube;

a source of a liquid-chemical sterilant; and

a source of a neutralizer, the source of the neutralizer connected to the output via the valve and the tube; and

a fixture, the fixture comprising:

a first segment including a needle connected to the output;

a second segment including a first cavity containing the first vial, and a second cavity containing a second vial containing a growth medium; and

a hinge connecting the first segment to the second segment, said hinge configured such that a rotation of the first segment about the hinge causes the needle to penetrate the first vial.

11. The sterilization system of claim 10 , further comprising a medical device having a lumen connected between the needle and the output.

12. The sterilization system of claim 11 , wherein the medical device comprises an endoscope.

13. The sterilization system of claim 10 , wherein the fluid management system further comprises a source of a growth medium.

14. The sterilization system of claim 13 , wherein the fixture further comprises a heating element disposed adjacent to the first cavity.

15. The sterilization system of claim 13 , wherein the liquid-chemical sterilant comprises peracetic acid.

16. The sterilization system of claim 15 , wherein the growth medium comprises α-MUG.

17. The sterilization system of claim 16 , wherein the spores comprise Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores.

18. The sterilization system of claim 10 , wherein the first vial includes a cover.

19. The sterilization system of claim 10 , wherein the second vial includes a cover.