Biological indicator for liquid-chemical sterilization system
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.
1. A liquid-chemical sterilization system, comprising:
a biological indicator, comprising
a housing defining an interior and including a first port having a first valve and a second port having a second valve,
a divider wall disposed within the interior, between the first port and the second port, defining two chambers, and
a carrier impregnated with microorganisms disposed in one of the two chambers;
a source of a liquid-chemical sterilant;
a first fluid-delivery component connected to the source of the liquid-chemical sterilant; and
a holder including
at least one slot configured to contain the biological indicator, and
at least a third port connected to the first fluid-delivery component and positioned at a base of the slot to mate with the first port.
2. The liquid-chemical sterilization system of claim 1 , wherein the holder includes a fourth port disposed at the base of the slot positioned to mate with the second port.
3. The liquid-chemical sterilization system of claim 1 , wherein the holder includes a window.
4. The liquid-chemical sterilization system of claim 3 , wherein the holder is connected to a sterilization tray disposed inside a sterilization chamber.
5. The liquid-chemical sterilization system of claim 4 , wherein a manifold is connected to the sterilization tray and the holder is connected to the manifold.
6. The liquid-chemical sterilization system of claim 5 , wherein the first fluid delivery component is connected to the manifold and the manifold is connected to the third port.
7. The liquid-chemical sterilization system of claim 6 , further comprising a second fluid delivery component connected to the manifold and at least partially disposed in the sterilization tray.
8. The liquid-chemical sterilization system of claim 7 , wherein the second fluid delivery component is connected to a lumen of an instrument disposed in the sterilization tray.
9. The liquid-chemical sterilization system of claim 8 , wherein the instrument comprises an endoscope.
10. The liquid-chemical sterilization system of claim 9 , wherein the interior of the biological indicator contains a liquid-chemical sterilant that had previously been flowed through the endoscope.
11. The liquid-chemical sterilization system of claim 10 , wherein a volume of liquid chemical sterilant that had previously been flowed through the endoscope is disposed in the interior of the biological indicator.
12. The liquid-chemical sterilization system of claim 2 , wherein the holder is disposed on an exterior surface of the sterilization system.
13. The liquid-chemical sterilization system of claim 12 , wherein the holder includes a screen.
14. The liquid-chemical sterilization system of claim 13 , wherein the holder includes four slots.
15. The liquid-chemical sterilization system of claim 14 , wherein each slot contains a different biological indicator.