Process challenge device and methods

1. A device comprising:

a container defining a space within the container, wherein the space contains a sterilization process indicator; and

a first pressure-actuating valve associated with the container, wherein the first pressure-actuating valve regulates entrance of a sterilant into the space within the container; and

a second pressure-actuating valve, wherein the second pressure-actuating valve regulates exiting of a gas or liquid out of the space within the container;

wherein the device is a sterilization process challenge device.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second pressure-actuating valves are actuated when there is a pressure difference between the space within the container and outside of the container, wherein the pressure difference is at least 6.895 kPa (1 psi).

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the pressure difference at which the first and second pressure-actuating valves are actuated can be adjusted.

4. The device of claim 1 , further comprising an absorbent material within the space and adjacent the process indicator when present.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the space further contains a volume of gas of at least 5 cubic centimeters.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a heat-transfer modulating body, wherein at least a portion of the body at least surrounds the process indicator when present.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the at least a portion of the heat-transfer modulating body comprises walls which surround the indicator when present; wherein the heat-transfer modulating body walls have a thickness of at least 0.3 cm.

8. A method of determining the effectiveness of a sterilization process, the method comprising:

providing a process challenge device of claim 1 ; wherein the space within the container fully contains a process indicator;

positioning the process challenge device in a sterilization chamber;

exposing the process challenge device to a sterilant at an elevated temperature; and

determining whether or not the process indicator indicates that it has been exposed to sterilization process conditions effective for sterilizing an article.

9. A kit comprising at least one process challenge device of claim 1 ; and a plurality of sterilization process indicators for the same or different sterilization processes.

10. The kit of claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of heat-transfer modulating bodies, each having the same or different thermal diffusivities and the same or different wall thicknesses and/or a plurality of process challenge devices, wherein the spaces within the containers have the same volumes or different volumes.