CHEMICAL INDICATOR FOR OXIDATION-TYPE STERILIZATION PROCESSES USING BLEACHABLE DYES

摘要

A method and apparatus for detecting exposure to an oxidation-type sterilantusing a chemical indicator comprising bleachable dye is disclosed. Using themethodand apparatus disclosed, a bleachable azo dye is incorporated with an anodizedaluminum or chromate conversion coated surface and exposed to an oxidation-typesterilant, such as hydrogen peroxide, and inspected upon completion of thesterilizationprocess for color change. If exposed to sterilant for an appropriate amount oftime thebleachable dye changes color thereby indicating adequate sterilization. Thesurfaceincorporating bleachable dye may be made to change color after a predeterminednumber of exposures to a oxidation-type sterilant.