Steam Integrators provide biological indicator accuracy and chemical indicator convenience. They integrate time, temperature, and steam, assuring accuracy at all times and temperatures, not just at certain times. Our Steam Integrators are designed to provide an additional margin of safety over and above biological indicators, thereby reducing the risk of an unsterile pack. This accuracy makes the product ideal for use in each pack and for all types of sterilization processes. Steam sterilization Integrators can be used in flash, gravity and vacuum steam sterilization processes. The Steam Sterilization Integrator is an "advanced technology" medical device that provides a simple, accurate method of assuring that proper conditions for sterilization have been met during a sterilizer cycle. Certified for use with all Steam processes (gravity, dynamic air removal and flash), our Steam Sterilization Indicator,Class 5 Integrator has documented performance equivalent to a biological indicator.
Description
The STEAM PIus Sterilization Integrator is engineered to integrate the three (3) critical variables of sterilization: time, temperature, and saturated steam. This information is displayed in a precise, easy-to-read format. When the dark bar enters the blue SAFE area, sterilization criteria has been met. If the dark bar does not reach the blue SAFE area, proper conditions for sterilization have not been achieved and the processed items should not be released.
Some common causes of sterilization failure are overloading the chamber; air pockets within the sterilizer; packs wrapped too tightly; malfunction of the timing mechanism -error in the temperature setting; load configuration; and poor steam quality.
Technical Design
The base of the STEAMPIus Integrator is made of aluminum foil, 3 mils in thickness. A cavity embossed in the foil holds the temperature and steam-sensitive chemical which is designed to melt when subjected to a steam environment. The foil also acts as a moisture barrier against steam during the sterilization cycle.
As moisture penetrates the polymeric cover film, it lowers the melting point ofthe chemical. When melting occurs, the liquid chemical is soaked up by the paper wick and, as time elapses, moves along the scale. The rate of melt produced is a function of both the moisture-vapor transmission rate of
the cover film and the melting point depression ofthe chemical. The combination of these two factors provides a rate of melt at various temperatures which parallels the thermal death time of Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores.
How to use theSTEAMPIuS™ Steam Sterilization Integrator
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Place a STEAM Plus Integrator within every package, tray or rigid container system to be sterilized.
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Process the load according to the sterilizer manufacturer's instructions.
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Retrieve the STEAMPIus Integrator at time of use, observe the STEAM Plus Integrator for proper movement into the blue SAFE area.
Special Note:
If the dark bar has not entered into the blue SAFE area, DO NOT release the package. Proper sterilization has NOT been achieved and the items in the package should be reprocessed. Prior to reprocessing, be sure to check the sterilizer for proper use and function.
