Oxygen indicator for use in medical products

摘要

An oxygen indicator is provided for revealing the presence of oxygen in a container housing a medical formulation. The indicator can be formulated with components deemed safe for use with medical products. A preferred oxygen indicator can withstand heat sterilization and prolonged storage and can provide a distinct and marked color change to indicate oxygen is present. Preferably, the indicator can be manufactured in its oxidized form and reduced upon steam sterilization. Additionally, both the color of the reduced form and the color of the oxidized form should not fade or significantly change during storage. Moreover, once a color change has occurred indicating the presence of oxygen, the oxidized color preferably remains substantially unchanged visually to the observer even after prolonged storage. The oxygen indicator can be housed in a polymeric pouch or packet having a transparent portion for viewing the color of the indicator.