摘要 |
<p>A high capacity reader detects fluorescence emitted by a biological indicator to determine the efficacy of a sterilization cycle. The reader permits a large number of biological indicators to be read in rapid succession. For example, the biological indicators may be pre-incubated in a separate, high capacity incubator and then placed in a high capacity reader for fluorescence detection. The reader makes a positive or negative growth determination based on a single fluorescence threshold comparison for each pre-incubated biological indicator. The single fluorescence threshold comparison involves comparison of measured fluorescence to a baseline fluorescence of a reference biological indicator. The reader acquires the baseline fluorescence from the reference biological indicator, and thereafter uses the baseline fluorescence as the threshold for subsequent biological indicators processed by the reader. In addition, the reader may generate output for storage, processing and display of biological indicator results.</p> |