Apparatus and method for dertermining the effectiveness of sterilization.

摘要

A test container comprises a vial (11) within which is disposed a sealed media-containing ampoule (12) and a test strip (14) having a predetermined form of micro-organism thereon. A closure member (15) is threadedly engageable with the vial for movement between a first position, which permits entry of sterilizing atmosphere into the vial and into contact with micro-organisms on the test strip, and a second position (not shown) which simultaneously causes fracturing the ampoule (12) and seals (at 36) the interior of the vial (11) so that gas generated by viable micro-organisms in contact with the media during incubation are contained in the vial. By analyzing the gas generated by the surviving micro-organisms a rapid, quantitative indication is given of the effectiveness of the sterilizing procedure.