| abstract |
A method and apparatus for detecting exposure to an oxidation-type sterilantnusing a chemical indicator comprising bleachable dye is disclosed. Using the methodnand apparatus disclosed, a bleachable azo dye is incorporated with an anodizednaluminum or chromate conversion coated surface and exposed to an oxidation-typensterilant, such as hydrogen peroxide, and inspected upon completion of the sterilizationnprocess for color change. If exposed to sterilant for an appropriate amount of time thenbleachable dye changes color thereby indicating adequate sterilization. The surfacenincorporating bleachable dye may be made to change color after a predeterminednnumber of exposures to a oxidation-type sterilant. |