Sterilization Techniques
Hygiene Diagnostics offers methods for verifying cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization. The product line includes ATP-meter, protein tests, chemical and biological indicators, as well as auto-readers and digital solutions for traceability. Our solutions are used in healthcare, dentistry, veterinary medicine, medical technology, and cleanroom operations, where instruments leaving the process must be safe for reuse and traceable.
Challenges in Sterile Technology
In sterilization technology, the main challenge lies in ensuring that the entire process works as intended—every single time. Visual inspection is an important part of assessing the condition and cleanliness of instruments, but it is rarely sufficient on its own. Critical process parameters such as time, temperature, and steam penetration can deviate without being detected visually.
By combining visual inspection with tests and indicators, every step of the process can be verified—from cleaning and disinfection (A₀ value) to sterilization. This enables informed decisions regarding the release of products and ensures both patient safety and traceability.
Objective, rapid measurement methods
To verify the process, objective and rapid methods are used that provide clear results directly within the organization.
Cleaning is verified using cleaning indicators and simulation tests, as well as ATP and protein tests—such as Chemdye Clean-Trace—to detect any remaining organic residues on surfaces, instruments, and in lumens. Forultrasonic washers, sonic tests are used to verify cavitation and proper function.
Disinfection is verified using indicators that ensure the correct A₀ value is achieved in dishwasher disinfectors and other thermal processes.
Examples include thermal disinfection indicators, such as the Integron® IT27W series, which are used to verify that the temperature and exposure time meet the defined requirements of the process.
Sterilization is monitored using chemical indicators, such as integrators and emulators, to track critical parameters in each sterilization cycle, as well as biological indicators (spore tests), such as Bionova®, to confirm the effectiveness of the process.
Tests such as Bowie-Dick and Helix/PCD are used to verify steam penetration and vacuum function. Together, these methods provide a quick and reliable basis for decisions regarding release and continued use.
Popular solutions for sterilization technology
Browne™ Washer Disinfector Test Soil
Quantity: 10 per packageSign in / register for pricing Read moreItem No.: 2304-10
Chemdye® CDUW – Cavitation Test for Ultrasonic Baths
Quantity: 30 per packageSign in / register for pricing Read moreItem No.: CDUW
Chemdye® PRO1 ENDO Hygiene Monitoring System
Quantity: 20 per packSign in / register for pricing Read moreItem No.: PRO1ENDO
Chemdye® PRO1 MICRO – High Sensitivity Pen System
Quantity: 100 pcs. per packSign in / register for pricing Read moreItem No.: PRO1
Chemdye® Splat – Cleaning Indicator (Pink)
Quantity: 200 per packageSign in / register for pricing Read moreItem No.: CDWA4
Clean-Trace® Surface ATP Swab
Quantity: 100 pcs. (10 x 10) /packSign in / register for pricing Read moreItem No.: UXL100
Clean-Trace™ Luminometer LM1 – ATP-meter
Quantity: 1 per packageSign in / register for pricing Read moreItem No.: LM1
Clean-Trace™ Surface Protein High Sensitivity Test Swab
Quantity: 50 per packageSign in / register for pricing Read moreItem No.: MPRO50
Protein tests are used to detect residual protein after cleaning and are directly linked to the monitoring of dishware disinfection. ATP is a rapid quantitative screening method that detects general organic contamination and is used for hygiene monitoring and trend analysis on surfaces and instruments, as well as for water analysis, for example with RIWAC—a PCD (Process Challenge Device) for sampling and monitoring water in dishwasher disinfectors and rinsing processes.
Cleaning indicators are used to verify that the dishwasher provides adequate mechanical and chemical cleaning. They are placed in the load or on instruments to simulate hard-to-clean surfaces and are used for routine checks, validation, and troubleshooting. For standardized and reproducible placement, PCD (Process Challenge Device) holders are often used, which ensure that the test is exposed under defined and comparable conditions.
Chemical indicators show that a sterilization cycle has achieved the correct parameters, such as temperature and time. Biological indicators (spore tests) verify that microorganisms have actually been eliminated and are used to confirm the effectiveness of the process.
Digital traceability throughout the entire sterilization process
Digital systems make it possible to record, store, and link results from the entire process—from cleaning and disinfection to sterilization—to the correct instrument, load, and batch. This reduces the need for manual documentation and ensures that every step can be tracked afterward.
Terragen's solutions are based on an integrated system in which various tools work together:
- Tranzanto Lens is used to scan and interpret chemical indicators with a mobile camera and automatically record the results.
- Surface Eye ensures the correct sampling area for protein testing and enables measurement in µg/cm².
- Bionova Cloud collects and stores data centrally with traceability and reporting.
- Bionova Q integrates the entire sterilization process and provides real-time data, an overview, and decision support.
The result is faster reading, reduced manual handling, and full traceability throughout the entire sterilization process.
Watch the video about Terragenes' digital solutions for sterilization technology:
Learn more about our sterile technology solutions
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