The function of sterilization indicator labels

Sterilization indicator labels play a crucial role in various fields such as healthcare, biological experiments, and food processing. Its core role is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

  1. Intuitive display of sterilization status: The sterilization indicator label can clearly and intuitively display whether the item has undergone the prescribed sterilization process through color changes.. This helps staff quickly assess the safety of items and avoid using unsterilized or incompletely sterilized items
  2. Ensure sterilization quality: The discoloration of the label is a direct reflection of the sterilization effect. If the label changes color unevenly or does not change color, it indicates that there may be problems with the sterilization process, such as temperature, time, or steam saturation not meeting the requirements. This prompts staff to inspect and improve the sterilization process to ensure sterilization quality
  3. Recording and Traceability: Some sterilization indicator labels also have the function of recording sterilization information, such as operator, sterilization date, expiration date, etc. This helps establish a traceability system for sterilized items, improving management efficiency and safety

What are the types of sterilization instruction labels?

Sterilization indicator labels can be classified into various types based on their form and function. It mainly includes the following types:

  1. Process chemistry indicator card: This type of indicator label is usually used for individual items or packaging to indicate whether the item has undergone sterilization process.. For example, common chemical indicator tapes and labels distinguish sterilized and unsterilized items through color changes

  2. Special detection chemical indicator card: This type of indicator label is specifically used for special experimental operations of sterilizers or sterilization standards, such as B-D test strips, to detect the cold air discharge effect and saturated steam penetration effect of pre vacuum sterilizers, as well as air leakage situations.

  3. Single parameter chemical indicator card: This type of indicator label focuses on testing a single parameter during the sterilization process, such as a gas concentration indicator card, used to detect whether the concentration of a specific gas (such as hydrogen peroxide) meets the sterilization requirements.

  4. Multi parameter chemical indicator card: This type of indicator tag has the detection function of two or more key parameters (such as time, temperature, humidity, gas concentration, steam saturation degree), which can more comprehensively evaluate the sterilization effect.

  5. Comprehensive parameter chemical indicator card: This type of indicator label is a type of indicator card specifically designed to act on all parameters within the specified range during each sterilization process. Its set value needs to reach the inactivation value, which can comprehensively evaluate the sterilization quality.

Pressure steam sterilization indicator label

The indicator label used for chemical monitoring outside pressure steam sterilization packages will change from light yellow to black on the crepe paper base when certain sterilization conditions are met, such as 121℃ for 20 minutes or 132℃ for 3 minutes.

Uses:

  1. It is used to indicate whether the item package has been treated through a pressure steam sterilization process.

  2. If the color change is uneven or incomplete, it suggests that the package has not undergone sterilization under the required conditions.

  3. It can record sterilization information (such as the operator, sterilization expiration date, names of items inside the package, sterilization batch number, etc.).

Types:

  1. Single indicator label;

  2. Roll indicator label;

  3. Traceable indicator label.

Why

The sterilization principle of high-temperature sterilization indicator labels

High-temperature sterilization indicator labels, also known as thermal indicator labels, are important tools widely used in medical, pharmaceutical, and biological laboratory fields. These labels are typically made from a special type of thermally sensitive material that changes color when exposed to specific high-temperature environments, thereby indicating whether the sterilization process has been completed. This article will delve into the working principle of high-temperature sterilization indicator labels and their applications in various fields.

The core working principle of high-temperature sterilization indicator labels is based on the color-changing properties of thermally sensitive materials. These thermally sensitive materials are usually composed of one or more chemical substances that undergo chemical reactions at specific temperatures, leading to color changes. This color change is typically irreversible, so once the label changes color, it is clear that the sterilization process has been completed.