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Biological Indicators for Sterilization

Biological indicators (BIs) provide information on whether necessary conditions were met to kill a specified number of microorganisms (bacterial spores) for a given sterilization process. STERIS’s full portfolio of biological indicators offers testing for various applications including steam sterilization and vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) sterilization. In these applications, Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores are primarily used due to their high resistance to these sterilization processes.

BIs are typically used within process challenge devices (PCD), designed to represent the most challenging products routinely processed for autoclave sterilization testing. A passing result for the BI within the PCD demonstrates that the sterilization cycle was effective at inactivating the BI, providing Medical Device Reprocessing Area staff with a level of assurance in their steam or VHP sterilization process.

Browse STERIS biological indicators including self-contained biological indicators (SCBI) and process challenge devices or test packs. These devices play a critical role in sterility assurance and provide the only direct measure of the lethality of the sterilization process.

STEAM STERILIZATION

Celerity 20 Steam BI
Celerity™ 20 STEAM Biological Indicator
  • Fast 20-minute results for load monitoring
  • Easy to use twist and flick activation means no separate activator is needed
  • Integrated barcode label makes electronic documentation easy
Celerity 20 STEAM Process Challenge Device
Celerity™ 20 STEAM Process Challenge Device
  • Fast 20-minute results for load monitoring
  • Compact process challenge device for easy testing and quick interpretation
  • Validated for either dynamic air removal or gravity steam sterilization cycles
Celerity 20 STEAM Biological Indicator for IUSS
Celerity™ 20 STEAM Biological Indicator for IUSS
  • Validated for gravity IUSS cycle monitoring
  • Quick device turnaround with results in just 20 minutes
  • Integrated barcode makes electronic documentation easy
VERIFY Assert Self-Contained Biological Indicator
VERIFY® Assert™ Self-Contained Biological Indicator
  • Provides results within 40 minutes
  • Self-contained biological indicator used for routine monitoring, qualification, and product testing
  • Easy to use and activate – no separate activator is required
VERIFY Assert STEAM Process Challenge Device
VERIFY® Assert™ STEAM Process Challenge Device
  • Rapid results within 40 minutes
  • Used for routine monitoring, qualification, and load monitoring of dynamic air removal cycles (LCB032/LCB033) and for qualification, routine microbial monitoring, and cycle monitoring of gravity cycles (LCB043)
  • Equivalent to an ANSI/AAMI ST79 16-Towel Biological Indicator Test Pack
  • Lightweight and compact biological indicator process challenge device
Biological steam
VERIFY® Biological Steam Test Pack
  • Provides results in 24 hours
  • Chemical Indicator provides immediate knowledge of steam sterilization failures
  • Equivalent to an ANSI/AAMI ST79 16-Towel Test Pack
BI challenge pack
VERIFY® Biological/Integrator Challenge Pack
  • Provides results in 24 hours
  • Type 5 chemical integrator provides immediate knowledge of steam sterilization failures
  • Equivalent to an ANSI/AAMI ST79 16-Towel Test Pack
Dual
VERIFY® Dual Species Self Contained Biological Indicators
  • Provides results within 24 hours for steam sterilization
  • Provides results within 48 hours for ethylene (EO) Sterilization

INCUBATORS

Celerity Incubator
Celerity™ Incubator
  • Universal incubator for use with both Celerity™ STEAM and VH2O2 Biological Indicators
  • Compact design requires minimal workspace while holding up to eight biological indicators
  • Connectivity allows for electronic record keeping and integration with tracking systems
Celerity STEAM Incubator
Celerity™ STEAM Incubator
  • Provides fast results of the Celerity™ 20 STEAM Biological Indicator in only 20 minutes
  • Audio and visual alarms aid in easy results interpretation
  • Offers electronic record keeping capabilities to assist with audits
Celerity HP Incubator
Celerity™ HP Incubator
  • Designed exclusively to incubate and read activated Celerity™ 20 HP Biological Indicators
  • Provides a final readout within 20 minutes
  • Audio and visual alarms for easy interpretation of results
VERIFY Incubator for Assert Self-Contained Biological Indicators
VERIFY™ Incubator for Assert™ Self-Contained Biological Indicators
  • Designed exclusively to incubate and read activated VERIFY® Assert™ Self-Contained Biological Indicators (SCBIs)
  • Provides a final readout within 40 minutes
  • Audio and visual alarms for easy interpretation of results
Incubators
VERIFY™ Incubators
  • For use with VERIFY® Biological Indicators
  • Tabletop incubator available for steam, VHP and EO biological indicators
  • Available in 6 or 28 well capacity, and a 28 well dual temperature incubator