Reliable and Cost-Efficient Electronic Bowie Dick Test

SteriSense^® from Ellab is a cost-efficient and reliable electronic Bowie Dick test that enables users to verify critical sterilization parameters beyond that of chemical indicators.

Introduction to the Bowie Dick Test

The Bowie Dick test is also denoted as a steam penetration test or an air removal test. This test is used for performing routine control of steam sterilizers (autoclaves) every day, to ensure that they perform in compliance with ISO 17665.

It is vital to use a safe and reliable test, since proper removal of air is essential for the steam sterilizer performance. Any remnants of air within the sterilizer willhave an influence on the way steam penetrates the load, and therefore affects the sterilization of the instruments.

In general, the Bowie Dick test is used in a Hospital's Central Sterile Services Departments (CSSD) as part of the morning routine, every day before the steam sterilizer is released for use.

Peace of Mind with SteriSense^®

SteriSense^® is the latest and groundbreaking Electronic Bowie Dick Test (air removal test) that offers unrivaled performance, reliability, and accuracy. The Bowie Dick test provided by Ellab offers much greater understanding into crucial sterilization parameters than was possible previously, thereby ensuring the safety of patients.

In contrast to conventional chemical indicators, where users make decisions subjectively based on a change in color, SteriSense^® also provides an accurate report that avoids the need for any assumptions.

Process Challenge Device

The process challenge device (PCD) has been engineered exclusively to reflect the reference method developed originally in the 1960s by Dr J. Bowie and J. Dick. The PCD’s role is to “challenge” the steam penetration of a steam sterilizer in compliance with EN ISO 11140-4.

It is essential to cool down the PCD to ambient temperature (for about 90 minutes) between tests. Cooling down the PCD can easily be avoided asthe device can be dismantled from the body (logger) and exchanged with a spare device. The PCD is designed such that SteriSense^® can check for the presence of non-condensable gases (NCG).

SteriSense^® Triple Sensor

Temperature sensor for measuring ambient temperature within the sterilization chamber

Temperature sensor for measuring temperature within the PCD

Pressure sensor for measuring the ambient pressure value inside the chamber

SteriSense^® Data Logger

A battery provided in the SteriSense^® data logger has a capacity sufficient to operate 1,000 test cycles of 30 minutes each. The data logger has been designed based on Ellab’s third-generation of the renowned TrackSense^® Pro data loggers.

SteriSense® - the ultimate Electronic Bowie Dick TestPlay

Video Credit: Ellab