60
EN
15.2. HELIX / BOWIE DICK TEST
HELIX/Bowie&Dick TEST
is a cycle at 134°C characterised by a sterilization phase having a special duration time (3.5 minutes); the cycle includes
fractionated vacuum phases similar to those used in the sterilization cycles.
Using an appropriate device, you can assess correct steam penetration into hollow loads (Helix Test).
The cycle is also suitable to measure steam penetration into porous loads (
Bowie & Dick
test pack).
To select
Helix/Bowie&Dick
cycle, press the corresponding icon.
The HELIX test device (in accordance with EN 867-5 specifications) consists of a 1.5 m-long PTFE tube, with an inside diameter of 2 mm to whose end a
small hermetically-sealed screw cap is fastened, able to contain an appropriate chemical indicator.
The other end of the tube is left free so that the steam can penetrate and you can assess its effectiveness.
To conduct the test (with reference to standard EN 13060), insert the chemical indicator, consisting of a paper strip with a special reagent ink in the device
cap (always to be used perfectly dry). Tighten the cap in such a way that seepage through the gasket is not possible.
The test device and the chemical indicators to execute the helix/b&d test cycle are not provided with the device.
For information in this regard, contact technical service department (see appendix).
Place the device roughly in the middle of the central tray. Do not insert other material in the chamber. Close the door and start the cycle.
The test cycle takes place with a succession of phases similar to those described for a normal sterilization cycle.
At the end of the cycle, remove the test device from the chamber, open the cap and remove the indicator from its housing.
If the steam has correctly penetrated, the ink will have completely changed its original colour over the entire length of the strip; if not (insufficient
penetration), there will only be a partial colour change or even no change at all.
Toning usually occurs from a light colour (beige, yellow, etc.) to a dark colour (blue, violet or black).
In any event, strictly follow the instructions and any additional technical details provided by the indicator manufacturer.
The Bowie & Dick test package includes a chemical indicator inserted between various layers of porous material, consisting of a sheet with a special
reagent ink on its surface.
If the steam penetration through the porous material layers is correct, it will make the ink colour change evenly throughout the entire surface of the B&D
indicator.
If this is not the case, the toning will not occur or will be partial.
15.3. VACUUM CYCLE + HELIX / BOWIE - DICK TEST
Select this option to perform a VACUUM TEST cycle and a HELIX /
Bowie&Dick TEST cycle in sequence.
To this end, place the test device on the central tray without inserting other material.
Close the door and start the cycle.
The program will execute the two cycles in succession.
Check the results as described in the previous paragraphs.
The presence of the Helix test device does not alter the performance and the outcome of the vacuum test cycle.
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