Bowie & Dick test
The Bowie & Dick test, also known as the steam penetration test, simulates a small, highly porous load. To
perform the test it is necessary to have a special test packet and placed inside the chamber. The package
is not an accessory of the device, the user should purchase it on his own.
This test evaluates the device's performance in sterilizing loads of porous objects:
• Pre-vacuum performance and steam penetration.
• Temperature and pressure of saturated steam reached for a certain period of time.
How to run the test:
• The test must be carried out with an empty chamber in accordance with EN 13060.
• Place the Bowie-Dick test package in the chamber in the center of the tray.
After selecting the Helix / B & D test program and starting
it with the START button, the program sequence screen is
displayed.
Information about the process parameters is displayed.
The Helix / B & D test program can be stopped at any
time by pressing the STOP field, which is associated with
incorrect termination of the test.
When the test program is complete, alternating screens are displayed:
[READY] Test complete / [READY] Chamber is safe to open.
The process chamber of the sterilizer can be safely opened.
After opening the process chamber, the
welcome screen is displayed.
The control test should be removed.
WARNING! The package will be hot.
To correctly interpret the test, refer to the instructions provided by the test
manufacturer.
Open the package and remove the indicator chemical from the center of the package.
Any color change, uneven coloring of the test, indicates the presence of air during the
test cycle due to a malfunction of the sterilizer. If the test result is abnormal, check the
expiration date of the test pack and repeat the test.
Positive result
The chemical indicator turned a
uniform dark color over the entire
surface.
Negative result
A bright field remained in the
middle of the test because of the
remaining air inside the tested
device.
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