US 11,795,044 B2
Ampoule breaker for a biological indicator
Nick N. Nguyen, Silverado, CA (US); Samuel J. Rhodes, Los Angeles, CA (US); Mark J. Lubong, Irvine, CA (US); and Derrick C. Tan, Yorba Linda, CA (US)
Assigned to Advanced Sterilization Products, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
Appl. No. 17/773,821
Filed by Advanced Sterilization Products, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
PCT Filed Nov. 4, 2021, PCT No. PCT/IB2021/060235
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 2, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/101750, PCT Pub. Date May 19, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/112,069, filed on Nov. 10, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0411247 A1, Dec. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. B67B 7/92 (2006.01)
CPC B67B 7/92 (2013.01) 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of breaking an ampoule of a biological indicator, the method comprising:
disposing the ampoule of the biological indicator in a breaking device, the breaking device comprising:
a main body;
a pivoting body attached to the main body at a main pivot point;
a receiving area in the main body configured to receive the ampoule of the biological indicator;
a pressing surface inside the pivoting body; and
a compressing element including a compressing surface, the compressing surface being operable between a first position and a second position located in the receiving area;
pivoting the pivoting body from a rest position to a compressed position;
urging the compressing element against the pressing surface with an urging member located between the main body and the compressing element; and
breaking the ampoule of the biological indicator.