Ultrasonic

Pathogen

Chelation

an ionic cleaning interaction between an organic compound and a metal

Bioburden

number of microbes or amount of organic debris on an object

Contaminated

object that has come into contact with pathogenic materials

Permeability

ability of a wrapper to allow passage of steam and air through a barrier

Flash

process of quickly sterilizing unwrapped instruments

Intermediate

level of disinfection that kills most microorganisms, but not spores

Event related

sterility determined by how a package is handled rather than by time elapsed

Integrity

complete, no breaks or tears

Endoscope

a lensed device used for viewing the interior of a body cavity

Julian

calendar days that are numbered through the year, 1 to 365

Sterilization

destruction of all microorganisms, including spores, on inanimate surfaces

Bowiedick

daily test used to detect air entrapment in prevacuum steam sterilizers

Immersion

complete submersion in a liquid that contacts all surfaces of the item

Lumen

hollow canal that is open at both ends and runs through length of device

Sterile technique

creating and maintaining a sterile field, keeping microbes at an irreducible minimum

Sterile field

specific area that is considered free of microorganisms

Autoclave

a pressure steam sterilization machine

Asepsis

absence of pathogenic microorganisms