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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-01-20 Origin: Site
Chemical indicator (CI) tape is an indispensable tool in healthcare sterilization processes, providing reliable visual confirmation that medical instruments and packages have been exposed to the necessary parameters for effective disinfection. By leveraging specific chemical reactions, CI tapes verify whether key conditions—such as temperature, pressure, gas concentration, and exposure time—are met, thereby preventing the use of inadequately sterilized devices.
CI tapes are categorized into three main types based on the sterilization method they correspond to: Steam, Ethylene Oxide (ETO), and Plasma Sterilization Indicator Tapes.
Steam Sterilization Indicator Tape is a type of chemical indicator tape specifically designed for steam autoclaving—a high-temperature, high-pressure sterilization method widely used in healthcare. It serves as both a visual indicator of successful steam exposure and a sealing agent for sterile packs.
• Equipped with heat-sensitive indicator ink, it responds to the critical parameters of steam sterilization cycles (121°C at 15 psi or 134°C at 30 psi for a specified duration), initiating a permanent color change.
• The color transformation presents as diagonal stripes shifting from light (e.g., beige) to dark (e.g., black), offering an intuitive and easy-to-identify visual cue.
• It serves both as a sterilization indicator and a sealing agent—its strong adhesion secures sterile packs, and printed grid lines/blank spaces facilitate marking of sterilization details for traceability.
• With a simple reaction mechanism relying solely on saturated steam’s temperature and pressure, it delivers stable and reliable indication performance.
It is ideal for heat-resistant medical items, including surgical scalpels, forceps, glass syringes, dental instruments, and linen packs. As a staple in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories where autoclaves are the primary sterilization equipment, it plays a crucial role in load tracking in Central Sterile Supply Departments (CSSD) and identifying sterilized surgical instrument packs.
ETO Sterilization Indicator Tape is a specialized CI tape formulated for Ethylene Oxide (ETO) sterilization—a low-temperature method designed for heat and moisture-sensitive medical devices that cannot withstand steam autoclaving.
• Its chemical composition is sensitive to multiple factors, including ETO gas concentration (600-1200 mg/L), temperature (37-55°C), relative humidity (60-80%), and exposure time (2-12 hours).
• It exhibits a distinct color change (typically yellow to blue or green) only when all sterilization parameters are met, effectively avoiding false indications.
• It remains firmly affixed to packages post-sterilization, acting as a durable permanent record of the process until the pack is opened.
• It does not interfere with the post-sterilization aeration process required to remove potential ETO residues, ensuring compatibility with ETO sterilization workflows.
It is widely used for sterilizing delicate items such as plastic instruments, electronic medical devices, endoscopes, and certain pharmaceuticals. It is also applied in industrial settings for large-scale sterilization of disposable medical products, as ETO gas can effectively penetrate most packaging materials.
Plasma Sterilization Indicator Tape is a high-precision CI tape for plasma sterilization—an advanced low-temperature, low-humidity method that uses ionized gas (plasma) to destroy microorganisms, suitable for devices sensitive to heat, moisture, and ETO.
• It responds to the oxidative or reductive properties of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species generated during plasma sterilization cycles (37-44°C, low pressure).
• After 30-60 minutes of exposure, it shows a clear color transformation (e.g., purple to yellow or colorless to green) for straightforward visual confirmation.
• Compatible with plasma sterilization’s non-toxic residue advantage, it eliminates the need for post-sterilization aeration, enabling immediate clinical use.
• Designed for high-precision devices, it ensures accurate indication without disrupting the sterilization of sensitive instruments.
It is primarily used in specialized healthcare settings such as operating rooms and ambulatory surgical centers. It is particularly suitable for high-precision instruments like laparoscopic tools, fiber-optic cables, and implantable devices that come into direct contact with living tissues.
Characteristics | Steam Sterilization Indicator Tape | ETO Sterilization Indicator Tape | Plasma Sterilization Indicator Tape |
Target Sterilization Method | Steam autoclave (high temperature, high pressure) | Ethylene Oxide (ETO) gas (low temperature, high humidity) | Plasma (low temperature, low pressure, reactive gas) |
Chemical Reaction Trigger | High temperature (121°C/134°C) + pressure (15/30 psi) for specified duration | ETO gas concentration + optimal temperature (37-55°C)/humidity (60-80%) + exposure time | Reactive plasma species (oxidative/reductive properties) + low temperature (37-44°C)/pressure |
Typical Color Change | Beige → Black (diagonal stripes); White → Black; Pale pink → Dark magenta | Yellow → Blue/Green | Purple → Yellow; Colorless → Green |
Suitable Medical Devices | Heat-resistant items (surgical tools, dental equipment, linen packs, glassware) | Heat/moisture-sensitive items (plastic devices, electronics, endoscopes, pharmaceuticals) | Heat/moisture/ETO-sensitive items (laparoscopic tools, fiber optics, implants) |
Operating Temperature Range | 121°C - 134°C | 37°C - 55°C | 37°C - 44°C |
Post-Sterilization Residue & Aeration | No toxic residues; only water vapor; no aeration needed | Potential ETO residues; aeration required before use | No toxic residues; no aeration required |
Key Application Scenarios | Hospitals, clinics, laboratories (general-purpose sterilization); CSSD load tracking | Industrial medical product sterilization; heat/moisture-sensitive device processing | Operating rooms, ambulatory surgical centers (specialized precision instruments) |
Chemical indicator tape is a cornerstone of healthcare infection control. Selecting the appropriate type depends on the sterilization method, device sensitivity, and clinical requirements. By delivering clear, reliable visual confirmation of successful sterilization, it safeguards patients and healthcare workers from cross-contamination, highlighting its irreplaceable role in sterilization workflows.
