Can an air detector replace the Bowie and Dick Test?
No, the air detector cannot recognize entrapped air inside a pack but only monitors condition in the free space of the chamber. The quantity levels at which non condensable (air) gases become critical depend on the goods to be sterilized. For example, a Bowie Dick 7kg linen pack signals an error by means of an inserted indicator sheet or by growth of inserted biological Indicators, if 150-200ml of air has a total inner volume of only 3.14ml. Therefore 0.314ml of non-condensable gases will block 10cm of the tube length to steam penetration, thus preventing effective sterilization of this instrument or tubing at this location.
