NCA scientists created and developed the new NCA Quattro Indicator with a sophisticated technology as a way to tackle the challenges posed by the growing uncertainty in sterility assurance for dental & medical instruments. NCA Quattro indicators are the only indicators in the market that can provide evidence not only that all critical parameters in the sterilization process have been present, but also monitor them throughout the full autoclave cycle. Unlike the class 4,5 & 6, the class 2 indicator can detect the presence of air, which can cause blockage inside lumens and contain spore populations within the lumen. Typically mistaken for a “Type 2” Indicator, the class 2 indicator (NCA Quattro) detects volumes of air or non-condensable gasses (NCG’s) down to less than 1 ml, which is the volume required to harvest a spore inside a lumen.

We were able to differentiate our indicators by allowing the entire sterilization cycle to be monitored from start-to-finish using NCA’s End-Point Detection technology . Each cycle in a sterilizer undergoes several cycle types, such as pressure, vacuum, steam injection, time and temperature. Each one of these parameters must be measured as the cycle progresses. Therefore, if you stop the cycle half-way and pull out our indicator, you will see that only half of the indicator passed (unlike other tests that pass in the beginning of the cycle, giving you a false pass (false positive)). This makes NCA indicators 100% efficient in the monitoring process, giving you more precise and absolute scientific results for your infection control.

NCA products have been tested internationally by NQA testing laboratories, the highest level of quality assurance testing in the world for scientific products. They hold a Certificate of Conformity and are approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) (the equivalent of the FDA in the U.S.).

 By using the Quattro indicator within the NCA Process Validation Challenge Device (PCD), it provides a greater challenge to the chamber than any complex lumen and hollow instrument. It eliminates the use of biological spore testing and the use of any other indicator, cutting major costs to the practice annually. By switching to the NCA Quattro and the NCA Process Validation Challenge Device, the practice is not only complying with all ANSI/AAMI, ASNZ, EN & ISO standards but also moving to a more reliable, sophisticated technology and confirming to best practice, protecting both the practice from liability and the patient from infection. 

The NCA Quattro indicators are universal and can be placed into most Process Challenge Devices (PCD’s), or helix devices, to provide assurance of the sterility process. They measure all parameters critical to the sterility process and have an affixed sticker on the rear of each indicator, enabling them to be placed intuitively into the daily run sheet to log results of the batch and track effectively.

• Finally, an indicator that monitors all the FOUR critical sterilization parameters required to verify sterility (Air Removal, Temperature, Time, Steam & Pressure)
• The only indicator that fully conforms to all sterilization standards (ANSI/AAMI/ASTM/ISO 11140-1 & ISO 17665-1)
• No Quarantine: Assures sterility and allows you to use sterilized instruments right away without quarantine
• High accuracy detection – to even the last spore sized air and non-condensable gas pockets (1  ml), which allows dangerous pathogens to exist
• End-Point Detection: innovative technology allowing continuous detection of sterilization parameters throughout the Full autoclave’s cycle. Unlike any other indicator which passes halfway through giving a false pass result
• Only one indicator required per cycle
• Eliminates additional, unnecessary testing
• Can be used by itself by placing it in a sterilization pouch or tray and for the ultimate sterility validation and assurance it is recommended to place the strip in the NCA’s process challenge device.
• Tested and certified by independent laboratories:  NQA certified, the highest level of quality assurance testing in the world for scientific products
• TGA Approved: Tested and approved by the Australian Department of Health Therapeutic Goods Administration
• Evidence Record Keeping: An affixed sticker is placed on the rear of each indicator, enabling them to be placed intuitively into the daily run sheet to log results of the sterilized batch and track effectively. (Easier evidence tracking and record keeping)