Biological indicator evaluation resistometer
A Biological Indicator Evaluation Resistometer vessel is a piece of equipment used to determine the time taken to reduce survival of a given organism by 90%. The name derives from how the equipment is used.
A BIER vessel evaluates the resistance of biological indicators to moist heat sterilization. For example, if a 90% reduction is determined to be 5 minutes for the microorganism being evaluated, then a D-value of 5 is assigned. D values are specific to starting bioload, substrate, and microbe species.
BIER vessels typically cost in excess of $100,000, and thus tend to be located where biological indicators are manufactured.
