Electronic system for tracking and monitoring articles to be sterilized and associated method
First Claim
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1. A method of monitoring articles to be subjected to a sterilization process comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a sterilization indicator capable of providing information relating to the efficacy of a sterilization process, an article to be subjected to said sterilization process, a reading device capable of obtaining information from said sterilization indicator, and processing means for processing information associated with said sterilization indicator and said article;
b) subjecting said sterilization indicator and said article to said sterilization process;
c) reading information from the sterilization indicator with said reading device; and
d) associating information from said sterilization indicator with said article by said processing means.
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Abstract
A electronic system for tracking and monitoring articles to be subjected to a sterilization cycle is disclosed. The method uses a sterilization indicator and electronically links sterilization information with the articles subjected to the sterilization process. The indicator allows a sterilization cycle to be monitored without the need for a user to subjectively distinguish between color, quality or intensity of display patterns.
116 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring articles to be subjected to a sterilization process comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a sterilization indicator capable of providing information relating to the efficacy of a sterilization process, an article to be subjected to said sterilization process, a reading device capable of obtaining information from said sterilization indicator, and processing means for processing information associated with said sterilization indicator and said article;
b) subjecting said sterilization indicator and said article to said sterilization process;
c) reading information from the sterilization indicator with said reading device; and
d) associating information from said sterilization indicator with said article by said processing means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of monitoring articles to be subjected to a sterilization process at a healthcare facility comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a chemical indicator forming at least a portion of a code on a label, the chemical indicator being capable of providing information relating to the efficacy of a sterilization process, an article to be subjected to a sterilization process, a reading device capable of reading said chemical indicator, and computer means for managing information associated with said chemical indicator and said article;
b) subjecting said chemical indicator and said article to a sterilization process;
c) reading the code on the label to obtain information relating to the efficacy of the sterilization process with said reading device;
d) communicating information from said reading device to said computer means.
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22. A method of tracking articles to be subjected to a sterilization process comprising the steps of:
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providing a sterilization indicator capable of indicating whether a sterilization process has failed;
providing a computer;
storing information relating to the articles within memory of the computer;
placing the articles and the sterilization indicator within a substantially opaque sterilization pack and closing the pack;
subjecting the sterilization pack to a sterilization procedure;
reading the results of the sterilization indicator with a reading device;
determining whether the sterilization procedure has failed; and
controlling the use of said article based upon the determination of whether the sterilization process has failed. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A system for monitoring an article to be subjected to a sterilization process comprising:
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a) storage means for storing data on a storage medium;
b) first means for reading sterilization indicator data from a sterilization indicator under scrutiny and storing the sterilization indicator data in said storage medium;
c) second means for receiving inventory data associated with an article to be subjected to a sterilization cycle and storing the inventory data in said storage medium;
d) third means for establishing a relationship between said sterilization indicator data and said inventory data, and e) processing means for determining whether the article to be subjected to a sterilization cycle may be used. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification
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Current Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
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Original Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
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InventorsKirckof, Steven S., Ignacio, Ramon T., Rumble, Richard M., Bolea, Philip A., Kippenhan, Roland C., Hehenberger, Rodney K.
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Application NumberUS10/303,465Publication NumberTime in Patent OfficeDaysField of SearchUS Class Current436/1CPC Class CodesA61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed ...A61L 2/28 Devices for testing the eff...A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling steri...A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. e...G16H 40/20 for the management or admin...Y10T 436/102499 Blood gas standard or controlY10T 436/15 Inorganic acid or base [e.g...
