Smart Sterilization Tracker Tag
First Claim
1. A system for sensing and recording information concerning a sterilization status of a component of a medical device, the system comprising:
- a sterilizable component;
a tracking tag secured to the component, the tag including a sterilization-resistant housing containing a microprocessor, a sensor connected to the microprocessor and configured to sense a sterilization parameter regarding the sterilization of the component, and an electronic storage unit connected to the microprocessor and configured to record data front the sensor on the sterilization status of the component, wherein the electronic storage unit includes data on temperature triggers for the system exiting and entering a low power sleep mode; and
a medical device connectable to the component, the device including a central processing unit able to receive data stored on the tag regarding the sterilization status of the component.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In the present invention, a device, system and associated method is provided, as a compact, automated and self-contained data logger with capability of withstanding conditions used in sterilizing reusable medical device equipment/components. The device includes one or more sensors to automatically sense and store information on the parameters of various autoclave cycle(s) for the component associated with the tracking device and their respective timestamps of each autoclave cycle(s). This information is stored in a data record on the tracking device for the individual component. The data record can be used as evidence of valid sterilization cycles for the component and can also provide information for the host system and/or the user of the status for the component, including the last time the component was sterilized, the time between sterilization cycles, the time for replacement of the component, and too warn if the device was returned to service without proper sterilization.
17 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for sensing and recording information concerning a sterilization status of a component of a medical device, the system comprising:
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a sterilizable component; a tracking tag secured to the component, the tag including a sterilization-resistant housing containing a microprocessor, a sensor connected to the microprocessor and configured to sense a sterilization parameter regarding the sterilization of the component, and an electronic storage unit connected to the microprocessor and configured to record data front the sensor on the sterilization status of the component, wherein the electronic storage unit includes data on temperature triggers for the system exiting and entering a low power sleep mode; and a medical device connectable to the component, the device including a central processing unit able to receive data stored on the tag regarding the sterilization status of the component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A tracking tag for a sterilizable medical device component, the tag comprising:
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a sterilization-resistant housing; a microprocessor; at least one sensor connected to the microprocessor and configured to sense a sterilization parameter regarding the sterilization of the component; an electronic storage unit connected to the microprocessor and configured to record data from the sensor on the sterilization status of the component, wherein the electronic storage unit includes user-defined data on temperature triggers for the system exiting and entering a low power sleep mode; and a wireless network interface operably connected to the microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method of tracking the sterilization of a sterilizable component for a medical device, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a tracking tag including a sterilization-resistant housing containing a microprocessor, a sensor connected to the microprocessor and configured to sense a sterilization parameter regarding the sterilization of the component, and an electronic storage unit connected to the microprocessor and configured to record data from the sensor on the sterilization status of the component, wherein the electronic storage unit includes data on temperature triggers for the system exiting and entering a low power sleep mode; securing the tag to the component; waking the tag from a low power sleep mode upon sensing the temperature trigger for exiting the low power sleep mode; sterilizing the component and the tag; and recording data concerning the sterilization event and status of the component within the tag. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification