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Apparatus for counting the number of times a surgical instrument has been used

  • US 5,313,935 A
  • Filed: 08/17/1993
  • Issued: 05/24/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for counting the number of times a surgical instrument has been sterilized, said apparatus comprising:

  • a) a housing having an inner hub portion and an outer cylindrical portion, said outer cylindrical portion having an inwardly extending tooth and an indication means;

    b) a ratchet wheel having a plurality of inner teeth, a plurality of outer teeth, and outer incremental indicia, said ratchet wheel being located between said inner hub portion and said outer cylindrical portion of said housing such that one of said plurality of outer teeth is engaged by said inward extending tooth and one of said incremental indicia is indicated by said indication means; and

    c) a bimetallic member having a free end and a fixed end, said free end engaging one of said plurality of inner teeth and said fixed end being attached to said inner hub portion of said housing, whereina sterilization heating and cooling cycle causes said bimetallic member to engage a next one of said inner teeth and to advance said ratchet wheel past said inward extending tooth so that a next one of said incremental indicia is indicated by said indication means, and said inward extending tooth prevents said ratchet wheel from returning to a previous position.

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