Labels and tracking systems for sterilization procedures

• US 6,238,623 B1
• Filed: 02/05/1998
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Ignacio, Ramon T., Weinig, Florian, Amhof, Anita, Stoop, Christian, Jauslin, Urs
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Deborah
• Assistant Examiner(s): McNeil, Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US09/019,445
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: 116/206, 116/207, 116/216, 422/56, 422/58, 422/57, 428/41.8, 428/42.1, 428/42.2, 40/638, 40/630, 40/299.01
• US Class Current: 422/426
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/14 Plasma, i.e. ionised gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/186 Peroxide solutions
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/208 Hydrogen peroxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/28 Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour apparatus involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M1/34; methods involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/181 Flexible packaging means, e.g. permeable membranes, paper
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/21 Pharmaceuticals, e.g. medicaments, artificial body parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/223 for investigating presence of specific gases or aerosols G01N31/221, G01N31/222 take precedence; actuation of fire alarm by presence of smoke or gases G08B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/226 for investigating the degree of sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/228 for peroxides
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1476 Release layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1486 Ornamental, decorative, pattern, or indicia
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1495 Adhesive is on removable layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/206664 Ozone or peroxide

Abstract

A novel label may be used in a novel sterilization tracking system. The label preferably has first and second portions and a first and second liners. Perforations may preferably attach the first portion to the second portion. The label is particularly suitable for use in monitoring and/or tracking hydrogen peroxide sterilization procedures.

Claims

1. A label for use in a tracking system for tracking objects to be subjected to a hydrogen peroxide sterilization procedure, the label comprising:

(a) first and second portions constructed to be manually separable from each other, each of said first and second portions having a first side constructed to receive printed indicia, and a second side with an adhesive,

(b) the first side of each of said first and second portions including an indicating composition with a first indicating state prior to exposure to the hydrogen peroxide sterilization procedure and a second indicating state after exposure to the hydrogen peroxide sterilization procedure, and

(c) a removable liner adhered to the adhesive.

2. A label according to claim 1 wherein perforations are situated between the first and second portions.

3. A label according to claim 1 wherein the label includes a first removable liner attached to the first portion and a second removable liner attached to the second portion.

4. A label according to claim 1 wherein the first indicating state is a first color and the second indicating states is a second color which is different than the first color.

5. A label for use in a tracking system for tracking objects to be subjected to a hydrogen peroxide sterilization procedure, the label comprising:

(a) first and second portions with perforations situated between the first and second portions affording separation of the first and second portions from each other, each of said first and second portions having a first side constructed to receive printed indicia, and a second side with an adhesive,

(b) the first side of said first and second portions including an indicating composition with a first indicating state prior to exposure to the hydrogen peroxide sterilization procedure and a second indicating state after exposure to the hydrogen peroxide sterilization procedure, and

(c) a liner adhered to the adhesive.

6. A label according to claim 5 wherein the label includes a first removable liner attached to the first portion and a second removable liner attached to the second portion.

7. A label according to claim 5 wherein the first indicating state is a first color and the second indicating states is a second color which is different than the first color.

8. A label for use in a tracking system for tracking objects to be subjected to a sterilization procedure, the label comprising:

(a) first and second portions constructed to be manually separable from each other, each of said first and second portions having a first side constructed to receive printed indicia, and a second side with an adhesive,

(b) the first side of at least one of said first and second portions including an indicating composition with a first indicating state prior to exposure to the sterilization procedure and a second indicating state after exposure to the sterilization procedure, and

(c) a first removable liner adhered to the adhesive of the first portion and free of attachment to the second portion, and a second removable liner adhered to the adhesive of the second portion and free of attachment to the first portion.

9. A label according to claim 8 wherein perforations are situated between the first and second portions.

10. A label according to claim 8 wherein both the first and second portions have the indicating composition.

11. A label according to claim 8 wherein the first indicating state is a first color and the second indicating states is a second color which is different than the first color.

12. A method of tracking objects to be sterilized by a hydrogen peroxide sterilization procedure, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a label comprising first and second portions having an adhesive, the first and second portions being constructed to be separable from one another;

both the first and second portions being suitable for receiving printed information, and both the first and second portions having a composition that changes indicating state when exposed to a hydrogen peroxide sterilization procedure;

(b) adhering the label to packaging of objects to be sterilized;

(c) subjecting the packaging and the objects to be sterilized to a hydrogen peroxide sterilization procedure;

(d) then removing the second portion of the label from the first portion leaving the first portion adhered to the packaging of the objects to be sterilized; and

(e) then adhering the second portion to a patient'"'"'s file.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of adhering the first portion to the packaging of the objects to be sterilized comprises adhering the first portion to the packaging of the objects to be sterilized with substantially all of the adhesive of the first portion.