Sterilizer cassette handling system with data link
First Claim
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1. A method for tracking a sterilant cassette within a sterilizer comprising the steps of:
- reading for a presence of the cassette within a cassette processing area of the sterilizer by transmitting a non-optical electromagnetic signal between the cassette and a receiver on the sterilizer;
via the electromagnetic signal transmitting identifying information between the cassette and the receiver, wherein the identifying information comprises an expiration date;
verifying that a proper cassette is loaded into the sterilizer based upon the identifying information, wherein verifying that a proper cassette is loaded includes determining if the expiration date has passed; and
rejecting the cassette if the expiration date has passed.
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Abstract
A cassette handling system for sterilant filled cassettes employs RFID or other electromagnetic signal technology to track the cassettes. A method for tracking the sterilant cassettes includes the steps of reading for the presence of a cassette within a cassette processing area of the sterilizer by transmitting a non-optical electromagnetic signal between the cassette and a receiver on the sterilizer, via the electromagnetic signal transmitting identifying information between the cassette and the receiver, and verifying that a proper cassette is loaded into the sterilizer based upon the identifying information.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for tracking a sterilant cassette within a sterilizer comprising the steps of:
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reading for a presence of the cassette within a cassette processing area of the sterilizer by transmitting a non-optical electromagnetic signal between the cassette and a receiver on the sterilizer; via the electromagnetic signal transmitting identifying information between the cassette and the receiver, wherein the identifying information comprises an expiration date; verifying that a proper cassette is loaded into the sterilizer based upon the identifying information, wherein verifying that a proper cassette is loaded includes determining if the expiration date has passed; and rejecting the cassette if the expiration date has passed. - 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 for tracking a sterilant cassette within a sterilizer comprising the steps of:
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exchanging information between the cassette and a receiver on the sterilizer via a non-optical electromagnetic signal, wherein the cassette comprises a plurality of cells containing a sterilant; and rejecting the cassette if an expiration date of the cassette has passed, wherein the exchanged information comprises the expiration date and at least one of; a sterilization cycle parameter; a concentration of sterilant achieved during a sterilization cycle; and a type of cycle for which one or more of the cells is intended. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification