Wireless tracking system and method for sterilizable object

• US 7,701,334 B1
• Filed: 12/20/2009
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Centrak Incorporated (Halma PLC)
• Original Assignee: Awarepoint Corporation
• Inventors: Perkins, Matthew R., Hoffman, Eric, Shein, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): King; Curtis J
• Application Number:
  US12/642,823
• Time in Patent Office: 121 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.12, 340/539.13, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

The present invention is a method for real-time location monitoring of a sterilizable object. The method includes tracking a location of a sterilizable object bearing a tag using a mesh network. The tag preferably includes a sealed housing, means for detecting a sterilization event and means for transmitting data concerning the sterilization event. The method also includes detecting a sterilization event. The method also includes transmitting a signal that the sterilization event has been detected by the tag.

Claims

1. A method for real-time location monitoring of an object within a hospital, the method comprising:

tracking a location of an object bearing an RFID tag within a hospital using RFID tag transmissions to at least one of a plurality of sensors within the hospital, the plurality of sensors forming a mesh network;

determining if a location of the object varies from a pre-determined workflow for the object, the predetermined workflow comprising detecting the object at a cleaning location for a predetermined period of time through transmissions from the tag to at least one of the plurality of sensors corresponding to the cleaning location, and detecting a cleaning event, wherein the cleaning event is at least one of a chemical disinfectant cleaning wherein a sterilization threshold value of hydrogen peroxide in a concentration amount of at least 6% is detected by the tag and transmitted to said at least one of the plurality of sensors, an ultrasonic cleaning wherein a sterilization threshold value of a pre-established amount of ultrasonic energy is detected by the tag and transmitted to said at least one of the plurality of sensors, a steam cleaning wherein a sterilization threshold value of water vapor at a temperature of at least 100°

C. is detected by the tag and transmitted to said at least one of the plurality of sensors, and a high temperature cleaning wherein a sterilization threshold value of a temperature of at least 150°

C. is detected by the tag and transmitted to said at least one of the plurality of sensors; and

notifying an operator upon determining that the location of the object varies from a predetermined workflow for the object.