Wireless tracking system and method for sterilizable object

• US 8,033,462 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2009
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Centrak Incorporated (Halma PLC)
• Original Assignee: Awarepoint Corporation
• Inventors: Hoffman, Eric, Shein, Robert, Perkins, Matthew R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Michael G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mikels; Matthew
• Application Number:
  US12/484,234
• Publication Number:
  US 20100252627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 849 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/385, 235/487, 235/492, 340/10, 340/572
• US Class Current: 235/385
• 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. The tag 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 a sterilizable object within an indoor facility, the method comprising:

tracking a real-time location of a sterilizable object within the indoor facility utilizing a mesh network formed of a plurality of sensors and at least one access bridge positioned within the indoor facility, the sterilizable object associated with a tag that transmits a continuous periodic radiofrequency signal;

receiving at least one of the plurality of sensors a tracking signal from the tag that the sterilizable object is located in a sterilization area;

receiving at least one of the plurality of sensors a first status signal from the tag that a sterilization threshold value for a sterilization event is present, the sterilization threshold value detected by a sensor of the tag;

transmitting the first status signal from the at least one of the plurality of sensors through the mesh network to a remote server;

receiving at least one of the plurality of sensors a second status signal from the tag that the sterilization threshold value for a sterilization event is absent;

transmitting the second status signal from the at least one of the plurality of sensors to a remote server;

determining a sterilization status for the sterilizable object at the remote server based on at least the first status signal and the second status signal; and

communicating the sterilization status for the sterilizable object to an operator;

wherein the sterilization event is one of ultrasonic energy sterilization, steam sterilization, heat sterilization, pressure sterilization, chemical sterilization and hot water sterilization, and wherein an ultrasonic energy sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of a pre-established amount of ultrasonic energy, a steam sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of water vapor at a temperature of at least 100°

C., a heat sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of a temperature of at least 150°

C., a pressure sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of a pressure of at least 1.036 Bar above atmospheric pressure, a chemical sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of hydrogen peroxide in a concentration amount of at least 6%, and a hot water sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of liquid water at a temperature of at least 70°

C.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the sterilization status is a message that the sterilization was complete.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the sterilization status is a message that the sterilization was incomplete.

4. A method for real-time location monitoring of a sterilizable object within an indoor facility, the method comprising:

tracking a real-time location of a sterilizable object within the indoor facility utilizing a mesh network formed of a plurality of sensors and at least one access bridge positioned within the indoor facility, the sterilizable object associated with a tag that transmits a continuous periodic radiofrequency signal;

receiving at least one of the plurality of sensors a tracking signal from the tag that the sterilizable object is located in a sterilization area;

receiving at least one of the plurality of sensors a first status signal from the tag that a sterilization threshold value for a sterilization event is present, the sterilization threshold value detected by a sensor of the tag;

transmitting the first status signal from the at least one of the plurality of sensors through the mesh network to a remote server;

receiving at least one of the plurality of sensors a second status signal from the tag that the sterilization threshold value for a sterilization event is absent;

transmitting the second status signal from the at least one of the plurality of sensors to a remote server;

determining a sterilization status for the sterilizable object at the remote server based on at least the first status signal and the second status signal; and

communicating the sterilization status for the sterilizable object to an operator;

wherein the sterilization event is one of steam sterilization, heat sterilization and hot water sterilization, and a steam sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of a temperature of at least 100°

C., a heat sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of a temperature of at least 150°

C., and a hot water sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of a temperature of at least 70°

C.

5. A system for real-time location monitoring of a sterilizable object within an indoor facility, the system comprising:

a tracking tag attached to a sterilizable object, the tracking tag comprising a sealed housing, a sensor for detecting a sterilization event, a radiofrequency transceiver for transmitting a continuous periodic signal and data concerning the sterilization event;

a mesh network comprising a plurality of network sensors and at least one access bridge, each of the plurality of network sensors and the at least one access bridge positioned within the indoor facility, each of the plurality of network sensors communicating with at least one other network sensor of the plurality of network sensors, at least one of the plurality of sensors receiving data from the tracking tag; and

a remote server in communication with the mesh network, the remote server processing the signals from the tracking tag communicated over the mesh network, the remote server configured to initiate a new process when a sterilization event is detected, configured to associate the sterilizable object with a mobile object, configured to add data to a database, configured to update a user interface, and configured to change the state of a process;

wherein the sterilization event is one of ultrasonic energy sterilization, steam sterilization, heat sterilization, pressure sterilization, chemical sterilization and hot water sterilization, and wherein an ultrasonic energy sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of a pre-established amount of ultrasonic energy, a steam sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of a temperature of at least 100°

C., a heat sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of a temperature of at least 150°

C., a pressure sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of a pressure of at least 1.036 Bar above atmospheric pressure, a chemical sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of hydrogen peroxide in a concentration amount of at least 6%, and a hot water sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of a temperature of at least 70°

C.