Methods and systems for monitoring sterilization status

• US 8,114,342 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Jung, Edward K. Y., Levien, Royce A., Lord, Robert W., Malamud, Mark A., Rinaldo, John D. Jr., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Conley, Sean E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yoo, Regina M.
• Application Number:
  US11/414,743
• Publication Number:
  US 20070231191A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,118 Days
• Field of Search: 422/3, 422/1, 422/105, 422/117, 422/119
• US Class Current: 422/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0011 using physical methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0088 Liquid substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0094 Gaseous substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/07 Steam
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/08 Radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/183 Ozone dissolved in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/186 Peroxide solutions
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/20 Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• 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 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

Methods and systems for monitoring sterilization status are provided.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces; and

generating one or more signals in response to the comparing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:

determining if the one or more sterilization statuses are within one or more compliance ranges associated with the one or more sterilization levels.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:

determining if the one or more sterilization statuses are outside of one or more compliance ranges associated with the one or more sterilization levels.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating one or more signals in response to the comparing comprises:

generating the one or more signals associated with compliance of the one or more sterilization statuses with the one or more sterilization levels.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating one or more signals in response to the comparing comprises:

generating the one or more signals associated with noncompliance of the one or more sterilization statuses with the one or more sterilization levels.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating one or more signals in response to the comparing comprises:

generating the one or more signals associated with entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating one or more signals in response to the comparing comprises:

generating the one or more signals associated with exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating one or more signals in response to the comparing comprises:

generating the one or more signals associated with one or more alert units.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating one or more signals in response to the comparing comprises:

generating the one or more signals associated with one or more recording units.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating one or more signals in response to the comparing comprises:

generating the one or more signals associated with one or more sterilization units.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating one or more signals in response to the comparing comprises:

generating the one or more signals associated with one or more control units.