Use of gamma hardened RFID tags in pharmaceutical devices
First Claim
1. A method of sterilization by subjecting a device to gamma radiation, wherein said device comprises a remotely readable and rewriteable memory device, whereby the contents of said memory device are not corrupted by said gamma radiation, comprising:
- affixing a memory device employing a non-charge based storage mechanism to said device;
writing data to said memory device;
subjecting said device and said memory device to gamma radiation subsequent to writing said data; and
reading said data previously written to said memory device subsequent to said gamma sterilization.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for utilizing RFID tags in environments where radiation is used is disclosed. RFID tags are secured to various components of a pharmaceutical system, thereby enabling the customer to download pertinent information about the component, such as lot number, date of manufacturer, test parameters, etc. The tags can be applied to the component during or immediately after manufacture and can be subjected to the sterilization process without risk of data loss or corruption. The memory device within the tag utilizes a technology that does not rely upon charge storage as its mechanism to store information.
78 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of sterilization by subjecting a device to gamma radiation, wherein said device comprises a remotely readable and rewriteable memory device, whereby the contents of said memory device are not corrupted by said gamma radiation, comprising:
affixing a memory device employing a non-charge based storage mechanism to said device;
writing data to said memory device;
subjecting said device and said memory device to gamma radiation subsequent to writing said data; and
reading said data previously written to said memory device subsequent to said gamma sterilization.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
- 11. A pharmaceutical component, comprising a rewritable memory element affixed thereto, which when subjected to gamma radiation, retains the contents of said memory element, comprising a memory element utilizing a non-charge based storage mechanism.
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24. A tracking system for gamma radiated lots of sterilized items, comprising:
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a tracking tag comprising a rewritable memory device which, when subjected to gamma radiation, retains the contents of said memory device, said memory device comprising device specific information written thereto prior to said gamma radiation; and a memory reader which is usable by a user to obtain the device specific information from said memory device after it has been gamma radiated. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification