Wireless Tag Temperature Sensor Dental Instrument Sterilization
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental treatment instrument temperature management systems fail to reliably recognize the completion of sterilization treatments, leading to potential erroneous recognition of sterilization completion when instruments are merely brought close to sterilizers, rather than having undergone actual sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a wireless tag with a temperature sensor that stores temperature information only when the detected temperature reaches a prescribed sterilization range, eliminating the need for manual data reading and preventing erroneous sterilization completion records, while also tracking sterilization history and environmental suitability for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reader-writer is disposed near a sterilizer to read identification information from a wireless tag, then sterilization completion can be recognized, but erroneous recognition may occur when the instrument is merely brought close to the sterilizer without actual sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature sensor is introduced as an intermediary between the sterilizer and the wireless tag. The sensor detects actual temperature changes during sterilization and transmits this information to the tag, serving as a mediator that verifies genuine sterilization occurrence rather than mere proximity to the sterilizer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring temperature during the sterilization process and updating the sterilization completion status based on actual temperature data. This feedback mechanism ensures that sterilization completion is recorded only when the prescribed temperature is actually achieved, preventing erroneous recognition.
2Loss of information
If temperature information is continuously stored in the wireless tag, then sterilization history can be tracked, but storage space may be wasted when sterilization temperature is not reached
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless tag stores temperature information with differentiated quality - complete sterilization records are stored only when the prescribed temperature range is actually reached, while incomplete or partial heating processes are recorded differently. This local quality approach optimizes storage space by avoiding uniform storage of all temperature data regardless of significance.
3Device complexity
If manual reading of wireless tag data is required, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless tag autonomously records and manages sterilization information by receiving temperature data from the sensor and automatically updating its internal storage. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual data reading and processing, significantly improving productivity while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures accurate recording of sterilization completion and maintenance history, preventing improper use of unsanitized instruments and facilitating reliable temperature management for dental treatment instruments.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor which detects temperature of the dental treatment instrument based on thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
transmit the temperature information wirelessly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A medical treatment instrument temperature information management device (50) includes: a wireless tag (10) that is disposed at an instrument (110); and a reader-writer (20) as a reading unit that reads data from the wireless tag (10). The wireless tag (10) includes: a temperature sensor (13); and an IC chip including a storage part (11b). The wireless tag (10) makes the storage part (11b) store therein temperature information on temperature of the instrument (110) based on a value detected by the temperature sensor (13). This makes it possible to manage the temperature information on temperature of the instrument such as a medical treatment instrument with reliability.