Liquid Nitrogen Batch Traceability Using UV Color Indicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for sterilizing liquid nitrogen lack effective certification and traceability, leading to potential contamination risks due to user errors in batch confusion and improper handling, especially in medical and food applications.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a container with an identification element that changes color upon exposure to UV radiation, ensuring batch-specific sterilization certification and traceability through a visible indicator, integrated with a database system for secure management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If liquid nitrogen is sterilized using ultraviolet radiation immediately before use, then sterility is improved, but traceability and certification are lost due to batch confusion

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesterilityVSAvoidbatch traceability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a color-changing indicator (such as a UV-sensitive sticker or chemical indicator) that changes color when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. This provides immediate visual certification that the batch has been sterilized, eliminating batch confusion while maintaining sterility assurance. The color change serves as a permanent, easily detectable marker that travels with the batch throughout storage and usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Productivity

If multiple batches of liquid nitrogen are managed simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but the risk of user error and batch confusion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebatch management efficiencyVSAvoidbatch identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification system by providing each batch with its own unique identifier and color-changing indicator. This segmentation allows multiple batches to be managed simultaneously without confusion, as each batch can be individually tracked and recognized through its distinct marker, thereby maintaining both high productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different batches can use different color indicators or the same color-changing mechanism provides a universal visual language for sterilization status. This enables rapid visual differentiation and status assessment across multiple batches, preventing user errors while maintaining efficient workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If liquid nitrogen containers are sealed during transport, then contamination risk is reduced, but sterilization certification cannot be provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination riskVSAvoidsterilization certification

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sterilization process is performed preliminarily—immediately before use—rather than relying on pre-transport sealing. The color-changing indicator is applied before sterilization, and the actual sterilization occurs right before the batch is needed, ensuring both contamination prevention and valid certification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The color-changing indicator provides visual proof that sterilization was performed on the specific batch being used, even though containers remain unsealed during transport. This eliminates the need for pre-transport sealing while still providing reliable certification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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

Provides reliable and cost-effective sterilization certification and traceability of liquid nitrogen batches, reducing contamination risks and ensuring accurate batch management.

Implementation Method 1

The sterilisation step comprises an introduction phase of the container (2) into an apparatus (9) suitable for ensuring the exposure to ultraviolet radiation of the aforementioned batch (3) of liquid nitrogen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet radiation sterilization: Radiation

Implementation Method 2

said indicator of the sterilisation state comprises an adhesive support, applied on said label, in turn having a surface coated with a pigmentation sensitive to ultraviolet radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotochromism: Photochromism

Data Source

PatentUS12508338B2Method for sterilizing, certificating and tracing of liquid nitrogen

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 NTERILIZER SRL

AI summary

A method of sterilisation, certification and traceability of liquid nitrogen, includes the steps of preparing a container, provided with an opening, in use, at the top, and pouring into it a batch of liquid nitrogen to be sterilised; providing an identification element uniquely associable with the batch of liquid nitrogen, said identification element including an indicator of the sterilisation state of the batch contained in said container configured to modify its appearance following exposure to ultraviolet radiation; associating the identification element with the container of the batch of liquid nitrogen to be sterilised, positioning it in a portion of said container, adjacent to said opening; carry out a batch sterilisation treatment through exposure to ultraviolet radiation for a predetermined period of time, to modify at least one characteristic of the indicator to certify the sterilisation of the batch.