Verification of cleaning processes with electronically readable coded coupon
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated cleaning machines lack a reliable method to verify the efficacy of cleaning processes, which can lead to inconsistent cleaning, disinfection, or sterilization of articles, as existing methods do not effectively assess the removal of soils and residues.
Innovation Solution
A verification coupon with an electronically readable code covered by a soil overlay is used in automated cleaning machines, where the code is partially revealed during the cleaning process, and the decoded data is compared to a reference code to verify the cleaning process's effectiveness, using a processor to analyze images and generate notifications on a user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated cleaning machines are used to clean articles, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but there is no reliable method to verify the efficacy of the cleaning process
Solution Approach 1:
The verification coupon is prepared in advance with a known reference code printed on it, before being placed in the cleaning machine. This preliminary preparation allows the code to serve as a built-in verification target that will reveal whether the cleaning process achieved the desired level of soil removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures an image of the verification coupon after cleaning, decodes the visible portion of the code, and compares it to the reference code to determine if cleaning was successful. This feedback loop provides objective verification of cleaning efficacy, allowing the system to confirm whether the cleaning process met the required standards.
2Reliability
If a verification method is implemented, then cleaning efficacy can be confirmed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The verification coupon serves multiple functions: it acts as a soil challenge (providing controlled soil for removal), a verification target (with the encoded reference code), and a cleaning indicator (the revealed portion of the code indicates cleaning success). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate verification components.
Solution Approach 2:
The verification coupon acts as an intermediary element between the cleaning process and the verification system. Instead of directly measuring cleaning efficacy on the articles being cleaned, the coupon serves as a surrogate target that can be objectively assessed, simplifying the overall verification approach.
3Reliability
If soil overlay is used to cover the verification code, then the cleaning challenge is realistic, but the code reading becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The soil overlay is applied to cover the verification code, but the cleaning process is designed to remove only a portion of the soil, revealing enough of the code for verification. This partial removal approach provides a realistic cleaning challenge while ensuring sufficient code visibility for successful decoding and verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A soil-based coupon having an electronically readable verification code printed thereon is used for verification of soil removal by a cleaning process. The coupon includes a soil overlay covering the verification code. The verification code is at least partially revealed by removal of all or part of the soil overlay during the cleaning process. If the data encoded in the verification code can be correctly decoded after completion of the cleaning process, the cleaning process can be verified. The soil overlay can be designed to match the application. The coupons may be used in a cleaning process verification procedure in which one or more computing devices analyze images of the verification codes to determine whether or not cleaning processes can be verified.