Sterile Barrier Packaging with Machine-Readable Code Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no effective way to communicate how a sterile item should be presented from a thermoformed tray to the sterile field in an operating room, lacking clear data and tracking mechanisms for ensuring the sterility and usability of medical devices.
Innovation Solution
A sterile barrier system package with a machine-readable code, such as a 2D or 3D code, is integrated into the packaging to communicate and track data related to sterilization, validation, stability, and intended sterile presentation, allowing activation of a digital experience for ensuring the package's usability and integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sterile barrier system package includes a machine-readable code for tracking and communicating data, then the ability to track and verify sterility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a machine-readable code (such as a barcode or QR code) as an information copy that contains data about the sterile barrier system package. This code can be scanned and read by devices to verify sterility, track the package through the supply chain, and confirm package integrity without requiring complex physical modifications to the actual sterile barrier system.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine-readable code acts as an intermediary between the physical sterile barrier system package and the digital tracking/verification system. It bridges the gap between the physical package and the electronic data storage (such as blockchain), enabling verification without requiring direct integration of complex tracking mechanisms into the sterile barrier system itself.
2Loss of information
If the package includes comprehensive data communication capabilities for sterilization, validation, and tracking, then the information availability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements information communication through a machine-readable code that stores data about sterilization, validation, and package tracking. This approach uses simple coding technologies that can be easily integrated into existing packaging manufacturing processes, avoiding the need for complex data communication systems while still providing comprehensive information access.
Data Source
AI summary
A sterile barrier system package comprising a tray, a lidding film and a unique printed or molded SBS Code for communicating and tracking the SBS to its specific intended usability through activating a digital experience.