Sterile Container Temperature Tracking for Reliable Cycle Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting sterilization cycles in medical sterile containers are unreliable and inaccurate, often failing to account for temperature fluctuations and holding times, and lack flexibility in adjusting detection parameters.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using a temperature measurement device associated with the sterile container to detect temperature at fixed intervals, storing values after a first limit temperature is exceeded, comparing them with reference values, and adjusting measurement intervals based on tolerance ranges to accurately identify sterilization cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If temperature limit values are detected using bimetallic elements or simple sensors, then the detection process is simple, but the reliability of sterilization cycle detection is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection system complexityVSAvoidsterilization cycle detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the detection parameter from simple temperature limit values to a combination of temperature, time, and rate of change parameters. By monitoring temperature at multiple time points and calculating the rate of change, the system achieves more reliable sterilization cycle detection while maintaining reasonable system complexity through programmed evaluation logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If temperature is detected continuously to ensure accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption of temperature measurement device

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic temperature measurement at multiple predetermined time points within the sterilization cycle rather than continuous measurement. This periodic sampling approach maintains sufficient measurement precision for accurate cycle detection while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The evaluation unit automatically processes the temperature data collected at different time points, calculating the rate of change and determining sterilization cycle completion without requiring external intervention. This self-service processing reduces the need for additional energy-intensive continuous monitoring while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple temperature points are measured to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization cycle detection precisionVSAvoidtemperature measurement and evaluation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes multiple predetermined time points for temperature measurement before the sterilization cycle begins. This preliminary planning allows the evaluation unit to automatically process data at specific moments, achieving high detection precision through multiple measurements while keeping the system complexity manageable through programmed time-point based evaluation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables reliable, flexible, and energy-efficient detection of sterilization cycles by automatically switching between rough and fine monitoring modes, ensuring accurate documentation and analysis of sterilization processes.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature measurement device associated with the sterile container for detecting a temperature acting on the sterile container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS12485195B2Method for automatic and sterile-container-specific detection of sterilisation cycles carried out by a sterile container

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 AESCULAP AG

AI summary

A method for automatic and sterile-container-specific detection of sterilization cycles carried out by a sterile container, and a system for carrying out the method. A temperature acting on the sterile container is detected using a temperature measurement device associated with the sterile container. A temperature measurement device detects the temperature at fixed first time intervals. Detected temperature values are stored in a memory once a predetermined first limit temperature has been exceeded. Storage of detected temperature values is suspended once a predetermined second limit temperature has been undershot or after a predetermined duration has elapsed after the first limit temperature has been exceeded. The stored temperature values are compared with reference temperature values. A deviation between the temperature values and the reference temperature values is determined. A counter and/or a display device are/is actuated when a deviation is determined within a predetermined tolerance range.