Sterilization Case Tracking With Autoclave Battery Sleep Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical instrument tracking systems are inefficient and complicated due to the need for manual scanning, and autoclave sterilization processes can damage electronic components like batteries, leading to reduced battery life and inaccurate tracking during high-temperature sterilization.

Innovation Solution

A battery-powered tracking component attached to a sterilization case that collects and transmits usage information via a short-range wireless protocol, with a temperature sensor to disconnect power during autoclave processes, allowing for accurate tracking and extended battery life by estimating autoclave process durations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a battery-powered tracking component is continuously powered during autoclave sterilization, then tracking data can be recorded without interruption, but the battery life is significantly reduced due to high temperature and pressurized steam exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking data continuityVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking component alternates between active tracking mode and low-power sleep mode periodically. The system activates the tracking component to collect usage data, then deactivates it during autoclave sterilization processes. This periodic operation pattern reduces overall battery consumption while maintaining necessary tracking functionality, resolving the contradiction between continuous data recording and battery life extension

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects autoclave sterilization conditions in advance and proactively switches the tracking component to sleep mode before the sterilization process begins. By anticipating the high-temperature environment and preemptively reducing power consumption, the system protects the battery from thermal degradation while ensuring tracking resumption after sterilization completes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If manual scanning is required to track medical instruments, then tracking accuracy can be maintained, but operational efficiency is reduced and procedures become complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking component autonomously collects, stores, and transmits usage information without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically detects autoclave processes, records time durations, and manages battery power states independently. This self-service capability eliminates the need for employees to manually scan instruments while maintaining accurate tracking data, thereby improving operational efficiency without sacrificing tracking precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical scanning operations with an automated electronic tracking system. The tracking component uses electronic sensors and wireless communication to automatically capture and transmit instrument usage data, substituting the manual scanning process with an automated electronic system that maintains accuracy while significantly improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 efficient, accurate tracking of sterilization case usage without manual intervention, extending battery life and maintaining precise record-keeping of autoclave processes despite high-temperature exposure.

Implementation Method 1

The usage information may be transmitted using a short-range wireless communications protocol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the starting and ending of an autoclave process may be determined by a temperature sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal detection: Thermocouple

Implementation Method 3

Medical instruments may be sterilized in the sterilization case by implementing an autoclave sterilization process, in which the medical instruments and the sterilization case may be subjected to high temperatures and pressurized steam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAutoclave sterilization: Steam Explosion

Data Source

PatentUS12544473B2Medical instrument sterilization case tracking

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC

AI summary

A battery-powered tracking component may be attached to a sterilization case. The tracking component may collect, store and transmit usage information associated with the sterilization case. The supplying of power to the tracking component may be temporarily stopped during autoclave processes. As the high temperatures and pressurized steam of autoclave processes may drain an active battery, the lifespan of the battery may be elongated by deactivating the battery during the autoclave processes. A temperature sensor may detect when the temperature of the sterilization case rises above a threshold indicating a start of the autoclave process, and when the temperature of the sterilization case falls below a threshold indicating an end of the autoclave process. The usage information may include a count of autoclave processes and durations of time periods between autoclave processes. The usage information may be used to determine times at which autoclave processes are performed.