Sterilizer monitoring and controlling system and method
AssigneeBaxter International Inc.
InventorsBob Brafford, Alex Kapustyan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method are provided for monitoring and/or controlling a sterilization system. Briefly described, in architecture, the system can be implemented as follows. A current transformer is operatively associated with a source of power for a radiation source. A power meter is operatively associated with the source of power. The power meter is also operatively associated with the current transformer. The power meter is designed to monitor the source of power to confirm the radiation source provides a desired dosage.
Claims52
A system for monitoring a sterilizer, the system comprising:
- a current transformer, the current transformer operatively associated with a source of power for a radiation source;
- and
- a power meter, the power meter operatively associated with the source of power, where the power meter is designed to monitor the source of power to confirm the radiation source provides a desired dosage.
A system for monitoring a sterilizer, the system comprising:
- means for determining the current provided to a radiation source by a power source;
- means for determining the voltage of the power source;
- and
- means for monitoring the current and the voltage to confirm a desired kill rate is provided by the radiation source.
A computer-readable medium for controlling a sterilizer, comprising:
- logic for determining a kill zone;
- logic for determining kill rates in the kill zones for a plurality of sterilizing radiation source input powers;
- logic for determining a desired kill rate;
- logic for determining the input power required to achieve the desired kill rate;
- logic for setting the input power;
- and
- logic for monitoring the input power to confirm the desired kill rate.
A system for controlling a sterilizer, comprising:
- means for determining a kill zone;
- means for determining kill rates in the kill zones for a plurality of sterilizing radiation source input powers;
- means for determining a desired kill rate;
- means for determining the input power required to achieve the desired kill rate;
- means for setting the input power;
- and
- means for monitoring the input power to confirm the desired kill rate.
A method for monitoring a sterilizer, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining the current provided to a radiation source by a power source;
- determining the voltage of the power source;
- and
- monitoring the current and the voltage to confirm a desired kill rate is provided by the radiation source.
A method of monitoring a sterilizer, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a power supply;
- determining the current of the power supply during a first period of time when the sterilizer is active;
- determining the voltage of the power supply during the first period of time;
- determining a kill rate achieved during the first time period;
- recording the current and the voltage during a second period of time when the sterilizer is active;
- using the recorded current and voltage to confirm the kill rate during the second period of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.