Method and apparatus for ensuring sterility of disposable medical items used with medical equipment

A medical device determining sterility of a disposable item utilized with that device to control device operation, wherein said disposable item includes a status device including a plurality of states and secured to said disposable item, and wherein the state of said status device indicates a sterility of said disposable item, said medical device comprising:

• a housing to receive said disposable item and treat a sterile object;
• and
• a processor coupled to said status device to determine said sterility of said disposable item based on said status device state and to facilitate control of medical device operation in accordance with said sterility determination.

A method to determine sterility of a disposable item utilized with a medical device, wherein said disposable item includes a status device including a plurality of states with the state of said status device indicating a sterility of said disposable item and said medical device includes a processor coupled to said medical device and to said status device, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving the disposable item within said medical device;
• and
• (b) determining said sterility of said disposable item, via said processor, based on said status device state and controlling medical device operation in accordance with said sterility determination.

An apparatus to determine sterility of a disposable item utilized with a medical device comprising:

• status means secured to said disposable item for indicating a sterility of said disposable item and including a plurality of states, wherein the state of said status means indicates a sterility of said disposable item;
• and
• processing means coupled to said medical device and to said status means for determining said sterility of said disposable item based on said status means state and for facilitating control of medical device operation in accordance with said sterility determination.