Medical item thermal treatment systems and method of monitoring medical items for compliance with prescribed requirements

A medical item monitoring system to indicate compliance of a medical item with corresponding prescribed conditions comprising:

• a medical item, wherein utilization of said medical item is subject to compliance with associated prescribed conditions;
• a monitoring device secured to said medical item to measure and indicate compliance of said medical item with said prescribed conditions, wherein said monitoring device includes:
• at least one sensor each to measure a corresponding medical item condition;
• an indicator to indicate at least one of a measured medical item condition and a prescribed condition;
• and
• a processor to receive and record medical item conditions measured by said at least one sensor and to determine compliance with said prescribed conditions and control said indicator to indicate a status of utilization for said medical item with respect to said prescribed conditions;
• and
• an external device to receive said recorded information, wherein said monitoring device further includes an interface to communicate with said external device to transfer said recorded information.

A medical item monitoring system to indicate compliance of a medical item with corresponding prescribed conditions comprising:

• a medical item, wherein utilization of said medical item is subject to compliance with associated prescribed conditions;
• and
• a monitoring device secured to said medical item to measure and indicate compliance of said medical item with said prescribed conditions, wherein said monitoring device includes:
• at least one sensor each to measure a corresponding medical item condition;
• an indicator to indicate at least one of a measured medical item condition and a prescribed condition;
• and
• a processor to receive medical item conditions measured by said at least one sensor and to determine compliance with said prescribed conditions and control said indicator to indicate a status of utilization for said medical item with respect to said prescribed conditions;
• wherein said monitoring device is secured to said medical item at medical item manufacture and monitors and indicates medical item conditions through at least one of utilization and disposal of said medical item.

A medical item monitoring system to indicate compliance of a medical item with corresponding prescribed conditions comprising:

• a medical item including a unique identifier, wherein utilization of said medical item is subject to compliance with associated prescribed conditions;
• and
• a thermal treatment system to thermally treat said medical item and measure said medical item conditions, wherein said thermal treatment system includes:
• a thermal treatment unit to thermally treat said medical item;
• at least one sensor each to measure a corresponding medical item condition;
• an interface to identify said medical item in accordance with said identifier;
• and
• a controller in communication with an external device to receive medical item conditions measured by said at least one sensor and to store said measured conditions in said external device in association with said identifier, wherein said stored information is accessible by users and indicates a status of utilization for said medical item with respect to said prescribed conditions.

A method of monitoring a medical item to indicate compliance of said medical item with corresponding prescribed conditions, wherein utilization of said medical item is subject to compliance with said corresponding prescribed conditions, said method comprising:

• (a) measuring medical item conditions via at least one corresponding sensor attached to a medical item exterior surface and during at least two of storage, transport and utilization of said medical item;
• (b) evaluating said measured medical item conditions received from said at least one sensor and determining compliance with said prescribed conditions via a processor;
• and
• (c) controlling an indicator to indicate a status of utilization for said medical item with respect to said prescribed conditions.

A method of monitoring a medical item to indicate compliance of said medical item with corresponding prescribed conditions, wherein utilization of said medical item is subject to compliance with said corresponding prescribed conditions, said method comprising:

• (a) measuring medical item conditions via at least one corresponding sensor;
• (b) evaluating and recording said measured medical item conditions received from said at least one sensor and determining compliance with said prescribed conditions via a processor;
• (c) transferring said recorded information to an external device via an interface in communication with said external device;
• and
• (d) controlling an indicator to indicate a status of utilization for said medical item with respect to said prescribed conditions.

A method of monitoring a medical item to indicate compliance of said medical item with corresponding prescribed conditions, wherein utilization of said medical item is subject to compliance with said corresponding prescribed conditions, said method comprising:

• (a) measuring medical item conditions via at least one corresponding sensor;
• (b) evaluating said measured medical item conditions received from said at least one sensor and determining compliance with said prescribed conditions via a processor;
• and
• (c) controlling an indicator to indicate a status of utilization for said medical item with respect to said prescribed conditions;
• wherein steps (a), (b) and (c) are performed from medical item manufacture through at least one of utilization and disposal of said medical item.

A method of monitoring a medical item to indicate compliance of a medical item with corresponding prescribed conditions, wherein said medical item includes a unique identifier and utilization of said medical item is subject to compliance with said corresponding prescribed conditions, said method comprising:

• (a) thermally treating said medical item in a thermal treatment system and measuring medical item conditions via at least one corresponding sensor;
• (b) identifying said medical item in accordance with said identifier;
• and
• (c) storing said measured conditions in an external device in association with said identifier, wherein said stored information is accessible by users and indicates a status of utilization for said medical item with respect to said prescribed conditions.

A method of monitoring a medical item to indicate compliance of said medical item with corresponding prescribed conditions, wherein utilization of said medical item is subject to compliance with said corresponding prescribed conditions, said method comprising:

• (a) measuring medical item conditions;
• (b) evaluating said measured medical item conditions and determining compliance with said prescribed conditions;
• and
• (c) indicating a status of utilization for said medical item with respect to said prescribed conditions;
• wherein steps (a), (b) and (c) are performed from medical item manufacture through at least one of utilization and disposal of said medical item.