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Publication Number
US-12377183-B2
Publication Date
2025-08-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
A counting unit is provided for use in an electrical device. The counting unit is configured to count a thermal event such as an autoclave cleaning operation when the electrical device is not electrically powered. In one aspect, the counting unit includes a rotary member and an actuator, the actuator is configured to change shape from a first configuration to a second configuration when subjected to a predetermined temperature, wherein in the second configuration, the actuator engages the rotary member so as to rotate the rotary member. In another aspect, the counting unit includes a plunger, a drive and a heat resistant arm configured to release the plunger during a thermal event and retain the plunger when the electrical device is cooled down.
Core Innovation
The counting unit counts the number of times an electrical device has been sterilized. In one architecture, a rotary member carries a plurality of position indicators, each including binary encoding; an actuator changes shape at a predetermined temperature and rotates the member, while a sensor with fixed contact pads detects a predetermined number of indicators to determine rotation. The background section is not included, so the problem being solved is not explicitly described.
A second architecture uses a plunger that is released from a seated position when a heat responsive arm reaches a predetermined temperature. A biasing member urges the plunger outward, and an electrically powered drive moves it back to the seated position; a sensor detects the extended plunger and a controller detects and counts the drive movements. The description identifies autoclaving temperatures as the triggering context.
Claims Coverage
The two independent claims, claim 1 and claim 13, cover two inventive features: a rotary counting unit and a plunger counting unit.
Rotary sterilization counting unit
A rotary member rotates about a first axis and includes position indicators fixedly disposed on the member, each with binary encoding. An actuator changes shape from a first configuration to a second configuration when subjected to a predetermined temperature and engages the rotary member to rotate it. A sensor with contact pads in a fixed position detects a predetermined number of the indicators, fewer than the total number, to determine rotation.
Plunger sterilization counting unit
A plunger moves from a seated position to an extended position within a housing and is continuously urged out of the housing by a biasing member. A heat responsive arm locks the plunger in the seated position below a predetermined temperature and disengages from it when that temperature is reached. An electrically powered drive moves the plunger back to the seated position; a sensor detects the extended plunger, and a controller detects and counts the drive movements from the extended position to the seated position.
The independent claims cover two ways to count sterilization events: rotation of a binary-indicator rotary member in response to an actuator changing shape at a predetermined temperature, and movement of a heat-released plunger that is reset by an electrically powered drive and counted by a controller.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Counting the number of times an electrical device has been sterilized; autoclaving temperatures are identified as the triggering context.
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