Measurement probe with heat cycle event counter

Abstract

A measurement device is disclosed, embodiments of which are adapted to withstand, detect, and record detection of heat cycle events, including autoclave cycles. Embodiments of the measurement device comprise a sensor for measuring a characteristic of a medium and a heat cycle detection unit. Embodiments of the heat cycle detection unit comprise a temperature or atmospheric pressure responsive element, a detection module, data interface, and data memory. In one disclosed embodiment, the temperature or pressure responsive element is configured to respond to a characteristic of a heat cycle event while the heat cycle detection unit is off. In another disclosed embodiment, the detection module is configured to automatically power off the heat cycle detection unit in response to detecting an autoclave cycle. Methods of using the devices are also disclosed.

1 . A measurement device adapted to withstand and automatically count a heat sterilization or cleaning cycle, comprising:
 a measurement probe comprising a sensor configured to detect a characteristic of a medium and generate a measurement signal;   a condition responsive element comprising either a temperature responsive element or an atmospheric pressure responsive element; and   a heat cycle detection unit comprising a detection module, a data interface, and a data memory; wherein the detection module is configured to:
 detect a heat cycle event using the condition responsive element, and 
 record detection of the heat cycle event in the data memory. 
   
     
     
         2 . The measurement device of  claim 1 , wherein the heat cycle event is an autoclave cycle, a steam-in-place sterilization cycle, or a clean-in-place sanitizing cycle. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The measurement device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to automatically power on the heat detection unit at the beginning of the heat cycle in response to a change of state of the condition responsive element. 
     
     
         5 . The measurement device of  claim 4 , wherein the device comprises a battery and a capacitor, wherein the device is configured to charge the capacitor from the battery upon automatically powering on the heat cycle detection unit and to automatically power off the heat cycle detection unit when the capacitor is charged, and wherein the device is configured to discharge the capacitor when the condition responsive element indicates the heat cycle event is substantially complete. 
     
     
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         8 . The measurement device of  claim 1 , wherein the condition responsive element is a first switch configured to transition from a first state to a second state when the first switch exceeds a first temperature or a first pressure, and wherein the detection module is configured to record detection of a heat cycle event in the data memory in response to the first switch transitioning from the first state to the second state. 
     
     
         9 . The measurement device of  claim 8 , further comprising a capacitor coupled to the first switch and configured to discharge in response to the first switch transitioning from the first state to the second state, wherein the detection module is configured to detect a discharged capacitor and record detection of a heat cycle event in the data memory. 
     
     
         10 . The measurement device of  claim 9 , wherein the detection module is configured to detect a discharged capacitor and record detection of a heat cycle event in the data memory after the heat cycle detection unit is powered on from a dormant state. 
     
     
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         35 . A method of automatically counting a heat cycle experienced by a measurement device, comprising:
 providing a measurement device comprising:
 a measurement probe having a sensor configured to detect a characteristic of a medium and generate a measurement signal, 
 a condition responsive element, and 
 an heat cycle detection unit having a detection module, a data interface, and a data memory; 
   detecting a heat cycle event, using the condition responsive element;   recording detection of the heat cycle event in the data memory.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the heat cycle event is an autoclave cycle, a steam-in-place sterilization cycle, or a clean-in-place sanitizing cycle. 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
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         40 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the condition responsive element is a first switch that transitions from a first state to a second state when the first switch exceeds a first temperature or a first pressure, and the detection module records detection of a heat cycle event in the data memory in response to the first switch transitioning from the first state to the second state. 
     
     
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         43 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the heat cycle detection unit receives power from a portable power source electrically coupled to the measurement device. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the detection module records detection of a heat cycle event in the data memory in response to the condition responsive element exceeding a first temperature or a first pressure. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the heat cycle detection unit powers on in response to the condition responsive element exceeding the first temperature or the first pressure. 
     
     
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         50 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising engaging with a vessel body such that a distal portion of the measurement device is positioned within a vessel cavity and a proximal portion of the measurement device is positioned external to the vessel cavity. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the condition responsive element is positioned in or on the distal portion. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the condition responsive element is positioned in or on the proximal portion. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the detection module detects a heat cycle event and records detection of the heat cycle event in the data memory in response to either the condition responsive element exceeding a first temperature or first pressure or a vessel temperature responsive element positioned in or on the distal portion exceeding a vessel sterilization temperature. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein detecting a heat cycle event and recording detection of the heat cycle event in the data memory comprises:
 detecting an autoclave cycle and recording detection of the autoclave cycle in the data memory in response to the condition responsive element exceeding a first temperature or a first pressure, and   detecting a steam-in-place cycle and recording detection of the steam-in-place cycle in the data memory in response to the vessel temperature responsive element exceeding the vessel sterilization temperature and the condition responsive element not exceeding a first temperature or a first pressure.   
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the heat cycle detection unit powers off when an autoclave cycle is detected and optionally powers off when a steam-in-place cycle is detected. 
     
     
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