Use indication system for medical device

Abstract

A cycle counter for sterilization cycles for a disposable instrument features a plurality of tabs. With each sterilization after the initial use, a tab is removed by medical personnel. The instrument is disposed of after the final use with no tabs left.

1 . An apparatus for tracking the number of sterilization cycles for a medical instrument, comprising: 
 a sterilization cycle counter that gives a visual indication of the number of remaining uses without moving parts or reliance on chemical reaction.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said counter is not sensitive to heat or pressure cycles from autoclaving.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said counter comprises a plurality to tabs.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said tabs are selectively removable.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 one tab is removed by medical personnel for each sterilization.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the removal of the last tab indicates the final sterilization.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein: 
 the tabs are removable, one at a time, with a surgical tool.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 forceps are used to remove each tab.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 for n cycles of the instrument including the initial use, n−1 tabs are provided.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is a shaver blade and the sterilization cycle counter comprises a plurality of removable tabs secured to a component of the shaver blade.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said component is the hub of the shaver blade.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said component is a spring retainer.  
   
   
       13 . A method of keeping track of sterilization cycles for a medical instrument, comprising: 
 providing a tab for each remaining sterilization cycle;    removing said tab in close proximity in time to said sterilization;    disposing of the instrument after use, when no tab remains.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising: 
 providing n-1 tabs for an instrument that can be used n times, including the initial use.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising: 
 removing a tab with forceps.