Apparatus, method, and system for indication of an oxidative treatment

Abstract

An indicator and method of use thereof, and indicator system and method of use thereof are provided to determine the degree of an oxidative treatment. An indicator is incorporated into the oxidative treatment. The object and the indicator are subjected to the oxidative treatment. A discoloration of the indicator occurs based on an oxidation of the polymer by a process condition of the oxidative treatment oxidizing the polymer. The discoloration of the indicator is measured against a threshold color value to determine the degree of the oxidative treatment.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for determining a degree of an oxidative treatment of an object, the system comprising:
 an indicator comprising a polymer suitable to discoloration based on an oxidation of the polymer by a process condition of the oxidative treatment oxidizing the polymer;   a chamber suitable to receive an object and the indicator, the chamber suitable to subject the object and the indicator to the oxidative treatment including the process condition; and   a color value device suitable to determine the discoloration of the indicator against a threshold color value.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the polymer comprises at least one group selected from an amine, methylene, and methine. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the process condition is suitable to oxidize the group. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a processor operatively coupled to memory and in communication with the color value device to determine the discoloration of the indicator is greater than or equal to a threshold color value.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the color value device comprises at least one of a spectrometer, a colorimeter, and a color chart. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the polymer comprises at least one of polyurethane and epoxy. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the object comprises a medical device. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the process condition comprises at least one of an exposure time or an exposure concentration, or a combination thereof, to an oxidative chemical. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the oxidative chemical comprises hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the process condition comprises an exposure time of at least 5 minutes. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the process condition comprises an exposure concentration of at least 2 mg/L. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the discoloration comprises a change in an electromagnetic property of the indicator, the electromagnetic property comprising an absorption, a reflection, or any combination thereof, of an electromagnetic radiation by the indicator. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation comprises a wavelength in a range of 400 nm to 700 nm. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation comprises a wavelength in a range of 550 nm to 600 nm. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the color value device comprises at least one of a spectrophotometer or a digital camera, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the threshold color value is a CIELAB color space value and wherein the degree of discoloration comprises a change in b* value. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the process condition is suitable to oxidize the group to form a quinone. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the quinone comprises a quinone-imide. 
     
     
         40 . The indicator of the system of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         41 . A system for performing an oxidative treatment on an object, the system comprising:
 an indicator comprising a polymer suitable to discoloration based on an oxidation of the polymer by a process condition of the oxidative treatment oxidizing the polymer;   a treatment apparatus comprising:
 a chamber suitable to receive the object and the indicator, the chamber suitable to subject the object and the indicator to the oxidative treatment including the process condition; 
 a dispenser suitable to deliver an oxidizing agent of the oxidative treatment to the chamber; 
 a color value device suitable to determine the discoloration of the indicator against a threshold color value; 
 a pressure system suitable to control a pressure of the chamber; and 
 a generator suitable to create plasma utilizing radio frequency energy, wherein the generator is in communication with the chamber; and 
   a processor operatively coupled to memory, wherein the processor is in communication with the treatment apparatus to determine a degree of discoloration of the indicator and to control the oxidative treatment based on the degree of discoloration.