Millipore bagged a European patent for the use of gamma hardened Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags in pharmaceutical devices.

The patent covers systems and methods for using RFID tags in biopharmaceutical environments where gamma radiation is used for sterilization. The memory device within the tag utilizes a technology that is not affected by gamma radiation. RFID tags may be applied to various components during manufacturing or immediately after final assembly and can be subjected to a gamma sterilization without risk of data loss or corruption.

"We are pursuing this patent worldwide and expect to have it issued in the US, China, India, Singapore and Japan soon. By expanding our Smart technology RFID platform to be gamma compatible, we enable our customers to quickly access critical information about disposable process components that have been pre-sterilized," said Jean-Paul Mangeolle, president, Bioprocess Division, Millipore Corporation.

The addition of this patent to the Smart technology portfolio means that these new RFID tags can now be utilized in Millipore's Mobius disposable solutions. With the increasing use of disposables, users can configure systems to meet their specific process requirements and eliminate costly cleaning operations. This new patented RFID technology can be reliably used on disposable components in a pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology manufacturing or research process.

"The RFID enabled products to customers will provide ease-of-use, efficiency and accuracy. Our new RFID tags can be affixed to single use filters, bags, tubes, process instruments, and other crucial components, allowing for a secure automated method of transferring unit specific information, without worry that the data may be lost or degraded during the sterilization process," stated Paul Chapman, vice president, Downstream Processing, Bioprocess Division, Millipore.