Multi-stage color activated system to detect unauthorized processing of medical devices

1. A method of manufacturing a medical device, comprising:

applying a first printable media along at least a portion of the medical device, the first printable media being configured to transition from a first color to a second color upon exposure to an applied stimulant; and

applying a second printable media along the at least the portion of the medical device, the second printable media being configured to transition from the first color to a third color upon the exposure to the applied stimulant;

wherein the second color and the third color are different; and

after exposure to the applied stimulant the first printable media is configured to change its visual appearance upon exposure to a first reversion stimulant.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applied stimulant comprises one or more of heat, chemicals, cleansing agents, sanitization agents, moisture, light, radiation, or combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein after the exposure to the applied stimulant, the second printable media is also configured to change its visual appearance upon exposure to a second reversion stimulant.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first reversion stimulant and the second reversion stimulant are different.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein one or more of the first reversion stimulant or the second reversion stimulant comprises one or more of heat beyond a predetermined temperature threshold or ultraviolet radiation.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying the first printable media comprises applying the first printable media as a pattern including one or more of text or a logo.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the applying the second printable media comprises printing so as to render the pattern non-visible.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the pattern comprises a warning message that unauthorized reprocessing of the medical device has occurred.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first color is non-visible along the at least a portion.

10. A medical device, comprising:

an unauthorized reprocessing warning printed in a first printable media configured to change from a first state to a second state upon exposure to an applied stimulant; and

a mask having a perimeter surrounding the unauthorized reprocessing warning, the mask being printed in a second printable media configured to change from the first state to a third state upon exposure to the applied stimulant to conceal the unauthorized reprocessing warning;

wherein the unauthorized reprocessing warning is legible only after exposure to the applied stimulant and becomes concealed upon exposure to a reversion stimulant.

11. The medical device of claim 10 , wherein the mask is disposed as fill about the unauthorized reprocessing warning.

12. The medical device of claim 10 , wherein in the second state the first printable media is a first color, wherein in the third state the second printable media is a second color, wherein the first color and the second color are different with the second color concealing the first color.

13. The medical device of claim 10 , wherein both the unauthorized reprocessing warning and the mask are configured to change state upon application of the reversion stimulant.

14. The medical device of claim 13 , wherein the reversion stimulant comprises one of exposure to ultraviolet radiation or exposure to heat exceeding a predetermined threshold.

15. The medical device of claim 10 , wherein the mask is configured to block out the unauthorized reprocessing warning upon exposure to the reversion stimulant.

16. A method of reprocessing a medical device, comprising:

receiving the medical device with an unauthorized reprocessing warning, printed in a first printable media configured to selectively change color, and a mask, printed in a second printable media configured to change color;

processing the medical device; and

exposing the medical device to a reversion stimulant, thereby transforming the unauthorized reprocessing warning to a state that is non-visible along the mask.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein exposing comprises one or more of exposing the medical device to ultraviolet radiation or exposing the medical device to heat exceeding a predetermined temperature threshold.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the state comprises one of both the unauthorized reprocessing warning and the mask having a common color, or the mask concealing the unauthorized reprocessing warning.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the state comprises both the unauthorized reprocessing warning and the mask being pellucid.