In the present invention, a device, system and associated method is provided, as a compact, automated and self-contained data logger with capability of withstanding conditions used in sterilizing reusable medical device equipment/components. The device includes one or more sensors to automatically sense and store information on the parameters of various autoclave cycle(s) for the component associated with the tracking device and their respective timestamps of each autoclave cycle(s). This information is stored in a data record on the tracking device for the individual component. The data record can be used as evidence of valid sterilization cycles for the component and can also provide information for the host system and/or the user of the status for the component, including the last time the component was sterilized, the time between sterilization cycles, the time for replacement of the component, and too warn if the device was returned to service without proper sterilization.
