Smart instrument tray RFID reader
US7362228B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 28, 2005 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 1, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2002/4666
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A radio frequency identification (RFID) workstation reader for RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays and a method of using a RFID workstation reader to read RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays is disclosed. The method, apparatus, and system enable individual instruments or a surgical instrument tray containing several surgical instruments to be quickly and efficiently inventoried and tracked. An instrument or instrument tray is placed on the workstation reader. An RF field generated by a plurality of antennae, causes RFID tags embedded in or attached to the instrument or instrument tray to emit a signal containing item specific identification information stored in the tags. The information is received by a control circuit and passed to a computer for data analysis. A status LED is illuminated on the workstation reader based on the results of the data analysis. The method, apparatus, and system can track, inspect, and verify inbound and outbound surgical instrument kits, and help to assess the surgical instruments' and trays' duty life cycle usage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.