Attachment of electronic tags to surgical sponges and implements
US7399899B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 28, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B90/39
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Externally detectable electronic article surveillance markers are attached to surgical implements, such as sponges and surgical instruments, appointed for use in a surgical wound. The attachment mechanism facilitates detection by an external interrogating field before the wound has been closed and the patient has left the operating table. The markers are responsive to the imposition of an interrogating field produced by an electronic article surveillance system. Use of the attachment mechanism and markers assure that the surgical implements are reliably detected and removed before completion of the surgical procedure. This technique eliminates the not infrequent mishap in which an implement is undiscovered at the time of surgery and remains indefinitely within the surgical cavity, often entailing dire consequences to the patient.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.