Systems and methods for counting surgical implements
US7703674B2 · kind B2 · utility
91Cited by
36References
17Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 24, 2008 |
| Grant date | Apr 27, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W90/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Surgical sponges and other articles are provided with machine-readable information which provides a serial number or other unique identification of the sponge. In addition, the machine-readable information will provide the type of article and/or a characteristic visual motif associated with the article. That way, by scanning the machine-readable information from the sponges or other articles prior to a procedure, the computer or other digital processor can determine which articles may be missing after the procedure and alert the surgical team as to the type and/or characteristic visual motif of the missing article.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.