Method and apparatus to detect transponder tagged objects, for example during medical procedures
US8264342B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 27, 2009 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61G13/127
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The presence or absence of objects (e.g., medical implements, medical supplies) tagged with transponders may be determined in an environment in which medical procedures (e.g., surgery) are performed via an interrogation and detection system which includes a controller and a plurality of antennas positioned along a patient support structure. The antennas may, for example, be positioned along an operating table, bed, a mattress or pad or a sheet and may be radiolucent. Respective antennas may successively be activated to transmit interrogation signals. Multiple antennas may be monitored for responses from transponders to the interrogation signals. For example, all antennas other than the antenna that transmitted the most recent interrogation signal may be monitored.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.