Diagnostic radio frequency identification sensors and applications thereof

• US 10,271,738 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2016
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Altivera, LLC
• Original Assignee: Altivera, LLC
• Inventors: Peeters, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wang, Quan-Zen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Black-Childress, Rajsheed O
• Application Number:
  US15/263,606
• Publication Number:
  US 20160374570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0285 Apparatus for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0462 Apparatus with built-in sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02028 Determining haemodynamic parameters not otherwise provided for, e.g. cardiac contractility or left ventricular ejection fraction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14514 using means for aiding extraction of interstitial fluid, e.g. microneedles or suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1491 Heated applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150358 Strips for collecting blood, e.g. absorbent optical reagent test strips G01N21/8483; chemical reagent test strips G01N33/4875, G01N33/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150793 Electrical or magnetic identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150854 long distance, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15087 short range, e.g. between console and disposable using implanted devices A61B5/150877
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150969 Low-profile devices which resemble patches or plasters, e.g. also allowing collection of blood samples for testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150984 : Microneedles or microblades
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/157 : Devices characterised by integrated means for measuring characteristics of blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 : Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 : combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 : Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/08 : Geometry, shape and general structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 : Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0819 : Microarrays; Biochips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 : Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 : Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/00 : Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00881 : network configurations
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/12 : Meat; fish
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/146 : containing alcohol
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54373 : involving physiochemical end-point determination, e.g. wave-guides, FETS, gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5438 : Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/58 : involving labelled substances G01N33/53 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00871 : Communications between instruments or with remote terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 : the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 : the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 31/00 : Predictive alarm systems characterised by extrapolation or other computation using updated historic data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 : using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 : including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 : Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 : Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/00 : Adapting or protecting infrastructure or their operation

Abstract

An integrated passive wireless chip diagnostic sensor system is described that can be interrogated remotely with a wireless device such as a modified cell phone incorporating multi-protocol RFID reader capabilities (such as the emerging Gen-2 standard) or Bluetooth, providing universal easy to use, low cost and immediate quantitative analyzes, geolocation and sensor networking capabilities to users of the technology. The present invention can be integrated into various diagnostic platforms and is applicable for use with low power sensors such as thin films, MEMS, electrochemical, thermal, resistive, nano or microfluidic sensor technologies. Applications of the present invention include on-the-spot medical and self-diagnostics on smart skin patches, Point-of-Care (POC) analyzes, food diagnostics, pathogen detection, disease-specific wireless biomarker detection, remote structural stresses detection and sensor networks for industrial or Homeland Security using low cost wireless devices such as modified cell phones.

Claims

1. An RFID tag and sensor system for providing data about a consumable food item or a consumable liquid comprising:

an RFID tag comprising an antenna, a unique identification number, an RFID electronic chip and a temperature module;

at least one sensor and a plurality of conductive leads connecting said at least one sensor to said RFID electronic chip;

said RFID tag providing data about said consumable food item or said consumable liquid selected from the group consisting of identification data, authentication data, date data, storage temperature profile data, data from said at least one sensor and combinations thereof;

said at least one sensor communicating data about said consumable food item or said consumable liquid to said RFID tag via said leads, said data selected from the group consisting of bacterial exposure data, smell data chemistry data, moisture data and combinations thereof;

said RFID tag configured to communicate wirelessly with a wireless reader through at least one of multiple communication protocols;

said wireless reader configured to receive said data from said RFID tag and said unique identification number from said RFID tag and to convey a complete record of said data to a user and further configured to communicate wirelessly over a network through one or more communication protocols to optionally download software wirelessly from a remote server based on said unique identification number of said RFID tag, said downloaded software utilized by said wireless reader to analyze said data by said wireless reader.

2. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor comprises a hydroscopic material and measures a moisture level of said consumable food item and communicates said moisture level to said RFID tag.

3. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor measures a smell of said consumable food item or said consumable liquid and communicates said smell measurement to said RFID tag.

4. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor detects a presence of one or more bacteria in said consumable food item or said consumable liquid and communicates said detection to said RFID tag.

5. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 1 wherein said system is configured to be mounted into a packaging for said consumable food item or said consumable liquid.

6. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 1 wherein said RFID tag and said at least one sensor are mounted onto a substrate.

7. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 6 wherein said RFID tag and all of said substrate are covered by a laminate except for the portion of said substrate covered by said at least one sensor which is not covered by said laminate.

8. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 7 wherein said sensor is covered by a sensor cap.

9. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 8 wherein said sensor cap is waterproof.

10. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 8 wherein said sensor in combination with said sensor cap is configured to detect the presence of one or more bacteria in said consumable food or said consumable liquid and to communicate said presence to said RFID tag.

11. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 10 wherein said sensor cap includes a substance that can be degraded by said one or more bacteria and wherein said degradation is detected by said sensor and communicated to said RFID tag.

12. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 10 wherein said sensor cap has a thickness and said thickness of said cap is configured to allow assessment by said sensor of a quantity of said one or more bacteria present in said consumable food item or consumable liquid and to communicate said assessment to said RFID tag.

13. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 1 wherein said data is stored on a remote database by said RFID tag and wherein said wireless reader accesses said remote database and retrieves said data.

14. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 1 wherein said RFID tag records and stores said storage temperature profile data and wherein said wireless reader retrieves said storage temperature profile data.

15. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 1 wherein said system includes two sensors, one of which includes a hydroscopic material and detects a moisture of said consumable food item and one of which includes a polymer and detects a smell of said consumable food item, said sensors communicating said moisture and said smell to said RFID tag.

16. An RFID tag and sensor system for insertion in a cork of a bottle of a consumable liquid, comprising:

an RFID tag comprising an antenna, a unique identification number, an RFID electronic chip and a temperature module;

at least one sensor and a plurality of conductive leads connecting said at least one sensor to said RFID electronic chip;

said system configured to be inserted into said cork;

said RFID tag providing data about said consumable liquid selected from the group consisting of identification data authentication data, a complete storage temperature profile of said consumable liquid, data from said at least one sensor and combinations thereof;

said sensor configured to detect data related to a condition of said cork over a period of time and to communicate said data to said RFID tag via said leads;

said RFID tag configured to communicate said data wirelessly to a wireless reader through at least one of multiple communication protocols;

said wireless reader configured to receive said data from said RFID tag and said unique identification number from said RFID tag and to convey a complete record of said data to a user and further configured to communicate wirelessly over a network through one or more communication protocols to optionally download software wirelessly from a remote server based on said unique identification number of said RFID tag, said downloaded software utilized by said wireless receiver to analyze said data by said wireless reader.

17. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 16 wherein said system is inserted into a cork for insertion in a bottle of a consumable liquid.

18. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 16 wherein said consumable liquid is an alcoholic beverage.

19. The RFID tag and sensor system as recited in claim 17 wherein said cork is inserted into a bottle of a consumable liquid and wherein said at least one sensor detects data related to said condition of said cork over time and communicates said data to said RFID tag and wherein said RFID tag provides data comprising identification data authentication data, data from said at least one sensor and records a complete storage temperature profile of said consumable liquid.