Apparatus and method for tagging and detecting surgical implements
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting a surgical implement retained within a surgically exposed human body cavity, the apparatus comprising, in combination:
- (1) tagging means adapted to be attached to a surgical implement insertable within a human body cavity, and including;
(a) means for receiving an electromagnetic signal and converting it into electric current (pulses); and
(b) Means to conduct said current (pulses) to the internal human (or an animal) body where said medical product is used; and
(2) Means to transmit said electromagnetic signal; and
(3) Detecting means including;
(4) reception means for receiving a signal from a tagging means, (5) Detector means connected to the reception means for sensing a signal received from a tagging means.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for detecting a surgical implement retained within a surgically exposed human body cavity, include tagging means adapted to be attached to a surgical implement insertable within a human body cavity and including means for receiving an electromagnetic signal and converting it into electric current (pulses); and means to conduct said current (pulses) to the internal human (or an animal) body where said medical product is used; and means to transmit said electromagnetic signal; and detecting means including reception means for receiving a signal from a tagging means, detector means connected to the reception means for sensing a signal received from a tagging means. The envelope of the induced RF wave is demodulated, thus allowing the voltage at output to vary at a significantly lower frequency. In the event such pulses are sensed, a sensory alert is actuated and corrective action taken.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for detecting a surgical implement retained within a surgically exposed human body cavity, the apparatus comprising, in combination:
-
(1) tagging means adapted to be attached to a surgical implement insertable within a human body cavity, and including;
(a) means for receiving an electromagnetic signal and converting it into electric current (pulses); and
(b) Means to conduct said current (pulses) to the internal human (or an animal) body where said medical product is used; and
(2) Means to transmit said electromagnetic signal; and
(3) Detecting means including;
(4) reception means for receiving a signal from a tagging means, (5) Detector means connected to the reception means for sensing a signal received from a tagging means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An apparatus for detecting a surgical implement retained within a surgically exposed human body cavity, the apparatus comprising, in combination:
-
(1) tagging means adapted to be attached to a surgical implement insertable within a human body cavity, and including;
(a) means for receiving a direct or an alternating electric current and converting it into electric pulses with different predetermined frequency; and
(b) Means to conduct said current (pulses) to the internal human body where said medical product is used; and
(2) means to apply said direct or alternating electric current to the human body signal into which is inserted a surgical implement provided with a tagging means; and
(3) Detecting means including;
(a) reception means for receiving a signal from a tagging means, (b) Detector means connected to the reception means for sensing a signal received from a tagging means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method for detection of a foreign object used during surgery but not intended to remain in a human body after surgery:
- said method comprises the steps of;
(a) Providing a foreign object used during surgery with at least one tag element, (b) Transmitting an electromagnetic signal when said detection is needed, for example, during or after the surgery, (c) Converting said electromagnetic signal into electric current (pulses) (d) Detecting said electric current (pulses) - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
- said method comprises the steps of;
-
22. A method for detection of a foreign object used during surgery but not intended to remain in a human body after surgery:
- said method comprises the steps of;
(a) Providing a foreign object used during surgery with at least one tag element, (b) Applying a direct or an alternating electric current to the human body of the patient when said detection is needed, for example, during or after the surgery, (c) Converting said direct or an alternating current into electric pulses or alternating current 2 by the tag (d) Detecting said alternating electric current 2 or pulses.
- said method comprises the steps of;
Specification