Radio frequency identification (RFID) solution to lost time spent on instrument inventory
First Claim
1. A method for manufacturing an object having an encapsulated radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the method comprising:
- (a) affixing the RFID tag to a first portion of the object;
(b) placing the first portion of the object into a cavity of a mold; and
(c) over-molding the first portion of the object with a first material to generate a seamless object.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for manufacturing an object having an encapsulated radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is provided. An RFID tag is mechanically or chemically affixed to a first portion of the object being manufactured. The first portion of the object, with the RFID tag affixed is placed in a cavity of a mold. The first portion is then over-molded with a first material such as high temperature thermoplastic or low temperature thermoset to generate a seamless object. A method for manufacturing an object having a partially encapsulated RFID tag is also provided. An RFID tag is laminated with a lamination material, such as high temperature thermoplastic. The laminated RFID tag is affixed to a mold. The laminated RFID tag is then over-molded with a first material to generate a seamless object. Methods for tracking medical instruments having encapsulated or partially encapsulated RFID tags are also provided.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for manufacturing an object having an encapsulated radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the method comprising:
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(a) affixing the RFID tag to a first portion of the object;
(b) placing the first portion of the object into a cavity of a mold; and
(c) over-molding the first portion of the object with a first material to generate a seamless object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for manufacturing an object having a partially encapsulated radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the method comprising:
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(a) laminating the RFID tag;
(b) affixing the laminated RFID tag to a mold; and
(c) over-molding the laminated RFID tag with a first material to generate a seamless object. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for tracking instruments used during a medical procedure, wherein each instrument includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and each RFID tag stores an identification number, the method comprising:
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(a) scanning at least one instrument assembled for a medical procedure to generate a list of pre-procedure RFID tag identification numbers;
(b) storing the pre-procedure list of tag identification numbers;
(c) scanning at least one instrument after completion of the medical procedure to generate a list of post-procedure RFID tag identification numbers; and
(d) comparing the pre-procedure list of tag identification numbers with the post-procedure list of tag identification numbers to identify missing instruments. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for tracking and tracing a medical instrument through a life-cycle of the medical instrument, wherein the medical instrument includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag storing an identification number, the method comprising:
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(a) scanning the RFID tag of the medical instrument when the instrument enters a medical facility;
(b) retrieving information related to the RFID tag from a database;
(c) comparing the retrieved information with information obtained from the scan of the RFID tag to verify the authenticity of the instrument; and
(d) transmitting information associated with the scan to the database. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification