RETROFIT CLAMP WITH RFID TAG FOR A SURGICAL TOOL

• US 20080177267A1
• Filed: 01/18/2008
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Solstice Medical, LLC
• Original Assignee: Solstice Medical, LLC
• Inventors: Sands, Daniel L., Westrick, Michael D.
• Application Number:
  US12/016,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20080177267A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/80
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/16 Bone cutting, breaking or removal means other than saws, e.g. Osteoclasts; Drills or chisels for bones; Trepans arthroscopic bone cutters A61B17/320016; dental implant drills potentially for other surgical use A61C8/0089; bone grinders A61F2/4644, A22C17/06; A61B17/1662 takes precedence over all other subgroups except A61B17/17
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

A surgical tool assembly includes a surgical tool having an outer surface, and a clamp having an opening which is sized and shaped to generally match with and lie closely around a selected portion of the outer surface of the surgical tool. The clamp has an RFID tag therein.

Claims

1. A surgical tool assembly, comprising:

a surgical tool having an outer surface; and

a clamp having an opening which is sized and shaped to generally match with and lie closely adjacent to a selected portion of said outer surface of said surgical tool, said clamp having a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag therein.

2. The surgical tool assembly of claim 1, wherein said clamp is clamped around said outer surface of said surgical tool.

3. The surgical tool assembly of claim 1, wherein said RFID tag lies adjacent to said opening.

4. The surgical tool assembly of claim 3, wherein said RFID tag electromagnetically couples with said tool.

5. The surgical tool assembly of claim 1, wherein said clamp has a housing defining said opening.

6. The surgical tool assembly of claim 5, wherein said housing is a multiple part housing.

7. The surgical tool assembly of claim 6, wherein said multiple parts of said housing are coupled together using a snap fit arrangement.

8. The surgical tool assembly of claim 6, wherein said multiple parts of said housing are coupled together using fasteners.

9. The surgical tool assembly of claim 6, wherein said housing has a clam shell arrangement.

10. The surgical tool assembly of claim 9, wherein said housing has a living hinge.

11. The surgical tool assembly of claim 1, wherein said surgical tool comprises one of a surgical screwdriver, hammer, wrench, milling cutter, reamer, rasp, drill, alignment device, and orientation device.

12. A retrofit clamp for use with a surgical tool, comprising:

a housing having an opening which is sized and shaped to generally match with and lie closely adjacent to a selected portion of an outer surface of the surgical tool, said clamp having a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag therein.

13. The clamp of claim 12, wherein said RFID tag lies adjacent to said opening.

14. The clamp of claim 12, wherein said RFID tag is configured to electromagnetically couple with the tool.

15. The clamp of claim 12, wherein said housing is a multiple part housing.

16. The clamp of claim 15, wherein said multiple parts of said housing are coupled together using a snap fit arrangement.

17. The clamp of claim 15, wherein said multiple parts of said housing are coupled together using fasteners.

18. The clamp of claim 15, wherein said housing has a clam shell arrangement.

19. The clamp of claim 18, wherein said housing has a living hinge.