Tagging methods and apparatus
First Claim
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1. A method of tagging and sterilizing an item, the method including the steps of:
- providing an item that is to be sterilized and tagged;
applying an RFID tagging device to said item, said tagging device including a data store formed from an array of micromechanical resonant members, said resonant members being configured to vibrate in accordance with an applied RF signal, so as to provide a data response; and
sterilizing said tagged item by autoclaving and/or by irradiation.
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Abstract
A method of tagging and sterilizing an item, the method including the steps of: providing an item (12) that is to be sterilized and tagged; applying an RFID tagging device (22) to said item, said tagging device including a data store (30) formed from an array of micromechanical resonant members (34), said resonant members being configured to vibrate in accordance with an applied RF signal, so as to provide a data response; and sterilizing said tagged item by autoclaving and/or by irradiation.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of tagging and sterilizing an item, the method including the steps of:
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providing an item that is to be sterilized and tagged; applying an RFID tagging device to said item, said tagging device including a data store formed from an array of micromechanical resonant members, said resonant members being configured to vibrate in accordance with an applied RF signal, so as to provide a data response; and sterilizing said tagged item by autoclaving and/or by irradiation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 24, 25, 26)
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16. A system of tracking RFID tagged items through a process including a sterilization of said tagged items by an autoclave or irradiation process, the system including an inventory controller in communication with one or more RFID readers for reading said tagged items, wherein said items are tagged by RFID devices, a said RFID device including a data store formed by micromechanical resonant members that respond to an applied RF interrogation signal with a data response.
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17. A sterilized and RFID tagged item, wherein said RFID tag includes a data store formed from an array of micromechanical resonant members, said resonant members vibrating in accordance with an applied RF signal, so as to provide a data response;
- and wherein said sterilization was by autoclaving and/or by irradiation of said tagged item whilst said item was tagged.
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18. A method for providing a prothesis loaner kit, the method including:
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tagging parts for use in loaner kits with RFID tags, said tags including micromechanical resonant members as data storage elements, said resonant members vibrating in accordance with an applied RF signal so as to provide a data response; storing information regarding said tagged parts in a database; constructing a kit of parts according to a kit list; and checking said parts against said list by scanning said tags. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of identifying an item, the method including the steps of:
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applying an RFID tagging device to the item, said tagging device including a data store formed from an array of micromechanical resonant members, said resonant members being configured to vibrate in accordance with an applied RF signal, so as to provide a data response; subjecting the item to ionizing radiation in a non-sterile environment; and reading the data response from the RFID tagging device. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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- 27. A system of tracking RFID tagged items through a process in which each item is subject to ionizing radiation in a non-sterile environment, the system including an inventory controller in communication with one or more RFID readers for reading said tagged items, wherein said items are tagged by RFID devices, and said RFID device including a data store formed by micromechanical resonant members that respond to an applied RF interrogation signal with a data response.
Specification