SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING INSTRUMENT RETENTION

• US 20160371574A1
• Filed: 05/06/2014
• Published: 12/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Original Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Inventors: NGUYEN, Hien, LEMOEL, Jonathan, BHASIN, Brandon Jay, SU, Jimmy, HUBBARD, Robert, REEDER, Sean, ACKLEY, Lisa
• Application Number:
  US14/889,323
• Publication Number:
  US 20160371574A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0805 automatically, e.g. by means of magnetic, optical or photoelectric detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10396 the interrogation device being wearable, e.g. as a glove, bracelet, or ring wearable aerials in general H01Q1/27
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10415 the interrogation device being fixed in its position, such as an access control device for reading wireless access cards, or a wireless ATM banking machines in general G07F19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Abstract

A radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based system for automatically tracking objects used in surgical procedures, and methods of use thereof, are disclosed. More particularly, an objects monitoring system is provided that includes a set of RFID tagged-objects (e.g., RFID tagged-surgical instruments), an RFID reader, an RFID reader antenna installed in a disposable wearable article, a computing device, and optionally a centralized server. A method of operation of the presently disclosed objects monitoring system includes, but is not limited to, the steps of detecting the tagged objects during the surgical procedure and automatically generating a record and count of the “checked out” objects detecting the tagged objects upon completion of the surgical procedure and automatically generating a record and count of the “checked in” objects, automatically comparing and reconciling the record of “checked in” objects with the record of “checked out” objects, and automatically indicating the success or failure of the reconciliation process.

Claims

1. A system for identifying and tracking one or more objects used in a surgical procedure, the system comprising a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader, a wearable article comprising an antenna or a standalone antenna in electrical communication with the RFID reader, and one or more RFID tags for tagging, identifying, and tracking objects used in a surgical procedure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag comprises a passive RFID tag.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag comprises one or more pieces of stored information selected from the group consisting of a unique identification number for an object, a chain of custody history of an object, a sanitation or cleaning history of an object, a type of object, and a brand of object.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a computing device in communication with the RFID reader.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the computing device communicates with the RFID reader via a connection selected from the group consisting of a wired connection and a wireless connection.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the computing device further comprises executable monitoring software.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a server.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more objects used in a surgical procedure comprises one or more surgical instruments.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more surgical instruments are selected from the group consisting of a scalpel, a grasper, forceps, scissors, a clamp, a retractor, a distractor, a probe, a snare, a curet, a needle, a saw, a sponge, a surgical lap pad, a suction tool, a drill, and a dermatome.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable article is disposable.

11. A method for identifying and tracking one or more objects used in a surgical procedure, the method comprising:

providing a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader, a wearable article comprising an antenna or a standalone antenna in electrical communication with the RFID reader, and one or more RFID tags for tagging, identifying, and tracking objects used in a surgical procedure;

detecting one or more tagged objects using the RFID reader prior to or during the surgical procedure;

generating a record and count of the one or more detected tagged objects prior to or during the surgical procedure;

detecting one or more tagged objects using the RFID reader after the surgical procedure;

generating a record and count of the one or more detected tagged objects after the surgical procedure;

reconciling the record and count of the one or more detected tagged objects prior to or during the surgical procedure to the record and count of the one or more detected tagged objects after the surgical procedure; and

indicating a success or failure of the reconciliation of the record and count of the one or more detected tagged objects prior to or during the surgical procedure to the record and count of the one or more detected tagged objects after the surgical procedure.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the indicating is accomplished via a graphical user interface, an audible alarm, a visible alarm, a tactile indicator, a phone call, a text message, an email communication, a voice interface, and combinations thereof.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more objects used in a surgical procedure comprise one or more sterile surgical instruments comprising a sterile container.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more sterile surgical instruments are identified and tracked outside of an operating room.

15. A method for locating one or more objects used in a surgical procedure, the method comprising:

providing a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader, a wearable article comprising an antenna or a standalone antenna in electrical communication with the RFID reader, and one or more RFID tags for tagging, identifying, and tracking objects used in a surgical procedure;

scanning an area suspected of comprising one or more objects used in a surgical procedure with the wearable article or standalone antenna; and

detecting one or more objects used in a surgical procedure.