System for tracking surgical items in an operating room environment
First Claim
1. A system for tracking and locating medical utility items within a surgical environment, the system comprising:
- (a) a plurality of tags, at least one tag associated with each medical utility item to be tracked, each tag comprising a radio frequency (RF) responsive element and an ultrasonic responsive element;
(b) at least one RF transceiver positioned within the surgical environment and for transmitting an RF signal to, and receiving an RF signal back from, the RF responsive element of each tag, the RF transceiver thereby tracking the locations of the tags, the RF transceiver further outputting signal information comprising the locations of the tags;
(c) a microprocessor receiving the signal information from the at least one RF transceiver and maintaining a log of the locations of the tags and determining if and when a tag is not being RF tracked by the RF transceivers;
(d) at least one display device associated with the microprocessor for displaying the log of the locations of the tags and for alerting a user if and when a tag is no longer being RF tracked, the at least one display device further for displaying at least one last known location of a tag that is no longer being RF tracked; and
(e) at least one ultrasonic transducer positioned within the surgical environment and for transmitting ultrasonic waves to, and receiving ultrasonic waves back from, the ultrasonic responsive element of each tag within a localized space associated with the at least one last known location of a tag that is no longer being RF tracked.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for tracking and locating surgical items and objects in an operating room environment that incorporates two-stage functionality. A first stage provides mechanisms for tracking objects using radio frequency (RF) tags that are positioned on or in conjunction with every surgical item and object so as to be tracked by a number of RF transceivers located about the operating room. In addition to integrating RF ID components, the tags integrate hard spherical components that are easily identifiable by ultrasonic detection. If an object is “lost” from the tracking system functionality (RF tracking), the system operator may review a last known location and movement path presented on a display and thereafter utilize an ultrasonic sub-system in a localized area to detect the exact location of the missing object or item. Narrowing the location of a “lost” object is facilitated by the use of one or more LED laser pointers that are directed through the last known path of the object and to its last known location.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for tracking and locating medical utility items within a surgical environment, the system comprising:
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(a) a plurality of tags, at least one tag associated with each medical utility item to be tracked, each tag comprising a radio frequency (RF) responsive element and an ultrasonic responsive element; (b) at least one RF transceiver positioned within the surgical environment and for transmitting an RF signal to, and receiving an RF signal back from, the RF responsive element of each tag, the RF transceiver thereby tracking the locations of the tags, the RF transceiver further outputting signal information comprising the locations of the tags; (c) a microprocessor receiving the signal information from the at least one RF transceiver and maintaining a log of the locations of the tags and determining if and when a tag is not being RF tracked by the RF transceivers; (d) at least one display device associated with the microprocessor for displaying the log of the locations of the tags and for alerting a user if and when a tag is no longer being RF tracked, the at least one display device further for displaying at least one last known location of a tag that is no longer being RF tracked; and (e) at least one ultrasonic transducer positioned within the surgical environment and for transmitting ultrasonic waves to, and receiving ultrasonic waves back from, the ultrasonic responsive element of each tag within a localized space associated with the at least one last known location of a tag that is no longer being RF tracked. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for tracking and locating medical utility items within a surgical environment, the system comprising:
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(a) a plurality of tags, at least one tag associated with each medical utility item to be tracked, each tag comprising a radio frequency (RF) responsive element and an ultrasonic responsive element; (b) at least one RF transceiver positioned within the surgical environment and for transmitting an RF signal to, and receiving an RF signal back from, the RF responsive element of each tag, the RF transceiver thereby tracking the locations of the tags, the RF transceiver further outputting signal information comprising the locations of the tags, the RF responsive element of each of the plurality of tags further comprising a distinct identification characteristic, said identification characteristic for being represented in the return RF signal traveling back from the tag to the RF transceiver and thereby identifying the tag and the medical utility item to which the tag is attached as apart from the balance of the items with tags; (c) a microprocessor receiving the signal information from the at least one RF transceiver and maintaining a log of the locations of the tags and determining if and when a tag is not being RF tracked by the RF transceivers; (d) at least one pointing mechanism for being controlled by the microprocessor, the at least one pointing mechanism comprising a light source and a movable support, the microprocessor controlling the at least one pointing mechanism to point to the at least one last known location of a tag that is no longer being RF tracked; (e) at least one display device associated with the microprocessor for displaying the log of the locations of the tags and for alerting a user if and when a tag is no longer being RF tracked, the at least one display device further for displaying at least one last known location of a tag that is no longer being RF tracked; (f) a video imaging device operable in conjunction with the microprocessor to provide an image of the surgical environment, the image of the surgical environment for display on the at least one display device and facilitating the display of the at least one last known location of a tag that is no longer being RF tracked; and (g) at least one ultrasonic transducer positioned within the surgical environment and for transmitting ultrasonic waves to, and receiving ultrasonic waves back from, the ultrasonic responsive element of each tag within a localized space associated with the at least one last known location of a tag that is no longer being RF tracked.
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Specification