Systems and methods for managing information relating to medical fluids and containers therefor

• US 8,035,517 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2006
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Liebel Flarsheim Co LLC (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Gibson, Chad M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stigell; Theodore
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAYMAN, IMANI N
• Application Number:
  US11/571,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20070299421A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,016 Days
• Field of Search: 604500-522, 340/10.1, 340/618, 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 235/385
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14553 comprising a pressure jacket
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/17 with redundant control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/60 with identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/002 Packages specially adapted therefor, e.g. for syringes or needles, kits for diabetics needle protection, e.g. caps, A61M5/3202; for sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14546 Front-loading type injectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1456 with a replaceable reservoir comprising a piston rod to be moved into the reservoir, e.g. the piston rod is part of the removable reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14566 with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16827 controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1785 comprising radioactive shield means syringe shields or holders for storage of radioactive sources G21F5/018
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3129 Syringe barrels A61M5/3205 and A61M5/50 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31511 Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod A61M5/5066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/44 having means for cooling or heating the devices or media
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 : for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

The present invention relates to management of information relating to medical fluids, containers therefor, and medical fluid administration devices for administering such medical fluids to patients. Data tags (e.g., RFID tags) are generally associated with containers of the invention and may be electromagnetically read from and/or written to using an electromagnetic device, for example, that may be associated with a medical fluid administration device of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of using a medical fluid injection assembly comprising an electromagnetic device operable to read data from and/or write data to a RFID data tag, the method comprising:

disposing a RFID data tag near an antenna system of the device;

disposing a material that attenuates electromagnetic signals between the RFID data tag and the antenna system; and

at least one of electromagnetically reading data from and electromagnetically writing data to the RFID data tag using the device and the antenna system thereof, wherein the at least one of electromagnetically reading data from and electromagnetically writing data to is accomplished while the material is disposed between the RFID data tag and the antenna system.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the material is at least one of a metallic and diamagnetic material.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of water, saline, contrast media, a radiopharmaceutical, other medical fluids and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the RFID data tag is a component of a medical fluid container, the medical fluid container has medical fluid disposed therein, and the medical fluid comprises the material.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising placing the medical fluid container in contact with a medical fluid administration device, the placing comprising the disposing of the RFID data tag and the disposing of the material.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the device and the antenna system thereof are components of the medical fluid administration device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the antenna system comprises first and second antenna loops, the method further comprising:

electrically connecting the first and second antenna loops in a first antenna configuration; and

emitting electromagnetic signals from the first antenna configuration to attempt the at least one of electromagnetically reading data from and electromagnetically writing data to the RFID data tag.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

electrically reconnecting the first and second antenna loops in another antenna configuration in response to failing to at least one of electromagnetically read data from and electromagnetically write data to the data tag; and

emitting electromagnetic signals from the another antenna configuration to attempt the at least one of electromagnetically reading data from and electromagnetically writing data to the RFID data tag.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said material absorbs electromagnetic signals.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said material reflects electromagnetic signals.