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 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
20 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 or by irradiation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. 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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20. 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 or by irradiation of said tagged item whilst said item was tagged.
Specification