Device for receiving of disposable items for an operating room

• US 9,078,641 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2010
• Issued: 07/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg
• Original Assignee: Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg
• Inventors: Hiltl, Christoph
• Primary Examiner(s): KELLY, RAFFERTY D
• Application Number:
  US12/855,233
• Publication Number:
  US 20110036738A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,797 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/385
• 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 50/36 for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/0046 the partitions being movable, e.g. for varying the volume of the compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1484 relating to the adaptation of receptacles to carry identification means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1638 Electromechanically operated lids
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2001/008 Means for automatically selecting the receptacle in which refuse should be placed
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/112 Coding means to aid in recycling
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/1123 Bar-codes
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/128 Data transmitting means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/144 Level detecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/182 Volume determining means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/184 Weighing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/10 Waste collection, transportation, transfer or storage, e.g. segregated refuse collecting, electric or hybrid propulsion

Abstract

A system for receiving of disposable items in an operating room, where the objects that are to be disposed of and which are equipped with a data carrier are automatically acquired and electronically registered in databases. The data carrier on the objects can be RFID tags or a barcode. The data read out are used in particular to individually recognize the type, quantity, and value of an object and to be able to document and display the type, quantity, and value of an object by using an electronic inventory and value determination process.

Claims

1. A device for receiving of disposable items for an operating room, comprising a container equipped with an opening, an identification unit positioned in close proximity to the opening, an evaluation unit communicating with the identification unit, and a central computer outside the operating room, the central computer comprising a central database and communicating with the evaluation unit;

wherein a continuing detection area is created by the identification unit that corresponds to perimeter of the opening,

wherein objects equipped with one or more data carriers are processed by the identification unit when they are disposed into the container through the opening, and

wherein additional data of a patient or operation room are supplemented by manual or speech-activated input on the evaluation unit;

wherein the central computer depicts material flow based on the central database, the additional supplemented data, and the one or more data acquired by the identification unit.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit is equipped with at least one reader head, which is capable of acquiring data carriers and reading out the data from the data carriers.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one reader head is at least one of a barcode scanner and an RFID reader and can read data carriers that are configured as at least one of barcodes and RFID tags.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein a reader head covers the opening of the container with its detection area in such a way that objects equipped with data carriers are acquired.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the reader head is at least one of a barcode scanner and an RFID reader and can read data carriers that are configured as at least one of barcodes and RFID tags.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit comprises two or more reader heads that are distanced and positioned from one another in such a way that the detection areas of the reader heads overlap.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the reader heads is at least one of a barcode scanner and an RFID reader and can read data carriers that are configured as at least one of barcodes and RFID tags.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit can be connected by a communication link with a remote evaluation unit outside of the operating room.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a hand device, the hand device wirelessly communicating with the evaluation unit,

wherein the hand device acquires and reads data carriers that are connected with objects to be disposed of, enters additional supplemented data, or reads out acquired, evaluated or stored data.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the container is equipped with a filler level detection device which acquires the volume and/or weight of inserted objects and in particular, from this data, computes, emits, or stores in a storage device the total weight and/or total volume of all inserted objects.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein an interior space of the container includes one or more dividing walls in such a way that the container is divided into individual compartments for receiving various objects.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises one or more lids to cover the opening of the container and/or the opening of one compartment,

wherein the one or more lids automatically open and close the container and/or compartment under control of the identification unit in response to the sorting category of the object to be disposed of

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein in the area of the opening a sorting device is positioned, which controlled by the identification unit, conducts an object that is to be disposed of to a compartment corresponding to its sorting category on the basis of acquired data.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein a ring-shaped cap is provided on the container, where said cap contains the identification unit and can be positioned in the area of the opening of the container so that it can be removed and replaced.

15. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one video camera positioned in close proximity to the opening, the evaluation unit communicating with the at least one video camera;

wherein the at least one video camera is capable of clearly identifying objects that fall into its field of vision;

wherein a continuing detection area is created by the at least one video camera which field of vision includes the area of the opening; and

wherein the identity information of objects are processed by the at least one video camera when the objects are disposed into the container through the opening.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the additional data are supplemented by speech-activated input.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein the container comprises one or more lids to cover the opening of the container and/or the opening of one compartment, wherein the one or more lids automatically open and close the container and/or compartment under control of the identification unit.

18. The device according to claim 15, wherein in the area of the opening a sorting device is positioned, which controlled by the identification unit, conducts an object that is to be disposed of to a compartment corresponding to its sorting category on the basis of acquired data.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein the additional data are supplemented by speech-activated input.