Device and method for attaching a tag to a tool

• US 9,119,667 B2
• Filed: 05/12/2010
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steris Corporation
• Original Assignee: Haldor Advanced Technologies Ltd
• Inventors: Halberthal, Reuven, Poremba, Jacob
• Primary Examiner(s): NWUGO, OJIAKO K
• Application Number:
  US12/778,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20110277359A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,938 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.92, 340/578.8, 340/572.9, 235375-385
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/041 Constructional details G06K19/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49812 Temporary protective coating, impregnation, or cast layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49885 with coating before or during assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49886 to roughen surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49888 Subsequently coating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49982 Coating

Abstract

An identification device adapted to be attached to a tool comprising a holder formed as a curved stratum having a C-shaped cross-section, the stratum having at least one opening thereon, and the internal surface of the holder being micro-etched; an identification tag placed within the holder; and hardening material for fixing the identification tag within the holder.

The identification device is created from a holder, shaped as a curved stratum having a C-shaped cross-section and at least one opening thereon, micro-etching the internal surface of the holder; and fixing an identification tag within the holder by a hardening material. Fixing the tag within the holder may comprise placing the holder within a container; filling the holder to about half the height with a hardening material; placing the identification tag within the holder; filling the holder with the hardening material; and hardening the hardening material.

Claims

1. An identification device adapted to be attached to a tool, comprising:

a holder formed as a curved stratum pressed to form a ring shaped enclosure enclosing a void, the holder having an external surface for attaching to the tool and an internal surface surrounding the void;

an identification tag is embedded inside the void surrounded by the internal surface of the holder,

hardening material that is used to fill the void fixing the identification tag so that it is surrounded by the internal surface of the holder;

wherein the device is configured to identify the tool using the identification tag; and

wherein the curved stratum surrounds the identification tag leaving an opening thereon to form an open ring.

2. The identification device of claim 1 further comprising an elevation component placed within the holder such as to avoid exposure of the identification tag from above or below the ring shaped enclosure formed by the curved stratum.

3. The identification device of claim 1 wherein the hardening material is a bio compatible material.

4. The identification device of claim 1 wherein the identification tag is a radio frequency (RF) tag.

5. The identification device of claim 1 wherein the external surface and the internal surface are substantially concentric.

6. The identification device of claim 1, wherein the identification device is made from a material that is attachable to the tool by a laser welding process.

7. The identification device of claim 1, wherein the internal surface of the holder is micro-etched.

8. An identification device adapted to be attached to a tool, comprising:

a holder formed as a curved stratum pressed to form a substantially ring shaped enclosure enclosing a void, the holder having an external surface for attaching to the tool and an internal surface surrounding the void;

an identification tag is embedded inside the void surrounded by the internal surface of the holder;

hardening material that is used to fill the void fixing the identification tag so that it is surrounded by the internal surface of the holder;

wherein the device is configured to identify the tool using the identification tag; and

wherein the curved stratum has a C-shaped cross-section.