Method and apparatus to detect transponder tagged objects and to communicate with medical telemetry devices, for example during medical procedures

• US 9,792,408 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2009
• Issued: 10/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Blair, William A., Barnes, Bruce E., Poirier, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carey, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): So, Elizabeth K
• Application Number:
  US12/606,963
• Publication Number:
  US 20110004276A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,912 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00212 using remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0271 using a remote monitoring unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0261 Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/17 Comprising radiolucent components
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/031 Intracranial pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/704 Tables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/94 coded with symbols, e.g. text
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/96 using barcodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

The presence or absence of objects tagged with transponders may be determined in an environment in which medical procedures are performed via an interrogation and detection system which includes a controller and a plurality of antennas positioned along a patient support structure. The antennas may be positioned along an operating table, bed, mattress or pad, sheet, or may be positioned on a drape, or shade. Respective antennas may successively be activated to transmit interrogation signals. Multiple antennas may be monitored for responses from transponders to the interrogation signals. For example, all antennas other than the antenna that transmitted the most recent interrogation signal may be monitored. Antennas may be responsive to force, a signal indicative of such force being produced. A wireless physiological condition monitor may detect patient physiological conditions and wirelessly transmit signals indicative of such.

Claims

1. A system for use in a medical facility, the system comprising:

a number of antennas; and

a controller communicatively coupled to the number of antennas, the controller;

selectively causes at least one of the number of antennas to emit wideband interrogation signals;

provides wireless communications of at least one of data or instructions with at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment via the at least one of the number of antennas used to emit the wideband interrogation signals, the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment having at least one respective active radio; and

detects a response signal, if any, from a number of transponders physically detects coupled to a number of objects used in medical procedures via the at least one of the number of antennas used to emit the wideband interrogation signals and used to provide wireless communications, the response signal responsive to the emitted wideband interrogation signals.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least a plurality of the number of antennas are carried by a patient support structure that carries a patient during a medical procedure.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the number of antennas is a handheld antenna that inductively cooperates with the plurality of antennas carried by the patient support structure.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the number of antennas is a handheld antenna, and one of the handheld antenna or the plurality of antennas carried by the patient support structure transmits wideband interrogation signals and the other one of the handheld antenna or the plurality of antennas carried by the patient support structure receives response signals, if any, to the wideband interrogation signals.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the number of antennas includes at least three loop antennas spaced along a longitudinal axis of the patient support structure, and the patient support structure is one of an operating table, a bed, a mattress, or a sheet.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein at least a plurality of the number of antennas are carried by a shade that extends from a light fixture positioned relatively above a patient support structure that carries a patient during a medical procedure.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller receives data signals from the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment via at least one of the number of antennas, the data signals representing physiological characteristics of a patient measured by the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller receives data signals from the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment via at least one of the number of antennas, the data signals representing operational characteristics of the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller transmits control signals to the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment via at least one of the number of antennas, the control signals representing operational instructions to control operation of the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to a display and displays information related to at least one of a patient or the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to a user input device, receives user input entered via the user input device and transmits control signals based on the received user input to the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment via at least one of the number of antennas, the control signals representing operational instructions to control operation of the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller receives data signals from a first one of the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment transmits the data signals to a second one of the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the first one of the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment is a transducer coupled to a patient and the second one of the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment is a dedicated control system for the transducer.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the first one of the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment is one of an electrocardiogram electrode, a pulse oximetry transducer and the second one of the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment is a dedicated electrocardiogram processing system or a pulse oximetry processing system.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the number of antennas is responsive to a force exerted thereon and the controller receives a signal indicative of the force exerted on the antenna and to produce a notification if the force exceeds at least one of an amplitude threshold or a time duration.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the number of transponders have no memory and the controller provides wireless communications of at least one of data or instructions with the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment via the at least one of the number of antennas by providing wireless communications of at least one of data or instructions with the at least one respective active radio of the at least one piece of dedicated diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment via the at least one of the number of antennas, the communications of at least one of data or instructions including data representative of physiological characteristics of a patient measured by the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment.

17. A system for use in a medical facility, the system comprising:

a number of antennas; and

a controller communicatively coupled to the number of antennas, the controller;

selectively causes at least one of the number of antennas to emit wideband interrogation signals;

provides wireless communications of at least one of data or instructions with at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment via the at least one of the number of antennas used to emit the wideband interrogation signals, the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment having at least one respective active radio; and

detects a response signal, if any, from a number of transponders physically coupled to a number of objects used in medical procedures via the at least one of the number of antennas used to emit the wideband interrogation signals and used to provide wireless communications, the response signal responsive to the emitted wideband interrogation signals,

wherein at least a plurality of the number of antennas are carried by a drape that at least partially surrounds a patient support structure that carries a patient during a medical procedure.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein at least the plurality of the number of antennas carried by the drape are at least one of carried on one or more exterior surfaces of the drape or situated within the drape.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising the drape that at least partially surrounds the patient support structure.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the drape couples to a track that at least partially surrounds the patient support structure.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the drape selectively deploys and retracts along the track.

22. The system of claim 19 wherein the drape overlies the patient support structure that carries the patient during the medical procedure.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the controller provides wireless communications of at least one of data or instructions with the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment via the at least one of the number of antennas used to emit the wideband interrogation signals by providing wireless communication of at least one of data or instructions with the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment via at least the plurality of the number of antennas carried by the drape while the drape resides between a mattress on the patient support structure and the patient.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the controller detects a response signal, if any, from a number of transponders physically coupled to a number of objects used in medical procedures via the at least one of the number of antennas used to emit the wideband interrogation signals and used to provide wireless communications by detecting the response signal, if any, from the number of transponders physically coupled to the number of objects used in medical procedures via at least the plurality of the number of antennas carried by the drape while the drape resides between a mattress on the patient support structure and the patient.

25. The system of claim 19 wherein the drape comprises a unitary, single piece of cloth.

26. The system of claim 19 wherein the drape includes one or more layers of at least one material that is impervious to fluids.

27. The system of claim 19 wherein the drape includes at least one fastener.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the at least one fastener includes at least one hook, hook-and-loop fastener, or clip.

29. The system of claim 19 wherein the drape has a flexibility that permits the drape to wrap around a light fixture above the patient support structure that carries the patient.

30. The system of claim 19 wherein the controller communicatively couples to at least the plurality of the number of antennas carried by the drape via at least one wire that extends from the drape to the controller.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the at least one wire includes a wire bundle.

32. The system of claim 19 wherein the drape carries at least the plurality of the number of antennas via one or more of lamination or weaving that is situated within the drape.

33. The system of claim 19 wherein the drape carries at least the plurality of the number of antennas via one or more of lamination or weaving that is situated on one or more exterior surfaces of the drape.

34. The system of claim 19 wherein the plurality of the number of antennas carried by the drape are positioned along a longitudinal axis of the drape.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein each of the plurality of the number of antennas carried by the drape overlaps at least one immediately successive respective one of the plurality of the number of antennas carried by the drape.

36. The system of claim 34 wherein each of the plurality of the number of antennas carried by the drape is on an opposite side of the drape from at least one immediately successive respective one of the plurality of the number of antennas carried by the drape.