Instrument having radio frequency identification systems and methods for use
First Claim
1. A system for determining a position of an endoscopic instrument, the system comprising:
- an endoscopic instrument comprising an elongate body portion configured to be inserted along a path from a reference position;
a sensing circuit disposed along a length of the elongate body portion, wherein the sensing circuit changes state in response to a change in environment as the elongate body portion is moved along the path, and wherein the sensing circuit is configured to provide a variable output based on the change in state;
an insertion depth determining system in signal communication with the sensing circuit to receive the variable output, the insertion depth determining system being configured to output a depth of insertion of the elongate body portion along the path, as measured from the reference position, based on the received variable output; and
a storage device configured to store data indicating the depth of insertion as the elongate body portion is moved along the path,wherein the sensing circuit comprises a plurality of individual electrical switches configured to change between open and closed states in response to at least one of interaction with electrically conductive material, a change in pressure, a change in moisture, a change in pH, a change in temperature, and a change in light, andwherein the variable output is a differing resistance respectively associated with a closed state of each of the plurality of individual electrical switches.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One RFID equipped instrument includes an elongate body with a plurality of uniquely identified radio frequency identification chips spaced along the length of the elongate body. One system used for determining the position of an instrument includes an instrument; a plurality of radio frequency identification chips attached to the instrument; a reader connected to an antenna and adapted to communicate with each radio frequency identification chip using the antenna. One method for determining the position of an instrument using radio frequency identification chips includes providing a radio frequency identification chip reader and antenna; providing an instrument having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of radio frequency identification chips placed along the longitudinal axis; moving the instrument relative to the antenna; and using information about a radio frequency identification chip detected by the antenna to determine the position of the instrument.
622 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for determining a position of an endoscopic instrument, the system comprising:
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an endoscopic instrument comprising an elongate body portion configured to be inserted along a path from a reference position; a sensing circuit disposed along a length of the elongate body portion, wherein the sensing circuit changes state in response to a change in environment as the elongate body portion is moved along the path, and wherein the sensing circuit is configured to provide a variable output based on the change in state; an insertion depth determining system in signal communication with the sensing circuit to receive the variable output, the insertion depth determining system being configured to output a depth of insertion of the elongate body portion along the path, as measured from the reference position, based on the received variable output; and a storage device configured to store data indicating the depth of insertion as the elongate body portion is moved along the path, wherein the sensing circuit comprises a plurality of individual electrical switches configured to change between open and closed states in response to at least one of interaction with electrically conductive material, a change in pressure, a change in moisture, a change in pH, a change in temperature, and a change in light, and wherein the variable output is a differing resistance respectively associated with a closed state of each of the plurality of individual electrical switches. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A system for determining a position of an endoscopic instrument, the system comprising:
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an endoscopic instrument comprising an elongate body portion configured to be inserted along a path from a reference position; a plurality of individual electrical switches consecutively disposed along a length of the elongate body portion, wherein open and closed states of the switches are changeable based on a position of the elongate body portion relative to the path; and an insertion depth determining system in signal communication with the plurality of individual electrical switches to receive a variable output, the insertion depth determining system being configured to output a depth of insertion of the elongate body portion along the path, as measured from the reference position, based on the received variable output. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification