Surgical implement detector utilizing a radio-frequency identification marker
First Claim
1. A surgical implement detector system, comprising:
- a. a non batter-powered, encapsulated radio-frequency marker attached to surgical implements designated for use in a surgical procedure;
b. remote detector unit having an interrogating antenna that communicates with and powers the said radio-frequency marker using a carrier frequency;
c. said radio-frequency marker comprising an integrated circuit comprising a read-only memory having a burnt-in code that is powered by a capacitor;
d. said capacitor being charged by said interrogating antenna and coupling to a second antenna located within the radio-frequency marker to provide power thereto;
e. said radio-frequency marker broadcasting said code through said radio-frequency antenna using a modulated carrier frequency, which is received by said interrogating antenna;
f. said detector unit decoding said modulated carrier frequency and detecting said code, thereby identifying a surgical implement to which a radio-frequency marker is attached;
whereby scanning a surgical wound using said remote detector interrogating antenna during and after an operating procedure detects the location and identity of surgical implements present within a surgical wound.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A radio-frequency surgical implement detection system detects surgical implements in a surgical wound during and at the completion of a surgical procedure. Surgical implements, including surgical sponges or laparotomy pads, gauze pads and metallic surgical instruments, are individually attached to a non battery-powered, encapsulated radio-frequency marker. The marker comprises an integrated chip having a burnt-in memory code, which is broadcast through an antenna using a modulated carrier frequency. The code is received by an interrogating antenna of a detector. The interrogating antenna provides a power pulse, which is received by the antenna of the radio-frequency marker. The power pulse charges a capacitor, which proves power for the read function, carrier frequency modulation function and broadcast function of the integrated chip, permitting each marker-containing implement to be specifically identified.
71 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A surgical implement detector system, comprising:
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a. a non batter-powered, encapsulated radio-frequency marker attached to surgical implements designated for use in a surgical procedure;
b. remote detector unit having an interrogating antenna that communicates with and powers the said radio-frequency marker using a carrier frequency;
c. said radio-frequency marker comprising an integrated circuit comprising a read-only memory having a burnt-in code that is powered by a capacitor;
d. said capacitor being charged by said interrogating antenna and coupling to a second antenna located within the radio-frequency marker to provide power thereto;
e. said radio-frequency marker broadcasting said code through said radio-frequency antenna using a modulated carrier frequency, which is received by said interrogating antenna;
f. said detector unit decoding said modulated carrier frequency and detecting said code, thereby identifying a surgical implement to which a radio-frequency marker is attached;
whereby scanning a surgical wound using said remote detector interrogating antenna during and after an operating procedure detects the location and identity of surgical implements present within a surgical wound. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of using a surgical detection system, comprising steps of;
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a. attaching radio-frequency markers to surgical implements selected for use in a surgical procedure;
b. scanning each surgical implement with a remote detector interrogating antenna to identify its code and associate said code with a specific surgical implement;
c. scanning said surgical wound with said remote detector interrogating antenna during said surgical procedure. d. scanning said surgical wound with said remote detector interrogating antenna following completion of surgery but prior to wound closure to locate surgical implements retained within said wound;
e. determining the identity of said retained surgical implements and removing them prior to wound closure. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification