Apparatus and method for tagging and detecting surgical implements

• US 20060270933A1
• Filed: 05/22/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: O'Brien, George Phiillips, Randall John Benson, Thomas Samuel Siegel, Zinovy Yefimovich Royzen
• Original Assignee: O'Brien, George Phiillips, Randall John Benson, Thomas Samuel Siegel, Zinovy Yefimovich Royzen
• Inventors: O'Brien, George Phiillips, Siegel, Thomas Samuel, Benson, Randall John, Royzen, Zinovy Yefimovich
• Granted Patent: US 7,695,435 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• 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

Abstract

An apparatus and method for detecting a surgical implement retained within a surgically exposed human body cavity, include tagging means adapted to be attached to a surgical implement insertable within a human body cavity and including means for receiving an electromagnetic signal and converting it into electric current (pulses); and means to conduct said current (pulses) to the internal human (or an animal) body where said medical product is used; and means to transmit said electromagnetic signal; and detecting means including reception means for receiving a signal from a tagging means, detector means connected to the reception means for sensing a signal received from a tagging means. The envelope of the induced RF wave is demodulated, thus allowing the voltage at output to vary at a significantly lower frequency. In the event such pulses are sensed, a sensory alert is actuated and corrective action taken.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting a surgical implement retained within a surgically exposed human body cavity, the apparatus comprising, in combination:

(1) tagging means adapted to be attached to a surgical implement insertable within a human body cavity, and including;

(a) means for receiving an electromagnetic signal and converting it into electric current (pulses); and

(b) Means to conduct said current (pulses) to the internal human (or an animal) body where said medical product is used; and

(2) Means to transmit said electromagnetic signal; and

(3) Detecting means including;

(4) reception means for receiving a signal from a tagging means,

(5) Detector means connected to the reception means for sensing a signal received from a tagging means.

2. A system as in claim 1 in which said means for receiving an electromagnetic signal and converting it into electric current (pulses) includes at least one antenna, which electrically connected with said means to conduct said current (pulses) to the internal human (or an animal) body where said medical product is used.

3. A system as in claim 1 in which said reception means includes at least two electrodes.

4. A system as in claim 3 in which said reception means located inside the human body cavity into which is inserted a surgical implement provided with a tagging means.

5. A system as in claim 3 in which said reception means located externally of a human body into which is inserted a surgical implement provided with a tagging means.

6. A system as in claim 3 in which said means to transmit electromagnetic signal located inside the human body cavity into which is inserted a surgical implement provided with a tagging means.

7. A system as in claim 3 in which said means to transmit electromagnetic signal located externally of a human body into which is inserted a surgical implement provided with a tagging means.

8. A system as in claim 1 in which said detecting means includes electrocardiographic device.

9. A system as in claim 1 in which said detecting means connected (including wireless connection) to the computer of the operation room.

10. An apparatus for detecting a surgical implement retained within a surgically exposed human body cavity, the apparatus comprising, in combination:

(1) tagging means adapted to be attached to a surgical implement insertable within a human body cavity, and including;

(a) means for receiving a direct or an alternating electric current and converting it into electric pulses with different predetermined frequency; and

(b) Means to conduct said current (pulses) to the internal human body where said medical product is used; and

(2) means to apply said direct or alternating electric current to the human body signal into which is inserted a surgical implement provided with a tagging means; and

(3) Detecting means including;

(a) reception means for receiving a signal from a tagging means,

(b) Detector means connected to the reception means for sensing a signal received from a tagging means.

11. A system as in claim 10 in which said reception means includes at least two electrodes.

12. A system as in claim 10 in which said reception means located inside the human body cavity into which is inserted a surgical implement provided with a tagging means.

13. A system as in claim 10 in which said reception means located externally of a human body into which is inserted a surgical implement provided with a tagging means.

14. A system as in claim 10 in which said means to apply a direct electric current to the human body located inside the human body cavity into which is inserted a surgical implement provided with a tagging means.

15. A system as in claim 10 in which said means to apply a direct or alternating electric current to the human body located externally of a human body into which is inserted a surgical implement provided with a tagging means.

16. A system as in claim 10 in which said detecting means includes an electrocardiographic device.

17. A system as in claim 16 in which said means to apply electric current includes at least electrodes of an electrocardiographic device or comprised of a modified electrocardiographic device.

18. A system as in claim 10 in which said detecting means connected (including wireless connection) to the computer of the operation room.

19. A method for detection of a foreign object used during surgery but not intended to remain in a human body after surgery:

said method comprises the steps of;

(a) Providing a foreign object used during surgery with at least one tag element,

(b) Transmitting an electromagnetic signal when said detection is needed, for example, during or after the surgery,

(c) Converting said electromagnetic signal into electric current (pulses)

(d) Detecting said electric current (pulses)

20. A method of claim 19, wherein said electromagnetic signal of frequency 1 includes a number of pulses with different frequency 2, electromagnetic signal is converted into electric current with frequency 2 and detecting means detects said electric current with frequency 2.

21. A method of claim 20, wherein said detection means determines the threshold of the receiving signal before any implement with the tagging means is inserted into the body and indicates the presence of a tagged implement or implements when the signal is above this threshold.

22. A method for detection of a foreign object used during surgery but not intended to remain in a human body after surgery:

said method comprises the steps of;

(a) Providing a foreign object used during surgery with at least one tag element,

(b) Applying a direct or an alternating electric current to the human body of the patient when said detection is needed, for example, during or after the surgery,

(c) Converting said direct or an alternating current into electric pulses or alternating current 2 by the tag

(d) Detecting said alternating electric current 2 or pulses.