APPARATUS TO ACCOUNT FOR TRANSPONDER TAGGED OBJECTS USED DURING CLINICAL PROCEDURES, EMPLOYING A TROCAR
Applicants
Covidien LP
Inventors
AQUINO, Allan, BRANDT, Kim, BUERSMEYER, Andy
Abstract
Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders (e.g., RFID transponders, dumb transponders) are accounted for via an accounting system using a number of antennas and interrogators / readers. The antennas and interrogators / readers are included on a cannula of the trocar so the tagged medical procedure related objects passing through the cannula are detected. A first set of antennas and RFID interrogator(s) interrogate a first portion of the cannula, such as proximate a proximal end at which the medical procedure related objects are introduced to the cannula. A second set of antennas and RFID interrogator(s) interrogate a second portion of the cannula, such as proximate a distal end at which objects exit the cannula for use in a medical procedure. A data store may maintain information including a current status or count of each supply, for instance, as entering or exiting the cannula.
IPC Classifications
Designated States
AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, TR