RFID tag for medical instrument

Abstract

The RFID tag for a medical instrument according to the present invention is attached to a medical instrument, and comprises: a tag body having a first surface on which lettering can be performed and a second surface; a first adhesive layer provided on the second surface of the label body; an RFID inlay having a first surface attached to the second surface of the tag body via a first adhesive layer, and a second surface, the RFID inlay having a base film having a smaller area than the tag body, an antenna, and an IC chip; and a second adhesive layer provided on the second surface of the base film, the first adhesive layer having an intermediate portion disposed between the label body and the base film and an outer peripheral portion surrounding the outer periphery of the base film, and the surface of the outer peripheral portion of the first adhesive layer on the opposite side of the label body and the surface of the second adhesive layer on the opposite side of the label body form a label attachment surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an RFID tag for medical appliances, which can be attached to medical appliances such as blood collection tubes, blood transfusion bags and urine test cups. Background Art

[0002] Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags attached to attached objects are commonly used for logistics management and product management. RFID tags are tags with RFID inlays. RFID inlays include an IC chip and an antenna electrically connected to the IC chip.

[0003] In addition, as an antenna for an RFID tag, there is known an antenna which is configured to include: a power supply terminal to which an IC chip is connected; a loop antenna connected to the power supply terminal; and a bypass conductive line that bypasses the loop of the loop antenna (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-19905

[0005] Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2006 / 077645 Summary of the invention

[0006] [Problems to be solved by the present invention]

[0007] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose that a good communication distance can be obtained in a frequency band in which RFID tags perform wireless communication by causing a capacitance component inside an IC chip to resonate with an inductance component of a bypass conductive line included in an antenna.

[0008] Here, RFID tags are generally stored in a state where the tags are attached to release paper with adhesives provided on both sides. When the RFID tag is attached to an attached object such as a container filled with liquid, the release paper is peeled off and the RFID tag is attached to the attached object via the adhesive. It is important that the RFID tag is attached to the attached object and does not peel off from the attached object.

[0009] However, when conventional RFID tags are attached to a curved surface of an attached object via an adhesive, there is a problem that the conventional RFID tags cannot maintain the state of being attached to the curved surface of the attached object for a long time and may peel off.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an RFID tag for medical equipment that can maintain a state of being attached to an attached object for a long period of time and is not easily peeled off from the attached object.

[0011] [Methods used to solve the problem]

[0012] An RFID tag for medical equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention is attached to a medical equipment and includes:

[0013] A label body having a first surface on which words can be printed and a second surface opposite to the first surface;

[0014] A first adhesive layer, which is disposed on the second surface of the label body;

[0015] An RFID inlay having a first surface attached to the second surface of the tag body via the first adhesive layer, and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and having a base film with a smaller area than the tag body, an antenna, and an IC chip; and

[0016] The second adhesive layer is disposed on the second surface of the base film, wherein

[0017] The first adhesive layer has a middle portion disposed between the label body and the base film, and a peripheral portion surrounding the periphery of the base film.

[0018] The surface of the outer peripheral portion of the first adhesive layer on the opposite side to the label body and the surface of the second adhesive layer on the opposite side to the label body form a label attachment surface.

[0019] [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] The RFID tag for medical tools according to one embodiment of the present invention can maintain a state of being attached to an attached object for a long period of time without being easily peeled off from the attached object. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a blood collection tube to which the RFID tag for medical tools according to the embodiment of the present invention is affixed.

[0022] Figure 2 It is a top view of the RFID tag for medical tools according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 AA cross-section diagram.

[0024] Figure 4 is a top view of the RFID inlay.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of a method for manufacturing an RFID tag for medical equipment.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the RFID tag for medical devices of Comparative Example 1.

[0027] Figure 7This is a graph showing the results of measuring the peeling force of the RFID tags for medical devices of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 at room temperature.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a graph showing the results of measuring the peeling force of the RFID tags for medical devices of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 under low temperature and low humidity conditions.

[0029] Fig. 9 This is a graph showing the results of measuring the peeling force of the RFID tags for medical devices of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 under high temperature and high humidity.

[0030] Fig.10 The diagram shows the observation results of the chip marks after printing of the RFID tags for medical devices of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that, in order to facilitate the understanding of the description, the same figure mark is attached to the same component in each drawing, and repeated description is omitted. In addition, the proportions of the components in the drawings are sometimes different from the actual ones. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, "to" indicating a numerical range includes the numerical values ​​recorded before and after it as the lower limit and upper limit.

[0032] The RFID tag for medical tools according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Before describing the RFID tag for medical tools according to the present embodiment, a blood collection tube as a container for liquid to which the RFID tag for medical tools according to the present embodiment is attached will be described.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the case where the container for holding the liquid is a blood collection tube is described, the blood collection tube is only an example of a container for holding blood as the liquid, and it may also be a container such as a test tube, a urine collection tube, an ampoule, etc. for holding liquids other than blood such as urine, beverages, medicines, water, etc.

[0034] <Blood Collection Tubes>

[0035] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a blood collection tube to which the RFID tag for medical equipment according to the present embodiment is attached. Figure 1 As shown, the blood collection tube 1 comprises: a blood collection tube body 11 which is formed in a cylindrical tube shape with one end open and the other end closed and has a curved surface; and a sealing plug 12 which seals the open end of the blood collection tube body 11 .

[0036] Blood collection tube body 11 is formed of, for example, synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or glass.

[0037] The blood collection tube body 11 has a medical tool RFID tag 20 attached to a predetermined attachment area 11 a on the outer periphery.

[0038] The sealing plug 12 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber or synthetic resin.

[0039] [RFID tags for medical devices]

[0040] Figure 2 2 is a top view of the RFID tag 20 for medical equipment according to the present embodiment. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 AA cross-section diagram. Figure 2 As shown, the RFID tag 20 for medical tools of this embodiment is formed into a roughly rectangular shape when viewed from above. It should be noted that the shape of the RFID tag 20 for medical tools when viewed from above is not limited to a roughly rectangular shape, and can be formed into any appropriate shape such as a roughly square, roughly triangular, roughly hexagonal or other polygonal shape, a roughly circular, or a roughly elliptical shape.

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, the RFID tag 20 for medical tools comprises a tag body 21, a first adhesive layer 22, an RFID inlay 23 and a second adhesive layer 24. The RFID tag 20 for medical tools is formed by laminating the tag body 21, the first adhesive layer 22, the RFID inlay 23 and the second adhesive layer 24 in this order from the tag body 21 side to the second adhesive layer 24 side. The RFID tag 20 for medical tools is formed by laminating the tag body 21, the first adhesive layer 22, the RFID inlay 23 and the second adhesive layer 24 in this order from the tag body 21 side to the second adhesive layer 24 side. Figure 3 The lower side of the second adhesive layer 24 (the lower side) and the label body opposite side ( Figure 3 The lower surface (lower surface) 24b of the label is formed as a label attachment surface. When the medical device RFID tag 20 is used, the second adhesive layer 24 is attached to the blood collection tube body 11, and the label body 21 can be visually recognized from the outside.

[0042] It should be noted that in Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the embodiment, the thickness direction (vertical direction) of the medical device RFID tag 20 is set as the Z-axis direction, the depth direction of the medical device RFID tag 20 is set as the X-axis direction, and the width direction is set as the Y-axis direction. The tag body 21 side of the Z-axis direction is set as the +Z-axis direction, and the second adhesive layer 24 side is set as the -Z-axis direction. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the +Z-axis direction is referred to as the upper or above, and the -Z-axis direction is referred to as the lower or below, but it does not represent a general upper and lower relationship.

[0043] In addition, the term "substantially" in the top view shape refers to a shape that is permitted in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. "Substantially" in the substantially rectangular, substantially square, substantially triangular, and substantially polygonal shapes include, for example, shapes obtained by chamfering corners, shapes in which a portion of the side is slightly convex or concave, shapes in which the side is slightly curved, etc. In addition, "substantially" in the top view substantially circular and substantially elliptical shapes include, for example, shapes in which a portion of the circumference is slightly convex or concave, shapes in which a portion of the circumference is slightly straight or oblique, etc.

[0044] The label body 21 can be formed into any appropriate shape, such as a roughly rectangular, roughly square, roughly triangular, roughly hexagonal, roughly polygonal, roughly circular, roughly elliptical, etc. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, it is formed into a substantially rectangular shape.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, the tag body 21 is disposed on the side of the first adhesive layer 22 opposite to the RFID inlay 23 ( Figure 3 The label body 21 has a first surface 21a on which characters can be printed, and a second surface 21b on the opposite side of the first surface 21a and in contact with the first adhesive layer 22.

[0046] The label body 21 includes a printing base material and a base color changing layer, and is integrated by laminating the base color changing layer on the printing base material.

[0047] The printing substrate may be any of a transparent substrate and an opaque substrate. As the printing substrate, for example, a transparent synthetic resin film, an opaque synthetic resin film, and paper can be used. The material of the synthetic resin film is not particularly limited, and can be selected from: polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid; olefin resins such as polypropylene and cyclic olefins; styrene resins such as polystyrene and styrene-butadiene copolymers; polyamide resins; one or more mixtures of thermoplastic resins such as vinyl chloride resins, etc. The synthetic resin film may be composed of a single resin layer or a plurality of different resin layers of the same or different types. In addition, although the printing substrate may also have heat shrinkage (for example, the property of heat shrinkage when heated to 80°C to 120°C), it is preferably a substrate that does not substantially have heat shrinkage. It should be noted that substantially having no heat shrinkage means that there will be no obvious heat shrinkage, and in addition to the situation where there is no heat shrinkage at all at 80°C to 120°C, it also includes the situation where there is slight heat shrinkage. The thickness of the printing substrate is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 20 μm to 300 μm.

[0048] As the paper, paper substrates such as plain paper, woodfree paper, coated paper, kraft paper, Glazing paper, synthetic paper, fireproof paper subjected to fireproofing treatment, glass fiber paper, latex or melamine impregnated paper can be used.

[0049] The background color changing layer is disposed on the upper surface of the printing substrate. The background color changing layer is preferably a layer having any of the following properties: (a) it exhibits a desired color before being irradiated with a laser or heated by a heating device such as a thermal head, but after being heated, the heated portion or its surroundings changes to a color different from the desired color, colorless, or colorless and transparent; (b) it is colorless or colorless and transparent before being heated, but after being heated, the heated portion or its surroundings exhibits a desired color.

[0050] As the label body 21, for example, it is preferable to use thermal paper (thermal paper) which develops color by heat generated by heating with a heating device.

[0051] When the label body 21 is thermal paper, the background color changing layer includes, for example, dyes such as colorless dyes (electron donors) as colorants, and color developers (electron acceptors) as acidic substances, which are dispersed in the binder resin as solid particles, and may include various additives as needed. If the background color changing layer is irradiated with a laser or heated by a heating device such as a thermal head, the two components of the colorless dye and the acidic substance react with each other to become infrared, and have the characteristic of absorbing light in a specific band. When the background color changing layer is colorless and transparent before heating (it presents the desired color when it contains a colorant), the heated part changes to the desired color (when it contains a colorant, it is a color different from the color of the colorant) by heating it with a heating device.

[0052] Alternatively, at least the first surface 21a of the label body 21 may be subjected to alcohol resistance treatment using a polyethylene film or various surface treatment agents.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the first adhesive layer 22 is disposed on the second surface 21b of the tag body 21 and is disposed on the side of the RFID inlay 23 opposite to the blood collection tube 1 ( Figure 3 The upper side of the surface (the first surface 231a of the base film 231 described below).

[0054] The first adhesive layer 22 is formed to have substantially the same shape and size as the label body 21 in a manner corresponding to the label body 21 in a plan view. It can also be formed into any appropriate shape such as a substantially rectangular, substantially square, substantially triangular, substantially hexagonal, substantially polygonal, substantially circular, substantially elliptical, etc. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, it is formed into a substantially rectangular shape.

[0055] The area of ​​the first adhesive layer 22 in a plan view is preferably 1.5 to 3 times, more preferably 1.7 to 2.7 times, and even more preferably 2.0 to 2.5 times the area of ​​the second adhesive layer 24 .

[0056] like Figure 3As shown, the first adhesive layer 22 has a middle portion 221 disposed between the label body 21 and the base film 231 , and a peripheral portion 222 surrounding the periphery of the base film 231 .

[0057] The first adhesive layer 22 shows adhesiveness by attaching itself to the adherend, and can be formed by the adhesive agent that is called so-called pressure-sensitive adhesive. The adhesive agent that is used for the first adhesive layer 22 can use general adhesive agent, for example, can use the adhesive agent that takes acrylic resin, polysilicone resin, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, polyether resin, rubber resin etc. as base polymer. Wherein, with regard to the viewpoints such as transparency, adhesion, reliability, weather resistance, heat resistance and reprocessability, acrylic adhesive agent is preferably used. When using acrylic adhesive agent as adhesive agent, usually comprise crosslinking agent. It should be noted that base polymer agent refers to the polymer that is main component in the solid content component that constitutes adhesive agent.

[0058] Acrylic adhesive is not particularly limited, and preferably uses (meth)acrylate resins polymerized from (meth)acrylates such as butyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, isooctyl (meth)acrylate, and 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, and uses two or more copolymerized resins of these (meth)acrylates as base polymers. In addition, polar monomers may also be copolymerized in these resins. As polar monomers, monomers having polar functional groups such as carboxyl, hydroxyl, amide, amino, and epoxy groups, such as (meth)acrylic acid, 2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, (meth)acrylamide, 2-N,N-dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, and glycidyl (meth)acrylate, may be cited.

[0059] The thickness of the first adhesive layer 22 is preferably, for example, 10 μm to 30 μm.

[0060] like Figure 3 As shown, the RFID inlay 23 is disposed on the first adhesive layer 22 on the side of the blood collection tube body 11 ( Figure 3 The adhesive layer 22 has a lower surface (lower surface) 22b, and is configured to be sandwiched between the first adhesive layer 22 and the second adhesive layer 24.

[0061] The RFID inlay 23 includes, for example, a base film 231 having a smaller area than the tag body, an IC chip 232 on which identification information is recorded, and an antenna 233 formed of a loop-shaped conductor connected to the IC chip 232 .

[0062] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the base film 231 is a plate-shaped member formed in a rectangular shape. The base film 231 has a first surface 231a attached to the second surface 21b of the label body 21 via the first adhesive layer 22, and an attached object side ( Figure 3 The lower side of the surface (lower surface), that is, the second surface 231b.

[0063] The first adhesive layer 22 is located on the first surface 231a of the base film 231, and the base film 231 is attached to the lower surface 22b of the first adhesive layer 22. The base film 231 may be provided in a state where at least a portion thereof is buried in the first adhesive layer 22 in the thickness direction.

[0064] The base film 231 has, for example, Figure 1 For example, it is desirable that the depth D0 of the base film 231 is shorter than the minimum value of the outer periphery within the prescribed attachment range 11a of the blood collection tube 1. Thus, for example, Figure 1 As shown, the RFID inlay 23 can be attached to the blood sampling tube 1 so that the RFID inlay 23 does not overlap. In addition, the lateral width W0 of the base film 231 is preferably within a predetermined attachment range 11a of the blood sampling tube 1.

[0065] The central portion of the tag body 21 and the central portion of the base film 231 are preferably arranged so as to substantially overlap each other in a plan view.

[0066] As the material for forming the base film 231, synthetic resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), PET-G (terephthalic acid-cyclohexanedimethanol-ethylene glycol copolymer), polycarbonate, polyamide, polyimide, diacetyl cellulose, triacetyl cellulose, polystyrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyacrylate, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyurethane, and paper can be used. The base film 231 can be composed of a single film composed of the above synthetic resins, or a composite film obtained by laminating a plurality of films composed of the above synthetic resins.

[0067] The bending rigidity of the base film 231 is preferably smaller than the bending rigidity of the tag body 21 .

[0068] like Figure 3 As shown, the IC chip 232 is disposed on the attached object side of the base film 231 ( Figure 3 The IC chip 232 is an integrated circuit for an RFID system on which identification information is recorded, and is electrically connected to an antenna 233. The IC chip 232 uses the antenna 233 to receive radio waves transmitted at a predetermined wireless frequency (for example, 920 MHz band: 860 MHz to 960 MHz) from an unillustrated tag reader of the RFID inlay 23, and generates power from the received radio waves to start. In addition, the IC chip 232 uses the generated power to transmit radio waves including the identification information pre-recorded in the IC chip 232 to the tag reader.

[0069] like Figure 3 As shown, the antenna 233 is provided on the second surface 231 b of the base film 231 similarly to the IC chip 232 .

[0070] like Figure 4 As shown, the antenna 233 is connected to the IC chip 232. The antenna 233 has a rectangular shape, but is not particularly limited thereto and may be a polygon other than a rectangle, a circle, etc. The antenna 233 may be set to any appropriate shape according to the size of the base film 231, the installation area, etc.

[0071] The antenna 233 is formed into a ring shape by a highly conductive conductor (for example, a metal such as copper or aluminum). Figure 4 As shown, the antenna 233 includes an inner circumference 233a having a T-shaped shape, and no conductor is formed on the inner side of the inner circumference 233a. The portion on the inner side of the inner circumference 233a where no conductor is formed is referred to as an opening 234. In this way, the antenna 233 is formed by a ring-shaped conductor connected to the IC chip 232, and has a T-shaped opening 234 where no conductor is formed. The opening 234 can be formed to be symmetrical about the center line X of the opening 234. It should be noted that, with respect to the symmetrical shape, errors and deviations to the extent that the effect of the antenna 233 is not impaired are allowed. In addition, the shape of the opening 234 of the antenna 233 is not limited to the T-shaped shape, and there is no particular limitation as long as good communication characteristics can be obtained.

[0072] The impedance of the antenna 233 changes depending on whether there is liquid in the blood collection tube 1. If the impedance value of the antenna 233 is, for example, between 190Ω and 240Ω at 920MHz, it can be considered that the change in the resonance frequency is small, and good communication characteristics can be obtained regardless of whether there is liquid inside the blood collection tube 1. Therefore, the RFID inlay 23 has a T-shaped opening 234 through the antenna 233, and a good communication distance can be obtained regardless of whether there is liquid.

[0073] The antenna 233 can adjust the resonance frequency of the antenna 233 by adjusting the area inside the T-shape of the inner periphery 233 a , so that it can be easily adjusted to obtain good communication characteristics.

[0074] Furthermore, since the antenna 233 has a T-shaped inner periphery 233 a , the impedance of the antenna 233 , especially the impedance when the blood collection tube 1 is filled with liquid, can be easily adjusted.

[0075] Furthermore, the antenna 233 can easily adjust the impedance characteristics when a liquid is filled by changing the T-shape (non-similar shape) of the opening 234 while maintaining the area of ​​the opening 234 .

[0076] Furthermore, when the area of ​​the opening 234 of the antenna 233 is reduced, the impedance characteristics of the antenna 233 can be changed more significantly by reducing the area of ​​the opening 234 while maintaining the T-shaped similarity.

[0077] like Figure 4 As shown, the opening 234 includes: a first opening 234-1 extending in a direction parallel to one side of the rectangle on which the IC chip 232 is mounted (in the Y-axis direction); and a second opening 234-2 connected to the central portion of the first opening 234-1 and extending in a direction orthogonal to one side of the rectangle on which the IC chip 232 is mounted (in the +X-axis direction). Figure 4 In the figure, the two-point lock line indicating the boundary between the first opening 234 - 1 and the second opening 234 - 2 is an imaginary line and does not actually exist.

[0078] The depth D1 and width W1 of the antenna 233 can be appropriately and arbitrarily determined according to the usage frequency of the RFID inlay 23 within the range of the depth D0 and width W0 of the base film 231 .

[0079] The RFID inlay 23 is preferably attached to the blood collection tube 1 in such a manner that the length direction of the blood collection tube 1 is substantially parallel to the extension direction (Y-axis direction) of the first opening 234-1. Thus, better communication characteristics can be obtained. Figure 2 There is no significant difference in communication characteristics when the -Y-axis direction of the RFID inlay 23 shown is directed toward the sealing plug 12 side of the blood collection tube 1 and when the +Y-axis direction is directed toward the sealing plug 12 side of the blood collection tube 1. Therefore, the RFID inlay 23 only needs to be configured in such a way that the Y-axis direction of the RFID inlay 23 is directed toward the sealing plug 12 side of the blood collection tube 1.

[0080] It should be noted that the RFID inlay 23 may be attached to the blood sampling tube 1 in such a manner that the longitudinal direction of the blood sampling tube 1 intersects with the extending direction of the first opening 234 - 1 , for example.

[0081] It should be noted that the width W2 and the depth D2 of the first opening 234 - 1 and the width W3 and the depth D3 of the second opening 234 - 2 can be appropriately and arbitrarily determined according to the frequency of use of the RFID inlay 23 and the like.

[0082] The antenna 233 is formed by a conductor obtained by stamping, etching, electroplating, or screen printing of metal paste, etc., such as copper or aluminum foil. It should be noted that when aluminum is used as the conductor, the thickness of the conductor can be, for example, 5 μm to 40 μm, preferably 7 μm to 30 μm.

[0083] In the above configuration, the IC chip 232 has an internal capacitor, and a resonant circuit (matching circuit) is formed by the internal capacitor and the inductance component of the antenna 233. In the resonant circuit, at the resonant frequency at which the internal capacitor of the IC chip 232 resonates with the inductance component of the antenna 233, the imaginary component is almost zero, thereby achieving impedance matching and ensuring a sufficient communication distance.

[0084] The RFID inlay 23 is configured to obtain a good communication distance at a frequency of 920 MHz band (860 MHz to 960 MHz, preferably 915 MHz to 935 MHz), for example, regardless of the presence or absence of liquid (eg, blood) in the blood sampling tube 1 .

[0085] The second adhesive layer 24 is provided on the second surface 231 b of the base film 231 so as to cover the RFID inlay 23 including the IC chip 232 and the antenna 233 .

[0086] The second adhesive layer 24 exhibits adhesiveness by attaching itself to an adherend, and can be formed of an adhesive called a so-called pressure-sensitive adhesive, similar to the first adhesive layer 22. The adhesive used for the second adhesive layer 24 can be the same as that for the first adhesive layer 22, so detailed description is omitted.

[0087] The second adhesive layer 24 is formed to have a smaller area in a plan view than the first adhesive layer 22. The area of ​​the second adhesive layer 24 is preferably 60 to 90% of the area of ​​the first adhesive layer 22 in a plan view.

[0088] The second adhesive layer 24 preferably overlaps 100% with the first adhesive layer 22 in a plan view, but may slightly protrude from the first adhesive layer 22. Even in this case, the second adhesive layer 24 preferably overlaps 90% or more with the first adhesive layer 22 in a plan view.

[0089] In addition, the RFID tag 20 for medical tools preferably has a release paper 25 attached to the attachment surface of the second adhesive layer 24 before use to protect the first adhesive layer 22 and the second adhesive layer 24. When in use, the release paper 25 is peeled off from the first adhesive layer 22 and the second adhesive layer 24, and the first adhesive layer 22 and the second adhesive layer 24 are attached to the blood collection tube body 11. By attaching the release paper 25 to the first adhesive layer 22 and the second adhesive layer 24 in advance, the adhesion of the first adhesive layer 22 and the second adhesive layer 24 can be maintained even when the blood collection tube 1 is stored during non-use. Therefore, by peeling off the release paper 25 from the first adhesive layer 22 and the second adhesive layer 24 when in use, the RFID tag 20 for medical tools can be reliably attached to the blood collection tube 1 for use.

[0090] The bending rigidity of the release paper 25 is preferably smaller than the bending rigidity of the label body 21, and smaller than the bending rigidity of the base film 231. Since the bending rigidity of the release paper 25 is smaller, the release paper 25 can be easily arranged across the surface 222b of the outer peripheral portion 222 of the first adhesive layer 22 on the opposite side of the label body and the surface 24b of the second adhesive layer 24 on the opposite side of the label body without generating a gap.

[0091] [Method for manufacturing RFID tags for medical devices]

[0092] A method for manufacturing the RFID tag 20 for medical tools will be described. Figure 5 FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for manufacturing the RFID tag 20 for medical equipment. Figure 5 As shown, in the method of manufacturing the RFID tag 20 for medical tools, first, the RFID inlay 23 including the base film 231, the IC chip 232, and the antenna 233 is prepared (the preparation step of the RFID inlay 23: step S11).

[0093] Next, the first adhesive layer 22 is formed by applying an adhesive composition constituting the first adhesive layer 22 to the surface of the base film 231 side of the RFID inlay 23 (the first surface 231a of the base film 231) and curing it (first adhesive layer forming process: step S12).

[0094] Next, an adhesive composition constituting the second adhesive layer 24 is applied to the surface of the base film 231 on the side of the adhered object, i.e., the second surface 231b, in a range whose area is smaller than that of the first adhesive layer 22 when the RFID inlay 23 is viewed from above, and then hardened, thereby forming a second adhesive layer 24 whose area is smaller than that of the first adhesive layer 22 when viewed from above (process of forming the second adhesive layer: step S13).

[0095] Next, the label body 21 is attached to the surface of the first adhesive layer 22 opposite to the RFID inlay 23 , that is, the upper surface 22 a (label layer attaching step: step S14 ).

[0096] In this way, the RFID tag 20 for medical equipment can be obtained.

[0097] Thus, the RFID tag 20 for medical tools of the present embodiment includes a tag body 21, a first adhesive layer 22, an RFID inlay 23, and a second adhesive layer 24. The first adhesive layer 22 includes a middle portion 221 and a peripheral portion 222. The tag attachment surface is formed by a surface 222b on the opposite side of the tag body of the peripheral portion 222 of the first adhesive layer 22 and a surface 24b on the opposite side of the tag body of the second adhesive layer 24. Thus, the RFID tag 20 for medical tools can be maintained attached to the blood collection tube 1 as an attached object for a long time and is not easily peeled off from the blood collection tube 1.

[0098] The RFID tag 20 for medical tools can set the IC chip 232 and the antenna 233 on the second surface 231b of the base film 231, and set the second adhesive layer 24 on the second surface 231b of the base film 231 in a manner covering the IC chip 232 and the antenna 233. Thus, the RFID tag 20 for medical tools can absorb the step difference of the IC chip 232 and the antenna 233 of the tag body 21 by the second adhesive layer 24 when printing the tag body 21. The RFID tag 20 for medical tools can reduce the step difference between the central part of the tag body 21 (the area corresponding to the middle part 221 of the first adhesive layer 22) and the peripheral part thereof (the area corresponding to the outer peripheral part 222 of the first adhesive layer 22), thereby making the printing surface of the tag body 21 smooth, thereby improving the printing performance of the tag body 21.

[0099] The RFID tag 20 for medical tools is provided with a release paper 25 extending across the surface 222b on the opposite side of the label body of the outer peripheral portion 222 of the first adhesive layer 22 and the surface 24b on the opposite side of the label body of the second adhesive layer 24, so that the bending rigidity of the release paper 25 can be made smaller than the bending rigidity of the label body 21. Thus, the RFID tag 20 for medical tools can improve the bending rigidity of the label body 21, and the step difference of the adhesive surface is absorbed by the release paper 25, so that the printing surface of the label body 21 is smooth, so that the printing performance can be improved when printing on the label body 21.

[0100] The RFID tag 20 for medical tools may use thermal paper for the label body 21. Thus, the RFID tag 20 for medical tools can be printed appropriately while heating the label body 21.

[0101] The RFID tag 20 for medical tools may be subjected to alcohol resistance treatment on at least the first surface 21a of the tag body 21. Thus, even when alcohol contacts the printed surface of the tag body 21, the RFID tag 20 for medical tools can reduce the possibility of printing falling off.

[0102] The medical device RFID tag 20 can be arranged so that the central portion of the tag body 21 and the central portion of the base film 231 overlap each other in a plan view, and the area of ​​the first adhesive layer 22 in a plan view is 1.5 to 3 times the area of ​​the second adhesive layer 24. As a result, when the tag body 21 is printed, the first adhesive layer 22 can be further suppressed from protruding from the outer periphery of the medical device RFID tag 20, and the adhesion to the blood collection tube 1 can be more reliably maintained. As a result, the medical device RFID tag 20 can further suppress the contamination of the printing device or the tag body 21 of other medical device RFID tags 20 when the tag body 21 is printed, and the adhesion to the blood collection tube 1 can be more reliably maintained.

[0103] The second adhesive layer 24 of the medical tool RFID tag 20 can be provided in a manner that the area is smaller than the first adhesive layer 22 when the medical tool RFID tag 20 is viewed from above. As a result, the area of ​​the first adhesive layer 22 in contact with the blood collection tube 1 can be made small. Therefore, even if the medical tool RFID tag 20 is pressed from the outside and deformed when characters, graphics, etc. are printed on the surface of the label body 21 by a printing device, the amount of the first adhesive layer 22 protruding outward from the outer periphery of the medical tool RFID tag 20 can be suppressed, and the adhesiveness with the blood collection tube 1 is maintained. Since the amount of the first adhesive layer 22 protruding from the outer periphery of the medical tool RFID tag 20 is suppressed, when the label body 21 is printed, the first adhesive layer 22 protruding from the outer periphery of the medical tool RFID tag 20 can be suppressed from adhering to the printing device. Thus, the medical tool RFID tag 20 can be attached to the blood collection tube 1 while maintaining adhesive strength while preventing the printing device or the tag body 21 of other medical tool RFID tags 20 from being contaminated during printing of the tag body 21 .

[0104] In addition, the RFID tag 20 for medical tools can appropriately suppress the stickiness (peeling force) to the release paper 25 by making the area where the first adhesive layer 22 contacts the blood collection tube 1 small, so that when the label body 21 is printed, it can be smoothly transported when it is transported to the printing device. As a result, the RFID tag 20 for medical tools can suppress the upward feeding (paper feeding) failure in the printing device when printing the label body 21, so the label body 21 can be properly printed. In addition, the RFID tag 20 for medical tools can print the label body 21 with a deeper printing depth, so the alcohol resistance can be improved.

[0105] Furthermore, since the area of ​​the first adhesive layer 22 in contact with the blood collection tube 1 is small, even if the medical device RFID tag 20 is pressed inside the printing device, the thickness of the medical device RFID tag 20 can be suppressed from being deformed due to the deformation of the first adhesive layer 22. Thus, when the medical device RFID tag 20 is printed on the label body 21, the generation of a chip mark can be suppressed.

[0106] The medical device RFID tag 20 may be provided with at least a portion of the base film 231 embedded in the first adhesive layer 22. Thus, the medical device RFID tag 20 can easily suppress the difference in thickness between the portion where the RFID inlay 23 is disposed and the portion other than the base film 23. Thus, the medical device RFID tag 20 can further improve the adhesion to the blood collection tube 1, thereby more reliably maintaining the adhesion, and when the label body 21 is printed, it can more reliably suppress the occurrence of a chip in the printed portion of the label body 21.

[0107] The first adhesive layer 22 and the second adhesive layer 24 of the medical device RFID tag 20 may contain an acrylic resin. As a result, the first adhesive layer 22 and the second adhesive layer 24 can improve transparency, adhesiveness, reliability, weather resistance, heat resistance, and reworkability, so that the medical device RFID tag 20 can further improve the adhesiveness to the blood collection tube 1 and improve the durability, thereby being able to stably maintain the state of being attached to the blood collection tube 1.

[0108] [Example]

[0109] Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but the embodiment is not limited to these Examples and Comparative Examples.

[0110] <Manufacturing of RFID tags for medical devices>

[0111] [Example 1]

[0112] An RFID inlay having an IC chip and an antenna disposed on a base film (PET) is prepared. An acrylic adhesive is applied to the upper surface of the base film of the prepared RFID inlay to form a first adhesive layer. Then, an acrylic adhesive is applied to the surface of the RFID inlay having the IC chip and the antenna disposed thereon in such a manner that the coating area is smaller than that of the first adhesive layer when viewed from above to form a second adhesive layer. Then, a thermal paper is attached to the upper surface of the first adhesive layer as a label body, and a release paper is attached to the lower surfaces of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer. Thus, an RFID tag for medical devices is manufactured.

[0113] (Physical properties of adhesive)

[0114] As the physical properties of the acrylic adhesive used, the adhesive force, ball tack and holding power were measured. The measurement results showed that the adhesive force of the acrylic adhesive was 23.0 N / 25 mm after 20 minutes after being applied to polyethylene (PE), and 23.3 N / 25 mm after 24 hours. It was 24.4 N / 25 mm after 20 minutes after being applied to stainless steel (SUS), and 24.3 N / 25 mm after 24 hours. The measurement results showed that the ball tack of the acrylic adhesive was 10 N / cm 2The measurement results show that the retention force of the acrylic adhesive is 429 minutes. The difference between the adhesive force measured 20 minutes after the application of the acrylic adhesive and the adhesive force measured 24 hours after the application of the acrylic adhesive tends to decrease. It can be considered that the high adhesive force immediately after the application of the acrylic adhesive means that it is not easy to fall off from the blood collection tube.

[0115] [Comparative Example 1]

[0116] Prepare an RFID tag with an IC chip and an antenna on a base film (PET). Apply a hot-melt adhesive to the upper surface of the base film of the prepared RFID tag to form a hot-melt layer. Then, apply an acrylic adhesive to the surface of the RFID tag on which the IC chip and the antenna are arranged in a manner that is approximately the same area as the hot-melt layer when viewed from above to form a second adhesive layer. Then, attach a thermal paper as a label body to the upper surface of the hot-melt layer, and attach a release paper to the lower surfaces of the hot-melt layer and the second adhesive layer. In this way, a label such as Figure 8 RFID tags for medical devices are shown.

[0117] <Evaluation of RFID tags for medical devices>

[0118] [Protrusion of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer]

[0119] 100 RFID tags for medical devices were produced, and after a load of 20 kg was applied to each RFID tag for medical devices at 40°C and stored for 48 hours, the ends of the RFID tags for medical devices were observed to confirm the protrusion of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer. In Comparative Example 1, there were 5 RFID tags for medical devices that protruded by about 1 mm visually, but in Example 1, there were 0 RFID tags for medical devices that protruded by about 1 mm visually. Therefore, it can be considered that the RFID tags for medical devices in Example 1 are less likely to cause contamination to the printer than the RFID tags for medical devices in Comparative Example 1.

[0120] [Peel force of RFID tags for medical devices]

[0121] The manufactured RFID tag for medical devices is fixed to a base in a manner that it contacts the release paper, and after the RFID tag for medical devices is placed for 4 hours, the peeling force between the front end of the RFID tag for medical devices and the central part of the RFID tag for medical devices is measured when the RFID tag for medical devices is peeled off along the forward direction from the end portion located on the forward direction side when the release paper is printed by a printing device (the front end of the RFID tag for medical devices). The peeling force of the RFID tag for medical devices is measured when the RFID tag for medical devices is placed in an environment of normal temperature (23°C ± 2°C), in an environment of low temperature and low humidity (4°C, RH10%), and in an environment of high temperature and high humidity (40°C, RH90%). The measurement results of the peeling force of the RFID tag for medical devices under each environment are shown in Figures 7 to 9 .like Figures 7 to 9 As shown, it was confirmed that the RFID tag for medical devices of Example 1 had a stable peeling force under the above-mentioned respective environments compared with the RFID tag for medical devices of Comparative Example 1.

[0122] [Dislocation of blood collection tubes]

[0123] The manufactured RFID tag for medical tools was placed in a state attached to a film-covered tube in each of the following environments 1 to 5, and the RFID tag for medical tools was visually checked for detachment from the blood collection tube. As a result, compared with the RFID tag for medical tools of Comparative Example 1, the RFID tag for medical tools of Example 1 was not observed to detach or float under the above-mentioned environments.

[0124] (environment)

[0125] Environment 1: Normal temperature, air, 48 hours

[0126] Environment 2: 37°C, air, 48 hours

[0127] Environment 3: 4°C, air, 48 hours

[0128] Environment 4: 4°C, in water, 24 hours → room temperature, 24 hours

[0129] Environment 5: 37°C, water, 24 hours

[0130] <Evaluation in Printer>

[0131] 1,300 sheets of the manufactured thermal paper for RFID tags for medical devices were printed using a commercially available printer as a printing device, and the peeling angle during printing, contamination of the printer, and chip marks on the thermal paper were observed.

[0132] (1) Peeling angle

[0133] As a result of visually measuring the peeling angle, the peeling angles of the medical device RFID tag of Example 1 and the medical device RFID tag of Comparative Example 1 were substantially the same, and no significant difference was observed.

[0134] (2) Printer pollution

[0135] The result of visually observing the contamination of the printer was that when the RFID tag for medical devices of Example 1 was used, adhesive was only observed to be attached to the printer head, and no contaminants were observed to be attached to the printer base. On the other hand, when the RFID tag for medical devices of Comparative Example 1 was used, a large amount of adhesive was observed to be attached to the printer head, and a large amount of contaminants were observed to be attached to the printer base.

[0136] (3) Chip traces

[0137] Visually observe the chip traces. The observation results of the chip traces are shown in Fig.10 .like Fig.10 As shown, in the RFID tag for medical devices of Example 1, the chip traces were about 120 pieces / 1300 sheets, which was almost not confirmed, while in the RFID tag for medical devices of Comparative Example 1, the chip traces were about 850 pieces / 1300 sheets, which was confirmed to be more. Therefore, it can be considered that the RFID tag for medical devices of Example 1 has significantly reduced the chip traces compared with the RFID tag for medical devices of Comparative Example 1.

[0138] <Alcohol resistance>

[0139] After printing the following pattern on the manufactured medical device RFID label, the printer printing density was set to ±0, and the label was contacted with the alcohol-impregnated nonwoven fabric for 5 minutes. After removing the nonwoven fabric, it was allowed to dry naturally. It was confirmed that the medical device RFID label of Example 1 was resistant to alcohol compared to the medical device RFID label of Comparative Example 1. This is considered to be because the printing depth of the medical device RFID label of Example 1 when printing on thermal paper is deeper than that of the medical device RFID label of Comparative Example 1.

[0140] Therefore, it can be considered that the RFID tag for medical devices of Example 1 can improve the shedding of self-collected blood tubes, is less likely to cause contaminants to adhere to the printer when printing on thermal paper, is easier to feed upward in the printer, has excellent alcohol resistance, and can reduce chip marks when printing on thermal paper.

[0141] As described above, the embodiments are described, but the above embodiments are shown only as an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various combinations, omissions, substitutions, changes, etc. can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments or their variations are included in the scope or purpose of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the scope of the patent application and its equivalent.

[0142] Examples of the present invention are as follows.

[0143] [1] An RFID tag for medical equipment, which is attached to the medical equipment and comprises:

[0144] A label body having a first surface on which words can be printed and a second surface opposite to the first surface;

[0145] A first adhesive layer, which is disposed on the second surface of the label body;

[0146] An RFID inlay having a first surface attached to the second surface of the tag body via the first adhesive layer, and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and having a base film with a smaller area than the tag body, an antenna, and an IC chip; and

[0147] The second adhesive layer is disposed on the second surface of the base film, wherein

[0148] The first adhesive layer has a middle portion disposed between the label body and the base film, and a peripheral portion surrounding the periphery of the base film.

[0149] The surface of the outer peripheral portion of the first adhesive layer on the opposite side to the label body and the surface of the second adhesive layer on the opposite side to the label body form a label attachment surface.

[0150] [2] The RFID tag for medical devices according to [1], wherein the antenna and the IC chip are provided on the second surface of the base film,

[0151] The second adhesive layer covers the IC chip and the antenna and is disposed on the second surface of the base film.

[0152] [3] The RFID tag for medical devices as described in [1] or [2], further comprising: a release paper provided across a surface of the outer peripheral portion of the first adhesive layer on the opposite side of the label body and a surface of the second adhesive layer on the opposite side of the label body,

[0153] The bending rigidity of the release paper is smaller than the bending rigidity of the label body.

[0154] [4] The RFID tag for medical devices according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the tag body is thermal paper.

[0155] [5] The RFID tag for medical equipment according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein at least the first surface of the tag body is subjected to an alcohol-resistant treatment.

[0156] [6] The RFID tag for medical devices according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the central portion of the tag body and the central portion of the base film are arranged to overlap each other when viewed from above,

[0157] The area of ​​the first adhesive layer in a plan view is 1.5 to 3 times the area of ​​the second adhesive layer.

[0158] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-83421 filed with the Japan Patent Office on May 20, 2022, and cites all the contents described in that application.

[0159] Description of Reference Numerals

[0160] 1 Blood collection tube

[0161] 20 RFID tags for medical devices

[0162] 21 Tag body

[0163] 22 First adhesive layer

[0164] 23 RFID Inlay

[0165] 232 IC Chip

[0166] 233 Antenna

[0167] 234 Opening

[0168] 24 Second adhesive layer

[0169] 25 Peel off the paper.

Claims

1. An RFID tag for medical equipment, which is attached to the medical equipment and comprises: A label body having a first surface on which words can be printed and a second surface opposite to the first surface; A first adhesive layer, which is disposed on the second surface of the label body; An RFID inlay having a first surface attached to the second surface of the tag body via the first adhesive layer, and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and having a base film with a smaller area than the tag body, an antenna, and an IC chip; as well as The second adhesive layer is disposed on the second surface of the base film, wherein The first adhesive layer has a middle portion disposed between the label body and the base film, and a peripheral portion surrounding the periphery of the base film. The surface of the outer peripheral portion of the first adhesive layer on the opposite side to the label body and the surface of the second adhesive layer on the opposite side to the label body form a label attachment surface.

2. The RFID tag for medical equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The antenna and the IC chip are arranged on the second surface of the base film. The second adhesive layer covers the IC chip and the antenna and is disposed on the second surface of the base film.

3. The RFID tag for medical equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The invention further comprises: a release paper which is arranged across the surface of the outer peripheral portion of the first adhesive layer on the opposite side of the label body and the surface of the second adhesive layer on the opposite side of the label body, The bending rigidity of the release paper is smaller than the bending rigidity of the label body.

4. The RFID tag for medical equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The label body is thermal paper.

5. The RFID tag for medical equipment according to claim 1, wherein: At least the first surface of the label body is subjected to alcohol resistance treatment.

6. The RFID tag for medical equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The central portion of the label body and the central portion of the base film are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed from above. The area of ​​the first adhesive layer in a plan view is 1.5 to 3 times the area of ​​the second adhesive layer.

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