Devices, systems, and methods for detecting medical device components and / or their mating

Abstract

A medical device assembly for detecting medical device components and / or their mating is provided. The medical device assembly can include a first medical device component having at least one first resonant structure that can have a first resonant frequency spectrum. The second medical device component can have at least one second resonant structure that can have a second resonant frequency spectrum that is different from the first resonant frequency spectrum. When the first medical device component is mated to the second medical device component, the first resonant structure and the second resonant structure can combine to have a third resonant frequency spectrum, which can be different from the first resonant frequency spectrum and the second resonant frequency spectrum. Systems and methods are also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for detecting medical device components, and in some particular embodiments or aspects, to devices, systems, and methods for detecting the mating of medical device components.

Background Art

[0002] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 021,496, filed May 7, 2020, entitled "Device, System, and Method for Detection of Medical Device Components and / or Mating Thereof", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] Certain techniques for identifying products can include machine - readable optical labels (e.g., barcodes, quick response (QR) codes, etc.). For example, optical labels can be relatively inexpensive to affix to products and / or their packages (e.g., by sticking a sticker to the product and / or package, printing directly on the product and / or package, etc.). However, readers for such optical labels can have drawbacks such as using a relatively complex optical system, requiring a line of sight (e.g., between the reader and the optical label) for operation, the need to be manually aligned and / or triggered, and being difficult to use in automation.

[0004] Other techniques for identifying products may include radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. For example, such RFID tags may include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and an antenna. The antenna may enable the transmission and / or reception of data via wireless communication, which may not require a line of sight for operation. The ASIC may enable the storage of data on the RFID tag, the reading of data from the RFID tag, and / or the writing of data to the RFID tag. However, such RFID tags can be relatively expensive, which may be at least partially due to the cost and / or time to produce the ASIC. Additionally, the ability to operate without a line of sight may be desirable for automation, but the increased cost of RFID tags (e.g., compared to optical labels) may not be suitable for the manufacture, identification, tracking, etc. of inexpensive products and / or disposable products (such as inexpensive medical device components and / or disposable medical device components).

[0005] In addition, while certain techniques (e.g., optical labels, RFID tags, etc.) can be used to identify individual products, such techniques may not be able to detect the fitting of products (e.g., the fitting of medical device components).

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0006]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of the subject matter of the present disclosure to provide a device, system, and method for detecting medical device components and / or their mating.

[0008] According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a medical device assembly for detecting medical device components and / or their mating is provided. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a medical device assembly for detecting medical device components and / or their mating may include a first medical device component having at least one first resonant structure. The first resonant structure may have a first resonant frequency spectrum. The second medical device component may have at least one second resonant structure. The second resonant structure may have a second resonant frequency spectrum different from the first resonant frequency spectrum. When the first medical device component is mated with the second medical device component, the first resonant structure and the second resonant structure may combine to have a third resonant frequency spectrum. The third resonant frequency spectrum may be different from the first resonant frequency spectrum and the second resonant frequency spectrum.

[0009] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first resonant structure may include a first spiral resonator. Additionally or alternatively, the first resonant frequency spectrum may include a first natural frequency of the first spiral resonator. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second resonant structure may include a second spiral resonator. Additionally or alternatively, the second resonant frequency spectrum may include a second natural frequency of the second spiral resonator. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when the first medical device component is mated with the second medical device component, the first spiral resonator and the second spiral resonator may be coupled to form a resonant circuit having a third natural frequency. Additionally or alternatively, the third resonant frequency spectrum may include the third natural frequency of the resonant circuit.

[0010] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first spiral resonator may include a first spiral-shaped metal conductor adjacent to a first metal strip of at least one first antenna element of the first medical device component. Additionally or alternatively, the first spiral-shaped metal conductor may have a first inductance, a first capacitance, a first resistance value, any combination thereof, and the like. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second spiral resonator may include a second spiral-shaped metal conductor adjacent to a second metal strip of at least one second antenna element of the second medical device component. Additionally or alternatively, the second spiral-shaped metal conductor may have a second inductance, a second capacitance, a second resistance value, any combination thereof, and the like. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least one of the first inductance, the first capacitance, and / or the first resistance value may be different from at least one of the second inductance, the second capacitance, and / or the second resistance value, respectively.

[0011] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first medical device component may include a male Luer connector and / or the second medical device component may include a corresponding female Luer connector. Additionally or alternatively, the first resonant structure may be disposed with the male Luer connector, and the second resonant structure may be disposed with the female Luer connector.

[0012] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first resonant structure may include a plurality of first resonant structures. Additionally or alternatively, each of the plurality of first resonant structures may be disposed at a distinct scale marking on the first medical device component. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each of the plurality of first resonant structures may include a conductive ink.

[0013] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first medical device component may include a first receiving antenna element and a first transmitting antenna element. Additionally or alternatively, the first receiving antenna element and the first transmitting antenna element may be cross-polarized. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second medical device component may include a second receiving antenna element and a second transmitting antenna element. Additionally or alternatively, the second receiving antenna element and the second transmitting antenna element may be cross-polarized.

[0014] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when interrogating the first medical device component using a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the first resonator may attenuate at least one first frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the first resonance frequency spectrum to form a first attenuated electromagnetic signal (hereinafter, the first attenuated EM signal). Additionally or alternatively, when interrogating the second medical device component using a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the second resonator may attenuate at least one second frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the second resonance frequency spectrum to form a second attenuated electromagnetic signal (hereinafter, the second attenuated EM signal). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when interrogating the first medical device component mated with the second medical device component using a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, at least one third frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the third resonance frequency spectrum may be attenuated to form a third attenuated electromagnetic signal (hereinafter, the third attenuated EM signal).

[0015] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal may be generated by a first generator. Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the first attenuated electromagnetic signal, the second attenuated electromagnetic signal, and / or the third attenuated electromagnetic signal may be detected by a first reader.

[0016] According to non - limiting embodiments or aspects, a system for detecting medical device components and / or their fitting is provided. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, a system for detecting medical device components and / or their fitting may include a medical device assembly that may include a first medical device component and a second medical device component. The first medical device component may have at least one first resonant structure that may have a first resonant frequency spectrum. The second medical device component may have at least one second resonant structure that may have a second resonant frequency spectrum different from the first resonant frequency spectrum. When the first medical device component is fitted to the second medical device component, the first resonant structure and the second resonant structure may combine to have a third resonant frequency spectrum, which may be different from the first resonant frequency spectrum and the second resonant frequency spectrum. At least one generator may transmit an interrogation signal to the medical device assembly. At least one reader may receive at least one reflected signal from the medical device assembly.

[0017] In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the interrogation signal may include a multi - frequency electromagnetic signal. Additionally or alternatively, the interrogation signal may include a continuous - wave multi - frequency electromagnetic signal with uniform amplitude and phase.

[0018] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when interrogating a first medical device component with a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the first resonant structure may attenuate at least one first frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the first resonant frequency spectrum to form a first attenuated electromagnetic signal (hereinafter, the first attenuated EM signal). Additionally or alternatively, when interrogating a second medical device component with a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the second resonant structure may attenuate at least one second frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the second resonant frequency spectrum to form a second attenuated electromagnetic signal (hereinafter, the second attenuated EM signal). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when interrogating a first medical device component mated with a second medical device component with a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, at least one third frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the third resonant frequency spectrum may be attenuated to form a third attenuated electromagnetic signal (hereinafter, the third attenuated EM signal). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reflected signal may include at least one of the first attenuated EM signal, the second attenuated EM signal, and / or the third attenuated EM signal.

[0019] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when interrogating a first medical device component using an interrogation signal, the reader may detect the first resonance frequency spectrum by at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, frequency attenuation, any combination thereof, etc. in the reflected signal corresponding to the first resonance frequency spectrum. Additionally or alternatively, when interrogating a second medical device component using an interrogation signal, the reader may detect the second resonance frequency spectrum by at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, frequency attenuation, any combination thereof, etc. in the reflected signal corresponding to the second resonance frequency spectrum. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when interrogating a first medical device component fitted with a second medical device component using an interrogation signal, the reader may detect the third resonance frequency spectrum by at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, frequency attenuation, any combination thereof, etc. in at least one reflected signal corresponding to the third resonance frequency spectrum.

[0020] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reader may include a first communication interface for communicating reflected signal data associated with the reflected signal via a first network. Additionally or alternatively, at least one server may have a second communication interface configured to communicate with the first communication interface of at least one reader via the first network. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the server may receive the reflected signal data via the first network. Additionally or alternatively, the server may store the reflected signal data in a database.

[0021] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least one leader may include a plurality of leaders. Additionally or alternatively, each leader may be located within at least one site, and the location of each leader may be different from the locations of all other leaders among the plurality of leaders. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the location of the medical device assembly may be determined based on which leader among the plurality of leaders detects the medical device assembly.

[0022] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first resonant structure may include a first spiral resonator. Additionally or alternatively, the first resonance frequency spectrum may include a first natural frequency of the first spiral resonator. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second resonant structure may include a second spiral resonator. Additionally or alternatively, the second resonance frequency spectrum may include a second natural frequency of the second spiral resonator. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when the first medical device component is fitted to the second medical device component, the first spiral resonator and the second spiral resonator may be coupled to form a resonant circuit having a third natural frequency. Additionally or alternatively, the third resonance frequency spectrum may include the third natural frequency of the resonant circuit.

[0023] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first medical device component may include a male Luer connector, and the second medical device component may include a corresponding female Luer connector. Additionally or alternatively, the first resonant structure may be disposed with the male Luer connector, and the second resonant structure may be disposed with the female Luer connector.

[0024] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first resonant structure may include a plurality of first resonant structures. Additionally or alternatively, each of the plurality of first resonant structures may be disposed at a distinct scale marking on the first medical device component. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each of the plurality of first resonant structures may include conductive ink.

[0025] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first medical device component may include at least one first antenna element. Additionally or alternatively, the second medical device component may include at least one second antenna element. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the generator may include at least one third antenna element. Additionally or alternatively, the reader may include at least one fourth antenna element. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the generator may transmit an interrogation signal using the third antenna element, and the reader may receive a reflection signal using the fourth antenna element. Additionally or alternatively, the interrogation signal may be received by at least one of the first antenna element, the second antenna element, any combination thereof, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the reflection signal may be transmitted by at least one of the first antenna element, the second antenna element, any combination thereof, etc.

[0026] According to non - limiting embodiments or aspects, a method for detecting the fitting of medical device components is provided. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the method for detecting the fitting of medical device components may include providing a first medical device component having at least one first resonant structure. The first resonant structure may have a first resonant frequency spectrum. A second medical device component having at least one second resonant structure may be provided. The second resonant structure may have a second resonant frequency spectrum different from the first resonant frequency spectrum. The first medical device component may fit into the second medical device component to form a medical device assembly. When fitting, the first resonant structure and the second resonant structure may be combined to have a third resonant frequency spectrum. The third resonant frequency spectrum may be different from the first resonant frequency spectrum and the second resonant frequency spectrum. The medical device assembly may be interrogated using an interrogation signal. Additionally or alternatively, a reflected signal from the medical device assembly may be detected. The reflected signal may correspond to the third resonant frequency spectrum.

[0027] In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the interrogation signal may include a multi - frequency electromagnetic signal.

[0028] In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, when interrogating the medical device assembly using the interrogation signal, at least one frequency component of the interrogation signal corresponding to the third resonant frequency spectrum may be attenuated to form a reflected signal. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, detecting the reflected signal may include receiving the reflected signal and detecting at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, frequency attenuation, any combination thereof, etc. in the reflected signal corresponding to the third resonant frequency spectrum.

[0029] In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the reflected signal data associated with the reflected signal may be stored in a database.

[0030] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, detecting the reflected signal may include detecting the reflected signal using a reader. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reader may be one of a plurality of readers. Additionally or alternatively, each reader of the plurality of readers may be located within at least one area. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the position of the medical device assembly may be determined based on the position of the reader.

[0031] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first resonant structure may include a first spiral resonator. Additionally or alternatively, the first resonance frequency spectrum may include a first natural frequency of the first spiral resonator. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second resonant structure may include a second spiral resonator. Additionally or alternatively, the second resonance frequency spectrum may include a second natural frequency of the second spiral resonator. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when the first medical device component is fitted to the second medical device component, the first spiral resonator and the second spiral resonator may be coupled to form a resonant circuit having a third natural frequency. Additionally or alternatively, the third resonance frequency spectrum may include the third natural frequency of the resonant circuit.

[0032] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first medical device component may include a male Luer connector. Additionally or alternatively, the second medical device component may include a corresponding female Luer connector. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first resonant structure may be disposed together with the male Luer connector. Additionally or alternatively, the second resonant structure may be disposed together with the female Luer connector.

[0033] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first resonant structure may include a plurality of first resonant structures. Additionally or alternatively, each of the plurality of first resonant structures may be disposed at a distinct scale marking on the first medical device component. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each of the plurality of first resonant structures may include a conductive ink.

[0034] Further embodiments or aspects are described in the following numbered clauses.

[0035] Clause 1: A first medical device component having at least one first resonant structure, wherein the at least one first resonant structure has a first resonant frequency spectrum, and a second medical device component having at least one second resonant structure, wherein the at least one second resonant structure has a second resonant frequency spectrum different from the first resonant frequency spectrum, the medical device assembly comprising the first medical device component and the second medical device component, wherein when the first medical device component is fitted to the second medical device component, the at least one first resonant structure and the at least one second resonant structure combine to have a third resonant frequency spectrum different from the first resonant frequency spectrum and the second resonant frequency spectrum.

[0036] Clause 2: The medical device assembly according to Clause 1, wherein the at least one first resonant structure comprises a first spiral resonator, the first resonant frequency spectrum includes a first natural frequency of the first spiral resonator, the at least one second resonant structure comprises a second spiral resonator, and the second resonant frequency spectrum includes a second natural frequency of the second spiral resonator.

[0037] Clause 3. When the first medical device component is fitted to the second medical device component, the first spiral resonator and the second spiral resonator are coupled to form a resonant circuit having a third natural frequency, and the third resonant frequency spectrum includes the third natural frequency of the resonant circuit, which is a medical device assembly as described in Clause 1 or 2.

[0038] Clause 4. The first spiral resonator includes a first spiral-shaped metal conductor adjacent to the first metal strip of at least one first antenna element of the first medical device component. The first spiral-shaped metal conductor has a first inductance, a first capacitance, and a first resistance value. The second spiral resonator includes a second spiral-shaped metal conductor adjacent to the second metal strip of at least one second antenna element of the second medical device component. The second spiral-shaped metal conductor has a second inductance, a second capacitance, and a second resistance value. At least one of the first inductance, the first capacitance, or the first resistance value is different from at least one of the second inductance, the second capacitance, or the second resistance value, which is a medical device assembly as described in any one of Clauses 1 to 3.

[0039] Clause 5. The first medical device component includes a male Luer connector, the second medical device component includes a corresponding female Luer connector, at least one first resonant structure is disposed together with the male Luer connector, and at least one second resonant structure is disposed together with the female Luer connector, which is a medical device assembly as described in any one of Clauses 1 to 4.

[0040] Clause 6. At least one first resonant structure includes a plurality of first resonant structures, each of the plurality of first resonant structures is disposed at a separate scale marking on the first medical device component, and each of the plurality of first resonant structures includes conductive ink, which is a medical device assembly as described in any one of Clauses 1 to 5.

[0041] Clause 7. The first medical device component includes a first receiving antenna element and a first transmitting antenna element, the first receiving antenna element and the first transmitting antenna element are cross-polarized, the second medical device component includes a second receiving antenna element and a second transmitting antenna element, and the second receiving antenna element and the second transmitting antenna element are cross-polarized. The medical device assembly according to any one of Clauses 1 to 6.

[0042] Clause 8. When interrogating the first medical device component using a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, at least one first resonant structure attenuates at least one first frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the first resonant frequency spectrum to form a first attenuated electromagnetic signal. When interrogating the second medical device component using a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, at least one second resonant structure attenuates at least one second frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the second resonant frequency spectrum to form a second attenuated electromagnetic signal. When interrogating the first medical device component fitted with the second medical device component using a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, at least one third frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the third resonant frequency spectrum is attenuated to form a third attenuated electromagnetic signal. The medical device assembly according to any one of Clauses 1 to 7.

[0043] Clause 9. The multi-frequency electromagnetic signal is generated by a first generator, and at least one of the first attenuated electromagnetic signal, the second attenuated electromagnetic signal, or the third attenuated electromagnetic signal is detected by a first reader. The medical device assembly according to any one of Clauses 1 to 8.

[0044] Clause 10. A medical device assembly comprising: a first medical device component having at least one first resonant structure, the at least one first resonant structure having a first resonant frequency spectrum; a second medical device component having at least one second resonant structure, the at least one second resonant structure having a second resonant frequency spectrum different from the first resonant frequency spectrum; wherein when the first medical device component is fitted to the second medical device component, the at least one first resonant structure and the at least one second resonant structure combine to have a third resonant frequency spectrum, the third resonant frequency spectrum being different from the first resonant frequency spectrum and the second resonant frequency spectrum; a medical device assembly; at least one generator configured to transmit an interrogation signal to the medical device assembly; and at least one reader configured to receive at least one reflected signal from the medical device assembly.

[0045] Clause 11. The system according to Clause 10, wherein the interrogation signal comprises a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal.

[0046] Clause 12. The system according to Clause 10 or 11, wherein the interrogation signal comprises a continuous wave multi-frequency electromagnetic signal having a uniform amplitude and phase.

[0047] Clause 13. When querying a first medical device component using a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, at least one first resonant structure attenuates at least one first frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the first resonant frequency spectrum to form a first attenuated electromagnetic signal. When querying a second medical device component using a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, at least one second resonant structure attenuates at least one second frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the second resonant frequency spectrum to form a second attenuated electromagnetic signal. When querying a first medical device component fitted with a second medical device component using a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, at least one third frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the third resonant frequency spectrum is attenuated to form a third attenuated electromagnetic signal. At least one reflected signal includes at least one of the first attenuated electromagnetic signal, the second attenuated electromagnetic signal, or the third attenuated electromagnetic signal, and the system according to any one of Clauses 10 to 12.

[0048] Clause 14. When querying a first medical device component using an interrogation signal, at least one reader detects the first resonant frequency spectrum by at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, or frequency attenuation in at least one reflected signal corresponding to the first resonant frequency spectrum. When querying a second medical device component using an interrogation signal, at least one reader detects the second resonant frequency spectrum by at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, or frequency attenuation in at least one reflected signal corresponding to the second resonant frequency spectrum. When querying a first medical device component fitted with a second medical device component using an interrogation signal, at least one reader detects the third resonant frequency spectrum by at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, or frequency attenuation in at least one reflected signal corresponding to the third resonant frequency spectrum, and the system according to any one of Clauses 10 to 13.

[0049] Clause 15. At least one leader further comprises a first communication interface for communicating reflected signal data associated with a reflected signal via a first network, and the system further comprises at least one server having a second communication interface configured to communicate with the first communication interface of at least one leader via the first network, wherein the at least one server is configured to receive the reflected signal data via the first network, and the at least one server is configured to store the reflected signal data in a database. The system according to any one of Clauses 10 to 14.

[0050] Clause 16. At least one leader includes a plurality of leaders, each leader of the plurality of leaders is located at a position within at least one site, and the position of each leader of the plurality of leaders is different from the positions of all other leaders of the plurality of leaders. The system according to any one of Clauses 10 to 15.

[0051] Clause 17. The position of the medical device assembly is determined based on which of the plurality of leaders detects the medical device assembly. The system according to any one of Clauses 10 to 16.

[0052] Clause 18. At least one first resonant structure comprises a first spiral resonator, the first resonant frequency spectrum includes the first natural frequency of the first spiral resonator, at least one second resonant structure comprises a second spiral resonator, and the second resonant frequency spectrum includes the second natural frequency of the second spiral resonator. The system according to any one of Clauses 10 to 17.

[0053] Clause 19. When a first medical device component is fitted to a second medical device component, the first spiral resonator and the second spiral resonator are coupled to form a resonant circuit having a third natural frequency, and the third resonant frequency spectrum includes the third natural frequency of the resonant circuit. The system according to any one of Clauses 10 to 18.

[0054] Clause 20. The first medical device component comprises a male Luer connector, the second medical device component comprises a corresponding female Luer connector, at least one first resonant structure is disposed together with the male Luer connector, and at least one second resonant structure is disposed together with the female Luer connector. The system according to any one of Clauses 10 to 19.

[0055] Clause 21. At least one first resonant structure comprises a plurality of first resonant structures, each of the plurality of first resonant structures is disposed on a separate scale marking on the first medical device component, and each of the plurality of first resonant structures contains conductive ink. The system according to any one of Clauses 10 to 20.

[0056] Clause 22. The first medical device component comprises at least one first antenna element, the second medical device component comprises at least one second antenna element, the generator comprises at least one third antenna element, the reader comprises at least one fourth antenna element, the generator is configured to transmit an interrogation signal using at least one third antenna element, the reader is configured to receive a reflection signal using at least one fourth antenna element, the interrogation signal is received by at least one of at least one first antenna element or at least one second antenna element, and the reflection signal is transmitted by at least one of at least one first antenna element or at least one second antenna element. The system according to any one of Clauses 10 to 21.

[0057] Clause 23. A method for detecting the fitting of medical device components, comprising the steps of: providing a first medical device component having at least one first resonant structure, wherein the at least one first resonant structure has a first resonant frequency spectrum; providing a second medical device component having at least one second resonant structure, wherein the at least one second resonant structure has a second resonant frequency spectrum different from the first resonant frequency spectrum; fitting the first medical device component to the second medical device component to form a medical device assembly, wherein when fitted, the at least one first resonant structure and the at least one second resonant structure combine to have a third resonant frequency spectrum, and the third resonant frequency spectrum is different from the first resonant frequency spectrum and the second resonant frequency spectrum; interrogating the medical device assembly using an interrogation signal; and detecting a reflected signal corresponding to the third resonant frequency spectrum from the medical device assembly.

[0058] Clause 24. The method according to clause 23, wherein the interrogation signal comprises a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal.

[0059] Clause 25. The method according to clause 23 or 24, wherein when interrogating the medical device assembly using the interrogation signal, at least one frequency component of the interrogation signal corresponding to the third resonant frequency spectrum is attenuated to form a reflected signal.

[0060] Clause 26. The method according to any one of clauses 23 to 25, wherein the step of detecting the reflected signal comprises receiving the reflected signal and detecting at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, or frequency attenuation in the reflected signal corresponding to the third resonant frequency spectrum.

[0061] Clause 27. The method according to any one of clauses 23 to 26, further comprising the step of storing reflected signal data associated with the reflected signal in a database.

[0062] Clause 28. The step of detecting a reflected signal includes detecting the reflected signal using a leader, where the leader is one of a plurality of leaders, each leader of the plurality of leaders is located at a position within at least one site, and further includes the step of determining the position of the medical device assembly based on the position of the leader. The method according to any one of Clauses 23 to 27.

[0063] Clause 29. At least one first resonant structure includes a first spiral resonator, the first resonance frequency spectrum includes the first natural frequency of the first spiral resonator, at least one second resonant structure includes a second spiral resonator, the second resonance frequency spectrum includes the second natural frequency of the second spiral resonator, when fitting a first medical device component to a second medical device component, the first spiral resonator and the second spiral resonator are coupled to form a resonant circuit having a third natural frequency, and the third resonance frequency spectrum includes the third natural frequency of the resonant circuit. The method according to any one of Clauses 23 to 28.

[0064] Clause 30. The first medical device component includes a male Luer connector, the second medical device component includes a corresponding female Luer connector, at least one first resonant structure is disposed together with the male Luer connector, and at least one second resonant structure is disposed together with the female Luer connector. The method according to any one of Clauses 23 to 29.

[0065] Clause 31. At least one first resonant structure includes a plurality of first resonant structures, each of the plurality of first resonant structures is disposed at a separate scale marking on the first medical device component, and each of the plurality of first resonant structures includes conductive ink. The method according to any one of Clauses 23 to 30.

[0066] These and other features and characteristics of the subject matter of the present disclosure, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structures, and the combinations of parts and economies of manufacture will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, and like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosed subject matter. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0067] Further advantages and details of the disclosed subject matter will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the exemplary embodiments or aspects shown in the accompanying drawings.

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[0069] It should be understood that this disclosure may contemplate various alternative variations and step sequences unless explicitly specified otherwise. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely illustrative and non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Accordingly, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics associated with the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0070] For the purposes of the following description, terms such as "end", "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "lateral", "longitudinal", and derivatives thereof are to be considered in relation to the orientation in the drawings of the subject matter being disclosed. However, it should be understood that the subject matter being disclosed can assume various alternative deformations and step sequences, unless otherwise explicitly specified. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments or aspects of the subject matter being disclosed. Accordingly, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein should not be considered limiting, unless otherwise indicated.

[0071] As used herein, aspects, components, elements, structures, operations, steps, functions, instructions, etc. should not be construed as important or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, the articles "a" and "an" as used herein are intended to include one or more items and can be used in the same sense as "one or more" and "at least one". Further, the term "set" as used herein is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, combinations of related and unrelated items, etc.) and can be used in the same sense as "one or more" or "at least one". The term "one" or similar words are used when only one item is intended. Also, terms such as "has", "have", "having", etc. as used herein are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "at least partially based on" unless otherwise specified.

[0072] As used herein, the terms "communicate" and "communicating" may refer to receiving, accepting, transmitting, transferring, providing, etc. of information (e.g., data, signals, messages, instructions, commands, etc.). For one unit (e.g., a device, a system, a component of a device or a system, a combination thereof, etc.) to communicate with another unit means that one unit can receive information directly or indirectly from the other unit and / or transmit information to the other unit. This may refer to a direct or indirect connection (e.g., a direct communication connection, an indirect communication connection, etc.) that is essentially wired and / or wireless. Additionally, two units can communicate with each other even if the information transmitted can be modified, processed, relayed, and / or routed between the first unit and the second unit. For example, even if the first unit receives information passively and does not actively transmit information to the second unit, the first unit can communicate with the second unit. As another example, when at least one intermediate unit (e.g., a third unit located between the first unit and the second unit) processes the information received from the first unit and communicates the processed information to the second unit, the first unit can communicate with the second unit. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a message may refer to a network packet (e.g., a data packet, etc.) containing data. It will be understood that many other configurations are possible.

[0073] As used herein, the term "server" may refer to one or more computing devices such as a processor, a memory device, and / or similar computer components that communicate with client devices and / or other computing devices via a network such as the Internet or a private network, and in some instances facilitate communication between other servers and / or client devices. It will be understood that various other configurations are possible. Additionally, references to a "server" or "processor" herein may refer to a previously recited server and / or processor, a different server and / or processor, and / or a combination of servers and / or processors that are recited as performing a previous step or function. For example, as used in this specification and the claims, a first server and / or a first processor recited as performing a first step or function may refer to the same or a different server and / or processor recited as performing a second step or function.

[0074] Some non-limiting embodiments or aspects are described herein with respect to thresholds. As used herein, meeting a threshold may refer to a value being greater than a threshold, more than a threshold, higher than a threshold, greater than or equal to a threshold, less than a threshold, fewer than a threshold, lower than a threshold, less than or equal to a threshold, equal to a threshold, and the like.

[0075] Non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the disclosed subject matter are directed to devices, systems, and methods for detecting medical device components, including but not limited to, detecting the fitting of medical device components. For example, non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the disclosed subject matter provide a first medical device component having at least one first resonant structure (having a first resonant frequency spectrum) and a second medical device component having at least one second resonant structure (having a second resonant frequency spectrum), wherein when the first and second medical device components are fitted, the first and second resonant structures combine to have a third resonant frequency spectrum (different from the first and second resonant frequency spectra). Such embodiments or aspects provide techniques and systems that enable the wireless detection (e.g., identification, etc.) of individual medical device components and / or their fitted combinations, which advantageously may not require a line of sight for operation. For example, since a line of sight may not be required, such medical devices can be handled (e.g., in any orientation with respect to a reader, etc.) and further detected by a clinician in any manner. Additionally or alternatively, such embodiments or aspects provide techniques and systems that enable such wireless detection (e.g., identification, etc.) without complex circuitry (e.g., integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), memories, processors, etc.) formed on and / or fixed to the medical device components, thereby reducing (e.g., decreasing, etc.) the time, amount of resources, number of different resources, cost, etc. associated with the production and / or use of the disclosed subject matter (e.g., as compared to radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, etc.) and improving reliability, etc. (e.g., since there is no complex circuitry that can be damaged, degraded, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, such embodiments or aspects provide techniques and systems that enable such wireless detection (e.g., identification, etc.) without a power source formed on and / or fixed to the medical device components, thereby reducing the cost and / or complexity for production and / or use.Additionally or alternatively, such embodiments or aspects provide techniques and systems that are suitable for automation (e.g., by wireless operation, reduction (e.g., elimination, decrease, etc.) of line of sight and / or alignment requirements for operation, reduction of time and / or cost for production and / or use, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, such embodiments or aspects provide techniques and systems that enable detection of the fitting (e.g., proper connection, alignment, etc.) of two or more medical device components. Thus, the present techniques and systems can be useful for compliance tracking, for example, by tracking (e.g., detecting, recording, etc.) the connection and / or disconnection of medical device components (e.g., syringes and vascular access devices). For example, the connection and / or disconnection can be compared to a rule (e.g., a guideline, a defined treatment protocol, etc.) to determine compliance therewith. Additionally or alternatively, such embodiments or aspects provide techniques and systems that enable location identification and / or tracking of each medical device component within a facility (e.g., using a plurality of leaders located at different (e.g., known) locations within the facility, each leader being able to detect nearby (e.g., within the operating range of the leader) medical device components). Additionally or alternatively, such embodiments or aspects provide techniques and systems that enable inventory management and / or logistics (e.g., since the number and / or location of each type of medical device component within the facility can be determined at a given time, the inventory of at least one type of medical device component can be replenished and / or redistributed as needed (e.g., based on meeting a threshold associated with that inventory)). Additionally or alternatively, such embodiments or aspects provide techniques and systems that enable anti-counterfeiting (e.g., a fake medical device component can lack a resonant structure and / or resonant frequency spectrum, and / or have an incorrect resonant structure and / or resonant frequency spectrum).

[0076] For illustrative purposes, in the following description, the subject matter of the present disclosure is described with respect to devices, systems, and methods for detecting medical device components, e.g., for detecting the fitting of medical device components. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed subject matter is not limited to the exemplary embodiments or aspects. For example, the devices, systems, and methods described herein can be used in any setting suitable for using a product, such as in manufacturing, shipping, inventory management, retail, food manufacturing, etc., for identifying such products and / or detecting fitting (e.g., of products and / or components of products) in a variety of settings.

[0077] Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams of non-limiting embodiments or aspects of an environment 100 in which the devices, systems, and / or methods described herein can be implemented. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the environment 100 can include a medical device assembly 102, a first medical device component 102a, a first resonant structure 104a, a first metal strip 106a, a first antenna element 108a, a first fitting element 110a, a second medical device component 102b, a second resonant structure 104b, a second metal strip 106b, a second antenna element 108b, a second fitting element 110b, an interrogation signal 112, a first reflected signal 114a, a second reflected signal 114b, a reader device 120, a generator 122, a reader 124, a server 130, and / or a communication network 140.

[0078] The medical device assembly 102 can include at least one of the first medical device component 102a, the second medical device component 102b, any combination thereof, etc.

[0079] The first medical device component 102a may include at least one device and / or its components configured for use in a medical purpose. For example, the first medical device component 102a may include at least one device (e.g., an instrument, apparatus, tool, machine, mechanism, implant, any combination thereof, etc.) and / or its components, which may be configured for use in the diagnosis of a disease or other condition and / or in the cure, alleviation, treatment, and / or prevention of a disease and / or other condition (e.g., in a human, other animal, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first medical device component 102a may include a syringe.

[0080] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first medical device component 102a may include a first antenna element 108a. Additionally or alternatively, the first antenna element 108a may have a resonance frequency spectrum. For example, the first antenna element 108a may include at least one first resonance structure 104a, and each first resonance structure 104a may have a resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., a first resonance frequency spectrum). Additionally or alternatively, the first antenna element 108a may include a first metal strip 106a. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first resonance structure 104a may include at least one spiral resonator (e.g., a first spiral resonator). Additionally or alternatively, the first resonance frequency spectrum may include a first natural frequency of the first spiral resonator. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first spiral resonator may include a first spiral-shaped metal conductor adjacent to the first metal strip 106a (e.g., of the first antenna element 108a of the first medical device component 102a) (e.g., formed from the first spiral-shaped metal conductor). Additionally or alternatively, the first spiral-shaped metal conductor may have a first inductance, a first capacitance, and / or a first resistance value. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first natural frequency may be based on the first inductance, the first capacitance, and / or the first resistance value. Additionally or alternatively, the first natural frequency, the first inductance, the first capacitance, and / or the first resistance value may be based on the geometric and / or material properties of the first spiral resonator (e.g., as further described below with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first resonance structure 104a may include at least one first metal ribbon (e.g., an amorphous metal ribbon). Additionally or alternatively, the first resonance frequency spectrum may include a first natural frequency (e.g., a resonance frequency, etc.) of the first metal ribbon (e.g., an amorphous metal ribbon).For example, the first natural frequency f (e.g., resonance frequency, etc.) of the first metal ribbon (e.g., amorphous metal ribbon) can be determined based on the mathematical formula f≒(1 / 2πl)√(Y / ρ), where l represents the length, Y represents the Young's modulus, and ρ represents the density.

[0081] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when querying the first medical device component 102a using the query signal 112, the first antenna element 108a (e.g., its first resonant structure 104a) can attenuate at least one first frequency component to form a first attenuated electromagnetic signal (e.g., the first reflected signal 114a). For example, the query signal 112 can include a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal. When querying the first medical device component 102a using the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the first antenna element 108a (e.g., its first resonant structure 104a) can attenuate at least one first frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the first resonance frequency spectrum (as further described below with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B) to form a first attenuated electromagnetic signal. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the query signal 112 can provide energy to the first antenna element 108a (e.g., its first resonant structure 104a). Additionally or alternatively, the first antenna element 108a (e.g., its first resonant structure 104a) can operate independently of a power source (e.g., without a power source, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first antenna element 108a can transmit (e.g., retransmit, backscatter, etc.) the first attenuated electromagnetic signal.

[0082] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first metal strip 106a (e.g., at least a portion thereof) can be disposed circumferentially around the first medical device component 102a. Additionally or alternatively, the first metal strip 106a (e.g., at least a portion thereof) can be disposed longitudinally (e.g., axially, parallel to the axis of the first medical device component 102a, etc.) along the first medical device component 102a. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least a portion of the first metal strip 106a can be disposed at an end (e.g., distal end, etc.) of the medical device (e.g., such that when the first medical device component 102a is fitted to the second medical device component 102b, the first metal strip 106a can be in electrical contact and / or electromagnetic coupling with the second metal strip 106b).

[0083] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one first resonant structure 104a can include a plurality of first resonant structures 104a. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the plurality of first resonant structures 104a (and / or a subset thereof) can be disposed circumferentially around the first medical device component 102a. Additionally or alternatively, each of the plurality of first resonant structures 104a (and / or a subset thereof) can be disposed longitudinally (e.g., axially, parallel to the axis of the first medical device component 102a, etc.) along the first medical device component 102a. For example, each first resonant structure 104a (and / or each of a subset thereof) can be disposed on a separate scale marking on the first medical device component 102a (as will be further described below with respect to FIG. 6A, for example). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each of the plurality of first resonant structures can include (e.g., be formed from, etc.) conductive ink.

[0084] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each first resonant structure 104a (and / or a subset thereof) can include (e.g., be formed from) a temperature-sensitive material, a humidity-sensitive material, a photosensitive material, a gas-sensitive material, any combination thereof, etc. For example, the first natural frequency of such a first resonant structure 104a can vary (e.g., increase in frequency, decrease in frequency, etc.) based on temperature, humidity, light, the presence of gas, any combination thereof, etc. Additionally or alternatively, such a first resonant structure 104a can be used for the detection of temperature, humidity, light, the presence of gas, any combination thereof, etc. in addition to, and / or instead of, identification.

[0085] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first medical device component 102a (e.g., its first antenna element 108a) can include a first receiving antenna element and a first transmitting antenna element (as will be further described below with respect to, for example, FIG. 7). For example, each of the first receiving antenna element and the first transmitting antenna element can include a disk-shaped metal conductor. Additionally or alternatively, the first receiving antenna element and the first transmitting antenna element can be attached to opposite ends of the first metal strip 106a. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first receiving antenna element and the first transmitting antenna element can be cross-polarized (e.g., to reduce interference between, for example, a received signal (e.g., an interrogation signal 112) and a reflected signal (e.g., a first reflected signal 114a)). For example, the first receiving antenna element can be arranged to be orthogonal to the first transmitting antenna element (e.g., the first receiving antenna element (e.g., its surface) can be arranged in a first plane (e.g., substantially in the plane, mainly in the plane, etc.), and the first transmitting antenna element (e.g., its surface) can be arranged in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane (e.g., substantially in the plane, mainly in the plane, etc.)).

[0086] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first medical device component 102a (e.g., its first antenna element 108a) may include a first receive / transmit antenna element. For example, the first receive / transmit antenna element may include a disk-shaped metal conductor.

[0087] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least a portion of the first antenna element 108a (e.g., the first resonant structure 104a, the first metal strip 106a, any combination thereof, etc.) may be formed (e.g., printed, etc.) on the first medical device component 102a. Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the first antenna element 108a (e.g., the first resonant structure 104a, the first metal strip 106a, any combination thereof, etc.) may be fixed to the first medical device component 102a (e.g., mounted thereon, adhered thereto, included with an adhesive tag attached thereto, etc.).

[0088] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first medical device component 102a may include a first fitting element 110a. For example, the first fitting element 110a may include any element configured to be used to fit the first medical device component 102a to a second medical device component 102b (e.g., its second fitting element 110b). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first fitting element 110a may include a Luer fitting (e.g., a male Luer fitting, a female Luer fitting, etc.). For example, the first fitting element 110a may include a male Luer fitting, and the second fitting element 110b may include a corresponding female Luer fitting. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first antenna element 108a (e.g., its first resonator 104a and / or its first metal strip 106a) may be disposed together with the first fitting element 110a (e.g., a male Luer fitting, etc.). For example, at least a part of the first antenna element 108a (e.g., at least a part of the first resonator 104a and / or the first metal strip 106a) may be disposed surrounding the first fitting element 110a and / or in proximity to the first fitting element 110a. Additionally or alternatively, at least a part of the first antenna element 108a (e.g., at least a part of the first resonator 104a and / or the first metal strip 106a) may be disposed sufficiently close to the first fitting element 110a such that when the first medical device component 102a (e.g., its first fitting element 110a) is fitted to the second medical device component 102b (e.g., its second fitting element 110b), the first antenna element 108a (e.g., the first resonator 104a and / or the first metal strip 106a) can be in electrical contact and / or electromagnetic coupling with the second antenna element 108b (e.g., the second resonator 104b and / or the second metal strip 106b).

[0089] The second medical device component 102b may include at least one device and / or its components configured for use in a medical purpose. For example, the second medical device component 102b may include at least one device (e.g., an instrument, apparatus, tool, machine, mechanism, implant, any combination thereof, etc.) and / or its components, which may be configured for use in the diagnosis of a disease or other condition and / or in the cure, alleviation, treatment, and / or prevention of a disease and / or other condition (e.g., in a human, other animal, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second medical device component 102b may include a vascular access device (e.g., an intravenous (IV) line, catheter, needle, cannula, etc.).

[0090] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second medical device component 102b may include a second antenna element 108b. Additionally or alternatively, the second antenna element 108b may have a resonance frequency spectrum. For example, the second antenna element 108b may include at least one second resonance structure 104b, and each second resonance structure 104b may have a resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., a second resonance frequency spectrum). Additionally or alternatively, the second antenna element 108b may include a second metal strip 106b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second resonance structure 104b may include at least one spiral resonator (e.g., a second spiral resonator). Additionally or alternatively, the second resonance frequency spectrum may include a second natural frequency of the second spiral resonator. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second spiral resonator may include a second spiral-shaped metal conductor adjacent to the second metal strip 106b (e.g., such as formed from the second spiral-shaped metal conductor) of the second antenna element 108b of the second medical device component 102b. Additionally or alternatively, the second spiral-shaped metal conductor may have a second inductance, a second capacitance, and / or a second resistance value. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second natural frequency may be based on the second inductance, the second capacitance, and / or the second resistance value. Additionally or alternatively, the second natural frequency, the second inductance, the second capacitance, and / or the second resistance value may be based on the geometric and / or material properties of the second spiral resonator (e.g., as further described below with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second resonance frequency spectrum may be the same as the first resonance frequency spectrum. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second resonance frequency spectrum may be different from the first resonance frequency spectrum.Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the first inductance, the first capacitance, the first resistance value, and / or any combination thereof may be different from at least one of the second inductance, the second capacitance, the second resistance value, and / or any combination thereof, respectively. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second resonant structure 104b may include at least one second metal ribbon (e.g., an amorphous metal ribbon). Additionally or alternatively, the second resonance frequency spectrum may include the second natural frequency (e.g., resonance frequency, etc.) of the second metal ribbon (e.g., an amorphous metal ribbon). For example, the second natural frequency f (e.g., resonance frequency, etc.) of the second metal ribbon (e.g., an amorphous metal ribbon) may be determined based on the mathematical formula f≒(1 / 2πl)√(Y / ρ), where l may represent the length, Y may represent the Young's modulus, and ρ may represent the density.

[0091] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when interrogating the second medical device component 102b using the interrogation signal 112, the second antenna element 108b (e.g., its second resonant structure 104b) may attenuate at least one second frequency component to form a second attenuated electromagnetic signal (e.g., second reflected signal 114b). For example, the interrogation signal 112 may include a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, and when interrogating the second medical device component 102b using the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the second antenna element 108b (e.g., its second resonant structure 104b) may attenuate at least one second frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the second resonant frequency spectrum (as further described below with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3C, for example) to form a second attenuated electromagnetic signal. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the interrogation signal 112 may provide energy to the second antenna element 108b (e.g., its second resonant structure 104b). Additionally or alternatively, the second antenna element 108b (e.g., its second resonant structure 104b) may operate independently of a power source (e.g., without a power source, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second antenna element 108b may transmit (e.g., re-transmit, backscatter, etc.) the second attenuated electromagnetic signal.

[0092] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least a portion of the second metal strip 106b may be disposed circumferentially around the second medical device component 102b In addition or alternatively, at least a portion of the second metal strip 106b may be disposed longitudinally (e.g., axially, parallel to the axis of the second medical device component 102b, etc.) along the second medical device component 102b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least a portion of the second metal strip 106b may be disposed at an end (e.g., distal end, etc.) of the medical device (e.g., such that when the first medical device component 102a is fitted to the second medical device component 102b, the first metal strip 106a may be in electrical contact and / or electromagnetic coupling with the second metal strip 106b).

[0093] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least one second resonant structure 104b may include a plurality of second resonant structures 104b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the plurality of second resonant structures 104b (and / or a subset thereof) may be disposed circumferentially around the second medical device component 102b. Additionally or alternatively, each of the plurality of second resonant structures 104b (and / or a subset thereof) may be disposed longitudinally (e.g., axially, parallel to the axis of the second medical device component 102b, etc.) along the second medical device component 102b. For example, each second resonant structure 104b (and / or each of a subset thereof) may be disposed at a distinct scale marking on the second medical device component 102b (as will be further described below with respect to, e.g., FIG. 6A). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each of the plurality of second resonant structures 104b may include (e.g., be formed from, etc.) a conductive ink.

[0094] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each second resonant structure 104b (and / or a subset thereof) may include (e.g., be formed from, etc.) a temperature-sensitive material, a humidity-sensitive material, a photosensitive material, a gas-sensitive material, any combination thereof, etc. For example, the second natural frequency of such a second resonant structure 104b may vary (e.g., increase in frequency, decrease in frequency, etc.) based on temperature, humidity, light, the presence of gas, any combination thereof, etc., respectively. Additionally or alternatively, such a second resonant structure 104b may be used for the detection of temperature, humidity, light, the presence of gas, any combination thereof, etc., in addition to and / or instead of identification.

[0095] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second medical device component 102b (e.g., its second antenna element 108b) may include a second receiving antenna element and a second transmitting antenna element (as further described below with respect to, for example, FIG. 7). For example, each of the second receiving antenna element and the second transmitting antenna element may include a disk-shaped metal conductor. Additionally or alternatively, the second receiving antenna element and the second transmitting antenna element may be attached to opposite ends of the second metal strip 106b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second receiving antenna element and the second transmitting antenna element may be cross-polarized (e.g., to reduce interference between, for example, a received signal (e.g., an interrogation signal 112) and a reflected signal (e.g., a second reflected signal 114b)). For example, the second receiving antenna element may be arranged to be orthogonal to the second transmitting antenna element (e.g., the second receiving antenna element (e.g., its surface) may be arranged in a second plane (e.g., substantially in a plane, mainly in a plane, etc.), and the second transmitting antenna element (e.g., its surface) may be arranged in a second plane orthogonal to the second plane (e.g., substantially in a plane, mainly in a plane, etc.)).

[0096] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second medical device component 102b (e.g., its second antenna element 108b) may include a second receive / transmit antenna element. For example, the second receive / transmit antenna element may include a disk-shaped metal conductor.

[0097] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least a portion of the second antenna element 108b (e.g., the second resonant structure 104b, the second metal strip 106b, any combination thereof, etc.) can be formed (e.g., printed, etc.) on the second medical device component 102b. Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the second antenna element 108b (e.g., the second resonant structure 104b, the second metal strip 106b, any combination thereof, etc.) can be fixed to the second medical device component 102b (e.g., mounted thereon, adhered thereto, included with an adhesive tag attached thereto, etc.).

[0098] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second medical device component 102b may include a second fitting element 110b. For example, the second fitting element 110b may include any element configured to be used to fit the second medical device component 102b to the first medical device component 102a (e.g., its first fitting element 110a). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second fitting element 110b may include a luer fitting (e.g., a male luer fitting, a female luer fitting, etc.). For example, the second fitting element 110b may include a female luer fitting, and the first fitting element 110a may include a corresponding male luer fitting. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second antenna element 108b (e.g., its second resonator 104b and / or second metal strip 106b) may be disposed together with the second fitting element 110b (e.g., a female luer fitting, etc.). For example, at least a part of the second antenna element 108b (e.g., at least a part of the second resonator 104b and / or second metal strip 106b) may be disposed surrounding and / or proximate to the second fitting element 110b. Additionally or alternatively, at least a part of the second antenna element 108b (e.g., at least a part of the second resonator 104b and / or second metal strip 106b) may be disposed sufficiently close to the second fitting element 110b such that when the second medical device component 102b (e.g., its second fitting element 110b) is fitted to the first medical device component 102a (e.g., its first fitting element 110a), the second antenna element 108b (e.g., the second resonator 104b and / or second metal strip 106b) can be in electrical contact and / or electromagnetic coupling with the first antenna element 108a (e.g., the first resonator 104a and / or first metal strip 106a).

[0099] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when the first medical device component 102a (e.g., its first mating element 110a) is mated with the second medical device component 102b (e.g., its second mating element 110b), the first antenna element 108a (e.g., its first resonant structure 104a) and the second antenna element 108b (e.g., its second resonant structure 104b) may couple to have a third resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1B). Additionally or alternatively, the third resonance frequency spectrum may be different from the first resonance frequency spectrum and the second resonance frequency spectrum. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when the first medical device component 102a (e.g., its first mating element 110a) is mated with the second medical device component 102b (e.g., its second mating element 110b), its antenna elements (e.g., the first antenna element 108a (e.g., its first resonant structure 104a and / or its first metal strip 106a) and the second antenna element 108b (e.g., its second resonant structure 104b and / or its 2 second metal strip 106b)) may function as a composite antenna element (e.g., by electrical contact, electromagnetic coupling, etc., as described herein). For example, when the first medical device component 102a (e.g., its first mating element 110a) is mated with the second medical device component 102b (e.g., its second mating element 110b), the first resonant structure 104a (e.g., the first spiral resonator) and the second resonant structure 104b (e.g., the second spiral resonator) may couple (e.g., by electromagnetic coupling, etc.) to form a resonant circuit having a third natural frequency. Additionally or alternatively, the third resonance frequency spectrum may include the third natural frequency of the resonant circuit.

[0100] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when querying a medical device component (e.g., the first medical device component 102a and the second medical device component 102b upon fitting) fitted using the query signal 112, its antenna elements (e.g., the first antenna element 108a (e.g., its first resonant structure 104a) and the second antenna element 108b (e.g., its second resonant structure 104b)) may attenuate at least one third frequency component to form a third attenuated electromagnetic signal (e.g., the third reflected signal 114c). For example, the query signal 112 may include a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, and when querying a medical device component fitted using the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, its antenna elements (e.g., its first resonant structure 104a and second resonant structure 104b) may attenuate at least one third frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to a third resonant frequency spectrum (as further described below with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3D, for example) to form a third attenuated electromagnetic signal. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the query signal 112 may supply energy to the antenna elements (e.g., the first antenna element 108a, the second antenna element 108b, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the antenna elements may operate independently of a power source (e.g., without a power source, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least one of the antenna elements (e.g., the first antenna element 108a, the second antenna element 108b, etc.) may transmit (e.g., retransmit, backscatter, etc.) the third attenuated electromagnetic signal.

[0101] The leader device 120 may include one or more devices capable of receiving information from, for example, the server 130 (e.g., via the network 140) and / or communicating information to the server 130 or the like. Additionally or alternatively, each leader device 120 may include a device capable of receiving information from other leader devices 120 and / or communicating information to other leader devices 102 (e.g., via the network 140, another network (e.g., an ad hoc network, a local network, a private network, a virtual private network, etc.), and / or any other suitable communication technique). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the leader device 120 may or may not be capable of receiving information (e.g., from another leader device 120) via a short-range wireless communication connection (e.g., a Near Field Communication (NFC) communication connection, an RFID communication connection, a Bluetooth® communication connection, a Zigbee® communication connection, etc.) and / or communicating information (e.g., to another leader device 120) via a short-range wireless communication connection.

[0102] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each leader device 120 may include at least one of a generator 122, a reader 124, and / or any combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the generator 122, the reader 124, and / or any combination thereof may be separate from the leader device 120, and the leader device 120 may include a device capable of receiving information from and / or communicating information to the generator 122 and / or the reader 124 (e.g., via the network 140, another network (e.g., an ad hoc network, a local network, a private network, a virtual private network, etc.), and / or any other suitable communication technique).

[0103] The generator 122 may include at least one transmitter (e.g., at least one device and / or circuit configured to generate and / or transmit electromagnetic waves, such as a signal generator, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, a microwave transmitter, an analog transmitter, a digital transmitter, any combination thereof, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the generator 122 may generate an alternating current (e.g., an RF alternating current, a microwave alternating current, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the leader device 120 and / or the generator 122 may include at least one antenna (e.g., an antenna element, a dipole antenna, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the generator 122 may apply an alternating current to the antenna, and the antenna may be excited by the alternating current, thereby transmitting electromagnetic waves (e.g., radio waves, microwaves, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the generator 122 may include one or more devices capable of receiving information from and / or communicating information to the leader device 120, the server 130, etc. (e.g., via the network 140).

[0104] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the generator 122 may transmit an interrogation signal 112 (e.g., to the medical device assembly 102). For example, the interrogation signal 112 may include a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the interrogation signal 112 may include a continuous wave multi-frequency electromagnetic signal with a uniform amplitude and phase.

[0105] The leader 124 may include at least one receiver (e.g., at least one device and / or circuit configured to receive electromagnetic waves). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the leader device 120 and / or the leader 124 may include at least one antenna (e.g., an antenna element, a dipole antenna, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the antenna may receive electromagnetic waves (e.g., perform eavesdropping, etc.), thereby generating an alternating current. Additionally or alternatively, such an alternating current may be applied to the receiver (e.g., by the antenna), and the receiver may extract information therefrom. For example, the receiver may determine which frequency components are present in the received signal (e.g., the received electromagnetic wave, etc.).

[0106] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the leader 124 may receive at least one reflected signal (e.g., the first reflected signal 114a, the second reflected signal 114b, the third reflected signal 114c, any combination thereof, etc.) from the medical device assembly 102. For example, when querying the medical device assembly 102 using the query signal 112 (e.g., a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal), the leader 124 may receive at least one reflected signal (e.g., the first reflected signal 114a, the second reflected signal 114b, the third reflected signal 114c, any combination thereof, etc.) from (e.g., the medical device assembly 102), and the reflected signal may be an attenuated electromagnetic signal (e.g., the first medical device component 102a, the second medical device component 102b , and / or the first, second, and / or third attenuated electromagnetic signals respectively associated with the mated medical device components). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each reflected signal (e.g., the first reflected signal 114a, the second reflected signal 114b, the third reflected signal 114c, any combination thereof, etc.) may include a backscattered signal, a retransmitted signal, any combination thereof, etc.

[0107] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reader 124 may detect each resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., the first medical device component 102a, the second medical device component 102b , and / or the first, second, and / or third resonance frequency spectra respectively associated with the mated medical device components) by at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, frequency attenuation, any combination thereof, etc. in the reflected signal. For example, when querying the first medical device component 102a using the query signal 112, the reader 124 may detect the first resonance frequency spectrum by at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, frequency attenuation, any combination thereof, etc. in at least one reflected signal corresponding to the first resonance frequency spectrum. Additionally or alternatively, when querying the second medical device component 102b using the query signal 112, the reader 124 may detect the second resonance frequency spectrum by at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, frequency attenuation, any combination thereof, etc. in at least one reflected signal corresponding to the second resonance frequency spectrum. Additionally or alternatively, when querying the mated medical device components (e.g., the first medical device component 102a mated with the second medical device component 102b) using the query signal 112, the reader 124 may detect the third resonance frequency spectrum by at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, frequency attenuation, any combination thereof, etc. in at least one reflected signal corresponding to the third resonance frequency spectrum.

[0108] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reader 124 and / or the reader device 120 may communicate the reflected signal data associated with the reflected signal (e.g., to the server 130 via a network 140, etc.). For example, the reader 124 and / or the reader device 120 may include a communication interface for such communication.

[0109] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least one leader 124 may include a plurality of leaders. Additionally or alternatively, each leader 124 may be disposed at a location (e.g., a known location, a pre-determined location, a selectable location, a pre-selected location, any combination thereof, etc.) within at least one site (e.g., at least one facility, at least one building, etc.). For example, the location of each leader 124 may be different from the locations of all other leaders 124 (e.g., each leader 124 may be at a different location within the site). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the location of the medical device assembly 102 may be determined based on which of the plurality of leaders 124 detects the medical device assembly 102 (e.g., by the leader 124, the leader device 120, the server 130, etc.) (e.g., each leader 124 may have a known location, and the location of the medical device assembly 102 may be determined to be proximate to (e.g., within its operating range of) each leader 124 that detected the medical device assembly 102).

[0110] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the generator 122 and / or the leader 124 may be included in a single device (e.g., the leader device 120, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the generator 122 and / or the leader 124 may share a single antenna (e.g., the antenna of the leader device 120, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the generator 122 and / or the leader 124 may be separate devices.

[0111] Server 130 may include one or more devices capable of receiving information from, and / or communicating information to, a leader device 120, a generator 122, a leader 124, etc. (e.g., via network 140). For example, server 130 may include one or more computing devices such as a server, a group of servers, etc. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, server 130 may be associated with a facility as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, server 130 may communicate with a data storage device that may be local or remote to server 130. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, server 130 may be capable of receiving information from the data storage device, storing information in the data storage device, communicating information to the data storage device, or retrieving information stored in the data storage device.

[0112] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, server 130 may include a second communication interface configured to communicate with a first communication interface (e.g., of leader 124, leader device 120, etc., via network 140, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, server 130 may be configured to receive reflected signal data via a first network. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a first server is configured to store the reflected signal data (e.g., in a database, a data storage device, a memory, any combination thereof, etc.).

[0113] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each type of medical device component (e.g., the first medical device component 102a, the second medical device component 102b, etc. described herein) may have a unique identifier (e.g., a stock keeping unit (SKU), etc.). Additionally or alternatively, each unique identifier may be associated with a respective resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., the first resonance frequency spectrum, the second resonance frequency spectrum, etc. described herein). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each mated combination of medical device components (e.g., the first medical device component 102a mated with the second medical device component 102b, etc. described herein) may have a respective resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., the third resonance frequency spectrum, etc. described herein). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each type of medical device component and / or each mated combination of medical device components may be uniquely identified based on its respective resonance frequency spectrum. For example, the server 130 may store a mapping (e.g., a database, a table, etc.) of each type of medical device component (e.g., its unique identifier) and / or each mated combination of medical device components to its respective resonance frequency spectrum (which may be pre-determined, pre-selected, etc.).

[0114] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each respective unique resonance frequency spectrum may be assigned to each individual type of medical device component (e.g., the first medical device component 102a, the second medical device component 102b, etc. described herein) and / or each mated combination of medical device components based on at least one rule. For example, a first rule is that two different types of medical device components cannot be assigned to the same resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., ∀ 1≦i,j≦N, if i≠j, then F i ≠F j、 where N is the total number of possible types of medical device components, i is the number related to the first type of medical device component, F iis the resonance frequency spectrum of the first type of medical device component, j is a number related to the second type of medical device component, F j may include representing the resonance frequency spectrum of the second type of medical device component). Additionally or alternatively, the second rule is that two types of medical device components (e.g., the same or different types of medical device components) cannot have the respective resonance frequency spectra of any other two types of medical device components when they are fitted (e.g., physical connection, electrical connection, electromagnetic coupling, etc. are performed) (e.g., ∀ 1≦i,j,k,l≦N, if i≠k and / or j≠l, then Φ(S i ,S j )≠Φ(S k ,S l ), where i is a number related to the first type of medical device component, j is a number related to the second type of medical device component, k is a number related to the third type of medical device component, l is a number related to the fourth type of medical device component, S i represents the characteristics (e.g., geometric characteristics, material characteristics, etc.) of at least one resonance structure related to the first type of medical device component, S j represents the characteristics (e.g., geometric characteristics, material characteristics, etc.) of at least one resonance structure related to the second type of medical device component, S k represents the characteristics (e.g., geometric characteristics, material characteristics, etc.) of at least one resonance structure related to the third type of medical device component, S l represents the characteristics (e.g., geometric characteristics, material characteristics, etc.) of at least one resonance structure related to the fourth type of medical device component, and Φ may include representing the resonance frequency spectra of two resonance structures related to the fitted combination of two types of medical device components). Additionally or alternatively, the third rule is that one type of medical device component cannot have the respective resonance frequency spectra of any fitted combination of two types of medical device components (e.g., ∀ 1≦i,j,k≦N, F i ≠Φ(S j ,S k) Here, i is a number related to the first type of medical device component, j is a number related to the second type of medical device component, k is a number related to the third type of medical device component, F i is the resonance frequency spectrum of the first type of medical device component, S j is the characteristic (e.g., geometric characteristic, material characteristic, etc.) of at least one resonance structure related to the second type of medical device component, S k is the characteristic (e.g., geometric characteristic, material characteristic, etc.) of at least one resonance structure related to the third type of medical device component, Φ may represent the resonance frequency spectra of two resonance structures related to a mated combination of two types of medical device components). This may be included.

[0115] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, server 130 may perform and / or assist with inventory management. For example, thresholds (e.g., minimum numbers, etc.) may be selected (e.g., pre-determined, pre-selected, dynamically selected, etc.) for the total number of each type of medical device component at the site. Additionally or alternatively, since each type of medical device component may be uniquely identified based on its respective resonance frequency spectrum, server 130 may determine (e.g., based on reflected signal data received from multiple readers 124 within the site) the number of each type of medical device component within the site. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, if the total number of each type of medical device component meets a threshold (e.g., is less than a minimum number, etc.), server 130 may determine that the inventory of each type of medical device component may need to be replenished. For example, server 130 may communicate a notification (e.g., an email, a text message, etc.) indicating that the inventory of each type of medical device component may need to be replenished. Additionally or alternatively, server 130 may automatically order additional inventory of each type of medical device component (e.g., via an e-commerce transaction, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, server 130 may initiate any suitable replenishment approach (e.g., requesting a cart to travel between a warehouse, a pharmacy, and / or a treatment area site where the medical device may be utilized, etc.) as implemented within a medical institution. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least one local threshold (e.g., a minimum number, etc.) may be selected (e.g., pre-determined, pre-selected, dynamically selected, etc.) for the number of each type of medical device component at each location within the site. Additionally or alternatively, since each type of medical device component may be uniquely identified based on its respective resonance frequency spectrum, server 130 may determine (e.g., based on reflected signal data received from multiple readers 124 within the site) the number of each type of medical device component at each location within the site.In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, if the number of each type of medical device component at each location meets a threshold (e.g., is less than a minimum number), the server 130 may determine that the inventory of each type of medical device component may need to be replenished and / or redistributed from other locations within the site. For example, the server 130 may communicate a notification and / or automatically order additional inventory as described herein.

[0116] For illustrative purposes, if a medical device component (e.g., a first medical device component 102a, a syringe, etc.) is filled with a medicament (e.g., at a pharmacy at the site) and then transported to another location (e.g., an operating room at the site), the medical device component can be detected during transportation and / or at the destination location by at least one reader 124 (e.g., any one of one or more readers 124 that can be disposed along a path along which the medical device component can move, and / or any one of one or more readers 124 that can be disposed at the destination location). Thus, the position of the medical device component can be determined and / or stored as described herein. For example, the position of each reader 124 that most recently detected the medical device component can be known (e.g., preselected, predetermined, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, when the medical device component reaches the destination location, it can be detected by at least one reader 124 disposed within or near the destination location (e.g., an operating room, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, if a medicament-filled medical device component is intended to be connected to a second medical device component (e.g., a second medical device component 102b, a catheter, etc.) to deliver the medicament to a patient, for example, the fitting between the medicament-filled medical device component and the second medical device component can be detected as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, after detecting the resonance frequency spectrum associated with the fitting between the medicament-filled medical device component and the second medical device component, if the at least one reader 124 later (e.g., within a predetermined and selected (e.g., predetermined, preselected, dynamically selected, etc.) period, etc.) detects a first resonance frequency spectrum associated with the medical device component and a second resonance frequency spectrum associated with the second medical device component (e.g., stops detecting the resonance frequency spectrum associated with the fitting between these medical device components), such an opening between the medical device components can be determined (e.g., detected, inferred, assumed, etc.).

[0117] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the server 130 (and / or the leader device 120 and / or the leader 124) may perform and / or assist in compliance determination. For example, the fitting of the first medical device component 102a and the second medical device component 102b may be detected based on detecting a third frequency spectrum (and / or the lack of fitting between the first medical device component 102a and the second medical device component 102b may be detected based on detecting at least one of the first frequency spectrum and / or the second frequency spectrum without detecting the third frequency spectrum), so that the connection and / or disconnection of the medical device components can be determined (e.g., detected, monitored, recorded, stored, etc.). For example, based on the reflected signal data, the server 130 (and / or the leader device 120, and / or the leader 124) may determine whether the first medical device component 102a and the second medical device component 102b are fitted, and / or may store the reflected signal data together with time data (e.g., timestamp, date and time data, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the determination of the fitting (and / or the lack of fitting) between the first medical device component 102a and the second medical device component 102b may be compared with guidelines and / or a defined treatment protocol to determine compliance therewith (e.g., if the guidelines and / or the defined treatment protocol require a connection between the two components over a predetermined time (e.g., the amount of time for flushing an IV line by connecting a syringe filled with saline, the amount of time for fluid to be injected through an IV line by connecting a container of such fluid (e.g., a bag) to the IV line, etc.), the timestamp associated with the fitting or lack of fitting between the medical device components may be compared with the time period of the guidelines and / or the defined treatment protocol). For example, such guidelines and / or defined treatment protocols may be stored in a database (e.g., local or remote to the server 130).

[0118] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the operating frequencies of the first antenna element 108a (e.g., its first resonant structure 104a), the second antenna element 108b (e.g., its second resonant structure 104b), the leader device 120, the generator 122, the leader 124, etc. may include any suitable frequency range. For example, the operating frequency may be in the ultra-wideband (UWB), within the range of 3 to 10 GHz, etc. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the operating range (e.g., distance, etc.) of the first antenna element 108a (e.g., its first resonant structure 104a), the second antenna element 108b (e.g., its second resonant structure 104b), the leader device 120, the generator 122, the leader 124, etc. may include any suitable distance. For example, the operating range (e.g., distance, etc.) may be less than 5 m, less than 1 m, less than 0.7 m, etc. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the operating temperature range of the first antenna element 108a (e.g., its first resonant structure 104a), the second antenna element 108b (e.g., its second resonant structure 104b), the leader device 120, the generator 122, the leader 124, etc. may include any suitable temperature range. For example, the operating temperature range may include from -20°C to 80°C, etc.

[0119] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, in addition to RFID tags (e.g., RFID tags including integrated circuits (ICs), ASICs, etc.), the resonant structures described herein (e.g., the first antenna element 108a including at least one first resonant structure 104a, the second antenna element 108b including at least one second resonant structure 104b, etc.) may be used. For example, the resonant structures described herein (e.g., the first antenna element 108a including at least one first resonant structure 104a, the second antenna element 108b including at least one second resonant structure 104b, etc.) may be used to detect the fitting of medical device components, while at least one RFID tag may be used to identify each individual medical device component, etc.

[0120] Network 140 may include one or more wired and / or wireless networks. For example, network 140 may include a cellular network (e.g., a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, a 3rd generation (3G) network, a 4th generation (4G) network, a 5th generation (5G) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, etc.), a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a telephone network (e.g., a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)), a private network (e.g., a private network associated with a facility), an ad hoc network, an intranet, the Internet, an optical fiber-based network, a computer network, a cloud computing network, etc., and / or a combination of these or other types of networks.

[0121] The number and configuration of the systems, devices, and / or networks shown in FIG. 1 are provided as an example. Additional systems, devices, and / or networks, fewer systems, devices, and / or networks, different systems, devices, and / or networks, and / or systems, devices, and / or networks configured separately from those shown in FIG. 1 may exist. Further, two or more of the systems or devices shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented within a single system or device, or a single system or device shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented as a plurality of distributed systems or devices. Additionally or alternatively, a set of systems (e.g., one or more systems) or a set of devices (e.g., one or more devices) of the environment 100 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of systems or another set of devices of the environment 100.

[0122] Next, referring to FIGS. 2A - 2D, FIGS. 2A - 2D are diagrams of an exemplary implementation 200 of a non - limiting embodiment or aspect related to the environment 100 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the implementation 200 may include a spiral resonator 204, a microstrip 206, a substrate 216, and / or a ground plane 218. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the spiral resonator 204 may be the same as or similar to the first resonant structure 104a and / or the second resonant structure 104b. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the microstrip 206 may be the same as or similar to the first metal strip 106a and / or the second metal strip 106b.

[0123] In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the spiral resonator 204, the microstrip 206, and / or the ground plane 218 may include (e.g., be formed of) a conductive material (e.g., a conductor, a metallic material, a conductive ink, a metal ribbon (e.g., an amorphous metal ribbon), etc.). For example, each of the spiral resonator 204, the microstrip 206, and / or the ground plane 218 may include (e.g., be formed of) the same conductive material. Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the spiral resonator 204, the microstrip 206, and / or the ground plane 218 may include (e.g., be formed of) a different conductive material from the others. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, at least one of the spiral resonator 204, the microstrip 206, and / or the ground plane 218 may include (e.g., be formed of) aluminum, copper, gold, silver, aluminum oxide, conductive ink, a transparent conductive material, etc.

[0124] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the substrate 216 may include (e.g., be formed from) the material of at least a portion of each medical device component (e.g., the first medical device component 102a, the second medical device component 102b, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the substrate 216 may include (e.g., be formed from) a tag (e.g., fixed to each medical device component). For example, the tag may include (e.g., be formed from) a dielectric material (e.g., plastic, flexible polymer, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), paper, transparent dielectric material, etc.).

[0125] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the spiral resonator 204 may include a spiral-shaped conductive material adjacent to the microstrip 206 (e.g., formed from such conductive material). Additionally or alternatively, the spiral resonator 204 may have an inductance (L), a first capacitance (C), and / or a resistance value (R). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the natural frequency of the spiral resonator 204 may be based on the inductance, capacitance, and / or resistance value. Additionally or alternatively, the natural frequency, inductance, capacitance, and / or resistance value may be based on the geometric and / or material properties of the spiral resonator 204, the microstrip 206, the substrate 216, and / or the ground plane 218. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the spiral resonator 204 may have geometric properties including thickness, total length, total width, width of the conductive material (of the spiral resonator 204), distance of a first gap (e.g., separating adjacent turns of the conductive material), number of turns, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the spiral resonator 204 (e.g., its conductive material) may have material properties including resistivity, conductivity, density, Young's modulus, etc. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the microstrip 206 may have geometric properties including thickness, width, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the microstrip 206 (e.g., its conductive material) may have material properties including resistivity, conductivity, density, Young's modulus, etc. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the substrate 216 may have geometric properties including thickness, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the substrate 216 may have material properties including permittivity, etc. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the ground plane 218 (e.g., its conductive material) may have material properties including resistivity, conductivity, density, Young's modulus, etc. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the natural frequency, inductance, capacitance, and / or resistance value of the spiral resonator 204 may be adjusted (e.g., selected, modified, etc.) based on the adjustment (e.g., selection, modification, etc.) of the geometric and / or material properties of the spiral resonator 204, the microstrip 206, the substrate 216, and / or the ground plane 218.

[0126] In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the natural frequency, inductance, capacitance, and / or resistance value of the spiral resonator 204 can be determined based on, for example, the geometric and / or material properties of the spiral resonator 204, the microstrip 206, the substrate 216, and / or the ground plane 218, as described in Non - Patent Document 1, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0127] In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the natural frequency of a spiral resonator (e.g., the spiral resonator 204) can be based on resonance (e.g., a frequency - dependent stimulus response characterized by the amplitude response at the natural frequency (and / or a narrow frequency band around the natural frequency)). For example, such an amplitude response can indicate that the spiral resonator (e.g., the spiral resonator 204) can accumulate energy at the natural frequency (e.g., the resonance frequency, etc.). In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the ratio of the total accumulated energy to the consumed energy per unit cycle can be called the quality factor Q, which can be determined based on the following formula.

[0128]

Equation

[0129] Here, W max is the maximum accumulated energy, P is the time - averaged power consumed by the spiral resonator (e.g., the spiral resonator 204), ω 0 is the natural frequency (e.g., the resonance frequency, etc.), w E is the electrical stored energy, w M is the magnetic stored energy,

[0130]

Equation

[0131] is the maximum electrical stored energy,

[0132]

Number

[0133] may represent the maximum magnetic storage energy.

[0134] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the resistance value of the spiral resonator (e.g., spiral resonator 204) may be based on the resistivity of the material of the spiral resonator (e.g., bulk resistivity, etc.), the cross-sectional area of the material of the spiral resonator (e.g., the product of the width of the material and the thickness of the material, etc.), and the length of the material of the spiral resonator, etc. For example, the resistance value R may be determined based on the following mathematical formula.

[0135]

Number

[0136] Here, ρ represents the bulk resistivity, l represents the length of the material of the spiral resonator, and A represents the cross-sectional area of the material of the spiral resonator.

[0137] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the inductance of the spiral resonator (e.g., spiral resonator 204) may be based on the length of the spiral resonator, the width of the spiral resonator, the thickness of the spiral resonator, the number of turns of the spiral resonator, the permeability of the material of the spiral resonator, the cross-section of the material of the spiral resonator, etc. For example, the inductance L may be determined (e.g., estimated, etc.) based on the following mathematical formula.

[0138]

Number

[0139] Here, t represents the thickness of the spiral resonator, w represents the width of the conductor of the spiral resonator, a 0 represents the total length of the spiral resonator, a avg represents the average length of the turns of the spiral resonator, b 0is the full width of the spiral resonator, b avg is the average width of the turns of the spiral resonator, N is the number of turns of the spiral resonator, g is the distance of the gap (e.g., the first gap) between the turns of the spiral resonator, μ 0 is the magnetic permeability, and p can represent a constant based on the geometric cross-section of the material of the spiral resonator (e.g., p may be approximately equal to 1.8).

[0140] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the capacitance of the spiral resonator (e.g., the spiral resonator 204) can be based on the length of the spiral resonator, the width of the spiral resonator, the thickness of the substrate (e.g., the substrate 216), the number of turns of the spiral resonator, the dielectric constant of the substrate, etc. For example, the capacitance C can be determined (e.g., estimated, etc.) based on the following mathematical formula.

[0141] [Number]

[0142] Here, ε is the dielectric constant of the substrate, t ε is the thickness of the spiral resonator, a avg is the average length of the turns of the spiral resonator, b avg is the average width of the turns of the spiral resonator, and N can represent the number of turns of the spiral resonator.

[0143] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the natural frequency (e.g., the resonance frequency, etc.) of the spiral resonator (e.g., the spiral resonator 204) can be based on the inductance and capacitance of the spiral resonator. For example, the natural frequency (e.g., the resonance frequency, etc.) ω 0 can be determined based on the following mathematical formula.

[0144] [Number]

[0145] Here, L represents the inductance and C represents the capacitance.

[0146] Referring to FIG. 2C, circuit 200a may include an equivalent circuit associated with implementation form 200 having series resonance. As shown in FIG. 2C, circuit 200a may include inductance L, capacitance C, and / or resistance value R. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the resistance value R may be modeled as being in series with inductance L and capacitance C. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, inductance L, capacitance C, and / or resistance value R may be determined as described herein. For example, at least one of inductance L, capacitance C, and / or resistance value R may be determined (e.g., estimated, etc.) based on the above equations.

[0147] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the operating frequency (e.g., natural frequency, etc.) of a spiral resonator 204, etc., may include any suitable frequency range. For example, the operating frequency may be in the ultra-wideband (UWB), within the range of 3 to 10 GHz, etc. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the operating range (e.g., distance, etc.) of a spiral resonator 204, etc., may include any suitable distance. For example, the operating range (e.g., distance, etc.) may be less than 5 m, less than 1 m, less than 0.7 m, etc. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the operating temperature range of a spiral resonator 204, etc., may include any suitable temperature range. For example, the operating temperature range may include from -20°C to 80°C, etc. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the weight of a resonator 204, etc., may be less than 5 g. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the width (b 0 ) and length (a 0 ) may include any suitable width and length. For example, the width and length may be in the range from width 10 mm × length 10 mm to width 16 cm × length 16 cm, from width 25 mm × length 70 mm to width 88 mm × length 65 mm, from width 2 cm × length 4 cm to width 16 cm × length 16 cm, etc. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the cost of each spiral resonator 204 may be less than 1 cent.

[0148] Referring to FIG. 2D, circuit 200b may include an equivalent circuit associated with implementation form 200 having parallel resonance. As shown in FIG. 2D, circuit 200b may include inductance L, capacitance C, and / or resistance value R. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the resistance value R may be modeled as being in parallel with the inductance L and the capacitance C. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the inductance L, the capacitance C, and / or the resistance value R may be determined as described herein. For example, at least one of the inductance L, the capacitance C, and / or the resistance value R may be determined (e.g., estimated, etc.) based on the above equations.

[0149] Next, referring to FIGS. 3A-3D, FIGS. 3A-3D are graphs of exemplary frequency spectra of implementation forms of non-limiting embodiments or aspects related to environment 100 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, the graph may have a horizontal axis associated with frequency (f) and a vertical axis associated with amplitude (A).

[0150] Referring to FIG. 3A, interrogation signal 312 may include a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal as described herein. For example, interrogation signal 312 may include a continuous wave multi-frequency electromagnetic signal with uniform amplitude and phase over a range of frequencies. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, interrogation signal 312 may be the same or similar to interrogation signal 112.

[0151] Referring to FIG. 3B, the first reflected signal 314a may include a first attenuated electromagnetic signal as described herein. For example, the first reflected signal 314a may include at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, frequency attenuation, any combination thereof, etc. corresponding to the first resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., associated with the first medical device component 102a and / or its first resonance structure 104a) as described herein. For purposes of illustration, as shown in FIG. 3B, the first reflected signal 314a has a first natural frequency f (e.g., associated with the first resonance structure 104a, etc.)1 It may include amplitude attenuation around. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first reflected signal 314a may be the same as or similar to the first reflected signal 114a.

[0152] Referring to FIG. 3C, the second reflected signal 314b may include a second attenuated electromagnetic signal as described herein. For example, the second reflected signal 314b may include at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, frequency attenuation, any combination thereof, etc. corresponding to a second resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., associated with the second medical device component 102b and / or its second resonant structure 104b) as described herein. For purposes of illustration, as shown in FIG. 3C, the second reflected signal 314b has a second natural frequency f (e.g., associated with the second resonant structure 104b, etc.) 2 It may include amplitude attenuation around. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second reflected signal 314b may be the same as or similar to the second reflected signal 114b.

[0153] Referring to FIG. 3D, the third reflected signal 314c may include a third attenuated electromagnetic signal as described herein. For example, the third reflected signal 314c may include at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, frequency attenuation, any combination thereof, etc. corresponding to a third resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., associated with a mated combination such as the first medical device component 102a and the second medical device component 102b) as described herein. For purposes of illustration, as shown in FIG. 3D, the third reflected signal 314c has a third natural frequency f (e.g., associated with an electromagnetically coupled combination such as the first resonant structure 104a and the second resonant structure 104b) 3 It may include amplitude attenuation around. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the third reflected signal 314c may be the same as or similar to the third reflected signal 114c.

[0154] Next, referring to FIGS. 4A - 4D, FIGS. 4A - 4D are diagrams of an exemplary implementation 400 of a non - limiting embodiment or aspect regarding the environment 100 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 4A - 4D, the implementation 400 may include a medical device assembly 402, a first medical device component 402a, a first resonant structure 404a, a first metal strip 406a, a first antenna element 408a, a first fitting element 410a, a second medical device component 402b, a second resonant structure 404b, a second metal strip 406b, a second antenna element 408b, and / or a second fitting element 410b. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the medical device assembly 402 may be the same as or similar to the medical device assembly 102. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the first medical device component 402a may be the same as or similar to the first medical device component 102a. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the first resonant structure 404a may be the same as or similar to the first resonant structure 104a. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the first metal strip 406a may be the same as or similar to the first metal strip 106a. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the first antenna element 408a may be the same as or similar to the first antenna element 108a. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the first fitting element 410a may be the same as or similar to the first fitting element 110a. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the second medical device component 402b may be the same as or similar to the second medical device component 102b. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the second resonant structure 404b may be the same as or similar to the second resonant structure 104b. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the second metal strip 406b may be the same as or similar to the second metal strip 106b. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the second antenna element 408b may be the same as or similar to the second antenna element 108b may be the same as or similar to. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the second fitting element 410b may be the same as or similar to the second fitting element 110b.

[0155] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first medical device component 402a may include a syringe, as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the second medical device component 402b may include a vascular access device (e.g., an IV line, a catheter, etc.), as described herein.

[0156] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first medical device component 402a may include a first antenna element 408a, as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the first antenna element 408a may have a resonance frequency spectrum, as described herein. For example, the first antenna element 408a may include at least one first resonance structure 404a, and each first resonance structure 404a may have a resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., a first resonance frequency spectrum), as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the first antenna element 408a may include a first metal strip 406a, as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first resonance structure 404a may include at least one spiral resonator (e.g., a first spiral resonator), as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the first resonance frequency spectrum may include a first natural frequency of the first spiral resonator, as described herein.

[0157] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when querying the first medical device component 402a using a query signal, the first antenna element 408a (e.g., its first resonant structure 404a) can attenuate at least one first frequency component to form a first attenuated electromagnetic signal (e.g., a first reflected signal), as described herein. For example, the query signal can include a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, and when querying the first medical device component 402a using the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the first antenna element 408a (e.g., its first resonant structure 404a) can attenuate at least one first frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the first resonant frequency spectrum to form a first attenuated electromagnetic signal, as described herein.

[0158] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first medical device component 402a can include a first fitting element 410a, as described herein. For example, the first fitting element 410a can include a male Luer connector, as described herein.

[0159] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second medical device component 402b can include a second antenna element 408b. Additionally or alternatively, the second antenna element 408b can have a resonant frequency spectrum, as described herein. For example, the second antenna element 408b can include at least one second resonant structure 404b, and each second resonant structure 404b can have a resonant frequency spectrum (e.g., a second resonant frequency spectrum), as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the second antenna element 408b can include a second metal strip 406b, as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second resonant structure 404b can include at least one spiral resonator (e.g., a second spiral resonator), as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the second resonant frequency spectrum can include the second natural frequency of the second spiral resonator, as described herein.

[0160] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when interrogating the second medical device component 402b using an interrogation signal, the second antenna element 408b (e.g., its second resonator 404b) can attenuate at least one second frequency component to form a second attenuated electromagnetic signal (e.g., a second reflected signal), as described herein. For example, the interrogation signal can include a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, and when interrogating the second medical device component 402b using the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the second antenna element 408b (e.g., its second resonator 404b) can attenuate at least one second frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the second resonance frequency spectrum to form a second attenuated electromagnetic signal, as described herein.

[0161] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second medical device component 402b can include a second mating element 410b, as described herein. For example, the second mating element 410b can include a female Luer connector, as described herein.

[0162] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when mating the first medical device component 402a (e.g., its first mating element 410a) to the second medical device component 402b (e.g., its second mating element 410b), the first antenna element 408a (e.g., its first resonator 404a) and the second antenna element 408b (e.g., its second resonator 404b) can couple to have a third resonance frequency spectrum, as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the third resonance frequency spectrum can be different from the first resonance frequency spectrum and the second resonance frequency spectrum, as described herein.

[0163] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, querying a mating medical device component (e.g., the first medical device component 402 and the medical device component 402b upon mating) using a query signal causes its antenna elements (e.g., the first antenna element 408a (e.g., its first resonator 404a) and the second antenna element 408b (e.g., its second resonator 404b)) to attenuate at least one third frequency component to form a third attenuated electromagnetic signal (e.g., a third reflected signal), as described herein.

[0164] Referring now to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary implementation 500 of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect with respect to the environment 100 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the implementation 500 may include a medical device component 502, a resonator 504, a metal strip 506, an antenna element 508, a mating element 510, a tag 550, and / or a tag resonator 554. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the medical device component 502 may be the same as or similar to the first medical device component 102a and / or the second medical device component 102b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the resonator 504 may be the same as or similar to the first resonator 104a and / or the second resonator 104b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the metal strip 506 may be the same as or similar to the first metal strip 106a and / or the second metal strip 106b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the antenna element 508 may be the same as or similar to the first antenna element 108a and / or the second antenna element 108b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the mating element 510 may be the same as or similar to the first mating element 110a and / or the second mating element 110b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each of the tag resonators 554 may be the same as or similar to the first resonator 104a and / or the second resonator 104b.

[0165] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the medical device component 502 may include a syringe, as described herein.

[0166] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the medical device component 502 may include at least one antenna element, such as antenna element 508, tag 550 (and / or its tag resonator structure), any combination thereof, and the like.

[0167] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the antenna element 508 may have a resonance frequency spectrum, as described herein. For example, the antenna element 508 may include at least one resonator structure 504, and each resonator structure 504 may have a resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., a first resonance frequency spectrum), as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna element 508 may include a metal strip 506, as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the resonator structure 504 may include at least one spiral resonator (e.g., a first spiral resonator), as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the first resonance frequency spectrum may include the first natural frequency of the first spiral resonator, as described herein.

[0168] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the tag 550 may have a resonance frequency spectrum. Additionally or alternatively, the tag 550 may include at least one tag resonator structure 554, and each tag resonator structure 554 may have a resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., a second resonance frequency spectrum), as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the tag resonator structure 554 may include at least one spiral resonator (e.g., a second spiral resonator), as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the second resonance frequency spectrum may include the second natural frequency of the second spiral resonator, as described herein.

[0169] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the medical device component 502 may include a tag 550 in addition to the antenna element 508. Additionally or alternatively, the medical device component 502 may include a tag 550 instead of (e.g., without the antenna element 508, independent of the antenna element 508, etc.) the antenna element 508.

[0170] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when interrogating the medical device component 502 using an interrogation signal, the antenna element 508 (e.g., its resonator 504) may attenuate at least one first frequency component to form a first attenuated electromagnetic signal (e.g., a first reflected signal), as described herein. For example, the interrogation signal may include a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, and when interrogating the medical device component 502 using the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the antenna element 508 (e.g., its resonator 504) may attenuate at least one first frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to a first resonance frequency spectrum to form a first attenuated electromagnetic signal, as described herein.

[0171] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when interrogating the medical device component 502 using an interrogation signal, the tag 550 (e.g., its tag resonator 554) may attenuate at least one second frequency component to form a second attenuated electromagnetic signal (e.g., a second reflected signal), as described herein. For example, the interrogation signal may include a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, and when interrogating the medical device component 502 using the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the tag 550 (e.g., its tag resonator 554) may attenuate at least one second frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to a second resonance frequency spectrum to form a second attenuated electromagnetic signal, as described herein.

[0172] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the medical device component 502 may include a mating element 510, as described herein. For example, the mating element 510 may include, as described herein, a male Luer connector, a female Luer connector, any combination thereof, and the like.

[0173] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when the medical device component 502 (e.g., its mating element 510) is mated to a second medical device component (e.g., its second mating element), the antenna element 508 (e.g., its resonator 504) may couple to a second antenna element (e.g., its second resonator) of the second medical device component to have a third resonance frequency spectrum, as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the third resonance frequency spectrum may be different from the first resonance frequency spectrum and the second resonance frequency spectrum, as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when querying the mated medical device component using a query signal, the antenna element may attenuate at least one third frequency component to form a third attenuated electromagnetic signal (e.g., a third reflected signal), as described herein.

[0174] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the tag 550 may include a substrate, as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the substrate (e.g., of the tag 550) may include (e.g., be formed from) a dielectric material such as plastic, a flexible polymer, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), paper, and the like. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the tag 550 may be fixed to the medical device component 502, as described herein.

[0175] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least one tag resonator 554 may include a plurality of tag resonators 554, as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the plurality of tag resonators 554 (and / or a subset thereof) may be disposed circumferentially around the medical device component 502, as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, each of the plurality of tag resonators 554 (and / or a subset thereof) may be disposed longitudinally (e.g., axially, parallel to the axis of the medical device component 502, etc.) along the medical device component 502, as described herein.

[0176] Next, referring to FIG. 6A, FIG. 6A is a diagram of an exemplary implementation 600 of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect related to the environment 100 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 6A, the implementation 600 may include a medical device component 602, a resonance structure 604, a metal strip 606, an antenna element 608, a scale marking resonance structure 664, a longitudinal metal strip 666, and / or a longitudinal antenna element 668. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the medical device component 602 may be the same as or similar to the first medical device component 102a and / or the second medical device component 102b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the resonance structure 604 may be the same as or similar to the first resonance structure 104a and / or the second resonance structure 104b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the metal strip 606 may be the same as or similar to the first metal strip 106a and / or the second metal strip 106b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the antenna element 608 may be the same as or similar to the first antenna element 108a and / or the second antenna element 108b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the scale marking resonance structure 664 may be the same as or similar to the first resonance structure 104a and / or the second resonance structure 104b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the longitudinal metal strip 666 may be the same as or similar to the first metal strip 106a and / or the second metal strip 106b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the longitudinal antenna element 668 may be the same as or similar to the first antenna element 108a and / or the second antenna element 108b.

[0177] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the medical device component 602 may include a syringe, as described herein.

[0178] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the medical device component 602 can include at least one antenna element, such as antenna element 608, longitudinal antenna element 668, any combination thereof, and the like.

[0179] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, antenna element 608 can have a resonance frequency spectrum as described herein. For example, antenna element 608 can include at least one resonant structure 604, and each resonant structure 604 can have a resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., a first resonance frequency spectrum) as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, antenna element 608 can include a metal strip 606 as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, resonant structure 604 can include at least one spiral resonator (e.g., a first spiral resonator) as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the first resonance frequency spectrum can include the first natural frequency of the first spiral resonator as described herein.

[0180] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, longitudinal antenna element 668 can have a resonance frequency spectrum as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, longitudinal antenna element 668 can include at least one scale marking resonant structure 664, and each scale marking resonant structure 664 can have a resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., a second resonance frequency spectrum) as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, longitudinal antenna element 668 can include a longitudinal metal strip 666 as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, scale marking resonant structure 664 can include at least one spiral resonator (e.g., a second spiral resonator) as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the second resonance frequency spectrum can include the second natural frequency of the second spiral resonator as described herein.

[0181] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the longitudinal metal strip 666 (e.g., at least a portion thereof) can be disposed longitudinally (e.g., axially, parallel to the axis of the medical device component 602, etc.) along the medical device component 602 as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least one scale marking resonance structure 664 can include a plurality of scale marking resonance structures 664 as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a plurality of scale marking resonance structures 664 (and / or a subset thereof) can be disposed longitudinally (e.g., axially, parallel to the axis of the medical device component 602, etc.) along the medical device component 602 as described herein. For example, each scale marking resonance structure 664 (and / or each of a subset thereof) can be disposed at a distinct scale marking on the medical device component 602 as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each of the plurality of scale marking resonance structures 664 can include (e.g., be formed from, etc.) conductive ink as described herein.

[0182] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the medical device component 602 can include a longitudinal antenna element 668 in addition to the antenna element 608. Additionally or alternatively, the medical device component 602 can include a longitudinal antenna element 668 instead of (e.g., without the antenna element 608, independent of the antenna element 608, etc.) the antenna element 608.

[0183] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when querying the medical device component 602 using a query signal, the antenna element 608 (e.g., its resonant structure 604) can attenuate at least one first frequency component to form a first attenuated electromagnetic signal (e.g., a first reflected signal), as described herein. For example, the query signal can include a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, and when querying the medical device component 602 using the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the antenna element 608 (e.g., its resonant structure 604) can attenuate at least one first frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to a first resonant frequency spectrum to form a first attenuated electromagnetic signal, as described herein.

[0184] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when querying the medical device component 602 using a query signal, the longitudinal antenna element 668 (e.g., its scale marking resonant structure 664) can attenuate at least one second frequency component to form a second attenuated electromagnetic signal (e.g., a second reflected signal), as described herein. For example, the query signal may include a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, and when querying the medical device component 602 using the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the longitudinal antenna element 668 (e.g., its scale marking resonant structure 664) can attenuate at least one second frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to a second resonant frequency spectrum to form a second attenuated electromagnetic signal, as described herein.

[0185] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when the medical device component 602 (e.g., its mating element 610) is mated to a second medical device component (e.g., its second mating element), as described herein, the antenna element 608 (e.g., its resonant structure 604) may couple to a second antenna element (e.g., its second resonant structure) of the second medical device component to have a third resonant frequency spectrum. Additionally or alternatively, the third resonant frequency spectrum may be different from the first resonant frequency spectrum and the second resonant frequency spectrum, as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when querying the mated medical device components using a query signal, as described herein, the antenna element may attenuate at least one third frequency component to form a third attenuated electromagnetic signal (e.g., a third reflected signal).

[0186] Referring now to FIGS. 6B and 6C, FIGS. 6B and 6C are graphs of exemplary frequency spectra of non-limiting embodiments or aspects related to the implementation 600 shown in FIG. 6A. As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the graph may have a horizontal axis associated with frequency (f) and a vertical axis associated with amplitude (A).

[0187] Referring to FIG. 6B, the query signal 612 may include a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, as described herein. For example, the query signal 612 may include a continuous wave multi-frequency electromagnetic signal with a uniform amplitude and phase over a range of frequencies. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the query signal 612 may be the same as or similar to the query signal 112.

[0188] Referring to FIG. 6C, the second reflected signal 614 may include a second attenuated electromagnetic signal from the longitudinal antenna element 668, as described herein. For example, the second reflected signal 614 may include at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, frequency attenuation, any combination thereof, etc. corresponding to a second resonance frequency spectrum (e.g., associated with the longitudinal antenna element 668 and / or its scale marking resonance structure 664) as described herein. For purposes of illustration, as shown in FIG. 6C, the second reflected signal 614 may include amplitude attenuation around the natural frequency of each of the plurality of scale marking resonance structures 664. For example, the second reflected signal 614 may include a first amplitude attenuation around a first natural frequency f 1 associated with (e.g., the first scale marking resonance structure 664, etc.), a second amplitude attenuation around a second natural frequency f 2 associated with (e.g., the second scale marking resonance structure 664, etc.), an nth amplitude attenuation around an nth natural frequency f n associated with (e.g., the nth scale marking resonance structure 664, etc.), and any combination thereof.

[0189] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each type of medical device component (e.g., the first medical device component 102a, the second medical device component 102b, etc. described herein) may have a unique identifier (e.g., a stock keeping unit (SKU), etc.). Additionally or alternatively, each of the N possible scale marking resonator structures 664 may have a unique natural frequency. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each respective type of medical device component may be uniquely identified based on a unique subset of up to n scale marking resonator structures 664 (e.g., n may be less than or equal to N). For example, each of the N possible scale marking resonator structures 664 may be associated with 1 bit, and when each respective subset includes one of each of the N possible scale marking resonator structures 664 (e.g., when the second reflected signal 614 includes the natural frequency of one of each of the N possible scale marking resonator structures 664), the presence of one of each of the N possible scale marking resonator structures 664 may be associated with a first logical value (e.g., 1, 0, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, when each respective subset does not include one of each of the N possible scale marking resonator structures 664 (e.g., when the second reflected signal 614 does not include the natural frequency of one of each of the N possible scale marking resonator structures 664), the absence of one of each of the N possible scale marking resonator structures 664 may be associated with a second logical value (e.g., 0, 1, etc., respectively). Thus, each unique natural frequency may be the same or similar to a logical bit (e.g., the bit may be 1 (present), 0 (absent), etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each possible arrangement of the subset of up to n scale marking resonator structures 664 may be associated with a number that includes a plurality of bits, and each bit may be associated with 1 (e.g., the respective natural frequency is present) or 0 (the respective natural frequency is absent), etc.Additionally or alternatively, each possible arrangement of a subset of up to n scale marking resonator structures 664 (e.g., a number including a plurality of bits associated therewith) can be associated with each respective one of a plurality of unique identifiers for a plurality of types of medical device components. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a mapping (e.g., a database, a table, etc.) can be stored (e.g., by server 130, etc.), the mapping mapping each type of medical device component (e.g., its unique identifier) to each respective possible arrangement of a subset of up to n scale marking resonator structures 664 (e.g., a number including a plurality of bits associated therewith). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the total number of possible bits can be up to 35 bits. Additionally or alternatively, the bit density per unit can be up to 5.88 bits / cm (e.g., based on geometric characteristics of resonator structures 664, material characteristics of resonator structures 664, operating frequencies of resonator structures 664, etc.). 2 , up to 5.22 bits / cm 2 , up to 4.17 bits / cm 2 , up to 3.56 bits / cm 2 , up to 3 bits / cm 2 , up to 2.86 bits / cm 2 , up to 2.37 bits / cm 2 , up to 2.11 bits / cm 2 , up to 1.25 bits / cm 2 , up to 1.14 bits / cm 2 , up to 0.77 bits / cm 2 , up to 0.61 bits / cm 2 , up to 0.2 bits / cm 2 , up to 0.1 bits / cm 2 and the like can be included.

[0190] Next, referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a diagram of an exemplary implementation 700 of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect regarding the environment 100 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the implementation 700 may include a tag 750, a tag resonant structure 754, a tag metal strip 756, a first tag antenna element 758a, and / or a second tag antenna element 758b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the tag 750 may be fixed to a medical device component (e.g., the first medical device component 102a and / or the second medical device component 102b). Additionally or alternatively, the tag 750 may be the same as or similar to the tag 550. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the tag resonant structure 754 may be the same as or similar to the first resonant structure 104a and / or the second resonant structure 104b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the tag metal strip 756 may be the same as or similar to the first metal strip 106a and / or the second metal strip 106b. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first tag antenna element 758a may be the same as or similar to the first antenna element 108a (e.g., its first transmitting antenna element) and / or the second antenna element 108b (e.g., its second transmitting antenna element). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second tag antenna element 758b may be the same as or similar to the first antenna element 108a (e.g., its first receiving antenna element) and / or the second antenna element 108b (e.g., its second receiving antenna element).

[0191] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the tag 750 may have a resonance frequency spectrum. Additionally or alternatively, the tag 750 may include at least one tag resonant structure 754, and each tag resonant structure 754 may have a resonance frequency spectrum as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each tag resonant structure 754 may include at least one spiral resonator as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the resonance frequency spectrum may include the natural frequency of the spiral resonator as described herein.

[0192] In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, when interrogating tag 750 using an interrogation signal, tag 750 (e.g., its tag resonator structure 754 ) can form an attenuated electromagnetic signal (e.g., a reflected signal) by attenuating at least one frequency component, as described herein. For example, the interrogation signal may include a multi - frequency electromagnetic signal. When interrogating tag 750 using the multi - frequency electromagnetic signal, tag 750 (e.g., its tag resonator structure 754) can form a second attenuated electromagnetic signal by attenuating at least one frequency component of the multi - frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the resonance frequency spectrum, as described herein.

[0193] In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, tag 750 can include a substrate, as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the substrate (e.g., of tag 750) can include (e.g., be formed from) a dielectric material such as plastic, a flexible polymer, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), paper, etc. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, tag 750 can be fixed to a medical device component, as described herein.

[0194] In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, at least one tag resonator structure 754 can include a plurality of tag resonator structures 754, as described herein. In some non - limiting embodiments or aspects, the plurality of tag resonator structures 754 (and / or a subset thereof) can be arranged longitudinally (e.g., axially, parallel to the axis of the medical device component, etc.) along a medical device component (e.g., when tag 750 is fixed to a medical device component, etc.), as described herein.

[0195] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the tag 750 may include a first tag antenna element 758a (e.g., a receiving antenna element) and / or a second tag antenna element 758b (e.g., a transmitting antenna element). For example, each of the first tag antenna element 758a (e.g., a receiving antenna element) and / or the second tag antenna element 758b (e.g., a transmitting antenna element) may include a disk-shaped metal conductor. Additionally or alternatively, the first tag antenna element 758a (e.g., a receiving antenna element) and / or the second tag antenna element 758b (e.g., a transmitting antenna element) may be attached to both ends of the tag metal strip 756. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first tag antenna element 758a (e.g., a receiving antenna element) and the second tag antenna element 758b (e.g., a transmitting antenna element) may be cross-polarized. For example, the first tag antenna element 758a (e.g., a receiving antenna element) and the second tag antenna element 758b (e.g., a transmitting antenna element) may be arranged (e.g., disposed, etc.) on the tag 750 such that when the tag 750 is fixed to a medical device component (e.g., wrapped around a cylindrical medical device component), the first tag antenna element 758a (e.g., a receiving antenna element) is oriented perpendicular to the second tag antenna element 758b (e.g., a transmitting antenna element). For example, the first tag antenna element 758a (e.g., its surface) may be disposed in a first plane (e.g., substantially in a plane, mainly in a plane, etc.), and the second tag antenna element 758b (e.g., its surface) may be disposed in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane (e.g., substantially in a plane, mainly in a plane, etc.).

[0196] Next, referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of a process 800 for detecting the fitting of medical device components. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, one or more of the steps of process 800 may be performed (e.g., fully, partially, etc.) by a leader device 120 (e.g., one or more devices of leader device 120 such as generator 122, leader 124, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, one or more of the steps of process 800 may be performed (e.g., fully, partially, etc.) by another system, another device, another group of systems, or another group of devices that are separate from leader device 120 or that include leader device 120, such as medical device assembly 102 (e.g., one or more components of medical device assembly 102 such as first medical device component 102a, second medical device component 102b, etc.), server 130 (e.g., one or more devices of server 130).

[0197] As shown in FIG. 8, at step 802, process 800 may include providing a first medical device component. For example, first medical device component 102a may be provided. Additionally or alternatively, first medical device component 102a may have at least one first resonant structure 104a, as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, first resonant structure 104a may have a first resonant frequency spectrum, as described herein.

[0198] As shown in FIG. 8, in step 804, process 800 may include providing a second medical device component. For example, a second medical device component 102b may be provided. Additionally or alternatively, the second medical device component 102b may have at least one second resonant structure 104b, as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second resonant structure 104b may have a second resonant frequency spectrum. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second resonant frequency spectrum may be the same as the first resonant frequency spectrum, as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second resonant frequency spectrum may be different from the first resonant frequency spectrum, as described herein.

[0199] As shown in FIG. 8, in step 806, process 800 may include fitting the first medical device component and the second medical device component. For example, as described herein, the first medical device component 102a and the second medical device component 102b may fit together to form a medical device assembly (e.g., medical device assembly 102). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when the first resonant structure 104a and the second resonant structure 104b are fitted together, they may combine (e.g., by electromagnetic coupling, etc.) to have a third resonant frequency spectrum, as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the third resonant frequency spectrum may be different from the first resonant frequency spectrum and the second resonant frequency spectrum, as described herein.

[0200] As shown in FIG. 8, at step 808, process 800 may include querying the medical device assembly using a query signal. For example, leader device 120 and / or generator 122 may query medical device assembly 102 using query signal 112 as described herein. For example, leader device 120 and / or generator 122 may transmit query signal 112 (e.g., to medical device assembly 102) as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, query signal 112 may include a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal as described herein.

[0201] As shown in FIG. 8, at step 810, process 800 may include detecting a reflected signal. For example, leader device 120 and / or leader 124 may detect a reflected signal (e.g., a third reflected signal 114c) from medical device assembly 102 as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reflected signal (e.g., the third reflected signal 114c) may correspond to a third resonance frequency spectrum as described herein.

[0202] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when querying medical device assembly 102 using query signal 112, at least one frequency component of query signal 112 corresponding to the third resonance frequency spectrum may be attenuated to form a reflected signal (e.g., a third reflected signal 114c) as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, detecting a reflected signal (e.g., a third reflected signal 114c) as described herein may include receiving the reflected signal and detecting at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, frequency attenuation, any combination thereof, etc. in the reflected signal corresponding to the third resonance frequency spectrum.

[0203] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the leader device 120 and / or the leader 124 may detect reflected signals (e.g., the first reflected signal 114a and / or the second reflected signal 114b) from the medical device assembly 102, as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reflected signals (e.g., the first reflected signal 114a and / or the second reflected signal 114b) may correspond to the first and / or second resonance frequency spectra, as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, upon detecting the reflected signals (e.g., the first reflected signal 114a and / or the second reflected signal 114b), the leader device 120, the leader 124, and / or the server 130 may determine that the first medical device component 102a and the second medical device component 102b are not mated (e.g., did not mate correctly, were released such that the medical device components became unmated, etc.).

[0204] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, reflected signal data associated with the reflected signals may be stored. For example, the leader device 120 and / or the leader 124 may store reflected signal data associated with the reflected signals. Additionally or alternatively, the leader device 120 and / or the leader 124 may communicate the reflected signal data to the server 130. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the server 130 may store the reflected signal data associated with the reflected signals in a database, as described herein.

[0205] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, detecting the reflected signal may include detecting the reflected signal using one of the plurality of leader devices 120 and / or leader 124, as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, each leader device 120 and / or leader 124 may be disposed at a location within at least one site, as described herein. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the position of the medical device assembly 102 may be determined based on the position of one of the plurality of leader devices 120 and / or leader 124.

[0206] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, compliance (e.g., the compliance of the mating of the first medical device component 102a and the second medical device component 102b) may be determined (e.g., detected, monitored, etc.) as described herein.

[0207] Referring now to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a diagram of exemplary components of a device 900. The device 900 may correspond to one or more of the devices of leader device 120, generator 122, leader 124, server 130, and / or network 140. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, leader device 120, generator 122, leader 124, server 130, and / or network 140 may include at least one device 900 and / or at least one component of device 900. As shown in FIG. 9, device 900 may include a bus 902, a processor 904, a memory 906, a storage component 908, an input component 910, an output component 912, and a communication interface 914.

[0208] Bus 902 may include components that enable communication among the components of device 900. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, processor 904 may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, and / or any combination thereof. For example, processor 904 may include a processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), etc.), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and / or any processing component (e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.), which may be programmed to perform functions. Memory 906 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and / or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., flash memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, etc.) that stores information and / or instructions for use by processor 904.

[0209] Storage component 908 may store information and / or software related to the operation and use of device 900. For example, storage component 908 may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a solid state disk, etc.), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetic tape, and / or another type of computer-readable medium, along with a corresponding drive.

[0210] The input component 910 may include components that enable the device 900 to receive information via user input or the like (e.g., a touch screen display, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a switch, a microphone, a camera, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the input component 910 may include an antenna for receiving electromagnetic radiation, a sensor for sensing information (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) component, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an actuator, etc.), and the like. The output component 912 may include components that provide output information from the device 900 (e.g., an antenna for transmitting electromagnetic radiation, a display, a speaker, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), etc.).

[0211] The communication interface 914 may include a component such as a transceiver that enables the device 900 to communicate with other devices via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of a wired connection and a wireless connection (e.g., a transceiver, a separate receiver and transmitter, etc.). The communication interface 914 may enable the device 900 to receive information from another device and / or provide information to another device. For example, the communication interface 914 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a Wi-Fi® interface, a Bluetooth® interface, a Zigbee® interface, a cellular network interface, and the like.

[0212] Device 900 may execute one or more processes described herein. Device 900 may execute these processes based on processor 904 that executes software instructions stored by a computer-readable medium such as memory 906 and / or storage component 908. A computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium) is defined herein as a non-transitory memory device. A non-transitory memory device includes a memory space located within a single physical memory device or a memory space distributed across multiple physical memory devices.

[0213] The software instructions may be read into memory 906 and / or storage component 908 from another computer-readable medium or from another device via communication interface 914. The software instructions stored in memory 906 and / or storage component 908, when executed, may cause processor 904 to execute one or more processes described herein. Additionally or alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used instead of or in combination with software instructions to execute one or more processes described herein. Accordingly, the embodiments or aspects described herein are not limited to any particular combination of hardware circuitry and software.

[0214] The number and arrangement of components shown in FIG. 9 are provided by way of example. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, device 900 may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or components configured differently than those shown in FIG. 9. Additionally or alternatively, a set of components of device 900 (e.g., one or more components) may execute one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of device 900.

[0215] The disclosed subject matter has been described in detail for purposes of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments or aspects, but such details are for that purpose only, and the disclosed subject matter is not limited to the disclosed embodiments or aspects, but on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent configurations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the subject matter of the present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment or aspect may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

Claims

1. A first medical device component having at least one first resonant structure, wherein the at least one first resonant structure has a first resonance frequency spectrum, the first medical device component; A second medical device component having at least one second resonant structure, wherein the at least one second resonant structure has a second resonance frequency spectrum different from the first resonance frequency spectrum, the second medical device component comprising; When the first medical device component is fitted to the second medical device component, the at least one first resonant structure and the at least one second resonant structure are combined to have a third resonance frequency spectrum, and the third resonance frequency spectrum is different from the first resonance frequency spectrum and the second resonance frequency spectrum; When inquiring of the first medical device component fitted to the second medical device component using a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, at least one third frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the third resonance frequency spectrum is attenuated to form a third attenuated electromagnetic signal. A medical device assembly.

2. The medical device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first resonant structure comprises a first spiral-shaped resonator, the first resonance frequency spectrum includes a first natural frequency of the first spiral-shaped resonator, the at least one second resonant structure comprises a second spiral-shaped resonator, and the second resonance frequency spectrum includes a second natural frequency of the second spiral-shaped resonator.

3. The medical device assembly according to claim 2, wherein when the first medical device component is fitted to the second medical device component, the first spiral-shaped resonator and the second spiral-shaped resonator are coupled to form a resonant circuit having a third natural frequency, and the third resonance frequency spectrum includes the third natural frequency of the resonant circuit.

4. The first spiral-shaped resonator includes a first metal conductor adjacent to a first metal strip of at least one first antenna element of the first medical device component, the first metal conductor having a first inductance, a first capacitance, and a first resistance value, and the second spiral-shaped resonator includes a second metal conductor adjacent to a second metal strip of at least one second antenna element of the second medical device component, the second metal conductor having a second inductance, a second capacitance, and a second resistance value, and at least one of the first inductance, the first capacitance, or the first resistance value is different from at least one of the second inductance, the second capacitance, or the second resistance value, respectively. The medical device assembly according to claim 2.

5. The first medical device component includes a male Luer connector, the second medical device component includes a corresponding female Luer connector that mates with the male Luer connector, the at least one first resonant structure is disposed together with the male Luer connector, and the at least one second resonant structure is disposed together with the female Luer connector. The medical device assembly according to claim 1.

6. The at least one first resonant structure includes a plurality of first resonant structures, each of the plurality of first resonant structures being arranged longitudinally along the first medical device component to form distinct scale markings on the first medical device component, and each of the plurality of first resonant structures including conductive ink. The medical device assembly according to claim 1.

7. The first medical device component includes a first receiving antenna element and a first transmitting antenna element, the first receiving antenna element and the first transmitting antenna element being cross-polarized, and the second medical device component includes a second receiving antenna element and a second transmitting antenna element, the second receiving antenna element and the second transmitting antenna element being cross-polarized. The medical device assembly according to claim 1. Claims 8: When the first medical device component is queried using the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the at least one first resonance structure attenuates at least one first frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the first resonance frequency spectrum to form a first attenuated electromagnetic signal. The medical device assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the second medical device component is queried using the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the at least one second resonance structure attenuates at least one second frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the second resonance frequency spectrum to form a second attenuated electromagnetic signal. Claims 9 The medical device assembly according to claim 8, further comprising a first generator configured to generate the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal and a first reader configured to detect at least one of the first attenuated electromagnetic signal, the second attenuated electromagnetic signal, or the third attenuated electromagnetic signal. Claims 10 A medical device assembly A first medical device component having at least one first resonance structure, wherein the at least one first resonance structure has a first resonance frequency spectrum, and the first medical device component A second medical device component having at least one second resonance structure, wherein the at least one second resonance structure has a second resonance frequency spectrum different from the first resonance frequency spectrum, and the second medical device component Comprising When the first medical device component is fitted to the second medical device component, the at least one first resonance structure and the at least one second resonance structure are combined to have a third resonance frequency spectrum, and the third resonance frequency spectrum is different from the first resonance frequency spectrum and the second resonance frequency spectrum, and the medical device assembly At least one generator configured to transmit an interrogation signal to the medical device assembly And at least one reader configured to receive at least one reflected signal from the medical device assembly The system, wherein the reflected signal corresponds to at least one frequency component of the interrogation signal corresponding to the third resonance frequency spectrum. Claims 11 The system according to claim 10, wherein the interrogation signal includes a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal. **Claim 12** The system according to claim 11, wherein the interrogation signal includes a continuous-wave multi-frequency electromagnetic signal with a uniform amplitude and a uniform phase. **Claim 13** When interrogating the first medical device component using the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the at least one first resonant structure attenuates at least one first frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the first resonant frequency spectrum to form a first attenuated electromagnetic signal. When interrogating the second medical device component using the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, the at least one second resonant structure attenuates at least one second frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the second resonant frequency spectrum to form a second attenuated electromagnetic signal. When interrogating the first medical device component fitted with the second medical device component using the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal, at least one third frequency component of the multi-frequency electromagnetic signal corresponding to the third resonant frequency spectrum is attenuated to form a third attenuated electromagnetic signal. The system according to claim 11, wherein the at least one reflection signal includes at least one of the first attenuated electromagnetic signal, the second attenuated electromagnetic signal, or the third attenuated electromagnetic signal. **Claim 14** When interrogating the first medical device component using the interrogation signal, the at least one reader detects the first resonant frequency spectrum by at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, or frequency attenuation in the at least one reflection signal corresponding to the first resonant frequency spectrum. When interrogating the second medical device component using the interrogation signal, the at least one reader detects the second resonant frequency spectrum by at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, or frequency attenuation in the at least one reflection signal corresponding to the second resonant frequency spectrum. When querying the first medical device component fitted with the second medical device component using the query signal, the at least one reader detects the third resonance frequency spectrum by at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, or frequency attenuation in the at least one reflected signal corresponding to the third resonance frequency spectrum. The system according to claim 10.

15. The at least one reader further comprises a first communication interface for communicating reflected signal data associated with the reflected signal via a first network. The system further comprises at least one server having a second communication interface configured to communicate with the first communication interface of the at least one reader via the first network. The at least one server is configured to receive the reflected signal data via the first network, and the at least one server is configured to store the reflected signal data in a database. The system according to claim 10.

16. The at least one reader includes a plurality of readers, each reader of the plurality of readers is located at a position within at least one site, and the position of each reader of the plurality of readers is different from the positions of all other readers of the plurality of readers. The system according to claim 10.

17. The position of the medical device assembly is determined based on which of the plurality of readers detects the medical device assembly. The system according to claim 16.

18. The at least one first resonance structure comprises a first spiral-shaped resonator, the first resonance frequency spectrum includes a first natural frequency of the first spiral-shaped resonator, the at least one second resonance structure comprises a second spiral-shaped resonator, and the second resonance frequency spectrum includes a second natural frequency of the second spiral-shaped resonator. The system according to claim 10.

19. When the first medical device component is fitted to the second medical device component, the first spiral resonator and the second spiral resonator are coupled to form a resonant circuit having a third natural frequency, and the third resonance frequency spectrum includes the third natural frequency of the resonant circuit. The system according to claim 18.

20. The first medical device component includes a male Luer connector, the second medical device component includes a corresponding female Luer connector that mates with the male Luer connector, and the at least one first resonant structure is disposed together with the male Luer connector. The system according to claim 10, wherein the at least one second resonant structure is disposed together with the female Luer connector.

21. The at least one first resonant structure includes a plurality of first resonant structures, each of the plurality of first resonant structures being arranged longitudinally along the first medical device component to form distinct scale markings on the first medical device component. The system according to claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of first resonant structures includes conductive ink.

22. The first medical device component includes at least one first antenna element, the second medical device component includes at least one second antenna element, the generator includes at least one third antenna element, and the reader includes at least one fourth antenna element. The generator is configured to transmit the interrogation signal using the at least one third antenna element, the reader is configured to receive the reflected signal using the at least one fourth antenna element, the interrogation signal is received by at least one of the at least one first antenna element or the at least one second antenna element, and the reflected signal is transmitted by at least one of the at least one first antenna element or the at least one second antenna element. The system according to claim 10.

23. A method for detecting the fitting of medical device components, comprising: Providing a first medical device component having at least one first resonant structure, wherein the at least one first resonant structure has a first resonance frequency spectrum; Providing a second medical device component having at least one second resonant structure, wherein the at least one second resonant structure has a second resonance frequency spectrum different from the first resonance frequency spectrum; Fitting the first medical device component to the second medical device component to form a medical device assembly, such that when fitted, the at least one first resonant structure and the at least one second resonant structure combine to have a third resonance frequency spectrum, and the third resonance frequency spectrum is different from the first resonance frequency spectrum and the second resonance frequency spectrum; Querying the medical device assembly using an interrogation signal; Detecting a reflected signal from the medical device assembly, wherein the reflected signal corresponds to the third resonance frequency spectrum; Including, when querying the medical device assembly using the interrogation signal, at least one frequency component of the interrogation signal corresponding to the third resonance frequency spectrum is attenuated to form the reflected signal; Method.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the interrogation signal includes a multi-frequency electromagnetic signal.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the step of detecting the reflected signal includes receiving the reflected signal and detecting at least one of amplitude attenuation, phase jump, or frequency attenuation in the reflected signal corresponding to the third resonance frequency spectrum.

26. The method according to claim 23, further including storing reflected signal data associated with the reflected signal in a database.

27. The step of detecting the reflected signal includes detecting the reflected signal using a reader, the reader being one of a plurality of readers, each reader of the plurality of readers being located at a position within at least one site; The method according to claim 23, further including determining the position of the medical device assembly based on the position of the reader.

28. The at least one first resonance structure includes a first spiral-shaped resonator, the first resonance frequency spectrum includes a first natural frequency of the first spiral-shaped resonator, the at least one second resonance structure includes a second spiral-shaped resonator, the second resonance frequency spectrum includes a second natural frequency of the second spiral-shaped resonator, and when the first medical device component is fitted to the second medical device component, the first spiral-shaped resonator and the second spiral-shaped resonator are coupled to form a resonance circuit having a third natural frequency, and the third resonance frequency spectrum includes the third natural frequency of the resonance circuit. The method according to claim 23.

29. The first medical device component includes a male Luer connector, the second medical device component includes a corresponding female Luer connector that mates with the male Luer connector, the at least one first resonance structure is disposed together with the male Luer connector, and the at least one second resonance structure is disposed together with the female Luer connector. The method according to claim 23.

30. The at least one first resonance structure includes a plurality of first resonance structures, each of the plurality of first resonance structures is arranged longitudinally along the first medical device component to form separate scale markings on the first medical device component, and each of the plurality of first resonance structures includes conductive ink. The method according to claim 23.

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