Flexible RFID Band for Operating Room Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available RFID tags for operating room instruments are prone to loss during cleaning and sterilization, especially when attached to metallic instruments, and existing solutions face manufacturing inefficiencies due to fixed sizes and complex production processes.
Innovation Solution
An electronic identification band featuring an elongated flexible substrate with a mounted RFID unit, protective housing, and back adhesive layer, allowing for adjustable attachment and protection from environmental interference, enabling secure wireless identification of instruments during cleaning and sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID tags are adhered to instruments by adhesive, then the tags can be attached to instruments, but they may be easily lost during cleaning and sterilization process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible substrate that can be conformally wrapped around instruments of various shapes and sizes, providing reliable attachment during cleaning and sterilization. The flexible nature of the substrate allows it to adapt to different instrument geometries while maintaining secure bonding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates an adjustable telescopic strap mechanism that can dynamically adapt to different instrument sizes. The strap can be extended or retracted to fit various instrument dimensions, providing both secure attachment and ease of application without requiring multiple fixed-size components.
2Reliability
If RFID tags are applied to metallic instruments, then identification can be performed, but metal interferences communication may arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible substrate as an intermediary layer between the RFID tag and the metallic instrument. This substrate acts as a mediator that isolates the RFID tag from direct contact with metal, reducing electromagnetic interference while still allowing the tag to be securely attached to the instrument through the substrate.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed diameter telescope strap is used, then the structure is simple, but the applicability to various instruments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a telescopic strap mechanism that can dynamically adjust its length to accommodate various instrument diameters. The strap consists of extendable and retractable segments that can be manipulated to fit different instrument sizes, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed-size components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the strap into multiple segments or sections that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the strap to be configured in different lengths and shapes to match various instrument geometries, enhancing adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
4Ease of manufacture
If male and female fasteners are embedded in forming mold, then the fastening function is achieved, but the process is meticulous and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening function from complex molded structures and implements it through simple adhesive bonding and elastic retention mechanisms. Instead of embedding complex male and female fasteners in molds, the design uses straightforward adhesive application and elastic strap retention, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing production time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable adhesive layers and simple elastic retention mechanisms instead of complex, time-consuming molded fasteners. These simple, inexpensive components can be applied quickly during manufacturing and provide sufficient fastening function without requiring meticulous molding processes, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution prevents RFID unit loss during sterilization, enhances manufacturing efficiency, and maintains effective wireless communication even on metallic instruments, ensuring reliable identification and tracking of operating room instruments.
Implementation Method 1
a back adhesive layer (50) provided at a bottom surface of the elongated flexible substrate (20)
Implementation Method 2
a protective housing (40) formed on a top surface of the mounting portion (21) of the elongated flexible substrate (20) at a place surrounding the RFID unit (30) in a way that the protective housing (40) covers the RFID unit (30) to isolate the RFID unit (30) from an ambient environment
Implementation Method 3
a radio-frequency identification (RFID) unit (30) mounted on the elongated flexible substrate (20)
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic identification band can be tightly attached to and surrounded around operating room instruments of various types or specifications for wireless identification by appropriately trimming the length thereof and then peeling off a release paper. The electronic identification band includes a protective housing directly formed on a mounting portion of an elongated flexible substrate to encase an RFID unit therein, such that the RFID unit can be isolated from an ambient environment by a simple structure, thereby achieving the protective function and thus significantly enhancing the economic efficiency in manufacturing the electronic identification band.