Passive Magnetic Identification for Surgical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID systems for medical tools are unsuitable for identifying small objects due to the need for large antennas, making them impractical for use in identifying small medical instruments.
Innovation Solution
A passive medical identification device using a magnetic object within a casing that rotates under external magnetic torque, with a restoring torque provider to generate a rotational oscillation, producing a response magnetic signal that can be transduced into an induction signal for identification, allowing for compact and efficient identification of medical tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID elements are used for identifying medical tools, then identification capability is provided, but the device size becomes relatively large due to required antennas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic field-based RFID system with a mechanical oscillation system. A magnetic object suspended in a casing oscillates mechanically when exposed to alternating magnetic fields, generating induced currents that provide the identification signal. This mechanical oscillation approach eliminates the need for large antennas while maintaining identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using a small magnetic object with specific magnetic moment and oscillation frequency characteristics. By controlling the oscillation frequency and magnetic properties, the system achieves effective identification with a compact device size, transforming the identification mechanism from antenna-based to oscillation-based.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the medical tool size is reduced to fit small objects, then adaptability to small medical instruments is improved, but the identification device becomes too small to accommodate traditional RFID antennas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic antenna system with a mechanical oscillation system consisting of a small magnetic object suspended by a support structure. This mechanical approach allows the identification device to be scaled down to fit within small medical instruments while maintaining functional capability through controlled oscillation rather than electromagnetic radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic object is nested within a protective casing that contains the support structure and damping elements. This nested configuration allows all necessary components to be compactly arranged within a small volume, enabling the identification device to fit within 1 mm sphere while maintaining functionality.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact identification device is used, then device size is reduced, but the reading distance and signal strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes magnetic parameters including the magnetic moment of the oscillating object, the frequency of oscillation, and the sensitivity of the detection system. By carefully selecting these parameters, the system achieves effective reading distances greater than 30 cm despite the compact device size, maintaining measurement precision through parameter optimization rather than size increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic oscillation of the magnetic object at specific frequencies to generate identification signals. This periodic action creates a distinctive signal pattern that can be detected at distance, allowing compact device size while maintaining reading distance capability through frequency-based signal generation rather than power-based transmission.
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
Enables the identification of medical tools with a compact passive medical identification device, providing a unique fingerprint for each tool, even when the device is small enough to fit within a 1 mm sphere, and can be read from a distance greater than 30 cm, enhancing the ability to track and manage medical instruments effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic object being arranged within the casing such that it is rotatable out of an equilibrium orientation if an external magnetic torque is acting on the magnetic object
Implementation Method 2
a restoring torque provider being configured to provide a restoring torque to force the magnetic object back into the equilibrium orientation if an external magnetic torque has rotated the magnetic object out of the equilibrium orientation, in order to allow for a rotational oscillation of the magnetic object excited by the external magnetic torque
Implementation Method 3
an excitation and induction signal coil system configured to: a) generate a magnetic field providing a magnetic torque for rotating the magnetic object of the identification device out of its equilibrium orientation and for thereby exciting a rotational oscillation of the magnetic object, the rotational oscillation inducing a response magnetic field, and b) transduce the response magnetic field into an induction signal
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a passive medical identification device 1 to be used for identifying a medical tool such as, for example, a surgical instrument, if the medical tool is equipped with the identification device. The identification device comprises a casing 2, a magnetic object 3 arranged within the casing such that it is rotatable out of an equilibrium orientation by an external magnetic torque, and a restoring torque provider 4 such as, for example, a further magnetic object providing a restoring torque forcing the magnetic object back into the equilibrium orientation. The magnetic object 3 rotationally oscillates upon excitation by an external magnetic torque, thereby generating a response magnetic signal which is transduced into an induction signal that can provide a fingerprint specific for the respective identification device. Accordingly, the identity of the identification device and hence of the medical tool equipped with the identification device can be determined based on the induction signal.