Medical Container RFID Tag Dual Frequency Traceability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking medical containers lack effective traceability throughout their lifetime, especially during industrial processing and at the point of use, as existing solutions are either laborious, prone to degradation, or lose visibility when containers are packaged.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a medical container with a first RFID tag operable in a first frequency band and optionally a second RFID tag or an optical mark, allowing unique identifier storage and encoding, enabling reading by different technologies regardless of packaging or visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If color labelling is used on the external diameter of the container, then traceability at the container level is achieved, but the marking is degraded during sterilization operations and is not visible when the container is contained in packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical/mechanical marking systems (color labelling) with RFID electromagnetic field-based identification systems. The RFID tag can be read through packaging materials and sterilization barriers without physical contact, eliminating degradation issues while maintaining traceability reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag acts as an intermediary between the container and the tracking system. It stores the unique identifier and can be read remotely through packaging and sterilization barriers, providing stable traceability without requiring direct visibility or contact with the marking surface.
2Reliability
If marking is applied to the container, then individual tracking is enabled, but the marking becomes invisible when the container is contained in packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual/optical detection methods with electromagnetic field-based RFID detection. The RFID reader can detect the tag's electromagnetic signal through packaging materials without requiring line-of-sight visibility, enabling continuous individual tracking throughout the supply chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional visual marking on the container surface to three-dimensional electromagnetic field detection. The RFID field extends through the packaging material, allowing detection from multiple positions and angles without requiring direct visual access to the marking.
3Ease of manufacture
If packaging is used to convey containers during processing, then protection and organization are improved, but traceability is lost when containers are removed from packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag is attached to the container before packaging, establishing traceability at the source. This preliminary action ensures that the unique identifier is already associated with the container, allowing continuous tracking whether the container is in packaging or removed for processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID system enables continuous traceability action throughout the entire process flow. Unlike visual markings that require line-of-sight and manual scanning, the RFID tag maintains its identification capability continuously, whether the container is packaged, unpackaged, sterilized, or being processed, ensuring unbroken traceability chains.
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
Ensures versatile and continuous traceability of medical containers across manufacturing, processing, and usage stages, including when enclosed in packaging, using dual frequency RFID tags and optical marks for enhanced readability.
Implementation Method 1
a first RFID tag on and/or within the medical container, the first RFID tag being operable in a first frequency band and being configured for storing a unique identifier of the medical container
Implementation Method 2
an optical mark on and/or within the medical container, the optical mark encoding the unique identifier of the medical container
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a medical container including a first RFID tag on and/or within the medical container. The first RFID tag being operable in a first frequency band and being configured for storing a unique identifier of the medical container; and at least one of (i) a second RFID tag on and/or within the medical container, the second RFID tag being operable in a second frequency band lower than the first frequency band and being configured for storing the unique identifier of the medical container; and (ii) an optical mark on and/or within the medical container, the optical mark encoding the unique identifier of the medical container.