Medical Container UDI Tracking Through RFID-Enabled Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for tracking medical containers during manufacturing, transportation, and filling lack efficient traceability, especially when containers are packaged in nests, leading to potential errors and loss of visibility in the processing chain.

Innovation Solution

A system combining a unique device identifier (UDI) mark on each medical container with a remotely readable and writable electronic component embedded in the packaging, such as an RFID tag, to ensure continuous traceability from manufacturing to final use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If medical containers are packaged in nests for transportation and processing, then protection and efficient handling are improved, but traceability and visibility of individual containers are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection and handling efficiencyVSAvoidtraceability and visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds an RFID tag within the nest structure, allowing the tracking device to be nested inside the packaging container. This enables continuous traceability of the nest and its contents through the supply chain while maintaining the protective packaging function, resolving the contradiction between packaging efficiency and traceability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual tracking methods (visual inspection, physical labels) with RFID electronic identification. This substitution enables automatic, contactless reading of container identifiers through the packaging material, maintaining traceability without compromising the protective nesting structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If color labelling is applied to containers for identification, then traceability is improved, but the labelling is degraded during sterilization operations

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetraceabilityVSAvoidlabelling durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces color labelling with RFID tags that store identification data electronically. These electronic tags are embedded in the nest and can withstand sterilization processes, maintaining traceability information without degradation unlike surface-level color labels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID tag acts as an intermediary between the container and the tracking system. Instead of directly marking the container surface with color labels that degrade, the system uses an intermediate electronic storage device that can be read remotely and is resistant to sterilization conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual procedures are used for line clearance and reconciliation, then flexibility is maintained, but labor intensity and error risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidlabor efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID system enables automatic identification and tracking of containers throughout the process. The system self-updates the digital thread with container locations and statuses without requiring manual scanning or data entry, reducing labor intensity while maintaining process flexibility through automated adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous feedback through RFID reading points throughout the manufacturing and packaging process. This automatic feedback loop provides real-time information about container locations and statuses, enabling quick adjustments and reducing the need for manual reconciliation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If containers are extracted from nests for quality check and filling, then processing flexibility is improved, but traceability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing flexibilityVSAvoidtraceability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual tracking methods with RFID electronic identification that works through packaging materials. This allows containers to be extracted from nests for processing while the RFID tags continue to provide automatic identification and traceability, eliminating the loss of visibility that occurs with manual tracking systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12383365B2System and method for tracking data relating to the processing of medical containers

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 BECTON DICKINSON FRANCE SAS

AI summary

A system for tracking data relating to the processing of a plurality of medical containers adapted to be received in a first layer of a packaging, the system including: at least one mark being implemented on and/or within the material of each medical container and representing a corresponding unique device identifier (UDI) for each respective medical container, a remotely readable and writable electronic component (21) which is on and/or within the first layer of packaging, the remotely readable and writable electronic component being configured for storing the UDI of each medical container received in the first layer of packaging and for writing and/or reading data relating to the processing of the medical containers.