Passive RFID Chip Wireless Power for Medical Catheter Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical facilities face challenges in accurately tracking and managing medical consumable items during procedures to prevent errors such as retaining items in patients, performing surgeries on the wrong body part, or on the wrong patient, due to the lack of efficient data collection systems for medical consumables.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating passive-type RFID chips powered by a Data Collection Engine (DCE) that wirelessly transmits power and data to RFID tags on medical consumables, allowing for the capture and transmission of information regarding item position, usage, and events, which is then stored on a server for analysis and error prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If passive-type RFID chips are used on medical consumable items, then the weight and cost are reduced, but power source requirements complicate the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary power transmission system consisting of a power source and antenna that wirelessly transmits power to the passive RFID chip. This mediator enables the passive chip to function without an onboard battery, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and power supply requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical connection of a battery with a wireless power transmission system using electromagnetic fields. The power transmission subsystem uses an antenna to transmit power wirelessly to the RFID chip, eliminating the need for physical battery installation while providing continuous power.
2Measurement precision
If RFID chips are placed on medical consumable items, then tracking accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the RFID chip multi-functional by integrating both data storage and wireless power reception capabilities into a single passive chip system. The power transmission subsystem serves multiple purposes: it powers the RFID chip and enables continuous tracking without additional power sources, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining tracking accuracy.
3Reliability
If real-time data collection is implemented, then error prevention is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous real-time data collection by providing uninterrupted wireless power to the RFID chip through the power transmission subsystem. The continuous power supply allows the system to maintain constant monitoring of medical consumable items throughout the entire procedure, ensuring reliable error prevention without energy depletion.
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 system effectively reduces the risk of surgical errors by providing real-time data on medical consumable item usage and location, enabling accurate tracking and preventing errors like retained items or wrong procedures, thus enhancing patient safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a power transmission subsystem including a power source and an antenna arranged to wirelessly transmit power to a passive-type RFID chip
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a plurality of RFID chips affixed to a catheter, a data collection engine device, and a server device. The data collection engine wirelessly transmits power to a first one of the RFID chips and receives first medical data from the first RFID chip while the first RFID chip is activated by the power receiver. The data collection engine generates a first message indicative of the first medical data to be sent to the server device. The server device can determine aspects of the catheter such as position and risk states based upon the first medical data.