Passive RFID Tag Powering via Electromagnetic Induction
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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 systems for real-time data collection and communication.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating passive-type RFID chips powered by a Data Collection Engine (DCE) that wirelessly transmits and receives data, allowing for the tracking of medical consumable items and professionals, and a server device to store and analyze this data, ensuring accurate tracking and reducing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If passive-type RFID tags are used on medical consumable items, then cost and weight are reduced, but power source requirements increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The passive RFID tag serves itself by harvesting power from the electromagnetic fields generated by the RFID reader during interrogation. The tag converts the incoming RF energy into electrical energy to power its operations, eliminating the need for an external power source or battery on the medical consumable item.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID reader acts as an intermediary that performs dual functions: it transmits interrogation signals to the passive RFID tag and simultaneously provides power to the tag through electromagnetic coupling. This mediator approach eliminates the need for separate power delivery mechanisms.
2Reliability
If active-type RFID tags are used on medical consumable items, then communication reliability is improved, but cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The passive RFID tag achieves reliable communication by efficiently harvesting power from the reader's electromagnetic fields and by using energy-saving communication protocols that activate only during interrogation moments, eliminating the need for continuous power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters by using high-frequency electromagnetic coupling for power and data transmission, optimizing the coupling coefficient and transmission power to achieve reliable communication without requiring active power sources on the tag.
3Measurement precision
If RFID tags are placed on medical consumable items, then tracking accuracy is improved, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID reader system performs multiple functions including location tracking, identification verification, and power delivery to passive tags through a single integrated system. This multi-functionality reduces overall implementation complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback signals from the passive RFID tags to confirm successful power transfer and data reception. The reader adjusts transmission parameters based on the tag's response, ensuring reliable communication and accurate tracking while simplifying the overall system through adaptive control.
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 surgical errors by providing real-time data on item positions and usage, ensuring that medical consumables are properly accounted for and reducing the risk of 'never events' through accurate tracking and communication.
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
Implementation Method 2
a passive-type RFID chip... 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 medical item, a device reader such as a data collection engine device, and a server device. The data collection engine wirelessly transmits power to an RFID chips and receives first medical data from the RFID chip while the 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 medical item such as position and risk states based upon the first medical data.