RFID Medical Device Identification Tag Circuit Topology
Solution Overview
Problem
Small medical devices are difficult to identify and track throughout their logistic chain due to size constraints and potential damage from laser marking, and existing packaging lacks sufficient space for information, hindering product safety notifications and supply chain efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A medical device identification system featuring an RFID chip and electrical circuit with attachment regions that change states to indicate whether the device is coupled or decoupled, allowing for tracking and information storage, including manufacture details and lot numbers, using a method that involves coupling and decoupling the identification tag to the medical device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If laser marking is used to identify small medical devices, then device identification is achieved, but the medical device may be compromised and rendered unsuitable for its intended purpose
Solution Approach 1:
The identification system is segmented into separate components: an RFID tag attached to the device packaging and a separate antenna system. This allows identification functionality to be added without modifying the medical device itself, thus avoiding compromise of device suitability while maintaining identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
An RFID tag serves as an intermediary between the medical device and the identification system. The tag is attached to the packaging rather than the device, acting as a mediator that provides identification information without directly contacting or potentially damaging the medical device.
2Strength
If traditional packaging is used for small medical devices, then device protection is achieved, but the packaging lacks sufficient space for placement of information sufficient to identify the packaged medical device
Solution Approach 1:
The identification information is moved from the surface of the packaging (2D space) to an RFID tag that can be attached to the packaging. This transitions the information storage from a surface-based approach to a volumetric/electronic approach, effectively adding another dimension for information capacity without increasing packaging size.
3Volume of moving object
If RFID chip attachment regions are placed close together, then device size is reduced, but electrical isolation between attachment regions becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical circuit is designed with different local properties: conductive pathways in some regions and isolated/non-conductive regions in others. This local differentiation of electrical properties allows the circuit to maintain connectivity where needed while achieving isolation where required, even in a compact form factor.
4Loss of information
If tracking information is stored in the packaging, then identification capability is improved, but the packaging space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of storing all tracking information directly in the packaging, the system uses an RFID tag that can be read remotely. The tag contains or links to identification information that can be accessed without physically expanding the packaging, effectively creating a virtual copy of the information storage capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Instrumentation and methods of use are provided for a medical device identification system. The application describes embodiments of a system including a medical device, and an identification tag having an RFID chip and an electrical circuit. The system defines a first configuration in which a first attachment region of the electrical circuit is in electrical communication with a second attachment region of the electrical circuit, and a second configuration in which the first attachment region is electrically isolated from the second attachment region. When the system is in the first configuration the RFID chip is in a first state, and when the system is in the second configuration the RFID chip is in a second state different than the first state.