RFID Nest Orientation Detection for Medical Injection Device Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in accurately determining the orientation of tubs and nests during the automated fill and finish manufacturing process of RFID-tagged medical injection devices, leading to potential errors in dispensing medicinal fluid.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a conveyor system with RFID coupling elements and a reader to determine the orientation of the nest by reading the nest RFID tag, allowing for the localization of RFID-tagged medical injection devices within the nest and ensuring accurate registration of their locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tub is loaded onto a conveyor without orientation detection, then the loading process is simple and fast, but the orientation of the tub may be incorrect leading to errors in fluid dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical orientation detection methods with RFID-based detection. The RFID reader detects the orientation of the nest within the tub by reading the RFID tag on the nest, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensors or visual inspection systems while ensuring accurate orientation detection for reliable fluid dispensing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an RFID tag on the nest as an intermediary carrier of orientation information. Instead of directly detecting the physical orientation of the tub, the system reads the RFID tag which contains orientation data, simplifying the detection mechanism while maintaining reliability
2Loss of information
If RFID tags are integrated into each syringe barrel for traceability, then product traceability is improved, but the complexity of tracking and managing individual device locations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tracking of multiple RFID-tagged syringes within a single nest by reading one RFID tag on the nest that contains information about all syringes in that nest. This merging approach maintains complete traceability of individual syringes while simplifying the scanning process to a single read operation per nest
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag on the nest serves multiple functions: it identifies the nest itself, provides orientation information, and contains location data for all RFID-tagged syringes within the nest. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate tracking systems while maintaining comprehensive traceability
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 localizes RFID-tagged medical injection devices within the nest, reducing the risk of errors in fluid dispensing by accurately determining the orientation of the tub and nest, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the fill and finish process.
Implementation Method 1
a RFID reader operably connected with the plurality of RFID coupling elements and configured to perform a reading of the nest RFID tag upon a respective tub passing the plurality of RFID coupling elements at the reading location
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Provided herein is a system for localizing RFID-tagged medical injection devices in a nest. The system includes a conveyor that conveys tubs along a conveying path, each of the tubs including a RFID-tagged nest therein that retains RFID-tagged medical injection devices. A plurality of RFID coupling elements is positioned at a reading location along the conveying path, and a RFID reader is operably connected with the RFID coupling elements to read the RFID-tagged nest when passing the reading location, including reading a nest identifier associated with the nest. A processor determines whether the nest is in a first orientation or a second orientation based on a reading of the RFID-tagged nest via one of the RFID coupling elements, queries a database using the nest identifier and the determined orientation of the nest, and registers the location of each RFID-tagged medical injection device within the nest based on the query.