RFID Tag Substrate with Spreader for Hanging Medical Items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID systems face challenges in efficiently tracking medical items stored in hanging arrangements, such as medical fluids in bags, due to orientation and proximity issues that hinder accurate reading of RFID tags.
Innovation Solution
A medical item hanging storage system with integrated RFID readers and substrates with attached RFID tags and spreaders to ensure stand-off readability, where the antennas are positioned above fixtures and the substrates engage hooks or have adhesive for secure attachment, and spreaders separate adjacent tags for clear reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If RFID tags are attached to hanging medical items using substrates, then the tags can be stored in hanging arrangements, but the tags may be too close to each other for accurate reading
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into functional segments: a hook portion for hanging, an adhesive portion for attachment, and a spreader portion for separation. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently, solving both the hanging storage requirement and the tag separation problem for accurate reading.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate acts as an intermediary between the hanging fixture and the RFID tag. It provides the necessary separation distance through its structural design, enabling the tag to be read accurately while maintaining the hanging arrangement configuration.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple RFID tags are stored in close proximity in hanging arrangements, then storage density is improved, but reading accuracy deteriorates due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader portion of the substrate creates local separation specifically around the RFID tag area, while maintaining close proximity of items elsewhere. This localized quality enhancement ensures reading accuracy is maintained even when items are densely packed in the hanging arrangement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If substrates are designed with hooks for engaging fixtures, then hanging storage is enabled, but the substrate structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides hanging capability through hooks, attachment functionality through adhesive portions, and tag separation through spreader portions. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single element, reducing overall system complexity while enabling hanging storage.
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
Facilitates accurate and efficient tracking of medical items in hanging storage configurations by ensuring RFID tags are readable without direct line of sight, improving inventory management and reducing manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
RFID readers are often placed at multiple, distributed locations associated within a supply chain in order to monitor the items as they pass through manufacturing, transportation, distribution, storage, to consumption. Each reader captures the RFID tag serial numbers of each item as it enters the reader's interrogation field
Data Source
AI summary
A medical item hanging storage system for medical items having stand-off readable tags, such as RFID tags, comprises storage devices comprising fixtures for holding hanging medical items, and readers for reading tags associated with each of the medical items, and tags that attached to the hanging medical items to be read by the readers. Tagging devices are used for attaching the RFID tags. The tagging devices each comprise a substrate, possibly including a hook, an adhesive portion for attaching the substrate to the medical item, and at least one spreader for separating RFID tags of adjacent medical items and/or other tags to facilitate reading of the tags.