Staggered RFID Tag Orientation for Surgical Sponge Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual counting of surgical sponges during surgeries is prone to human error and interference issues when RFID tags are packaged together, leading to inaccurate tracking and potential retention of sponges within patients.

Innovation Solution

The use of RFID tags with unique identification information and strategic placement on surgical sponges, along with optimized packaging configurations that stagger the orientation and attachment positions of RFID tags to minimize interference, allowing for efficient and accurate counting and tracking of surgical sponges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple surgical sponges are packaged in a single container with RFID tags, then tracking efficiency is improved, but signal interference occurs between adjacent RFID tags making accurate reading difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking efficiencyVSAvoidsignal reading accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making each RFID tag's longitudinal axis orientation unique or different from adjacent tags. This local differentiation in orientation allows each tag to be individually readable without signal interference, while still being packaged together in the same container for efficient tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses asymmetry by staggering the orientation of RFID tags so that no two adjacent tags have the same longitudinal axis orientation. This asymmetric arrangement breaks the symmetry that causes signal interference, enabling accurate reading of each tag while maintaining packaged efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Device complexity

If manual counting methods are used for surgical sponges, then equipment complexity is reduced, but human error increases leading to inaccurate tracking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecounting method simplicityVSAvoidtracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by making each surgical sponge self-identifiable through its RFID tag. The tags automatically provide identification information when scanned, eliminating the need for manual counting while ensuring accurate tracking. Each sponge serves itself by carrying its own unique identifier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual counting system with an electromagnetic RFID detection system. Instead of physically handling and counting sponges, the system uses RFID readers to automatically detect and count sponges through their electromagnetic tags, improving accuracy while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If RFID tags are attached to surgical sponges for tracking, then detection capability is improved, but signal interference between adjacent tags worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidsignal interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different longitudinal axis orientations to RFID tags at different locations within the packaging. This local variation in orientation ensures that each tag can be detected without interference from adjacent tags, maintaining detection capability while eliminating harmful signal interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent solves the interference problem by introducing orientation as an additional dimension of differentiation. Instead of only varying the position of tags, the patent varies their spatial orientation (longitudinal axis direction), adding a dimensional parameter that resolves signal interference while preserving detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This approach enhances the accuracy of RFID tag detection and counting, reducing the risk of sponge retention and improving surgical sterilization processes by ensuring precise tracking of surgical sponges during and after procedures.

Implementation Method 1

surgical sponges have been tagged with radio-opaque markers, barcodes, and/or wireless transponders, such as RFID or LC respondent transponders

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20230082692A1Surgical Article And Method For Managing Surgical Articles During A Surgical Procedure

Publication Date: 2023.03.16 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

Apparatus and method of locating and/or counting one or more surgical articles, wherein the surgical article may comprise a surgical sponge comprising a counting element and/or detecting element. The counting element and/or detecting element may comprise an RFID tag encapsulated in a housing or pouch that is coupled to the surgical sponge. The RFID tag may further comprise unique identification and/or location information relative to the surgical sponge. The RFID tag may be coupled to the sponge at an attachment position and/or oriented on the surgical sponge relative to a defined set of reference lines. The attachment position and/or orientation of the RFID tag on the surgical sponge may be configured to improve the accuracy of scanning the RFID tag. A plurality of surgical articles (i.e. surgical sponges) comprising RFID tags may be packaged or bundled via a strap or within a container.