Interrogator System for Surgical Item Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for tracking and counting surgical items in medical environments are inefficient, leading to time-consuming manual counts, potential errors, and increased risk of retained foreign objects in patients, which results in prolonged surgical suite downtime, increased costs, and elevated mortality and morbidity risks.

Innovation Solution

An interrogator system that combines metal and RFID sensing subsystems to automatically detect and identify metal and RFID-tagged objects, allowing for simultaneous tracking and verification of surgical items, reducing the need for manual counting and minimizing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual counting of surgical items is performed multiple times, then accuracy of item tracking is improved, but surgical suite downtime increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of item trackingVSAvoidsurgical suite productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical counting processes with an automated electromagnetic sensing system. RFID tags attached to surgical items are detected by interrogators using electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for personnel to manually count and track items multiple times during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Surgical items are equipped with RFID tags that automatically emit identification signals when exposed to electromagnetic fields from the interrogator. The system self-identifies and tracks items without requiring human intervention for counting, allowing continuous monitoring during surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If manual counting of surgical items is performed, then item tracking is achieved, but time consumption increases and loss of time worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem tracking capabilityVSAvoidtime consumption for counting

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID tracking system operates continuously throughout the surgical procedure, providing uninterrupted monitoring of surgical items. The interrogator continuously emits electromagnetic fields to detect RFID tags, eliminating the need for discrete manual counting events and ensuring constant awareness of item locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

RFID tags are pre-attached to surgical items before they enter the operating room. This preliminary tagging allows the system to immediately begin tracking items as soon as the interrogator is activated, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual inventory checks before procedures begin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If multiple personnel perform counts of surgical items, then verification accuracy is improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID interrogator system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it detects the presence of surgical items, identifies specific items by their unique RFID tags, tracks item locations, and provides verification all through a single automated system, replacing the need for multiple personnel performing separate counting tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback by continuously monitoring RFID signals from surgical items and immediately alerting personnel when items are removed from the surgical field or when discrepancies occur. This automated feedback mechanism ensures verification accuracy without requiring multiple manual counting cycles involving different personnel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 enables rapid and accurate tracking of surgical items, reducing surgical suite downtime, minimizing errors, and lowering costs associated with retained foreign objects, thereby enhancing patient safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a metal sensing subsystem configured to provide a first signal having a metal signature representing a presence of a metal object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic sensing: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a RFID sensing subsystem configured to provide a second signal having a RFID signature representing a presence of a RFID object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency identification: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8552869B2Interrogator and interrogation system employing the same

Publication Date: 2013.10.08 LONE STAR SCM SYSTEMS LP

AI summary

The present invention is directed to an interrogator, method of discerning metal and radio frequency identification (RFID) objects, and an interrogation system employing the same. In one embodiment, the interrogator includes a metal sensing subsystem configured to provide a first signal having a signature representing a presence of a metal object, and a RFID sensing subsystem configured to provide a second signal having a signature representing a presence of a RFID object. The interrogator also includes a control and processing subsystem configured to discern a presence of at least one of the metal and RFID objects from one of the first and second signals.