Transponder-Based Implant Documentation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medical implant applications, particularly orthopedic trauma cases, identifying and documenting the various elements or parts of a medical implant device is challenging due to the complexity of procedures and geographic or insurance-related issues, leading to difficulties in follow-up care, repair, or replacement.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves creating an image of the surgical site with labeled implant elements, which is then stored on a transponder device attached to the medical implant or the patient's body, allowing for easy identification and documentation of the implant's components using RFID technology and transcutaneous near field communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different elements or parts from various vendor kits are used to form the medical implant device, then the implant can be customized to meet specific patient needs, but the ability to identify and document the various different elements or parts becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy (image) of the surgical site showing all implant elements with their identifying information. This visual copy serves as a permanent record that can be stored and referenced later, eliminating the need to physically maintain documentation of multiple different elements from various vendor kits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple pieces of information (implant element identification, vendor kit information, surgical procedure details) into a single integrated image that can be stored on a transponder device. This merging of information sources resolves the documentation challenge by consolidating all necessary data in one accessible location.
2Reliability
If a paper trail of the different elements or parts of the medical implant device is maintained, then follow-up care can be facilitated, but the urgency of the procedure and patient mobility make proper documentation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates the documentation (image with implant element identification) during the surgical procedure itself, before the patient leaves the facility. This preliminary action ensures that all necessary information is captured while the surgical team is still present and can immediately reference vendor kit information, eliminating the need for later documentation efforts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/paper-based documentation system with a digital imaging and electronic storage system. The image can be instantly captured, processed, and stored on a transponder device, eliminating the manual paperwork process that is difficult to maintain under urgent conditions and patient mobility constraints.
3Ease of repair
If all possible kits are made available at follow-up visits to ensure necessary parts are available, then repair or replacement can be performed, but this requires maintaining extensive inventory and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides immediate feedback during the surgical procedure by capturing an image that identifies all implant elements and their sources. This information is stored and can be retrieved later to guide the selection of specific kits needed for follow-up care, eliminating the need to maintain all possible kits in inventory. The feedback loop ensures that only the necessary parts are procured for each specific patient case.
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 solution enables accurate and efficient identification of implant elements, facilitating follow-up care by ensuring that necessary parts are available for adjustments, repairs, or replacements, and provides a reliable paper trail for medical records.
Implementation Method 1
a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag mounted thereto or in the proximity thereof so as to be implanted in the patient's body
Implementation Method 2
an alternative RFID reader may be used, wherein the RFID reader is structured and configured to read the implanted RFID tag: by making, a direct (i.e., non-air interface) electrical connection to the RFID tag through the patient's living tissue using a probe provided as part of the RFID reader device (i.e., using transcutaneous contact, transcutaneous near field communication (TNFC))
Data Source
AI summary
A method of storing information relating, to a medical implant device having a number of implant elements includes receiving a first image, the first image showing a surgical site and the medical implant device, creating a second image using the first image and a stored list of possible implant elements, the second image showing the surgical site and the medical implant device with a number of labels associated therewith, wherein each of the labels is associated with a respective one of the implant elements and indicates one of the possible implant. elements from the stored list, and storing the second image on an transponder device structured to be attached to the medical implant device or at a medically appropriate site on or within a patient's body.