US-12626809-B2 - Inventory systems and methods for detecting and counting potentially retained surgical items

Abstract

An inventory system configured for detecting and counting potentially retained surgical items within a body of a patient includes a dual detection tag, a signal generator, and an antenna operably coupled to the signal generator. The dual detection tag includes a beacon tag configured to transmit a first return signal at a first frequency when energized and a RFID tag affixed configured to transmit a second return signal at a second frequency when energized. The signal generator is configured to generate an energizing signal for the beacon tag and/or the RFID tag. The antenna configured to receive the first return signal transmitted by at least one of the beacon tag or the second return signal transmitted by the RFID tag.

Inventors

• AARON G. MATTMILLER
• Joel R. Helgerson
• EDWARD L. BRANNAN

Assignees

• COVIDIEN LP

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20220707

Claims (18)

1. 1 . An inventory system configured for detecting and counting potentially retained surgical items within a body of a patient, the inventory system comprising: a surgical item; a dual detection tag affixed to the surgical item, the dual detection tag including: a beacon tag configured to transmit a first return signal at a first frequency when energized, the beacon tag cylindrically shaped; and a RFID tag configured to transmit a second return signal at a second frequency when energized, wherein the RFID tag surrounds an outer face of the beacon tag; a signal generator configured to generate an energizing signal for at least one of the beacon tag or the RFID tag; and an antenna operably coupled to the signal generator, the antenna configured to receive at least one of the first return signal transmitted by at least one of the beacon tag or the second return signal transmitted by the RFID tag.
2. 2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first frequency is a lower frequency than the second frequency.
3. 3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the RFID tag includes a substrate including at least one of polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphtholate, or polyester.
4. 4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the RFID tag includes a flexible substrate.
5. 5 . The system of claim 1 wherein the dual detection tag is affixed to a surgical item.
6. 6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the dual detection tag further includes a fabric pouch affixed to the surgical item.
7. 7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system further includes: a processor; and a memory, including instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor cause the system to: energize the beacon tag, by the energizing signal; and receive the first return signal from the antenna, the first return signal including a first unique identifier.
8. 8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system to: energize the RFID tag; and receive the second return signal from the antenna, the second return signal including a data-block.
9. 9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system to encrypt the data-block which contains the unique identifier of the beacon tag.
10. 10 . A dual detection tag apparatus comprising: a surgical item, a beacon tag configured to transmit a first return signal in response to a first energizing signal, wherein the beacon tag is cylindrical; and a RFID tag configured to transmit a second return signal in response to a second energizing signal, wherein the RFID tag surrounds an outer face of the beacon tag, wherein the dual detection tag is attached to the surgical item.
11. 11 . The dual detection tag of claim 10 , wherein the first return signal includes a first frequency when energized, and the second return signal includes a second frequency when energized.
12. 12 . The dual detection tag of claim 11 , wherein the first frequency is a lower frequency than the second frequency.
13. 13 . The dual detection tag of claim 10 , wherein the beacon tag includes a cylindrical shape.
14. 14 . The dual detection tag of claim 10 , wherein the dual detection tag is contained within a pouch.
15. 15 . The dual detection tag of claim 14 , wherein the pouch includes a material having transparency to electromagnetic frequency emissions.
16. 16 . The dual detection tag of claim 14 , wherein the pouch is coupled to a surgical instrument.
17. 17 . The dual detection tag of claim 10 , wherein the dual detection tag is coupled to a surgical instrument.
18. 18 . The dual detection tag of claim 10 , wherein the dual detection tag is coupled to at least one of gauze, surgical sponge, or padding.

Description

FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to interrogation and detection systems for radio-frequency (RF) tags, and more particularly, detection and inventory systems for potentially retained surgical items within surgical sites. BACKGROUND It is often useful to determine whether objects associated with a surgery are present in a patient's body before completion of the surgery. Such objects may take a variety of forms. For example, the objects may take the form of instruments, for instance, scalpels, scissors, forceps, hemostats, and/or clamps. Also, for example, the objects may take the form of related accessories and/or disposable objects, for instance, surgical sponges, gauzes, and/or pads. Failure to locate an object before closing the patient may require additional surgery, and in some instances, may have unintended medical consequences. Accordingly, there is a need for a technology that is capable of providing both presence detection and tagged surgical item/implement identification functionality in the medical setting, as well as inventory controls of the tagged items/implements. Specifically, detecting the presence of, identifying, and maintaining inventory of tagged surgical items and materials that are used during the execution of a medical procedure. Technologies exist that enable these functions both individually as well as in conjunction with each other, but the methods and packaging of the discrete solutions used are not ideal for the application. More specifically, the components attached or affixed to the items being tracked are either too large physically and present nuisances or obstacles in the execution of the procedure, or the detection and identification performance of the solution may degrade rapidly in the presence of variable and uncontrolled dielectric or conductive materials. Accordingly, there are needs for improvements in presence detection, tagged item identification, and inventory functionality in the medical setting. SUMMARY This disclosure relates to systems for detection of surgical objects and/or devices used in body cavities during surgery, specifically systems that include a dual detection tag attached to the surgical item and/or devices and an antenna to be placed directly next to a surgical site to detect and track such surgical objects and/or devices. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, an inventory system configured for detecting and counting potentially retained surgical items within a body of a patient includes a dual detection tag, a signal generator, and an antenna operably coupled to the signal generator. The dual detection tag includes a beacon tag configured to transmit a first return signal at a first frequency when energized and an RFID tag affixed configured to transmit a second return signal at a second frequency when energized. The signal generator is configured to generate an energizing signal for the beacon tag and/or the RFID tag. The antenna is configured to receive the first return signal transmitted by the beacon tag and/or the second return signal transmitted by the RFID tag. In an aspect of the present disclosure, the first frequency may be a lower frequency than the second frequency. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the RFID tag may include a substrate including polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and/or polyester. In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the RFID tag may include a flexible substrate. In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the RFID tag may be disposed around the beacon tag. In yet a further aspect of the present disclosure, the dual detection tag may be affixed to a surgical item. In an aspect of the present disclosure, the dual detection tag further may include a fabric pouch affixed to the surgical item. In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the system may further include a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the processor, may cause the system to energize the beacon tag and receive the first return signal from the antenna. The first return signal includes a first unique identifier. In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the instructions, when executed by the processor, may further cause the system to energize the RFID tag and receive the second return signal from the antenna. The second return signal includes a data block. In yet a further aspect of the present disclosure, the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system to encrypt the data block, which contains the unique identifier of the dual detection tag. In an aspect of the present disclosure, a dual detection tag includes a beacon tag configured to transmit a first return signal in response to a first energizing signal and an RFID tag configured to transmit a second return signal in response to a second energizing signal. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the first return signal may