Method for automating the counting of sharps using RFID tags
AssigneeStryker Corporation
InventorsMichael T. McElhinny, Steven J. Fleck, Joshua J. Hill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for counting sharps returned to a container. An example method of counting sharps returned to a container having at least two layers of penetrable conductive material includes periodically checking a plurality of circuits formed by the first and second layers of material to determine if each circuit is open or closed, and keeping a count of the number of closed circuits.
Claims19
A method of counting sharps, the method comprising:
- providing a disposable sharps container defining a volume, the volume configured to contain a plurality of sharps;
- storing an in-count value representative of a number of sharps available for use in a surgical procedure;
- placing a sharp within the volume of the disposable sharps container to form a closed circuit within the volume, the sharp acting as a conductor in the closed circuit;
- counting the number of closed circuits as a number of sharps placed within the disposable sharps container to establish an out-count value;
- and
- comparing the out-count value of sharps with the in-count value to verify that all sharps are accounted for or to indicate that one or more sharps are not accounted for;
- wherein placing the sharp comprises piercing a multi-layer foam assembly, and wherein the multi-layer foam assembly comprises first and second layers of conductive foam separated by a layer of nonconductive foam, such that piercing the multi-layer foam assembly provides a conductive electrical pathway between the first and second layers of conductive foam by way of the sharp.
A method of reconciling a count of surgical sharps with a sharps counting system, the sharps counting system including a sharps package that comprises a plurality of sharps disposed within packaging, the sharps package including an RFID transponder, and a disposable sharps container having a volume, the sharps counting system being capable of electronically counting a number of sharps placed within the volume, the method comprising:
- reading the sharps package to establish an in-count value of unused sharps;
- electronically counting a number of used sharps placed in the volume of the disposable sharps container by electrically detecting the number of used sharps in the volume of the disposable sharps container, wherein each of the used sharps pierces a multi-layer foam assembly, and wherein the multi-layer foam assembly comprises first and second layers of conductive foam separated by a layer of nonconductive foam, such that the used sharp piercing the multi-layer foam assembly provides a conductive electrical pathway between the first and second layers of conductive foam by way of the used sharp;
- and
- comparing the in-count value of unused sharps with the number of used sharps electronically counted in the disposable sharps container to electronically verify the count.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.