Wirelessly detectable objects for use in medical procedures and methods of making same
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorWilliam A. Blair
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various embodiments of a wirelessly detectable object to be used in medical procedures are provided. The object may include a piece of absorbent material, a transponder to wirelessly receive and transmit signals, and a cover. The cover is attached directly to the piece of absorbent material to retain the transponder. Methods of manufacturing wirelessly detectable objects are also provided.
Claims21
-20. (canceled)
A method of manufacturing wirelessly detectable objects for use in medical procedures, the method comprising:
- supplying a plurality of pouches, each of the pouches which contain a respective encapsulated wireless transponder, the encapsulated wireless transponder retained in the respective pouch via a respective plurality of stitches about a perimeter of each of the pouches;
- attaching a respective one of the pouches to a piece of absorbent material via at least one or more stitches, the pouch containing the respective encapsulated wireless transponder;
- for each of a plurality of pieces of the absorbent material, folding the respective piece of absorbent material to form a folded piece of absorbent material;
- and
- packaging the folded piece of absorbent material.
A method of manufacturing wirelessly detectable objects for use in medical procedures, the method comprising:
- attaching each of a plurality of encapsulated wireless transponders at spaced apart locations on a length of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, the wireless transponders operable to wirelessly receive and transmit signals;
- dividing the PVC material to provide a plurality of discrete PVC strips, each one of the plurality of discrete PVC strip having a respective one of the plurality of wireless transponders attached thereto.
A method of manufacturing wirelessly detectable objects for use in medical procedures comprising:
- attaching a plurality of PVC encapsulated wireless transponders at spaced apart locations on a fabric material, the wireless transponders operable to wirelessly receive and transmit signals;
- and
- dividing the fabric material to provide a plurality of discrete fabric strips, each one of the plurality of discrete fabric strips having a respective one of the plurality of wireless transponders attached thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.