Sterilizable wirelessly detectable objects for use in medical procedures and methods of making same
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorWilliam A. Blair
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various embodiments of wirelessly detectable objects to be used in medical procedures are provided. Such may employ ionizing radiation hard wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders, other wireless transponders and/or integrated circuits, and attachment structures, all of which retain structural and functional integrity when exposed to standard sterilization dosages of ionizing radiation. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders, other wireless transponders and/or integrated circuits, and attachment structures, may retain structural and functional integrity when exposed to standard sterilization temperatures and/or pressures.
Claims20
A wirelessly detectable object to use in medical procedures, comprising:
- a medical procedure object for use in performing a medical procedure;
- a radiation hard read only radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder that wirelessly receives a first interrogation signal and in response wirelessly returns a first response signal that provides a unique identifier;
- and
- an attachment structure that attaches the radiation hard read only RFID transponder to the medical procedure object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.