Method for automating the counting of sharps using rfid tags
AssigneeStryker Combo L.L.C.
InventorsMichael T. McElhinny, Steven J. Fleck, Joshua J. Hill
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
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 of sharps with the in-count to verify that all sharps are accounted for or to indicate that one or more sharps are not accounted for.
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 and 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 of unused sharps;
- electronically counting the number of used sharps placed in the volume of the sharps container by electrically detecting a number of used sharps in the volume of the sharps container;
- and
- comparing the in-count of unused sharps with the number of sharps electronically counted in the sharps container to electronically verify the count.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.