US 9,792,408 B2 · Method and apparatus to detect transponder tagged objects and to communicate with medical telemetry devices, for example during medical procedures

Abstract

The presence or absence of objects tagged with transponders may be determined in an environment in which medical procedures are performed via an interrogation and detection system which includes a controller and a plurality of antennas positioned along a patient support structure. The antennas may be positioned along an operating table, bed, mattress or pad, sheet, or may be positioned on a drape, or shade. Respective antennas may successively be activated to transmit interrogation signals. Multiple antennas may be monitored for responses from transponders to the interrogation signals. For example, all antennas other than the antenna that transmitted the most recent interrogation signal may be monitored. Antennas may be responsive to force, a signal indicative of such force being produced. A wireless physiological condition monitor may detect patient physiological conditions and wirelessly transmit signals indicative of such.

Claims36

Dependent claims

A system for use in a medical facility, the system comprising:

a number of antennas;
and
a controller communicatively coupled to the number of antennas, the controller:
selectively causes at least one of the number of antennas to emit wideband interrogation signals;
provides wireless communications of at least one of data or instructions with at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment via the at least one of the number of antennas used to emit the wideband interrogation signals, the at least one piece of dedicated medical diagnostic, therapeutic or monitoring telemetry equipment having at least one respective active radio;
and
detects a response signal, if any, from a number of transponders physically detects coupled to a number of objects used in medical procedures via the at least one of the number of antennas used to emit the wideband interrogation signals and used to provide wireless communications, the response signal responsive to the emitted wideband interrogation signals.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus to detect transponder tagged objects and to communicate with medical telemetry devices, for example during medical procedures

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus to detect transponder tagged objects and to communicate with medical telemetry devices, for example during medical procedures

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims36