Abstract: Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders may be accounted for in a medical procedure environment via a medical object accounting system using a number of antennas, and optional readers. A first set of antennas may be configured to interrogate sterile fields and/or non-sterile fields which do not encompass a body of a patient to account for the objects proximate a start and an end of a medical procedure. Sterile fields may encompass working surfaces of tables and stands, typically used by nurses. Readers (e.g., symbol, RFID) may be employed. A database may be maintained with information including a current status of each instrument or supply, for instance as checked in or checked out. On notification of a discrepancy, a handheld antenna and/or second set of antennas may interrogate a volume encompassing a body of a patient for retained instruments or supplies. The system may be automatically configured (e.g.

Abstract: Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders may be accounted for in a medical procedure environment via a medical object accounting system using a number of antennas, and optional readers. A first set of antennas may be configured to interrogate sterile fields and/or non-sterile fields which do not encompass a body of a patient to account for the objects proximate a start and an end of a medical procedure. Sterile fields may encompass working surfaces of tables and stands, typically used by nurses. Readers (e.g., symbol, RFID) may be employed. A database may be maintained with information including a current status of each instrument or supply, for instance as checked in or checked out. On notification of a discrepancy, a handheld antenna and/or second set of antennas may interrogate a volume encompassing a body of a patient for retained instruments or supplies. The system may be automatically configured (e.g.

Abstract: A mat based antenna system allows medical personnel to ascertain the presence or absence of objects (e.g., medical implements, medical supplies) tagged with transponders in an environment in which medical procedures (e.g., surgery) are performed, and may allow reading of information from the transponders, writing information to the transponders and/or controlling or commanding the transponders. In use, the mat based antenna system may be positioned beneath a patient, such as during surgery or child birth. A controller is coupled to the antennas to transmit signals (e.g. interrogation signals) to the transponders and to receive signals (e.g., response signals) from the transponders.

Abstract: The presence or absence of objects (e.g., medical implements, medical supplies) tagged with transponders may be determined in an environment in which medical procedures (e.g., surgery) 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, for example, be positioned along an operating table, bed, a mattress or pad or a sheet and may be radiolucent. 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.

Abstract: The presence or absence of objects (e.g., medical implements, medical supplies) tagged with transponders may be determined in an environment in which medical procedures (e.g., surgery) 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, for example, be positioned along an operating table, bed, a mattress or pad or a sheet and may be radiolucent. 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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A system determines the presence or absence of objects by interrogating or exciting transponders coupled to the objects using pulsed signals over a number of wide band frequency bands with dynamic tuning about a center frequency of each band and less sensitivity to noise fluctuation.

Abstract: An integral detection and identification system for detecting and identifying an object includes an identification transponder and a presence/absence transponder. The identification transponder includes a first inductive winding wound about a core and electrically coupled to an integrated circuit to transmit an identification signal in response to receipt of an interrogation signal in a first frequency range. The identification signal encodes an identifier stored by the integrated circuit. The presence/absence transponder includes a resonant inductive/capacitive tank circuit having at least a second inductive winding wound about a core and electrically coupled to a capacitor to transmit a presence/absence signal in response to an interrogation signal in a second frequency range.

Abstract: A transponder device to mark a surgical implement, such as a metallic surgical instrument, is provided that comprises a transponder housing attachable to a portion of the surgical implement. The housing may include a transponder receiving cavity spaced at least 1 millimeter, and preferably at least 2 millimeters, from any portion of the surgical implement when the housing is attached to the surgical implement, and preferably includes a saddle-shaped finger support surface or a stabilizing surface sized and configured to receive a finger of a user for providing additional leverage and/or stabilizing structure when operating the implement. The housing may be removably attached to the surgical implement or permanently attached. In use, a transponder is retained in the device. Methods of manufacturing transponder devices and methods of detecting a transponder indicating the possible presence of a surgical implement are also provided.

Abstract: The presence or absence of objects (e.g., medical implements, medical supplies) tagged with transponders may be determined in an environment in which medical procedures (e.g., surgery) 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, for example, be positioned along an operating table, bed, a mattress or pad or a sheet and may be radiolucent. 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.

Abstract: The presence or absence of objects (e.g., medical implements, medical supplies) tagged with transponders may be determined in an environment in which medical procedures (e.g., surgery) 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, for example, be positioned along an operating table, bed, a mattress or pad or a sheet and may be radiolucent. 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.

Abstract: The presence or absence of objects (e.g., medical implements, medical supplies) tagged with transponders may be determined in an environment in which medical procedures (e.g., surgery) 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, for example, be positioned along an operating table, bed, a mattress or pad or a sheet and may be radiolucent. 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.

Abstract: The presence or absence of objects is determined by interrogating or exciting transponders coupled to the objects using pulsed wide band frequency signals. Ambient or background noise is evaluated and a threshold adjusted based on the level of noise. Adjustment may be based on multiple noise measurements or samples. Noise detection may be limited, with emphasis placed on interrogation to increase the signal to noise ratio. Match filtering may be employed. Presence/absence determination may take into account frequency and/or Q value to limit false detections. Appropriate acts may be taken if detected noise is out of defined limits of operation, for example shutting down interrogation and/or providing an appropriate indication.

Abstract: A transponder device and/or housing to mark a surgical implement, such as a metallic surgical instrument, is provided that comprises a non-elastic, preferably non-metallic, rigid transponder housing attachable to a portion of the surgical implement. The housing includes a transponder receiving cavity spaced at least 1 millimeter, and preferably at least 2 millimeters, from any portion of the surgical implement when the housing is attached to the surgical implement. The housing may be removably attached to the surgical implement or permanently attached. In use, a transponder is installed in the transponder receiving cavity. A method of detecting a transponder indicating the possible presence of a surgical implement is also provided.

Abstract: The presence or absence of objects is determined by interrogating or exciting transponders coupled to the objects using pulsed wide band frequency signals. Ambient or background noise is evaluated and a threshold adjusted based on the level of noise. Adjustment may be based on multiple noise measurements or samples. Noise detection may be limited, with emphasis placed on interrogation to increase the signal to noise ratio. Match filtering may be employed. Appropriate acts may be taken if detected noise is out of defined limits of operation, for example shutting down interrogation and/or providing an appropriate indication.

Abstract: A system to detect objects tagged with transponders used in-vivo or proximate a surgical site. The system includes a wand housing, at least one antenna carried by the wand housing, a fuse coupled to the at least one antenna and selectively operable to permanently disable the at least one antenna, and a disable circuit configured to selectively blow the fuse to permanently disable the at least one antenna responsive to a lapse of a defined amount of usage. A pouch holds a transponder and is physically coupleable to objects such as surgical sponges or gauze.