Abstract: An RFID tag includes a circuit board assembly having a circuit board, an RFID circuit, an antenna, and a metallic ground plane. The circuit board has a first side and a second side. The circuit board carries the antenna on the first side and the ground plane on the second side. The RFID circuit is coupled with each of the antenna and the ground plane. A backplane is coupled with the ground plane, on a side of the ground plane opposite the circuit board. An overmolded housing surrounds and hermetically seals the circuit board assembly. The housing is comprised of a material which is both autoclavable and has a low dielectric constant of between approximately 1 to 5.

Abstract: A method of operating a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader used in an RFID system for use with a device includes the steps of: providing that the RFID system includes the RFID reader and an RFID tag, the RFID tag being attached to the device; controlling dynamically the RFID reader; monitoring constantly a plurality of outputs of the RFID reader; and determining, dependent on the steps of controlling and monitoring, whether the RFID reader senses the RFID tag in an actual location of the RFID tag.

Abstract: A system for identification, tracking and management of medical assets, includes a plurality of RFID tagged medical assets, and a completely networked supply chain. The supply chain includes at least one end user location; at least one distributor location; an offsite data management system; a plurality of RFID readers; and at least one data network. Each RFID reader is interspersed at a respective location throughout the networked supply chain and configured to electronically read data from the plurality of RFID tagged medical assets. The one or more data networks interconnect each end user location, each distributor location, and the offsite data management system. The one or more data networks provide real time information from at least one of the plurality of RFID readers to the offsite data management system concerning a current attribute associated with at least one of the RFID tagged medical assets.

Abstract: An RFID tag includes a circuit board assembly having a circuit board, an RFID circuit, an antenna, and a metallic ground plane. The circuit board has a first side and a second side. The circuit board carries the antenna on the first side and the ground plane on the second side. The RFID circuit is coupled with each of the antenna and the ground plane. A backplane is coupled with the ground plane, on a side of the ground plane opposite the circuit board. An overmolded housing surrounds and hermetically seals the circuit board assembly. The housing is comprised of a material which is both autoclavable and has a low dielectric constant of between approximately 1 to 5.

Abstract: An accessory-mounting assembly for mounting accessories at a distance from exterior surfaces of a vehicle. The accessory-mounting assembly is constructed such that it has a “break away” feature whereby an accessory-mounting component may pivot about a pivot axis when it is subjected to a substantial impact. Thus, the risk of damage to the vehicle, the accessory-mounting assembly, and the accessories mounted to the accessory-mounting assembly when the accessory-mounting assembly is subjected to a substantial impact is reduced. The accessory-mounting assembly includes four brackets that are fixedly engaged to exterior surfaces of the vehicle and from which the other components of the accessory mounting assembly are suspended. Three of the four brackets that are fixedly engaged to the vehicle are integrally engaged to one another.

Abstract: An accessory-mounting assembly for mounting accessories at a distance from exterior surfaces of a vehicle. The accessory-mounting assembly is constructed such that it has a “break away” feature whereby an accessory-mounting component may pivot about a pivot axis when it is subjected to a substantial impact. Thus, the risk of damage to the vehicle, the accessory-mounting assembly, and the accessories mounted to the accessory-mounting assembly when the accessory-mounting assembly is subjected to a substantial impact is reduced. The accessory-mounting assembly includes four brackets that are fixedly engaged to exterior surfaces of the vehicle and from which the other components of the accessory mounting assembly are suspended. Three of the four brackets that are fixedly engaged to the vehicle are integrally engaged to one another.

Abstract: An accessory-mounting assembly for mounting accessories at a distance from exterior surfaces of a vehicle. The accessory-mounting assembly is constructed such that it has a “break away” feature whereby an accessory-mounting component may pivot about a pivot axis when it is subjected to a substantial impact. Thus, the risk of damage to the vehicle, the accessory-mounting assembly, and the accessories mounted to the accessory-mounting assembly when the accessory-mounting assembly is subjected to a substantial impact is reduced. The accessory-mounting assembly includes four brackets that are fixedly engaged to exterior surfaces of the vehicle and from which the other components of the accessory mounting assembly are suspended. Three of the four brackets that are fixedly engaged to the vehicle are integrally engaged to one another.

Abstract: A universal accessory-mounting assembly for mounting an accessory such as a light, mirror, or antenna at a distance from a base structure such as a body structure of a vehicle is provided. The universal accessory-mounting structure has one or more support components which have a base end that is disposed adjacent the base structure when the universal accessory-mounting assembly is properly mounted. The support components of the universal accessory-mounting assembly also have an accessory-support end to which the accessory is directly or indirectly engaged and from which the accessory derives support directly or indirectly. The universal accessory-mounting assembly has two or more base-attachment structures for attaching it to the base structure. Each of the base attachment structures is engaged to a base end of a support component. One or more of the base-attachment structures is biaxially pivotally engaged through a ball-and-socket joint to the base end of the support component to which it is engaged.

Abstract: An accessory-mounting assembly for mounting accessories at a distance from exterior surfaces of a vehicle. The accessory-mounting assembly is constructed such that it has a “break away” feature whereby an accessory-mounting component may pivot about a pivot axis when it is subjected to a substantial impact. Thus, the risk of damage to the vehicle, the accessory-mounting assembly, and the accessories mounted to the accessory-mounting assembly when the accessory-mounting assembly is subjected to a substantial impact is reduced. The accessory-mounting assembly includes four brackets that are fixedly engaged to exterior surfaces of the vehicle and from which the other components of the accessory mounting assembly are suspended. Three of the four brackets that are fixedly engaged to the vehicle are integrally engaged to one another.