Abstract: A method for producing an identification device, including: obtaining a holder, substantially shaped as a curved stratum having a C-shaped cross-section, the holder having an external surface and an internal surface, the stratum having at least one opening thereon; micro-etching the internal surface of the holder; fixing an identification tag within the holder by a hardening material; and wherein fixing the identification tag within the holder includes the following steps in the order as listed: placing the holder within a container on a curved rim of the holder; filling the holder to about half the height with a hardening material; placing the identification tag within the holder; filling the holder to its height with the hardening material; and hardening the hardening material.

Abstract: A flat identification antenna for receiving signals from multiple tag-carrying items placed on the antenna and a system for identifying and tracking multiple tag-carrying items including the same. The antenna comprises a first planar array of partially overlapping first planar loops, a second planar array of partially overlapping second planar loops and an insulating board positioned between the first and second arrays. The loops in the first array are arranged to partially overlap each other in one direction and the loops in the second array are arranged to partially overlap each other in another direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying and tracking instruments, in multiple instrument environments such as an operating room or a garage. Each instrument or disposable has attached thereto an identifying tag, such as an RFID tag. Each plane or location the instruments or disposables are placed on, comprises an antenna and thus continuously identifies the tools. In order for the antenna to work in a metallic environment, the antenna is equipped with a metallic board underneath, which insulates form other metals, and in order for the metallic board not to absorb all the energy, a spacing layer is placed between the metal board and the antenna. Flat antennas may be implemented as a collection of wire loops, overlapping in about 20% of one of their dimensions.