Abstract: Described are a system, method, and computer program product for tracking endoscopes in a forced-air drying cabinet including a compressor, a support arrangement, and an inner area accessible by a door. The method includes receiving a signal from a signal emitting member attached to or associated with an endoscope and determining an identifier of the endoscope. The method includes determining a drying protocol for the endoscope based on the identifier and identifying the support arrangement, associated with an airflow output, to support the endoscope. The method includes determining a connection status indicative of whether the endoscope has been connected to the airflow output. The method includes, in response to the connection status indicating the endoscope has been connected to the airflow output, initiating a drying process according to the drying protocol for the endoscope by causing the compressor to create an airflow from the airflow output through the endoscope.

Abstract: Described are a system, method, and computer program product for tracking endoscopes in a forced-air drying cabinet including a compressor, a plurality of support arrangements, and an inner area accessible by a door. The method may include receiving a signal from a signal emitting member attached to and associated with an endoscope. The method may also include determining an identifier and a drying protocol of the endoscope. The method may further include identifying a support arrangement to support the endoscope and determining a connection status of the endoscope to a first airflow output and a second airflow output. The method may further include initiating a drying process, when the endoscope is connected, according to the drying protocol by causing the compressor to create at least one airflow through the endoscope from the first airflow output, the second airflow output, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A system for storing and tracking at least one item includes a housing having an interior with a plurality of item storage arrangements disposed in or associated with the housing. A plurality of signal receiving arrangements is configured to receive data from a plurality of signal emitting members, and at least one signal receiving arrangement is adjacent to each item storage arrangement. The system also includes a controller in communication with the plurality of signal receiving arrangements, the controller programmed or configured to simultaneously scan at least two signal receiving arrangements from the plurality of signal receiving arrangements. An item storage cabinet and a method of tracking items are also disclosed.

Abstract: A signal emitting member attachment system for attaching at least one signal emitting member to an item to be tracked, which includes an adjustable band configured to be placed on the item; and at least one fob. The adjustable band and the at least one fob are configured so that the at least one fob is connectable to the band. The at least one signal emitting member is disposed on the at least one fob.

Abstract: A system for supporting and tracking at least one item includes a plurality of support structures adapted to support at least one item, at least one signal receiving arrangement associated with the plurality of support structures, at least one indicator arrangement associated with the plurality of support structures, and at least one controller in communication with the at least one signal receiving arrangement and the at least one indicator arrangement. The at least one signal receiving arrangement is configured to receive data from a transponder associated with the at least one item. The controller is programmed and/or configured to control the plurality of indicator arrangements based at least partially on at least a portion of the data received from the at least one signal receiving arrangement.

Abstract: An item storage and tracking unit for holding a plurality of discrete items may include a housing including a plurality of receptacles positioned therein and defining a plurality of associated inner areas. A signal emitting device is associated with at least one item and configured to emit a signal. At least one movement sensor and/or at least one weight sensor may be associated with each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles. At least one signal receiving arrangement is associated with each receptacle and configured to scan at least a portion of the inner area of the associated receptacle for the signal emitted from the signal emitting device associated with the at least one item. The scan is initiated at least partly in response to a determination by the at least one movement sensor, the at least one weight sensor, and/or an antenna associated with the associated receptacle.

Abstract: An item storage and tracking unit for holding a plurality of discrete items may include a housing including a plurality of receptacles positioned therein and defining a plurality of associated inner areas. A signal emitting device is associated with at least one item and configured to emit a signal. At least one movement sensor and/or at least one weight sensor may be associated with each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles. At least one signal receiving arrangement is associated with each receptacle and configured to scan at least a portion of the inner area of the associated receptacle for the signal emitted from the signal emitting device associated with the at least one item. The scan is initiated at least partly in response to a determination by the at least one movement sensor, the at least one weight sensor, and/or an antenna associated with the associated receptacle.

Abstract: An endoscope storage cabinet for use with at least one endoscope having at least one signal emitting member associated therewith and configured to emit a signal indicative of at least one attribute of the at least one endoscope to which it is associated, the cabinet including: an enclosed structure formed by a plurality of walls defining an inner area which is accessible by at least one door; at least one hanger arrangement configured to support at least a portion of at least one endoscope positioned thereon; at least one signal receiving device associated with the enclosed structure and configured to receive the signal emitted by the at least one signal emitting member; and a local control device in communication with the at least one signal receiving device and configured to receive and process the signal emitted by the at least one signal emitting member.

Abstract: An item tracking system including at least one signal emitting element directly or indirectly attached to a portion of at least one item, wherein at least a portion of the at least one signal emitting element extends from the at least one item. The system further includes a container, including: (i) a support surface configured to at least partially support the at least one item and having at least one opening extending therethrough, which is configured to at least partially receive at least a portion of the signal emitting element therethrough; and (ii) at least one signal receiving member configured for communication with the portion of the at least one signal emitting member extending through the at least one opening. An item tracking container and method of tracking are also disclosed.

Abstract: A specimen management system, including a storage unit having at least one access point to provide access to the storage unit, where the storage unit is at least partially associated with storage unit data and configured to receive and store a specimen, which is associated with an identification device associated with specimen data at least partially associated with the specimen. A local controller generates, receives, and/or transmits at least a portion of the storage unit data and/or the specimen data, and the controller initiates at least one action based at least partially on the storage unit data and/or the specimen data. A computer-implemented method for tracking at least one specimen in a tracking system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An endoscope storage cabinet for use with at least one endoscope having at least one signal emitting member associated therewith and configured to emit a signal indicative of at least one attribute of the at least one endoscope to which it is associated, the cabinet including: an enclosed structure formed by a plurality of walls defining an inner area which is accessible by at least one door; at least one hanger arrangement configured to support at least a portion of at least one endoscope positioned thereon; at least one signal receiving device associated with the enclosed structure and configured to receive the signal emitted by the at least one signal emitting member; and a local control device in communication with the at least one signal receiving device and configured to receive and process the signal emitted by the at least one signal emitting member.

Abstract: An item tracking system including at least one signal emitting element directly or indirectly attached to a portion of at least one item, wherein at least a portion of the at least one signal emitting element extends from the at least one item. The system further includes a container, including: (i) a support surface configured to at least partially support the at least one item and having at least one opening extending therethrough, which is configured to at least partially receive at least a portion of the signal emitting element therethrough; and (ii) at least one signal receiving member configured for communication with the portion of the at least one signal emitting member extending through the at least one opening. An item tracking container and method of tracking are also disclosed.

Abstract: An endoscope storage cabinet for use with at least one endoscope having at least one signal emitting member associated therewith and configured to emit a signal indicative of at least one attribute of the at least one endoscope to which it is associated, the cabinet including: an enclosed structure formed by a plurality of walls defining an inner area which is accessible by at least one door; at least one hanger arrangement configured to support at least a portion of at least one endoscope positioned thereon; at least one signal receiving device associated with the enclosed structure and configured to receive the signal emitted by the at least one signal emitting member; and a local control device in communication with the at least one signal receiving device and configured to receive and process the signal emitted by the at least one signal emitting member.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement including a first antenna module having a first antenna loop positioned in a plane for emitting a signal in a first spatial area, and at least one additional antenna loop positioned in substantially the same plane for emitting a signal in an additional spatial area. The arrangement includes at least one power source in communication with the first antenna module for providing current thereto. The first spatial area and the additional spatial area at least partially overlap, and the first antenna loop and the additional antenna loop are powered by the power source in a specified pattern. A method of identifying at least one item is also disclosed.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement including a first antenna module having a first antenna loop positioned in a plane for emitting a signal in a first spatial area, and at least one additional antenna loop positioned in substantially the same plane for emitting a signal in an additional spatial area. The arrangement includes at least one power source in communication with the first antenna module for providing current thereto. The first spatial area and the additional spatial area at least partially overlap, and the first antenna loop and the additional antenna loop are powered by the power source in a specified pattern. A method of identifying at least one item is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wireless networked monitoring system including multiple reader mechanisms for receiving, processing and transmitting signals, each reader mechanism associated with a read zone. Multiple signal emitting devices or tags are positionable within the read zones and emit signals containing data. A central processing device is in wireless communication with the reader mechanisms and receives, processes and transmits signals. In addition, the central processing device communicates with and controls the reader mechanisms and/or signal emitting devices.

Abstract: An identification apparatus for use in connection with a plurality of discrete identity source elements positioned in an identification apparatus signal identification area. The identification apparatus includes a plurality of signal receiving mechanisms forming a first signal receiving module and each of the signal receiving mechanisms having a respective field of detection, each of which comprises at least a portion of the identification apparatus signal identification area and at least partially overlaps another field of detection. Each signal receiving mechanism is individually powered in a specified pattern, and the first signal receiving module moves along an axis of movement. A control mechanism in communication with the signal receiving module.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement including a first antenna module having a first antenna loop positioned in a plane for emitting a signal in a first spatial area, and at least one additional antenna loop positioned in substantially the same plane for emitting a signal in an additional spatial area. The arrangement includes at least one power source in communication with the first antenna module for providing current thereto. The first spatial area and the additional spatial area at least partially overlap, and the first antenna loop and the additional antenna loop are powered by the power source in a specified pattern. A method of identifying at least one item is also disclosed.