Abstract: An RFID tagged implement assembly includes a metallic implement, and a wireless RFID transponder. The RFID transponder includes a housing; an inductive coupler within the housing, and an RFID chip coupled with the inductive coupler. The inductive coupler is inductively coupled with the metallic implement.

Abstract: A storage container assembly includes a container having a metal side wall, and a passive wireless repeater mounted on the side wall. The repeater includes a first antenna on one side of the side wall, a second antenna on an opposite side of the side wall, and an electrical connection between the first antenna and the second antenna. The electrical connection may be in the form of a first connector mounted to the first antenna and a second connector mounted to the second antenna.

Abstract: An RFID tag includes a circuit board assembly having a substrate comprised of a material with a high dielectric constant of greater than approximately 4 and having a first side and a second side. A patch antenna is mounted to the first side of the substrate. A metallic ground plane is mounted to the second side of the substrate, and an RFID circuit is at the second side of the substrate. A shorting wall includes a plurality of through holes extending through the substrate and interconnecting the antenna with the ground plane. The plurality of through holes are generally linearly arranged relative to each other along an edge of the ground plane. An electrically conductive via extends through the substrate and interconnects the antenna with the RFID circuit. The via is at a distance from the shorting wall whereby an impedance of the RFID circuit approximately matches an impedance of the antenna. A backplane is coupled with the ground plane, on a side of the ground plane opposite the substrate.

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 sterilization case assembly includes a plurality of sterilization cases including a first sterilization case and a second sterilization case, the second sterilization case stacked upon the first sterilization case in a vertical direction, the second sterilization case being configured for both stacking offset from the first sterilization case in a direction transverse to the vertical direction and stacking inline from the first sterilization case in a direction transverse to the vertical direction.

Abstract: A sterilization case assembly including a plurality of sterilization cases having a first sterilization case and a second sterilization case. The second sterilization case is stacked upon the first sterilization case in a vertical direction. The second sterilization case is offset from the first sterilization case in a direction transverse to the vertical direction. In another embodiment, the second sterilization case is configured for both stacking offset from the first sterilization case in a direction transverse to the vertical direction and stacking inline from the first sterilization case in a direction transverse to the vertical direction.

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 substrate comprised of a material with a high dielectric constant of greater than approximately 4 and having a first side and a second side. A patch antenna is mounted to the first side of the substrate. A metallic ground plane is mounted to the second side of the substrate, and an RFID circuit is at the second side of the substrate. A shorting wall includes a plurality of through holes extending through the substrate and interconnecting the antenna with the ground plane. The plurality of through holes are generally linearly arranged relative to each other along an edge of the ground plane. An electrically conductive via extends through the substrate and interconnects the antenna with the RFID circuit. The via is at a distance from the shorting wall whereby an impedance of the RFID circuit approximately matches an impedance of the antenna. A backplane is coupled with the ground plane, on a side of the ground plane opposite the substrate.

Abstract: A sterilization case assembly including a plurality of sterilization cases having a first sterilization case and a second sterilization case. The second sterilization case is stacked upon the first sterilization case in a vertical direction. The second sterilization case is offset from the first sterilization case in a direction transverse to the vertical direction.

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 surgical tool assembly includes a surgical tool having an outer surface, and a clamp having an opening which is sized and shaped to generally match with and lie closely around a selected portion of the outer surface of the surgical tool. The clamp has an RFID tag therein.

Abstract: An autoclave system for sterilizing surgical instruments includes a sterilization case, at least one surgical instrument within the case, and at least one RFID tag associated with the case. Each RFID tag provides a wireless output signal representing a sterilization parameter associated with one or more surgical instruments. An autoclave receives the sterilization case, and includes a controller for controlling an autoclave cycle of the autoclave, dependent upon the wireless output signal from the RFID tag.

Abstract: A sterilization case assembly including a plurality of sterilization cases having a first sterilization case and a second sterilization case. The second sterilization case is stacked upon the first sterilization case in a vertical direction. The second sterilization case is offset from the first sterilization case in a direction transverse to the vertical direction.

Abstract: A medical instrument soaking, transport and storage container intended for receiving surgical instruments and containing a cleaning solution or disinfectant for cleaning the instruments. A lid mounts on the bowl for transport of the instruments to a cleaning/decontamination area of a hospital. The lid portion carries a projecting seal that is received in a circumferentially extending groove in an outwardly extending rim portion of the bowl. Accordingly, sealing is effected between the lid and the bowl. A pivoting clasp is mounted on each side of the lid for engagement with the corresponding portion of the bowl, and therefore secures the lid on the bowl for transport.

Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing and storing medical instruments includes a base tray and one or more insert trays removably mounted in a cavity defined by the side and bottom walls of the base tray. Insert trays are supported on ribs projecting transversely into the base tray cavity which cooperates with the side walls of the base tray to define a groove which receives a circumferential wall defined on a turned over portion of an insert tray, thereby inhibiting the latter from migrating to the bottom of the base tray. The ribs have lateral side surface to engage the circumferentially extending wall of the insert trays to restrict lateral movement of the insert trays relative to the base tray to that distance which brings the circumferentially extending walls of the base tray into engagement with the lateral surface of one of the ribs.