Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary implementations of an instrument having an RFID tag formed in or on the material of its handle. One or more antenna segments of the RFID tag may be formed from conductive material printed on or otherwise applied to a surface of the material or they may be formed from a conductive foil or other preformed material applied to the surface of the elastic material of the instrument handle. The antenna segments may be configured to represent at least a portion of a graphic, such as a company logo, for viewing by a user or handler of the instrument. At least a portion of the RFID tag and surrounding of the instrument handle may be covered by a protective material to prevent damage to the RFID tag as a result of repeated handling or subjection of the instrument to autoclaving, sterilization or caustic materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically identifying the contents of an instrument tray by use of a radio-frequency tag (RFID) is disclosed. The method, apparatus, and system enable the instrument tray to receive an interrogation signal from a reader and to respond to the interrogation signal with a code comprised of its identifying information as well as its contents of radio frequency tagged instruments. Both the instrument tray and/or the reader may be coupled by a proximity electromagnetic field, an inductive coupling, or may be units of a wireless LAN system such as a wireless fidelity local area network. The interrogation signal interrogates the tray to ascertain its contents, and the tray in turn transmits a signal to the reader to inform the reader of its contents. The method, apparatus, and system can track, inspect, and verify inbound and outbound surgical instrument trays and kits, to assess, for example, the surgical instruments' and trays' duty life cycle usage.

Abstract: An acetabular cup having one or more osteoinductive formulations, wherein each osteoinductive formulation comprises one or more osteoinductive agent(s). In one embodiment of the invention, the acetabular cup comprises a porous coating into which the osteoinductive formulation is impregnated. In another embodiment of the invention, the acetabular cup comprises microchambers into which the osteoinductive formulation is sealed with a biodegradable or current responsive polymer. The osteoinductive formulations may be available in immediate or sustained release formulations. The invention further relates to preventing and treating osteolytic lesions formed following implantation of an acetabular cup during hip replacement surgery.