Abstract: Described are a forced-air drying cabinet, system, and computer program product for drying endoscopes. The system includes a forced-air drying cabinet and a local control device associated with the cabinet. The cabinet includes an inner area accessible by a door, a signal receiving device, and a drying manifold including a compressor. The cabinet also includes an airflow output connected to the drying manifold, a support arrangement, and a visual indicator. The control device is configured to receive a signal from a signal emitting member associated with an endoscope, determine a drying protocol for the endoscope based on the signal, and identify the support arrangement to support the endoscope based on the drying protocol. The control device is also configured to control the visual indicator associated with the support arrangement, and initiate a drying process 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 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 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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 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 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 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.