Abstract: An apparatus for use in clinical environments. The apparatus includes a trocar, having a cannula with a proximal end and a distal end. The cannula defines a lumen therethrough that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. A proximal port at the proximal end provides access to an interior of the lumen from an exterior of the cannula. Further, a distal port at the distal end provides access to the interior of the lumen from the exterior of the cannula. At least one trocar antenna is physically coupled to the trocar and is positioned and oriented to provide wireless communications coverage to at least a portion of an interior of the lumen and to any wireless communications transponders that pass through the lumen of the cannula.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in clinical environments. The apparatus includes a trocar, having a cannula with a proximal end and a distal end. The cannula defines a lumen therethrough that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. A proximal port at the proximal end provides access to an interior of the lumen from an exterior of the cannula. Further, a distal port at the distal end provides access to the interior of the lumen from the exterior of the cannula. At least one trocar antenna is physically coupled to the trocar and is positioned and oriented to provide wireless communications coverage to at least a portion of an interior of the lumen and to any wireless communications transponders that pass through the lumen of the cannula.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in clinical environments. The apparatus includes a trocar, having a cannula with a proximal end and a distal end. The cannula defines a lumen therethrough that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. A proximal port at the proximal end provides access to an interior of the lumen from an exterior of the cannula. Further, a distal port at the distal end provides access to the interior of the lumen from the exterior of the cannula. At least one trocar antenna is physically coupled to the trocar and is positioned and oriented to provide wireless communications coverage to at least a portion of an interior of the lumen and to any wireless communications transponders that pass through the lumen of the cannula.

Abstract: Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders (e.g., RFID transponders, dumb transponders) are accounted for in a medical or clinical environment via an accounting system using a number of antennas and interrogators/readers. A first set of antennas and RFID interrogator(s) interrogate portions of the environment for RFID tagged objects, for example proximate a start and an end of a procedure. A cannula of a trocar may include one or more trocar antennas positioned and oriented to integrate tapped objects that pass through a lumen of the cannula. Shielded packaging and/or shielded receptacles shield tagged objects, preventing interrogation except for those objects in unshielded portions of the environment. A data store may maintain information including a current status or count of each instrument or supply, for instance as checked in or checked out.

Abstract: Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders (e.g., RFID transponders, dumb transponders) are accounted for in a medical or clinical environment via an accounting system using a number of antennas and interrogators/readers. A first set of antennas and RFID interrogator(s) interrogate portions of the environment for RFID tagged objects, for example proximate a start and an end of a procedure. Shielded packaging and/or shielded receptacles shield tagged objects, preventing interrogation except for those objects in unshielded portions of the environment. A shielded receptacle may include an antenna to interrogate the contents thereof in a relatively noise-free environment. A data store may maintain information including a current status or count of each instrument or supply, for instance as checked in or checked out. A handheld antenna and/or second set of antennas interrogates a body of a patient for retained instruments or supplies tagged with dumb transponders.

Abstract: Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders (e.g., RFID transponders, dumb transponders) are accounted for in a medical or clinical environment via an accounting system using a number of antennas and interrogators/readers. A first set of antennas and RFID interrogator(s) interrogate portions of the environment for RFID tagged objects, for example proximate a start and an end of a procedure. Shielded packaging and/or shielded receptacles shield tagged objects, preventing interrogation except for those objects in unshielded portions of the environment. A shielded receptacle may include an antenna to interrogate the contents thereof in a relatively noise-free environment. A data store may maintain information including a current status or count of each instrument or supply, for instance as checked in or checked out. A handheld antenna and/or second set of antennas interrogates a body of a patient for retained instruments or supplies tagged with dumb transponders.

Abstract: In situ optical analysis of bacterial endospores can be inhibited when the endospores are present within an optically active carrier medium. To help isolate the endospores from the carrier medium, in some examples, the carrier medium is passed through a hydrophobic material that captures the endospores via hydrophobic attraction. Subsequently, a germination fluid and lanthanide source, such as terbium, can be added to the bacterial endospores captured on the hydrophobic material to form a lanthanide-dipicolinic acid complex in the germination fluid. The germination fluid can then be optically analyzed by measuring the fluorometric response of the lanthanide-dipicolinic acid complex to determine a concentration of the bacterial endospores in the carrier medium.

Abstract: Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders (e.g., RFID transponders, dumb transponders) are accounted for in a medical or clinical environment via an accounting system using a number of antennas and interrogators/readers. A first set of antennas and RFID interrogator(s) interrogate portions of the environment for RFID tagged objects, for example proximate a start and an end of a procedure. A cannula of a trocar may include one or more trocar antennas positioned and oriented to integrate tapped objects that pass through a lumen of the cannula. Shielded packaging and/or shielded receptacles shield tagged objects, preventing interrogation except for those objects in unshielded portions of the environment. A data store may maintain information including a current status or count of each instrument or supply, for instance as checked in or checked out.

Abstract: In situ optical analysis of bacterial endospores can be inhibited when the endospores are present within an optically active carrier medium. To help isolate the endospores from the carrier medium, in some examples, the carrier medium is passed through a hydrophobic material that captures the endospores via hydrophobic attraction. Subsequently, a germination fluid and lanthanide source, such as terbium, can be added to the bacterial endospores captured on the hydrophobic material to form a lanthanide-dipicolinic acid complex in the germination fluid. The germination fluid can then be optically analyzed by measuring the fluorometric response of the lanthanide-dipicolinic acid complex to determine a concentration of the bacterial endospores in the carrier medium.