Abstract: A clothing item (1), wearable with a shirt (60) having a collar (70). The clothing item (1) comprises an elongate body (10) for location between the collar's band (80) and leaf (90), and being sized such that, in use, the ends of the elongate body (10) are exposed from the ends of the collar leaf (90) to define two separated decorative portions (11). The elongate body (10) is configured so that, in use, the decorative portions (110) project away from the band (80) of the collar (70).

Abstract: Various embodiments of a wirelessly detectable object to be used in medical procedures are provided. The object may include a piece of absorbent material, a transponder to wirelessly receive and transmit signals, and a cover. The cover is attached directly to the piece of absorbent material to retain the transponder. Methods of manufacturing wirelessly detectable objects are also provided.

Abstract: Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders are accounted for in a medical procedure environment via a medical object accounting system using a number of antennas, and optional readers. A first set of antennas is configured to interrogate sterile fields and/or non-sterile fields which do not encompass a body of a patient to account for the objects proximate a start and an end of a medical procedure. Readers (e.g., symbol, RFID) may be employed. A database is maintained with information including a current status of each instrument or supply, for instance as checked in or checked out. On notification of a discrepancy, a handheld antenna and/or second set of antennas interrogate a volume encompassing a body of a patient for retained instruments or supplies. The system is automatically configured (e.g., loading appropriate software) on communicative coupling of a device (e.g., antenna, reader, peripheral device).

Abstract: A hand-held antenna system allows medical personnel to ascertain the presence or absence of objects (e.g., medical supplies) tagged with transponders in an environment in which medical procedures are performed. In use, the hand-held antenna system may be positioned proximate a patient at a time after a medical procedure, such as after child birth, so the system can scan the patient's body to determine the presence of objects tagged with transponders. The antenna system includes three antenna elements arranged mutually orthogonal to each other to transmit and receive signals in three coordinate directions. A controller is coupled to the antenna elements to transmit signals to the transponders and to receive response signals. The antenna system may operate in a static scan mode wherein the antenna system is held in a fixed position by a user and a dynamic scan mode wherein the antenna system is moved by a user.

Abstract: The presence or absence of objects (e.g., medical implements, medical supplies) tagged with transponders may be determined in an environment in which medical procedures (e.g., surgery) are performed via an interrogation and detection system which includes a controller and a plurality of antennas positioned along a patient support structure. The antennas may, for example, be positioned along an operating table, bed, a mattress or pad or a sheet and may be radiolucent. Respective antennas may successively be activated to transmit interrogation signals. Multiple antennas may be monitored for responses from transponders to the interrogation signals. For example, all antennas other than the antenna that transmitted the most recent interrogation signal may be monitored.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to physically couple a transponder to a surgical object are provided. One example apparatus includes a first clamp comprising a first fastener and a first channel member that has a first base and a first pair of side portions that extend from the first base to form a first channel therebetween. The first fastener adjustably engages with the first channel member to securingly clamp a surgical object in the first channel of the first channel member. The apparatus further includes a housing that has at least a first cavity that receives at least a portion of the first pair of side portions of the first channel member, a first passageway that receives the first fastener and permits the first fastener to extend at least in part into the first cavity, and a second passageway to receive at least one transponder that wirelessly receives and returns signals.

Abstract: A hand-held antenna system allows medical personnel to ascertain the presence or absence of objects (e.g., medical supplies) tagged with transponders in an environment in which medical procedures are performed. In use, the hand-held antenna system may be positioned proximate a patient at a time after a medical procedure, such as after child birth, so the system can scan the patient's body to determine the presence of objects tagged with transponders. The antenna system includes three antenna elements arranged mutually orthogonal to each other to transmit and receive signals in three coordinate directions. A controller is coupled to the antenna elements to transmit signals to the transponders and to receive response signals. The antenna system may operate in a static scan mode wherein the antenna system is held in a fixed position by a user and a dynamic scan mode wherein the antenna system is moved by a user.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to physically couple a transponder to a surgical object are provided. One example apparatus includes a first clamp comprising a first fastener and a first channel member that has a first base and a first pair of side portions that extend from the first base to form a first channel therebetween. The first fastener adjustably engages with the first channel member to securingly clamp a surgical object in the first channel of the first channel member. The apparatus further includes a housing that has at least a first cavity that receives at least a portion of the first pair of side portions of the first channel member, a first passageway that receives the first fastener and permits the first fastener to extend at least in part into the first cavity, and a second passageway to receive at least one transponder that wirelessly receives and returns signals.

Abstract: A mat based antenna and heater system allows medical personnel to ascertain the presence or absence of objects (e.g., medical implements, sponges) tagged with transponders during medical procedures (e.g., surgery, labor and delivery), and may allow reading of information from the transponders, writing information to the transponders and/or controlling or commanding the transponders. In use, the mat based antenna and heater system may be positioned beneath a patient, such as during surgery or child birth. A controller is coupled to the antennas to transmit signals (e.g. interrogation signals) to the transponders and to receive signals (e.g., response signals) from the transponders. The controller also operates one or more heaters or heating elements to selectively provide warmth to a patient. One or more sensors can detect temperatures at one or more locations, and the controller can use temperature readings in as feedback in controlling the heaters or heating elements.

Abstract: Sponges suitable for use in medical procedures may include radio-opaque material, and arranged to allow individual sponges in a set, packet or package of sponges to be readily discernable using imaging technology (e.g., X-ray) to allow accurate counting of sponges. The sponges may include wireless transponders, for instance LC resonant and/or RFID transponders. Gauze or similar material is folded to enhance the ability to count the sponges. Sponges are counted and banded or packaged to provide assurance that the count is accurate.

Abstract: Imaging marker embodiments that may be used for marking sites within a patient's body are discussed. Some imaging marker embodiments are particularly useful for imaging with ultrasound imaging modalities and some imaging marker embodiments may be suitable for imaging with multiple modes of imaging modalities. Method embodiments for making and using imaging markers are also discussed herein.

Abstract: A device for isolating vibration and motion which may be used to dampen or isolate vibrations and motion from heating, ventilation, air conditioning, mechanical and/or electro-mechanical equipment to reduce or eliminate the deleterious effects of vibration, movement and excessive noise created by the equipment. The device includes one or more pairs of vertical limiters, one or more springs, a pair of and at least two flanges. The frame members are each in a fixed relation to at least one vertical limiter which has a slot therein wherein the vertical limiters each have a respective engagement portion/cross beam which is partially passed through the opposing vertical limiters slot such that the vertical limiter pair allows the flanges each to move in toward or away from each other, but wherein the vertical limiters function as to prevent twisting or sliding of the flanges with respect to each other.

Abstract: The presence or absence of objects tagged with transponders may be determined in an environment in which medical procedures are performed via an interrogation and detection system which includes a controller and a plurality of antennas positioned along a patient support structure. The antennas may be positioned along an operating table, bed, mattress or pad, sheet, or may be positioned on a drape, or shade. Respective antennas may successively be activated to transmit interrogation signals. Multiple antennas may be monitored for responses from transponders to the interrogation signals. For example, all antennas other than the antenna that transmitted the most recent interrogation signal may be monitored. Antennas may be responsive to force, a signal indicative of such force being produced. A wireless physiological condition monitor may detect patient physiological conditions and wirelessly transmit signals indicative of such.

Abstract: A surgical sponge dispensing system facilitates the accurate counting of surgical sponges used in a medical procedure. An elongated flexible strip of material carries a plurality of surgical sponges, each attached to the elongated flexible strip of material at a respective fixed location. Demarcations on the elongated flexible strip of material can provide an accurate and reliable indication of the number of surgical sponges detached from the elongated flexible strip of material. Additionally, each of the plurality of surgical sponges and the corresponding attachment location of the sponge to the elongated flexible strip of material may carry a unique alphanumeric identifier. Reconciling the alphanumeric identifiers at locations on the elongated flexible strip of material during a medical procedure can provide an accurate and reliable count of the number of surgical sponges used during the procedure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a wirelessly detectable object to be used in medical procedures are provided. The object may include a piece of absorbent material, a transponder to wirelessly receive and transmit signals, and a cover. The cover is attached directly to the piece of absorbent material to retain the transponder. Methods of manufacturing wirelessly detectable objects are also provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments of wirelessly detectable objects to be used in medical procedures are provided. Such may employ ionizing radiation hard wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders, other wireless transponders and/or integrated circuits, and attachment structures, all of which retain structural and functional integrity when exposed to standard sterilization dosages of ionizing radiation. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders, other wireless transponders and/or integrated circuits, and attachment structures, may retain structural and functional integrity when exposed to standard sterilization temperatures and/or pressures.

Abstract: The presence or absence of objects (e.g., medical implements, medical supplies) tagged with transponders may be determined in an environment in which medical procedures (e.g., surgery) are performed via an interrogation and detection system which includes a controller and a plurality of antennas positioned along a patient support structure. The antennas may, for example, be positioned along an operating table, bed, a mattress or pad or a sheet and may be radiolucent. Respective antennas may successively be activated to transmit interrogation signals. Multiple antennas may be monitored for responses from transponders to the interrogation signals. For example, all antennas other than the antenna that transmitted the most recent interrogation signal may be monitored.

Abstract: Confectionary shaped and configured to resemble jewels are provided with various color tints and flavor enhancements. The confectionary are further enhanced by fabrication which includes formulations effective in improving the user's breath and oral hygiene. Novel packaging for supporting and presenting the confectionary resembling jewels are also provided. A dispensing wand receives and supports a plurality of confectionary resembling jewels and is operable to sequentially dispense the confectionary resembling jewels.

Abstract: A method and system for rapidly aging ethanol-based solutions is disclosed wherein the temperature of a mass transfer column containing packing material is controlled while fluid flows there through.

Abstract: The presence or absence of objects is determined by interrogating or exciting transponders coupled to the objects using pulsed wide band frequency signals. Interrogation is broken down into a number of subsample scan cycles each having interrogation cycles a start time forward in time by a fraction of a period of an expected transponder response signal. Ambient or background noise is evaluated and a threshold adjusted based on the level of noise. Adjustment may be based on multiple noise measurements or samples. Noise detection may be limited, with emphasis placed on interrogation to increase the signal to noise ratio. Matched filtering may be employed. Presence/absence determination may take into account frequency and/or Q value to limit false detections. Appropriate acts may be taken if detected noise is out of defined limits of operation, for example shutting down interrogation and/or providing an appropriate indication.