JP2009539478A - Method, apparatus and article for detecting an object labeled by a trussponder during surgery - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for detecting an object labeled by a transponder used in a living body or near a surgical site. The apparatus carries a wand housing, a fuse connected to the at least one antenna and selectively operable to permanently disable the at least one antenna, and the wand housing. At least one antenna that is connected to the at least one antenna and selectively fuses the fuse to permanently disable the at least one antenna in response to a predetermined amount of use. An inoperable circuit configured to fly. The pouch holds the transponder and can be physically coupled to an object such as a surgical sponge or gauze.

Description

The present invention relates generally to detection of the presence or absence of an object labeled by a transponder that can allow detection of a surgical object, for example, during surgery.
(Cross-reference of related applications)
This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 811,376, filed June 6, 2006, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

  The ability to determine the presence or absence of an object is often useful or important.

  For example, it is important to determine whether an object related to the operation is present in the patient's body before the operation is completed. Such objects can be in various forms. For example, such objects can be in the form of instruments such as scalpels, scissors, forceps, hemostatic forceps and / or clamps. Furthermore, the object may be in the form of associated accessories such as surgical sponges, gauze and / or pads and / or disposable objects. Failure to locate such objects prior to closing the patient's wound may require additional surgery and in some cases may have detrimental medical consequences. These not only increase the risk of infection, but may cause additional pain and / or mental stress in the patient.

  Surgically acceptable procedures for detecting and removing foreign objects include counting objects used in surgery. X-ray detection is also used to locate foreign objects. However, miscounting objects is not uncommon. Furthermore, even X-ray detection is not perfect. Despite the fact that objects such as surgical sponges are typically surrounded by radiopaque material for relatively easy detection, surgical sponges are a very small area within a body cavity. Often they are crushed in, so that x-rays are not always able to make them stand out for detection. Further and most detrimental, X-rays (even in rapid development films) are detection methods that operate slowly depending on the development conditions of the film. The patient is often fully sutured and occluded before an x-ray result is obtained that can indicate that there is a foreign body in the patient. Thus, this delayed detection may create a need for a surgical team to reopen the patient's body, thereby increasing the chance of morbidity from surgery.

  Prior art for foreign object detection (except for X-ray analysis) is typically prohibitively expensive and includes detectors that are too large to be useful to a significant extent (ie, locate) Did not interfere with the use of intended objects) or simply provided efficient detection. Exemplary techniques include signage or tag devices that use radioactive sensing techniques, electromagnetic sensing techniques, magnetomechanical sensing techniques, or electromechanical sensing techniques. A more detailed description of such prior art is provided in the background section of the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 6,026,818 by the present inventor. This patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

  Theoretically, an electronic detector should be adapted to detect surgical sponges. As a practical matter, it is difficult to form a small sign member with sufficient signal strength for reliable detection at an economical cost. An increase in the size of the marking member may cause an adverse effect on the use of the object intended to be located. For example, surgical sponges, which are common articles that are desired to be detected, are useful because they can be deformed for use. However, while such deformations often deform large sign members, small sign members may not be able to provide sufficient signal strength for detection. Large non-deformable labels effectively hinder the usefulness of the sponge to be deformed for use. Prior patents by the present inventor consider this point more extensively in connection with previously known mechanisms.

  Surgical parts such as sponges must be deformable to match the working area of the body cavity. If the marker or transponder is shrunk or contained to occupy a sufficiently small deformation resistant area within the sponge, they can be used without interfering with the function of the sponge. However, as the area of the label or transponder is reduced, its coupling will be reduced to make it less visible with typical devices contemplated for use in surgery.

  Some hospitals have begun procedures that include a checklist to be done to track the use and return of objects during surgery, or the need to count many times. Such artificial methods are inefficient and require highly trained people to spend time and are prone to error.

  Another method is to employ a transponder and a wireless interrogation and detection device. Such methods employ wireless transponders that are attached to various objects used during surgery. The interrogation and detection device includes a transmitter that emits a pulsed broadband radio signal (eg, a radio frequency signal or a microwave frequency signal) and a radio signal returned by a transponder in response to the generated pulsed broadband signal. And a detector for detection. Such automated devices can advantageously increase accuracy while reducing the time required for highly trained and rewarding people. Examples of such methods are described in US Pat. No. 6,026,818 issued on Feb. 22, 2000 and U.S. patent application US 2004/0250819 issued on Dec. 16, 2004. .

  Although the detector can detect the radio signal returned by the transponder and the relative position of the transponder, the transponder must be manually removed from the patient's body. Thus, in order to successfully remove the transponder along with the surgical object to which it is attached in a timely manner, visual contact or visual linkage must be made. However, a transponder and a surgical object fitted with a transponder may be placed inconspicuously within the patient's body, and establishing a visual linkage with the transponder may be time consuming.

  In addition, the transmitter can take the form of a hand-held wand. In use, the wand is held by the surgeon who has just completed the surgical procedure and the patient's body to detect whether the radio transponder and the surgical object to which the shirasponder is attached remain inside. Located near the surgical site. Placing the wand in close proximity to the surgical site during use and holding it by the physician when performing surgery on the patient may cause bacterial or viral transfer onto the wand. . Thus, the reused wand may be a carrier of bacteria and viruses that may be transferred to other patients that are detected by the transponder.

  Ultimately, it would be desirable to have a transponder and wand that can solve or mitigate at least some of the problems discussed above.

  In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for detecting an object labeled by a transponder used in vivo or proximate a surgical site includes a wand housing and at least a wand housing supported by the wand housing. One antenna, a fuse coupled to the at least one antenna and selectively operable to permanently disable the function of the at least one antenna, and responding to a specified usage course And a deactivation circuit configured to selectively blow the fuse to permanently deactivate the at least one antenna.

  In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a device for detecting a surgical object labeled by a transponder used in vivo or proximate to a surgical site is provided for a surgical device labeled with a transponder. Using a wand with at least one antenna for locating an object, determining whether the wand has been used in a defined amount, and using the defined amount of the wand. In response to elapse of time, permanently disabling at least one antenna.

  In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an article for use in sensing a surgical object used in vivo or in proximity to a surgical site is provided from inside and outside to the inside. A pouch having a closable opening for selectively providing access, the interior being sized to receive and hold a transponder therein, wherein the pouch is in vivo or surgical It can be coupled to a surgical object used in the vicinity of the site.

  In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method used in detecting a surgical object used in vivo or proximate to a surgical site selectively selects access to the interior from inside and outside. Providing a pouch having a closable opening to be provided and wherein the interior is sized to receive and hold a transponder therein; disposing the transponder within the pouch; Coupling the pouch to a surgical object used in-vivo or near a surgical site.

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The size and relative position of the members in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. For example, the shapes and angles of the various members are not shown to scale, and some of these members are arbitrarily enlarged and arranged to improve the readability of the drawings. Further, the particular shapes of the members shown are not intended to convey any information about the actual shapes of the particular parts, but are selected solely for ease of drawing recognition. is there.
FIG. 1 illustrates a surgical environment showing a healthcare provider using an interrogation and detection device to detect an object in a patient's body labeled by a transponder, according to one exemplary embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a ferrite rod and transponder, according to one exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a ferrite rod and transponder, according to one exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a coated transponder formed as a spindle-shaped object with a flat-headed end, according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for attaching a transponder to an object, according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a pouch sized to hold a transponder, according to one embodiment. FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of a wand according to one embodiment. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of an antenna according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a deactivation circuit coupled to a wand, according to one embodiment.

  In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments may be practiced without these details. In other instances, structures, devices and methods associated with transponder sensing devices including antennas, interrogation circuits, sensing circuits, fuses, antenna transmitters and final structures to avoid unnecessarily disturbing the description. Of these, the known ones are not shown or described in detail.

  Unless otherwise explained, throughout the specification and the claims that follow, the term “comprising” is to be interpreted as “including but not limited to” in an unbiased and comprehensive sense. Should.

  Throughout this specification, the phrase “an embodiment” means that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. . Thus, the appearances of the term “in one embodiment” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

  The headings provided are for convenience only and do not explain the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.

  FIG. 1 illustrates a surgical environment 10 using an interrogation and detection device 14 to confirm the presence or absence of an object 16 in or on a patient 18. The interrogation and detection device 14 includes a controller 20 and an antenna 22 connected to the controller 20 by one or more communication paths, such as a coaxial cable 24. The antenna 22 can be in the form of a handheld wand 22a.

  The object 16 can be a disposable article useful in performing various forms, such as instruments, accessories and / or surgical procedures. For example, the object 16 can be in the form of a scalpel, scissors, forceps, hemostatic forceps and / or clamp. The object 16 may also be in the form of, for example, a surgical sponge, gauze and / or pad. Object 16 is labeled, supported and attached or otherwise coupled by transponder 26. The embodiment of the interrogation and sensing device 14 disclosed herein is particularly suitable for cooperating with a transponder 26 that is not precisely tuned to a selected response frequency. Ultimately, the transponder 26 does not require high manufacturing tolerances or expensive materials and is therefore inexpensive to manufacture.

  In use, the health care provider 12 places the wand 22a in close proximity to the patient 18 to detect the presence or absence of the transponder 26 and thus the object 16. The health care provider 12 may move the wand 22a along and / or across the patient's body in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the wand 22a may be sized to fit at least partially within the body cavity 28 of the patient 18.

  The controller 20 includes an interrogation circuit 30 and a detection circuit 32. The interrogation circuit 30 is operable to drive the antenna 22 to convey the interrogation signal in the form of a modulated broadband signal, while the detection circuit 32 receives the return signal received from the transponder 26 by the antenna 22. It is operable to detect. As described herein with respect to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the interrogation circuit 30 and the detection circuit 32 may be disposed within the handheld portion 34 of the wand 22a, according to one embodiment.

  2A and 2B are schematic views of a ferrite rod 36 and transponder 26 according to one exemplary embodiment.

  In an embodiment, the transponder 26 or label is a capsule-shaped small ferrite rod 36 with a wire winding 38 coupled with a capacitive means such as a capacitor for use in the bead embodiment. Such as a single signal generating member or a thin wire member made by a simple single loop with windings contained within the elastic coating.

  In some embodiments, the ferrite rod 36 may have a dumbbell shape, for example, as shown in FIG. 1A. Such a dumbbell shaped rod 36 is formed to provide a relatively narrow central portion 40, each end terminating in a relatively wide portion 42. As shown in FIG. 1B, the wide portion 42 serves the purpose of surrounding the narrow portion 40 with a wire winding 38 to form the transponder 26. The transponder 26 may optionally include an encapsulant 44. Such a structure provides a signal generation where the transponder 26 formed by the dumbbell-shaped rod 36 is stronger or more reliable than the transponder 26 formed by the cylindrical ferrite rod. May be advantageous in that it can.

  In some embodiments, the coated transponder 26 is formed as a spindle-shaped article 46 with a flat-headed end, as shown in FIG. The spindle shape is advantageous over the cylindrical transponder 26 in that it reduces the possibility of tag-to-parallel alignment associated with tag-to-tag interaction and interference that may otherwise reduce the efficiency of the embodiment. There may be.

  FIG. 4 illustrates an apparatus 48 for attaching the transponder 26 to the object 16 according to one exemplary embodiment.

  The device 48 may be advantageous for sensing an object 16 used in vivo or near a surgical site. In some embodiments where the transponder 26 is used to detect an object having a finger and / or thumb hole (eg, hemostatic forceps, scissors, some form of forceps, etc.), the device 48 comprises: A clamp or holder may be provided to hold the transponder 26 in combination with the object 16 as shown in FIG. In some embodiments, the device 48 holds the transponder 26 in a storage chamber 50 within the device. In some embodiments, the device 48 and the transponder 26 held within the device are made of a durable deformable material such as a surgical grade polymer. The material is deformed so that it is securely clamped on the finger or thumb hole 52 of the object 16, thereby securely holding the transponder 26 near the object 16 and physically coupled. By detecting the presence of the transponder 26, the presence of the object 16 can be detected.

  FIG. 5 illustrates a pouch 54 sized to hold the transponder 26 according to one exemplary embodiment.

  According to some embodiments, the transponder 26 is attached by a pouch 54 to an object 16 used in vivo or near a surgical site. The pouch can be formed by a sheet member (eg, surgical cloth, cotton, etc.) surrounding the transponder 26.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the transponder 26 is retained in the pouch 54. In one embodiment, the pouch 54 is sewn around the transponder 26. The pouch 54 provides a member that can be attached by means of fixation to the object 16 in a surgical environment so that the detection of the transponder 26 held by the fixed pouch 54 is near the object 16. Can be instructed to do. Means for securing the pouch 54 to the object 16 may include fiber stitching, adhesive bonding, polymer bonding such as thermal bonding, clamping, eyelet bonding, and the like. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various embodiments contemplate these and any other means for securing the pouch 54 to the object 16.

  The pouch 54 has an interior 56 and may include an opening 58 that can be closed to selectively provide access from the exterior 60 to the interior 56. The interior 56 is sized to accommodate and hold the transponder 26. The opening 58 can be closed by sewing to hold the transponder 26 securely in the interior 56 of the pouch 54. The pouch 54 can be coupled or secured to the surgical object 16 by at least one of fiber, adhesive, polymer, clamp or eyelet.

  The pouch 54 can be engaged or secured to the surgical sponge 62 by, for example, sewing on or within the surgical sponge 62. Further, the pouch 54 may be deformable and / or flexible so as not to interfere with the function of the surgical sponge when secured to the surgical sponge 62. The pouch 54 is made of a high count material (eg cotton) so that the pouch can be sewn tightly or attached to a gauze or similar low count thread or piece of thin material Can do.

  In one embodiment, the pouch 54 is sewn on the outer periphery 64 except for the opening 58. The partially sewn pouch 54 is turned over to form a pillow case structure by a seam 66 inside the pouch 54. The pouch 54 may be advantageously colored to make it more prominent and distinct from the surgical environment, thereby facilitating visual detection of the pouch 54 and the object 16 coupled thereto. .

  FIG. 6A shows a wand 22a according to one exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 6B shows an antenna 22 according to one exemplary embodiment.

  According to some embodiments, the antenna 22 is shared by both the interrogation circuit 30 and the detection circuit 32. In one embodiment, the impedance of the antenna 22 is matched to the impedance of the interrogation circuit 30. The antenna 22 can include a single ring-shaped antenna or a plurality of ring-shaped antennas.

  According to some embodiments, the health care provider 12 may place the wand 22a near the patient 18 within approximately 12 to 18 inches, and the body and surgical site of the patient 18. Can be moved along and across to verify the removal of the object 16. The head of the wand 22a can include a single ring-shaped antenna or a plurality of ring-shaped antennas. It may be advantageous for the wand 22a or the head of the wand to be disposable.

  In some embodiments, the antenna 22 is a ring or air-core coil formed by a wire coil. For example, in one embodiment, antenna 22 is configured with 10 center turns with an inner diameter of about 27.9 centimeters (11 inches) and an outer shape of about 35.6 centimeters (14 inches). ing. As shown in FIG. 6A, the housing of the wand 22 a may include an upper portion 68 and a lower portion 70 that surround the winding 72. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present disclosure teaches a number of preferred embodiments including wire coils in which the coil turns are optimized for the overall inductance and wire-to-wire spacing limits. .

  According to at least one embodiment (FIG. 1), both the interrogation circuit 30 and the detection circuit 32 are arranged spaced from the wand 22a and the antenna 22 in the distal direction. In other embodiments (FIGS. 6A and 6B), the gripping portion 34 of the wand 22a includes a circuit 74. The circuit 74 may include some or all of the electronic components that interact with the transponder 16 and provide interrogation and sensing functions for sensing near the transponder 16. In particular, the circuit 74 may include the interrogation circuit 30 and the detection circuit 32. Alternatively or additionally, circuit 74 may be configured to provide a user interface element (e.g., LED, LED) to create a communication path between antenna 22 and separately housed interrogation circuit 30 and / or sensing circuit 32. LCD, speaker, etc.) and / or a connection to the coaxial cable 24 may be provided.

  In order to form a signal and / or current connection to the wand 22a, a twisted cable (eg, coaxial cable 24) including a plurality of conductors may be applied to the wand 22a. This can provide communication between the antenna 22 located in the wand 22a and the interrogation circuit 30 and the detection circuit 32 housed separately.

  FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a circuit 76 carried on the wand 22a in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. The circuit 76 can provide various functions, some of which are described below.

  According to one embodiment, the wand 22a is a disposable wand. The circuit 76 may provide a disposable function that conveniently prevents reuse of the wand 22a. This prevents the same wand 22a from being used, for example, for surgery on different patients.

  The circuit 76 may include, for example, a fuse 78 that can be selectively activated or “blown” to permanently disable the antenna 22. Unlike typical uses of fuses to protect a circuit or person from abnormal operating conditions, fuse 78 is blown even in the absence of abnormal conditions while circuit 76 is operating normally. . The fuse 78 is preferably not replaceable or replaceable without repair of the wand 22a by the original manufacturer.

  The circuit 76 may be configured to selectively blow the fuse 78 in order to permanently disable the antenna 22 in response to the passage, passage or generation of a predetermined usage. For example, the circuit 76 may selectively blow the fuse 78 when it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed after the antenna 22 starts transmitting an interrogation signal or after the antenna 22 or the wand 22a is switched to the ON state. It can be a structure. Circuit 76 blows fuse 78 by intentionally generating excess current in fuse 78. In some embodiments, an overcurrent may be passed through the cable 24 to the circuit 76 of the wand 22a.

  The predetermined usage amount can be set by the circuit 76 so that it cannot be changed. According to some embodiments, blowing the fuse 78 separates the antenna 22 from the interrogation circuit 30 and the detection circuit 32 housed in the wand 22a. In other embodiments, blowing the fuse 78 separates the antenna 22 from the separately housed interrogation circuit 30 and sensing circuit 32 (FIG. 1). Alternatively, the circuit 76 may use a resonance check to measure the changing capacitance C1 in the circuit in series with the fuse 78. Further, in some embodiments, circuit 76 cooperates with a wireless test apparatus described below.

  In some embodiments, the circuit 76 includes one or more user interface elements, such as indicator lights such as LEDs 80. As shown in FIG. 7, the indicator light 80 has an additional cable lead with an appropriately sized resistor R1 that allows current to flow through the LED 80 when the antenna 22 is active. Operates without the need for

  In some embodiments, the circuit 76 may also include a switch S1. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7, switch S1 is an antenna without using additional cable leads by employing capacitance C2 to change the response of the wand circuit indicating the state of the switch. 22 can be started (operable state) or stopped (inoperable state).

  In operation, the performance of the various embodiments can be designed to implement the interrogation circuit 30 and the detection circuit 32 to perform a relatively short transmission cycle in a relatively wide band. For example, some embodiments utilize a 240 microsecond (μsec) transmit / receive cycle consisting of 90 μsec transmission, 10 μsec drain, 10 μsec recovery, 130 μsec reception for signal accumulation. I came. As the bandwidth of the signal is increased, the transmission cycle is shortened to the extent that a good effect is obtained.

  In some embodiments, a fast Fourier transform may be performed on the stored received signal to reduce the signal to noise ratio. In some embodiments, the signal to noise ratio can be further reduced by performing adaptive noise reduction. In such an embodiment, ambient noise is sampled and the ambient noise is removed from the signal received at sensing circuit 32. In some such embodiments, the ambient noise level is sampled by a second antenna / receiving means located at the end of the target area. The signal transmitted from the transponder 26 in the target area in response to the transmission from the interrogation circuit 30 is sufficiently attenuated at the end of the target area, so that the signal received by the second antenna is, for example, the target area Will substantially contain noise, such as noise, which serves as a reference for adaptive noise removal of the signal received by the sensing circuit 32 provided near the.

  The techniques taught by the various embodiments taught herein can also be effectively utilized to detect objects with attached RFID tags. As is well known in the art, RFID is a method for remotely storing and retrieving data within the RFID tag. In contrast to the tag or transponder of the embodiments described above, the RFID tag includes relatively complex electronic components that respond to data when queried by the RFID transponder. However, in response to a properly adjusted pulse interval and band, the RFID tag may provide an identification response that can be detected by the detection circuit 32 in a manner similar to that associated with the tag or transponder described above. it can.

  In normal operating conditions, the remote transmitter sends power to the passive RFID tag via a radio frequency signal. The RFID tag transmits data in response to a remote inquiry using the power thus obtained. By appropriately adjusting the transmission cycle of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently emulate a narrow band signal required for an RFID tag for a power transistor.

  In some embodiments, both data (RFID) tags and “dumb” tags (as taught above) can be adapted to existing applications. Although data tag devices use anti-collision methods, they are not designed to interoperate with wideband frequency sandwiched dam tags. However, in some embodiments, the transceiver timing model is sandwiched between what is required for the data tag and what is required for the dumb tag, thereby allowing any of such tags to be Can be detected in the target area.

  In an alternative embodiment that is adapted for detection of either data tags or dumb tags, a separate detection circuit (one of such circuits is adapted for data tag detection and one is a dumb tag). Is adopted to share the signal formation factor and user interface. In some such embodiments, the two sets of circuits share a single antenna / wand.

  Wireless test equipment for manufacturing falls within the scope of the present invention. In a variation of the traditional drip grid meter, the device utilizes currently disclosed techniques for pulsing the components and measuring with a special wand / meter adapted for such purposes. ing. This technique allows rapid leadless measurement of Q, frequency and amplitude of wound coils and wound ferrite components. The improvement for the test is in the very rapid measurement. The part can be moved by a test line that is measured in 60-100 ms and does not have a physical connection. Unlike traditional grid-dip devices, the amplitude of the resonant frequency response is accurately captured. The antenna is specifically designed to fit a small read area for line technology testing and requires a modulated timing to fit the associated energy drain due to its high inductance.

  Thus, various embodiments are directed to cost-effective tags or transponders that can be detected by a broadband sensing device for use with objects (particularly objects within a surgical environment) in combination with tags. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this is possible. Various embodiments further describe many improvements in such techniques. Yet another embodiment is intended for a wireless device that utilizes technology along the same line in a manufacturing environment. Based on the above description, these and other improvements, advantages, and features of the present invention will be understood by and can be made and used by those skilled in the art.

  The various embodiments described above can be combined with each other to provide further embodiments. All of the US patents, US patent applications, and non-patent literature referenced and listed herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The features of these embodiments can be modified, if necessary, to provide further embodiments utilizing the concepts of various patents, applications and publications.

  These and other changes can be made to these embodiments with reference to the above description. In general, terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the scope of the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims. It should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope equivalent to that provided by the claims. Accordingly, the claims are not limited to the present disclosure.

Claims (46)

A device for detecting a surgical object labeled by a transponder being used in vivo or near a surgical site;
A wand housing,
At least one antenna carried by the wand housing;
A fuse coupled to the at least one antenna and capable of selectively functioning to render the at least one antenna permanently inoperative;
A deactivation circuit configured to selectively blow the fuse to permanently deactivate the at least one antenna in response to a predetermined amount of use. The apparatus of claim 1,
An apparatus further comprising an interrogation circuit coupled to drive the at least one antenna to transmit an interrogation signal in the form of a modulated broadband signal. The apparatus according to claim 2,
A device wherein the interrogation circuit is housed separately from the wand and connected to the wand by a coaxial cable. The apparatus according to claim 2,
A device characterized in that the interrogation circuit is housed in a wand. The apparatus according to claim 2,
An apparatus wherein the antenna impedance is adapted to the interrogation circuit impedance. The apparatus of claim 1,
The apparatus further comprises a sensing circuit connected to the at least one antenna for sensing a return signal returned from the one or more transponders in response to the interrogation signal. The device according to claim 6,
The apparatus, wherein the sensing circuit is housed separately from the wand and connected to the wand by a coaxial cable. The device according to claim 6,
An apparatus wherein the sensing circuit is housed in the wand. The apparatus according to claim 2,
A device comprising a handle large enough to be held by the wand housing. An apparatus according to claim 9,
The apparatus, wherein the wand housing includes an annular portion extending from the handle, and wherein the at least one antenna is housed within the annular portion. An apparatus according to claim 10,
The apparatus wherein the at least one antenna includes a plurality of rings. An apparatus according to claim 10,
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount of use is set to be unchangeable by the deactivation circuit. The apparatus of claim 1,
The apparatus wherein the disabling circuit causes an overcurrent in the fuse in response to a predetermined amount of use. The apparatus of claim 1,
An apparatus wherein the fuse is not replaceable. A method of operating a device for detecting a surgical object labeled by a transponder used in vivo or near a surgical site,
Using a wand with at least one antenna to locate a surgical object labeled by a transponder;
Determining whether a predetermined amount of the wand has been used;
Permanently disabling the at least one antenna in response to the predetermined amount of usage. The method according to claim 15,
The method of permanently disabling at least one antenna includes permanently blowing a fuse to isolate the at least one antenna. The method according to claim 15,
Locating an object labeled by a transponder using a wand having at least one antenna includes transmitting an interrogation signal in the form of a broadband signal modulated from the at least one antenna. And how to. The method according to claim 15,
Locating an object labeled by a transponder using a wand having at least one antenna includes receiving at the at least one antenna a return signal returned by the transponder in response to the interrogation signal. A method characterized by The method of claim 18,
The method further comprises determining the presence of the object based at least in part on an increased strength of the return signal received from the transponder. 20. A method according to claim 19,
Determining the presence of the object based at least in part on the increased strength of the return signal received from the transponder processes the return signal with a sensing circuit disposed away from the wand. And wherein the wand is replaceably and communicatively connected to the sensing circuit by a coaxial cable. 20. A method according to claim 19,
Determining the presence of the object based at least in part on the increased strength of the return signal received from the transponder includes processing the return signal by a sensing circuit disposed in the wand. A method characterized by being. The method according to claim 15,
The step of determining whether or not a predetermined amount of the wand has been used determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the wand is communicably connected to an interrogation circuit disposed separately from the wand. Determining, wherein the wand is replaceably and communicatively connected to the interrogation circuit by a coaxial cable. The method according to claim 15,
The step of determining whether or not a predetermined amount of the wand has been used is a step of determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the wand is communicably connected to a call circuit disposed in the wand. A method characterized by comprising. The method of claim 23,
The method further comprises adapting the impedance of the at least one antenna to the impedance of the interrogation circuit. The method according to claim 15,
Determining whether a predetermined amount of the wand has been used includes determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the at least one antenna has transmitted the interrogation signal. Feature method. The method according to claim 15,
The method further includes generating an overcurrent in the fuse in response to the predetermined amount of usage. An article for use in detecting a surgical object being used in vivo or near a surgical site;
A pouch having an interior and an closable opening for selectively providing external access to the interior, the interior being sized to receive and hold a transponder and in vivo or An article comprising a pouch that is connectable to a surgical object used at a surgical site. An article according to claim 27,
An article further comprising a transponder held in the pouch. An article according to claim 28,
An article in which an opening of the pouch is closed by stitching in order to fix the transponder inside the pouch. An article according to claim 27,
An article wherein the pouch is secured to a surgical object by at least one of fiber, adhesive, polymer, clamp or eyelet. An article according to claim 27,
An article wherein the pouch is secured to a surgical sponge. An article according to claim 27,
An article wherein the pouch is stitched to a surgical sponge. An article according to claim 27,
An article wherein the pouch is sewn inside a surgical sponge. An article according to claim 27,
An article characterized in that the pouch is a sufficiently high count to allow it to be sewn to a gauze piece reliably. An article according to claim 27,
Article characterized in that the pouch is made of cotton and has a high enough count to allow the pouch to be sewn to a piece of gauze. An article according to claim 27,
An article having a pillow case structure in which the pouch is turned upside down. An article according to claim 27,
An article wherein the pouch is a color distinguishable from a surgical environment. An article according to claim 27,
An article wherein the pouch is deformable. 28. The device of claim 27,
A device wherein the pouch is flexible. A method used when detecting a surgical object used in a living body or a surgical site,
Providing a pouch comprising an interior and a closable opening for selectively providing external access to the interior, the interior being sized to receive and hold a transponder;
Placing a transponder inside the pouch;
Coupling the pouch to a surgical object used in vivo or near a surgical site. 41. The method of claim 40,
The method further comprising the step of sewing the closed opening to securely hold the transponder within the pouch. 41. The method of claim 40,
The method of coupling the pouch to a surgical object for use in vivo or near a surgical site includes sewing the pouch into a surgical sponge. 41. The method of claim 40,
Providing a pouch having an interior and a closable opening comprises providing a pillow case having a seam near an outer periphery disposed within the pouch. 41. The method of claim 40,
Forming the pouch by sewing an outer periphery other than the opening;
Turning the stitched pouch upside down so that the stitching is located inside the pouch. 41. The method of claim 40,
Preparing a pouch with said interior and a closable opening, and preparing a cotton pouch high enough to allow the pouch to be sewn securely to the gauze piece A method comprising the steps of: 41. The method of claim 40,
Providing a pouch comprising the interior and the closable opening includes providing a colored pocket having a color that is distinguishable from a surgical environment.

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