RFID medical item hanging storage system
Inventors
Saghbini, Jean-Claude J. • Billington, James • Johnson, Daniel W.
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-8174392-B1
Publication Date
2012-05-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A medical item hanging storage system for medical items having stand-off readable tags, such as RFID tags, comprises storage devices comprising fixtures for holding hanging medical items, and readers for reading tags associated with each of the medical items, and tags that attached to the hanging medical items to be read by the readers. Tagging devices are used for attaching the RFID tags. The tagging devices each comprise a substrate, possibly including a hook, an adhesive portion for attaching the substrate to the medical item, and at least one spreader for separating RFID tags of adjacent medical items and/or other tags to facilitate reading of the tags.
Core Innovation
The described invention relates to a medical item hanging storage system for medical items in which storage devices include fixtures for holding medical items in a hanging arrangement. RFID readers in the storage devices include antennas located above the fixtures to read stand-off readable RFID tags positioned above the fixtures. Tagging devices are attached to the hanging medical items and include tag substrates and RFID tags that are attached to the tag substrates.
The invention further includes tag substrates that comprise hooks for engaging the fixtures, so that the hanging medical items are supported on the fixtures via the tag substrates. RFID tag spreaders are associated with the tag substrates for separating RFID tags of adjacent medical items and/or other tags to facilitate reading of the RFID tags by the readers. The spreaders are physically arranged to separate adjacent tags so that reliable reading is supported.
The invention also describes an RFID controller that transmits tag reads via a network interface to an inventory management system. The inventory management system includes an inventory database indexed by read tag information, thereby supporting medical item inventory tracking based on RFID tag reads.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a medical item hanging storage system with reader antennas positioned above hanging fixtures and RFID-tagged items supported via tag substrates that include hooks, plus spreaders associated with tag substrates to separate adjacent tags for facilitated reading. Additional coverage includes connectivity to an inventory management system via a network interface and a method claim for reading and tracking.
Hanging storage fixtures with above-fixture RFID reader antennas
A medical item hanging storage system including storage devices with fixtures for holding medical items in a hanging arrangement, and readers for reading RFID tags associated with each of the medical items, the readers including antennas located above the fixtures in the storage devices.
RFID tagging devices with tag substrates attached to hanging medical items
Tagging devices attached to the hanging medical items, including tag substrates and RFID tags that are read by the readers, the RFID tags being attached to the tag substrates, with the RFID tags positioned above the fixtures.
Tag substrates with hooks engaging the fixtures
Tag substrates comprising hooks and engage the fixtures via the hooks, with the hanging medical items being supported on the fixtures via the tag substrates with the RFID tags being positioned above the fixtures.
Spreaders associated with tag substrates to separate adjacent tags
Spreaders associated with the tag substrates for separating RFID tags of adjacent medical items and/or other tags to facilitate reading of the RFID tags by the readers.
Network interface to inventory management with inventory database indexed by RFID reads
A system that includes a network interface enabling communication with an inventory management system that maintains an inventory database storing locations of medical items based on RFID tag readings by RFID readers for the storage devices.
Method of storing and tracking using above-fixture RFID reading and separating tags with spreaders
A method comprising providing fixtures for holding medical items in a hanging arrangement; providing hangers including RFID tags supported by the fixtures with the RFID tags positioned on the hangers to be above the fixtures; reading said RFID tags using antennas located above the fixtures; and providing spreaders for separating the RFID tags of adjacent medical items and/or other tags to facilitate reading of the RFID tags.
Overall claim coverage centers on a hanging storage system where RFID reader antennas are located above hanging fixtures and RFID tags on tag substrates are positioned above the fixtures. The tag substrate hooks support the hanging items on the fixtures, while spreaders associated with the tag substrates separate adjacent tags to facilitate reading; one independent claim family further specifies networked inventory management using an inventory database indexed by RFID read information.
Stated Advantages
Facilitate reading of the RFID tags by the readers.
Support reliable reading by separating RFID tags of adjacent medical items and/or other tags.
Support inventory tracking by storing locations of medical items based on RFID tag readings in an inventory database.
Documented Applications
Hanging storage of medical items in a storage cabinet/storage device with RFID-based reading of RFID-tagged medical items.
Storing and tracking medical items using fixture-supported hanging hangers with above-fixture RFID tag reading and spreaders separating adjacent RFID tags.
Inventory management of medical item locations using RFID tag reads transmitted via a network interface to an inventory management system and inventory database indexed by read tag information.
Interested in licensing this patent?