Method and apparatus for identifying and tracking biological fluids using RFID
Inventors
Seremjian, Kip • Hohberger, Clive • HOUTZ, Phillip • YEAZEL, Jonathan • Kaplan, Fred
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9735841-B2
Publication Date
2017-08-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system and method of tracking, assigning and releasing biological fluids. The system and method identifies, assigns and releases biological fluid products from controlled storage based on medical criteria supported by the use of RFID technology.
Core Innovation
A biological fluid container identification, tracking and selection system includes a tray assembly with a plurality of bins configured to support storage of one or more biological fluid containers. The biological fluid containers are provided with RFID tags, and the system includes a bin status indicator display for each bin. An RFID bin antenna assembly for each bin is coupled to RFID reader(s) connected to an electronic tray controller, allowing the tray controller to detect whether an RFID tag is within one of the bins and to read data from and optionally write data to the RFID tag on a biological fluid container within that bin.
The system further includes a fluid management computer with an operator interface, in communication with the electronic tray controller of each tray assembly. The fluid management computer provides inventory and selection coordination so that information detected and optionally written to RFID tags can be used to identify, track and select biological fluid containers. The system supports communicating RFID tag information from the tray controller to the fluid management computer using communications technologies, and displaying information on the bin status indicator display of the bin with a selected biological fluid container therein according to information received from the fluid management computer.
A tray assembly includes a tray controller coupled to a rechargeable battery, where the rechargeable battery is configured for recharging utilizing magnetic induction coupling. The tray assembly includes bins for storage of biological fluid containers, and one or more RFID readers connected to the tray controller through a controller port, with a bin antenna assembly associated with each bin. The bin antenna assemblies are coupled with the RFID reader for detection of a biological fluid container within each of the bins, and for reading and optionally writing information to an RFID tag of any biological fluid container within each of the bins, with the tray controller capable of external communication through a communications technology.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides three independent claims. Each independent claim centers on RFID-tagged biological fluid container identification, tracking and selection, coordinated by a tray controller and a fluid management computer, with bin-level RFID sensing, status display, and induction-charged rechargeable power.
RFID-tagged containers in bin tray with bin status display
A tray assembly comprising a plurality of bins configured to support storage of one or more biological fluid containers; the biological fluid containers provided with RFID tags; an RFID bin antenna assembly for each bin coupled to RFID reader(s) connected to an electronic tray controller; and a bin status indicator display for each bin coupled to the electronic tray controller, where the electronic tray controller utilizes the RFID reader to detect whether an RFID tag is within one of the bins and able to read data from and optionally write data to the RFID tag on a biological fluid container within that bin.
Fluid management computer coordination and communicated RFID tag information display
A fluid management computer with an operator interface in communication with the electronic tray controller of each tray assembly, where the electronic tray controller detects and reads, and optionally writes, RFID tag data and the fluid management computer communicates with the tray controller; and displaying information on the bin status indicator display of the bin with a selected biological fluid container therein according to information received from a fluid management computer using communications technologies.
RFID-based identification, tracking, and selecting method with induction-charged tray controller
providing an RFID tag to a biological fluid container carrying information regarding the contents of the biological fluid container; detecting the presence or absence of each biological fluid container within a bin on a tray assembly containing a plurality of bins, each bin provided with a bin status indicator display; reading the RFID tag under control of a tray controller coupled to a rechargeable battery charged by charging control electronics receiving power from a tray induction coil using magnetic induction coupling; communicating the RFID tag information from the tray controller to a fluid management computer using communications technologies; and displaying information on the bin status indicator display of the bin with a selected biological fluid container therein according to information received from a fluid management computer using communications technologies.
Tray assembly with rechargeable induction-coupled power and per-bin RFID readers/antenna
a tray controller coupled to a rechargeable battery configured for recharging utilizing magnetic induction coupling; a plurality of bins configured for storage of a biological fluid container; one or more RFID readers connected to said tray controller through a controller port; and a bin antenna assembly associated with each bin, where the bin antenna assemblies coupled with an RFID reader for detection of a biological fluid container within each of the bins and to read and optionally write information to an RFID tag of any biological fluid container within each of the bins, and the tray controller capable of external communication through a communications technology.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive coverage is an RFID-based biological fluid container identification, tracking and selection system using a tray assembly with bins that perform RFID detection, read and optionally write functions, bin status indication, and communication with a fluid management computer, including induction-charged rechargeable power for the tray controller and external communications capability.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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