Stryker Combo L.l.c.

Clearcount Medical Solutions, Inc.

Stryker Corporation

Steven J Fleck

David Szakelyhidi

Gautam Gandhi

Regis J Nero, Jr

Michael Thomas McElhinny

Joshua J Hill

Thomas Kubilius

Zachary B Beard

Melissa R Appel

William M Bernstein

Michele I Dye

A system and method for performing a package status check are provided, including a scanner for use in a surgical field and having an antenna for emitting a radio frequency detection field, the scanner including control circuitry configured to determine a predetermined quantity of sponges corresponding to a complete pack of sponges; count a number of sponges associated with the pack with the scanner prior to use of the sponges in a surgical field; and issue an alert when a number of counted sponges does not match the predetermined quantity corresponding to the complete pack. The system and method may include the control circuitry configured to determine whether a sponge has been re-scanned or is unknown by comparing detected information with previously detected information prior.

Apparatus and methods for monitoring objects in a surgical field

A system and method for performing package status check are provided, including a scanner for use in a surgical field and having a circuit and an antenna for emitting a radio frequency detection field, the scanner further including control circuitry configured to determine a predetermined quantity of sponges corresponding to a complete pack of sponges; count a number of sponges associated with the pack with the scanner prior to use of the sponges in a surgical field; and issue an alert when a number of counted sponges does not match the predetermined quantity corresponding to the complete pack. The system and method may include the control circuitry configured to determine whether a sponge has been re-scanned or is unknown by comparing detected information with previously detected information prior.

Systems and methods are provided for counting sharps returned to a container. An example method of counting sharps returned to a container having at least two layers of penetrable conductive material includes periodically checking a plurality of circuits formed by the first and second layers of material to determine if each circuit is open or closed, and keeping a count of the number of closed circuits.

Method for automating the counting of sharps using RFID tags

Apparatus and methods for identifying and counting objects having identifiers entering and exiting a surgical field are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an entry scanner, a hand held scanner and an exit scanner for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. In another embodiment, the apparatus has a plurality of lower antennas and an upper antenna for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. Various surgical devices with identifiers and methods for preventing electromagnetic coupling between and protecting objects and identifier are also provided. The invention further provides apparatus and methods comprising a handheld scanner and a mat adapted to underlie a patient during a surgical procedure.

Systems and methods are provided for an antenna coupler mechanism. The antenna coupler mechanism includes a first tuning leg, a second tuning leg, and a bottom plate. The first tuning leg includes a first inductive circuit element, the first tuning leg being configured to accept a radio frequency device in series with the first inductive circuit element. The second tuning leg includes a second inductive circuit element and a capacitive circuit element connected in series, the second tuning leg being connected electrically in parallel with the first tuning leg. In addition, the bottom plate includes a third inductive circuit element connected electrically in parallel with the first tuning leg and connected electrically in parallel with the second tuning leg, the bottom plate being configured to couple energy into a nearby structure.

Antenna coupler mechanism

Apparatus for automating the counting of sharps using RFID tags

Methods for monitoring objects in a surgical field

In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for counting sharps returned to a container. An example method of counting sharps returned to a container having at least two layers of penetrable conductive material includes periodically checking a plurality of circuits formed by the first and second layers of material to determine if each circuit is open or closed, and keeping a count of the number of closed circuits.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Steven J Fleck