Surgical Objects For Monitoring In A Surgical Field

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical sponge comprising:
 an absorbent body;   a first tag attached to said absorbent body, said first tag utilizing a radiofrequency of less than 1 GHz; and   a second tag attached to said absorbent body, said second tag comprising unique identifying information.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical sponge of  claim 1 , wherein said first tag utilizing a radiofrequency of greater than 100 kHz and less than 1 GHz. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical sponge of  claim 1 , wherein said first tag is capable of being detected with an antenna. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical sponge of  claim 1 , wherein said first tag is encapsulated. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical sponge of  claim 1 , wherein said first tag is rigid. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical sponge of  claim 1 , wherein said first tag is flexible. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical sponge of  claim 1 , wherein said first tag is passive. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical sponge of  claim 1 , wherein said first tag comprises a protective covering configured to reduce electromagnetic coupling. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical sponge of  claim 8 , wherein said protective covering comprises a pocket. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical sponge of  claim 1 , wherein said second tag is an alpha-numeric identifier. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical sponge of  claim 1 , wherein said second tag is capable of being read with an antenna. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical sponge of  claim 1 , wherein said unique identifying information specifies a type of surgical sponge. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical sponge of  claim 1 , wherein said second tag further comprises a tag memory, said unique identifying information being disposed on said tag memory. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical sponge of  claim 1 , wherein said second tag further comprises an integrated circuit. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical sponge of  claim 1 , wherein said first tag and said second tag are arranged on said absorbent body to provide maximum spacing between said first tag and said second tag. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical sponge of  claim 15 , wherein said first tag and said second tag are placed in alternating corners of said absorbent body. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical sponge of  claim 1 , further comprising a third tag attached to said absorbent body, said third tag comprising a bar code. 
     
     
         18 . A surgical sponge comprising:
 an absorbent body;   a first tag attached to said absorbent body, said first tag utilizing a radiofrequency of less than 1 GHz; and   a second tag attached to said absorbent body, said second tag comprising a bar code.   
     
     
         19 . The surgical sponge of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of said first tag and said second tag comprises unique identifying information. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical sponge of  claim 18 , wherein said first tag is capable of being detected with an antenna. 
     
     
         21 . The surgical sponge of  claim 18 , further comprising a third tag, said third tag comprising unique identifying information. 
     
     
         22 . A surgical sponge comprising:
 an absorbent body;   a first tag attached to said absorbent body, said first tag utilizing a radiofrequency of greater than 100 kHz; and   a second tag attached to said absorbent body, said second tag comprising unique identifying information.