Millimeter-sized recognition signal badge and identification system for accurately discerning and sorting among similar kinds, shapes, and sizes of surgical instruments

摘要

The present invention is a discrete signal-identifying badge and operative system for recognizing, differentiating and distinguishing among the many kinds, shapes and sizes of surgical instruments and tools commonly used today for human and veterinary surgeries and in scientific research. The signal-identifying badge is a discrete millimeter-sized article of manufacture which can be easily affixed to an exposed surface of any type, any configuration and any dimension of surgical instrument or tool; and includes a well-cushioned and protected photovoltaic cell-integrated chip transponder unit embedded within a safeguarding three-tier stack construct.

主权项

1. A miniature recognition signal badge suitable for on-demand affixation to and for identifying and sorting among different kinds, shapes and sizes of surgical instruments and tools, said recognition signal badge comprising:
a millimeter-sized three-sheet stack construct which protects against the undesirable effects of impact forces and safeguards its internal contents from degradation by the ambient environment, said millimeter-sized three-sheet stack construct being formed of (α) a preformed 1st planar sheet composed of opaque matter,
wherein said 1st planar sheet is repellent to water and other aqueous fluids, is resistant to cleaning agents and other noxious chemical compositions, and is enduring of harsh sterilization environments, andwherein said 1st planar sheet has a predetermined configuration and millimeter-sized dimensions, and presents an anterior face surface and a posterior face surface, (β) a preformed 2nd flat sheet composed of dense matter disposed upon and adhered fluid-tight to said anterior face surface of said 1st planar sheet,
wherein said 2nd flat sheet is repellent to water and other aqueous fluids, resistant to cleaning agents and other noxious chemical compositions, and enduring of harsh sterilization environments, andwherein said 2nd flat sheet presents a pre-chosen configuration and millimeter-sized dimensions which are substantially coextensive with the configuration and dimensions of said 1st planar sheet, has an anterior face surface and an adhering posterior face surface, and a includes a closed micron-sized aperture space of fixed shape, perimeter edge and volume, (γ) a preformed 3rd level sheet disposed upon and adhered fluid-tight to said anterior face surface of said 2nd flat sheet, wherein said 3rd level sheet is repellent to water and other aqueous fluids, resistant to cleaning agents and other noxious chemical compositions, and enduring of harsh sterilization environments, and wherein said 3rd level sheet has a pre-chosen configuration and millimeter-sized dimensions not less the dimensions of said 2nd flat sheet, and presents an anterior face surface and an posterior face surface, and wherein said 3rd level sheet is composed at least in part of transparent matter which allows on-demand light energy transmissions and presents at least one discernible light energy transmitting zone which is at least co-extensive in surface area with, is aligned to the perimeter edge of, and encloses the cavity volume of said aperture space in said 2nd flat sheet; an operative micron-sized photovoltaic cell-chip transponder unit embedded within and contained by the closed spatial volume of said aperture in said 2nd flat sheet of said three-sheet stack construct, said photovoltaic cell-chip transponder unit becoming activated and energized by light energy to generate and electronically emit an identifying RF response signal into the ambient environment; and an adhesive coating disposed on said posterior face surface of said 1st planar sheet of said three-sheet stack construct, said adhesive coating being suitable for on-demand affixation of said three-sheet stack construct and said embedded transponder unit to an exposed surface site of a surgical instrument or tool.