APPARATUSES TO PHYSICALLY COUPLE TRANSPONDER TO OBJECTS, SUCH AS SURGICAL OBJECTS, AND METHODS OF USING SAME

摘要

Apparatuses and methods to physically couple a transponder to a surgical object are provided. One example apparatus includes a first clamp comprising a first fastener and a first channel member that has a first base and a first pair of side portions that extend from the first base to form a first channel therebetween. The first fastener adjustably engages with the first channel member to securingly clamp a surgical object in the first channel of the first channel member. The apparatus further includes a housing that has at least a first cavity that receives at least a portion of the first pair of side portions of the first channel member, a first passageway that receives the first fastener and permits the first fastener to extend at least in part into the first cavity, and a second passageway to receive at least one transponder that wirelessly receives and returns signals.

主权项

1. An apparatus to physically couple one or more transponders to a surgical object used in a surgical environment, the apparatus comprising:
at least a first clamp comprising a first fastener and a first channel member, the first channel member having a first base and a first pair of side portions that extend from the first base and which are opposed to one another across a width of the first channel member to form a first channel therebetween, the width of the first channel sized to receive at least a first portion of a surgical object therein, wherein the first fastener adjustably engages with the first channel member to securingly clamp the first portion of the surgical object in the first channel of the first channel member; a housing that has at least a first cavity that receives at least a portion of the first pair of side portions of the first channel member, a first passageway that receives the first fastener and opens at least in part into the first cavity to permit the first fastener to extend at least in part into the first cavity and adjustably engage with the first channel member, and a second passageway to receive at least one transponder that wirelessly receives and returns signals.