Apparatus and methods for monitoring objects in a surgical field

1. A system for performing a package status check, the system comprising:

a scanner adapted for use in a surgical field, the scanner comprising an antenna capable of emitting a radio frequency detection field, and a circuit coupled to the antenna, the scanner capable of being selectively powered during a period of operation;

control circuitry coupled to the scanner and 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 associated with the pack of sponges does not match the predetermined quantity corresponding to the complete pack of sponges.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined quantity of sponges corresponding to the complete package of sponges is based on a quantity identifier detected from one of an RF identifier, a pack identifier or combinations thereof.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to store data representing the number, identity, and pack association of a sponge prior to introduction of the sponge into a surgical field.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a display; and wherein the control circuitry is configured to issue the alert by generating a visual indicator on the display.

5. A method for performing a package status check, the method comprising:

providing a scanner adapted for use in a surgical field, the scanner comprising an antenna capable of emitting a radio frequency detection field, and a circuit coupled to the antenna;

determining a predetermined quantity of sponges corresponding to a complete pack of sponges;

counting a number of sponges associated with the pack with the scanner prior to use of the sponges in a surgical field; and

issuing an alert when a number of counted sponges associated with the pack of sponges does not match the predetermined quantity corresponding to the complete pack of sponges.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of determining the predetermined quantity of sponges includes detecting a quantity identifier with the scanner from one of an RF identifier, a pack identifier, or combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising storing data representing the number, identity, and pack association of a sponge prior to introduction of the sponge into the surgical field; and adding the sponge to a record of sponges present for use in the surgical field.

8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising providing a display in communication with the scanner; and wherein issuing an alert includes displaying a visual indicator on the display.

9. A system for performing a package status check, the system comprising:

a scanner adapted for use in a surgical field, the scanner comprising an antenna capable of emitting a radio frequency detection field, and a circuit coupled to the antenna, the scanner capable of being selectively powered during a period of operation;

control circuitry coupled to the scanner, the control circuitry storing previously detected information, and configured to:

detect information associated with a sponge with the scanner prior to use of the sponge in the surgical field;

compare the detected information associated with the sponge to previously detected information prior to use of the sponge in the surgical field; and

determine whether the sponge has been re-scanned as a result of the comparison of the detected information matching the previously detected information prior to use of the sponge in the surgical field; and

issue an alert if the sponge has been re-scanned prior to use of the sponge in the surgical field.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the detected information is an identifier detected from an RF identifier coupled to the sponge; and wherein the previously detected information includes a record of sponges previously used in the surgical field.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow an operator to override the alert; and to store an identity of the operator overriding the alert.

12. A method for performing a package status check, the method comprising:

providing a scanner adapted for use in a surgical field, the scanner comprising an antenna capable of emitting a radio frequency detection field, and a circuit coupled to the antenna;

providing control circuitry storing previously detected information, the control circuitry in communication with the scanner;

detecting information associated with a sponge with the scanner prior to use of the sponge in the surgical field;

comparing the detected information associated with the sponge to the previously detected information;

determining whether the sponge has been re-scanned prior to use of the sponge in the surgical field; and

issuing an alert if the sponge has been re-scanned prior to use of the sponge in the surgical field.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the detected information is an identifier detected from an RF identifier coupled to the sponge; and wherein the previously detected information includes a record of sponges previously used in the surgical field.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising overriding the alert; and storing an identity of an operator overriding the alert.

15. A system for performing a package status check, the system comprising:

a scanner adapted for use in a surgical field, the scanner comprising an antenna capable of emitting a radio frequency detection field, and a circuit coupled to the antenna, the scanner capable of being selectively powered during a period of operation;

control circuitry coupled to the scanner, the control circuitry storing previously detected information, and configured to:

detect information associated with a sponge with the scanner subsequent to use of the sponge in the surgical field;

compare the detected information associated with the sponge to previously detected information subsequent to use of the sponge in the surgical field;

determine whether the sponge is unknown in the surgical field as a result of the comparison subsequent to use of the sponge in the surgical field; and

issue an alert if the sponge is determined to be unknown subsequent to use of the sponge in the surgical field.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the detected information is an identifier detected from an RF identifier coupled to the sponge; and wherein the previously detected information includes a record of sponges previously used in a surgical field.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow an operator to override the alert to add the detected information associated with the sponge to a record of sponges used in the surgical field; and to store an identity of the operator overriding the alert.

18. A method for performing a package status check, the method comprising:

providing a scanner adapted for use in a surgical field, the scanner comprising an antenna capable of emitting a radio frequency detection field, and a circuit coupled to the antenna;

providing control circuitry storing previously detected information, the control circuitry in communication with the scanner;

detecting information associated with a sponge with the scanner prior to use of the sponge in the surgical field;

comparing the detected information associated with the sponge to the previously detected information;

determining whether the sponge is unknown in the surgical field as a result of the comparison subsequent to use of the sponge in the surgical field; and

issuing an alert if the sponge is unknown subsequent to use of the sponge in the surgical field.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the detected information is an identifier detected from an RF identifier coupled to the sponge; and wherein the previously detected information includes a record of sponges previously used in the surgical field.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising overriding the alert to add the detected information associated with the sponge to a record of sponges used in the surgical field; and storing an identity of the operator overriding the alert.