Sterile implant tracking device and method
An assembly and method for tracking implant devices within a sterile field, the assembly comprising a reader that includes a housing structure with a base and a cover, a scanner having a scanner housing, where the scanner housing is at least partially positioned in a cavity provided in the base; and an aperture provided in the cover, where the cover is configured to receive a transparent sterile sheath to at least partially encase the cover.
1. A tracking assembly comprising:
a reader comprising:
a scanner;
a scanner mounting structure supporting the scanner;
a housing structure that includes a cover with an aperture and a base secured
to the cover, the base having a cavity to hold the scanner and an inset groove to receive a bottom edge of the cover, the base further having one or more vertical pins that extend through the inset groove; the cover having a top surface and a side wall, wherein the side wall has one or more holes configured to receive the one or more vertical pins;
where the scanner mounting structure is secured to the base, and
where the scanner and scanner mounting structure are substantially enclosed in the housing structure.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , where the scanner includes a scanner housing attached to the scanner mounting structure.
3. The assembly of claim 2 , where the scanner is capable of scanning 2×2 mm etched identifiers.
4. The assembly of claim 2 , where the scanner housing has a lens secured thereto, where the lens includes a front surface, where the front surface is situated between about 3 inches to about 5 inches from the aperture of the cover.
5. The assembly of claim 1 , where the aperture of the cover corresponds with a focal point of the scanner.
6. The assembly of claim 1 , where the scanner is connected to a computer located outside the housing structure.
7. A method of using a tracking assembly comprising the steps of:
providing a tracking assembly comprising:
a reader comprising:
a scanner;
a scanner mounting structure supporting the scanner; and
a housing structure comprising:
a cover comprising:
an aperture in the cover; and
a base secured to the cover, where the base includes a
cavity, and an inset groove to receive a bottom edge of the cover, the base further having one or more vertical pins that extend through the inset groove; the cover having a top surface and a side wall, wherein the side wall has one or more holes configured to receive the one or more vertical pins;
where the scanner mounting structure is positioned in the cavity of
the base, and where the scanner and scanner mounting structure are
substantially enclosed in the housing structure;
positioning the reader adjacent to a surgical patient;
placing an implant having an identifier over the aperture; and
scanning the identifier of the implant to electronically record the implant data.