Tagging methods and apparatus
A method of tagging and sterilizing an item, the method including the steps of: providing an item ( 12 ) that is to be sterilized and tagged; applying an RFID tagging device ( 22 ) to said item, said tagging device including a data store ( 30 ) formed from an array of micromechanical resonant members ( 34 ), said resonant members being configured to vibrate in accordance with an applied RF signal, so as to provide a data response; and sterilizing said tagged item by autoclaving and/or by irradiation.
1. A method of tagging and sterilizing an item, the method including the steps of:
providing an item that is to be sterilized and tagged;
applying an RFID tagging device to said item, said tagging device including a data store formed from an array of micromechanical resonant members, said resonant members being configured to vibrate in accordance with an applied RF signal, so as to provide a data response; and
sterilizing said tagged item by autoclaving or by irradiation.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said sterilization step includes autoclaving the tagged item at a temperature of 120° C. or above.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said irradiation step includes the irradiation of the tagged item by gamma radiation.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said irradiation step includes the step of applying a dosage of 2.5 Mrads or more of gamma radiation to said tagged item.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said irradiation step includes the irradiation of the tagged item by beta radiation.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said resonant members are configured for vibration under a Lorentz force.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said RFID device is encased in an autoclave and/or irradiation resistant outer cover.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said RFID device includes support circuitry for said resonant members formed from autoclave and/or irradiation resistant components.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said RFID device includes support circuitry for said resonant members including Schottky diodes.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said tagged item is a medical or healthcare item.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said tagged item is a surgical instrument or a surgical implant.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said tagged items are provided in a container, said container including an RFID tag thereon.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said container RFID tag includes a transponder for communicating with said tagged items, and wherein said container RFID tag is provided in a thermally protective housing and/or is removably mounted on said tray.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein said container tag is an active tag and said item tags are passive tags.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein said tagged items are parts of a loaner kit of surgical equipment to be loaned to a hospital by a loaner kit provider.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein said resonant members are configured for vibration under a Lorentz force.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein said RFID device is encased in an irradiation resistant outer cover.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein said RFID device includes support circuitry for said resonant members formed from irradiation resistant components.
19. A system of tracking RFID tagged items through a process including a sterilization of said tagged items by an autoclave or irradiation process, the system including an inventory controller in communication with one or more RFID readers for reading said tagged items, wherein said items are tagged by RFID devices, a said RFID device including a data store formed by micromechanical resonant members that respond to an applied RF interrogation signal with a data response.
20. A sterilized and RFID tagged item, wherein said RFID tag includes a data store formed from an array of micromechanical resonant members, said resonant members vibrating in accordance with an applied RF signal, so as to provide a data response; and wherein said sterilization was by autoclaving or by irradiation of said tagged item whilst said item was tagged.