Patent ID: 8256674
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61G,G06K,G06Q,H01Q

Abstract:
1. A scanning apparatus comprising: a handheld antenna configured for movement around or within a surgical field, wherein the handheld antenna is configured to emit an handheld antenna detection field in a particular direction relative to the handheld antenna, and wherein the handheld antenna is further configured to detect a response signal from an object located in the surgical field; and a plurality of lower antennas positioned in a housing that is configured to be positioned under a patient, the lower antennas being adapted to generate a lower antenna detection field for detecting and counting objects in a surgical field, wherein the lower antennas are configured to be selectively activated such that the lower antenna detection field is electromagnetically coupled with the handheld antenna direction field so as to vary the direction of the handheld detection field relative to the handheld antenna from the particular direction.