Patent ID: 6026818
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A device for the electronic detection of an object within a defined area, said device comprising at least one minimally sized, low Q detection tag element for affixation to said object, without impeding operative use of the object, wherein said tag element comprises a single electronic signal emitter contained within protective means for electrically insulating said tag element; said device further comprising an electronically operable interrogation and detection member adapted to locate the tag element within a predetermined distance therefrom, wherein the interrogation and detection member comprises means for the emission of pulsed wide band transmission signals which includes, within the wide band, a signal which activates the single signal emitter to provide a response signal, and means for the reception and analysis of said response signal; wherein multiple pulsed signals cause increasing intensity of the return signals of the minimally sized tag element to build up in intensity at a single detectable frequency over ambient electronic noise levels to permit detection of the tag element and the object to which the tag element is attached.